Summer 2009 - University of Bolton

THE BOLT
News from the University of Bolton
Professionals in Practice
Olympic goals
Jatinder set sights
on 2012 dream
£30m research hub
Key partnership for
the North West
Building recovery
o
University’s 360 portfolio
boost for local economy
Golden age
for theatre partnership
Graduates shine
in professional success
Issue 13 Summer 2009
WELCOME
The University of Bolton is firmly focused on giving its
students the right start on their chosen career path.
That is why we believe we should give students every
CONTENTS
Honorary awards
Stars of our summer degree congregation
3
Poet Laureate
Honorary Fellow, Carol Ann Duffy, takes on role
4
Minister sees special effects
Minister, Andy Burnham, visits University
4
£30m hub
Key partners in international vision for
materials chemistry in North West
5
opportunity possible to build a competitive edge into
their CVs, an edge that appeals to employers, ready
for when they graduate.
Professional skills run through our degree programmes
like ‘Blackpool’ through a stick of rock. But now, with
‘economic downturn’ and ‘credit crunch’ in every other
headline, never before has that profession-focus been
more important for graduates. In a competitive jobs
market ‘adding value’ is a real asset to any student’s CV
and so schemes like our new Enterprise Champions
Weathering the storm
Professional portfolio for supporting
economic recovery
6-8
and Flying Start projects, featured on pages 6,7 and 8,
are going help our students make their skills distinctive
in the jobs market. Learning skills beyond the technical
and professional and into the ‘doing business’ realm
Scripwriters’ inspiration
University hosts conference
8
Golden age for unique partnership
University and theatre working together
9
creates confident graduate entrepreneurs.
The University has been successful in securing a
£250,000 Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF)
allocation from the government. We received one of
the highest grant allocations in the region and are
already targeting the unemployed, workers and
graduates with training and support packages that can
help our local economy weather the storm.
Graduates shine
Students and alumni in professional success
10-11
Computer rage
Research highlights prevalence
12-13
Of course, we have some very successful and famous
graduates out in the world as it is. Acclaimed author,
Janette Jenkins, was back at the University recently
meeting students.They are also winning professional
plaudits – like Andrew Biraj – and succeeding in their
creative field, like playwright Mark Murphy.
This issue is full of success stories, across campus. I
hope you enjoy reading about them.
Deana Morris
All Bolt enquiries to,
Future focus
Artist in residence shows town’s children
Leverhulme grant
Micro–world research wins prestigious funding
15
18-19
The Editor; Deana Morris
Communications and Publications
University of Bolton
T: 01204 903007 E: [email protected]
Truly international
Multicultural celebrations
21
Photography: Adrian Greenhalgh, University of Bolton
Design: Spirit Associates, Manchester
Front cover: Jatinder Rakhra: Olympic hopeful
2
Sports stars
Jatinder prepares for Olympic future
22-23
Stars of degree congregation
VIPs from the worlds of education, enterprise,
entertainment and sport will be joining graduating
students at this year’s degree congregation
ceremonies as the University celebrates at the end
of another successful academic year.
Among those receiving honorary awards will be Bolton stars,
entertainer and Radio One DJ,Vernon Kay and comedian, Peter Kay,
as well as University alumni Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley, onetime humanities students at the then Bolton Institute and members
of punk band, The Buzzcocks.
Nine honorary awards will be presented by the Vice Chancellor, Dr
George Holmes, at this summer's degree congregation ceremonies
in July.
They will share in the celebrations of hundreds of graduating
students who receive their academic awards during two days of
celebrations in the town and on campus.
The Vice Chancellor will confer the honorary awards during the
university's four degree congregation ceremonies that take place on
Thursday July 9 and Friday July 10 at the Victoria Hall in Bolton.
Lorriane Brannan receives an Honorary Doctorate for her
outstanding contribution to the University. A former Chair of the
University Board of Governors, she served as a governor for three
years.
Howard Devoto receives an Honorary Doctorate for his
outstanding contribution to the field of music. Co-forming The
Buzzcocks with Pete Shelley, Devoto went on to form the influential
band, Magazine, and later, Luxuria.
Bolton comedian Peter Kay receives his Honorary Doctorate for his
outstanding contribution to the field of entertainment. Co-writer and
star of Channel 4’s Phoenix Nights, he is also well known for Peter
Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus
Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice, as well as the Comic Relief
song Amarillo.
Entertainer and Radio One DJ Vernon Kay receives an Honorary
Doctorate for his outstanding contribution to the field of
entertainment. He began TV presenting on the BBC children's show
FBi, a spin-off of Fully Booked. Since then he has presented various
shows, most notably T4, Beat the Star and All Star Family Fortunes.
Mathaka Mmpatsi receives an Alumni Fellowship. A Bolton alumnus,
Mathaka has a high-level position with the Training Agency in
Botswana and still works closely with the University. He is recognised
as the leading expert by the Botswana Ministry of Labour and
Home Affairs on skills development issues.
Bury-born footballer, Gary Neville, is to receive an Honorary
Doctorate for his outstanding contribution to sport. He is England’s
most-capped right back and Manchester United’s club captain where
he has played his full career.
Yakub and Anwar Patel both receive Honorary Doctorates for their
contribution to the Bolton community.The millionaire brothers
behind a leading pharmacy chain are to sponsor the town's first
academy school. Anwar and Yakub Patel, who own the Cohens
chemist stores, will help fund the £20m transformation of Bolton's
Hayward School into an academy.
Singer, songwriter and guitarist, Pete Shelley, is best known as lead
singer of The Buzzcocks, formed with Howard Devoto when students
at Bolton Institute, now the University of Bolton. He has written
music for film and collaborated with other artists, included LA band,
The Adored, who toured with The Buzzcocks in 2007.
3
Gala performance
honours
The University was honoured with a gala
performance of the Octagon Theatre’s new play,
Looking for Buddy, by Alan Plater.
At the performance, governors and University staff were joined by
college principals, leading employers, friends and alumni.
Dr George Holmes,Vice Chancellor of the University of Bolton, said:
‘The unique partnership between the University and the Octagon
has developed and grown over the years into a relationship which
has been extremely beneficial to both institutions. I’m delighted that
we are able to support the arts in the town with such an excellent
and renowned theatre.’
The University has been a principal sponsor of the Octagon since
2007.The partnership has provided a number of opportunities,
including work experience opportunities for students; the Octagon
Theatre Prize, awarded last year to Bolton creative writing graduate,
Rachel Millett; the premiere of a new play, And Did Those Feet, by
University lecturers Les Smith and Martin Thomasson; and poetry
readings by new and established writers.The theatre was awarded
an Honorary Fellowship by the University in 2005, in recognition of
its contribution to the cultural life of the region. Pictured is the star
of the show, actor Tim Healy, with Vice Chancellor, Dr George
Holmes.
Culture Secretary sees
special effects in action
The then Secretary of State
for Culture, Media and
Sport, Andy Burnham, had
an insight into special
effects and media when he
visited the University
recently.
His visit included seeing a special
effects workshop, in the Innovation Factory, then a brief tour of the
recently refurbished photography and media studios where he
talked to teaching staff and students.
Mr Burnham, MP for Leigh, said: ‘For young people who are just
starting out on their career, or for people who may not have had
the chance for further study in early life, the University gives them
the opportunity to learn and develop new skills.
‘The courses it offers will help to prepare people for a rapidly
changing digital world.’
Building partnerships
Chief Executive of the Insitute of Financial Accountants (IFA),
David Woodgate and the International Director (IFA), Malcolm
Dean, visited the University in May to discuss the development of
the existing strategic partnership between the two parties.The visit
also resulted in the renewing of the agreement originally signed
in 2003.
Honorary Fellow is
new Laureate
Honorary Fellow, Carol Ann Duffy, has been named as the new Poet
Laureate, the first woman to be appointed in the 341-year history
of the post.
She has taken over from Andrew Motion and will serve 10 years in
the position.The author, who is best known for her collection
The World's Wife, is also the first Scot to be named Laureate.
Ms Duffy received an Honorary Fellowship from the University, then
Bolton Institute, in 1994, with which she had been associated since
the 1980s.
4
The agreement formalises the mutual recognition of qualifications.
However, the partnership extends into a range of other activities,
including the sharing of contacts and overseas providers. Discussions
focused on how to further extend this relationship. A joint
conference, joint publicity and more progression routes in the form
of Master’s programmes for IFA members are now under
consideration.
Professor Peter Marsh, Deputy Vice Chancellor, said: ‘Our
relationship with IFA is a very good example of the relationships we
seek to establish with professional bodies. It goes much further than
a mutual recognition agreement by also actively developing the
strengths and interests of both parties into practical outcomes.’
David Woodgate added: ‘This closer type of partnership clearly
meets the needs of our members worldwide.The IFA look forward
to developing this relationship, built up over the previous six years,
even further.’
Key partners in £30m research hub
The University is a key partner in a new £30 million
research centre set to make the North West an
international hub for materials chemistry research.
The 'virtual' Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry (KCMC)
was recently launched by the Rt. Hon John Denham, Secretary of
State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.The KCMC brings
together leading edge academic research and expertise in the
Universities of Bolton, Liverpool and Manchester with the Science
and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory.
It will provide a single point of access for industry to a wide
spectrum of multi-disciplinary research in applied materials
chemistry, in order to achieve innovative knowledge transfer for
companies of all sizes.
Materials chemistry covers a broad range of science and technology
competencies that are crucial in delivering product innovations in
fields as diverse as bio-medical devices, pharmaceuticals, personal
care products, coatings, electronic materials and renewable energy
sources.
The University of Bolton's areas of KCMC research expertise focus
on smart materials, which include medical, technical, fire retardant
and intelligent materials, as well as smart micro-systems.
Initial funding of £8m from the Northwest Regional Development
Agency (NWDA) is matched by £7m of academic commitment and
resources by the academic partner institutions.This investment will
provide the North West with an internationally renowned capability
in materials chemistry and is set to leverage further industry and
international grant income in excess of £15m over the next five
years.
Said Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Peter Marsh: 'The KCMC
pulls together key innovators in materials chemistry research, an
area that has great potential for our region's development as a
worldwide-recognised centre of expertise.
'Our scientists, working within our world-leading Centre for
Materials Research and Innovation, already have an established
reputation for working in partnership with industry in the
development of new products and processes.This is an exciting
opportunity for them to develop that strength.'
Said Professor Elias Siores, Director of CMRI: 'KCMC is the largest
R&D collaboration initiative that CMRI has been involved in. With
the appointment of a new Chair in Materials Chemistry and the
wider team here at Bolton we have the capability to make a very
significant contribution to developing and strengthening the smart
materials industry.'
Speaking at the launch, the newly appointed Director, Dr John ContiRamsden, said: 'The creation of the Knowledge Centre for Materials
Chemistry provides a unique opportunity for the UK chemistryusing industry to harness the knowledge and expertise of our world
class science base as a key driver in delivering the innovative
products and process required in the future.'
The investment will create up to 20 new high-value jobs and
establish many new opportunities for work-based training that will
enhance the science skills and expertise of UK chemistry-using
companies.The initial focus of the centre will seek to create over
200 new collaborations between UK-based companies and the
knowledge base embedded in the academic partner institutions.
With a dedicated team of 15 new project scientists, the KCMC will
work in collaboration with industry on translational research projects
that will enable companies to develop new commercial
opportunities. An independent knowledge transfer team hosted by
Chemistry Innovation – the knowledge transfer network for the UK
chemistry-using industries – will develop and manage the
collaborative research projects, drive increased industrial R&D spend
and ensure the services of the centre are effectively linked to
industry need.
5
Building up
our economy
A portfolio of innovative, recession-beating initiatives has been launched by
the University to help students, graduates and businesses move swiftly to
face the current economic challenges. Bringing expertise to the
marketplace and embedding enterprise within its schools, the University
is taking a 360-degree approach to supporting its local economy.
Our current initiatives are featured here on Pages 6, 7 and 8.
Funding the skills to compete
The University will be helping to combat the current economic
downturn with a £250,000 share of government funding.
Match-funding the government’s Economic Challenge Investment
Fund (ECIF) allocation, the University has been developing a halfmillion pound programme targeting graduates, businesses and the
unemployed.
Through the ECIF funding the University will focus on individuals and
companies who want to improve and develop their skills through
training courses.
The Business and Development Partnerships team at the University is
working with its partner colleges, Bolton Council's Skills Board and
Job Centre Plus to identify companies and individuals who may need
support. Three areas being targeted are:
• new graduates, focusing on experience and essential personal skills
6
• the existing workforce, helping to upgrade skills and ensure
organisations remain competitive
• the recently unemployed, offering training which extends to
retraining for new careers
Mike Lomas, Head of Business and Development Partnerships, said:
'The current economic climate is challenging and here at the
University we are well placed to offer the facilities and the training
that will address some of the issues faced by the local economy.The
courses are at different levels, and aimed at different sectors
including business, digital media, creative industries, IT and
construction. Our aim is to maximise the benefit to individuals and
organisations in the Bolton area.'
The money has been made available through the £27m ECIF
initiative, set up by the government to help higher education
institutions and their partners to address some of the problems
caused by current economic conditions.
Flying start for budding entrepreneurs
Dragons’ Den winner and iTeddy creator, Imran Hakim, is supporting a new Flying Start
programme aiming to hone the skills of tomorrow’s University of Bolton graduate
entrepreneurs.
With the Northwest Development Agency and the National Council for Graduate
Enterprise, the University is a launching a business start-up programme run solely for final
year students, postgraduates and graduates of up to five years on, from the North West,
who have a business concept or idea they would like to develop and launch within 12
months.
The first three-day course ran at the University in June. Said Andy Smith, University head of
commercial enterprise: ‘Imran Hakim is helping us target top-level keynote speakers for
events associated with the Flying Start programme.
‘This is an ideal opportunity for graduates with entrepreneurial zeal. It offers a range of
opportunities, from mentoring to advice from the success stories.The skills they will learn,
such as having a working understanding of contracts, will always stand them in good stead.’
Schools build on
professional strengths
Developing enterprise and innovation
products for today’s economic climate has
been at the core of a new tranche of
projects for the University’s schools.
Enterprise champions are being developed
for all schools, helping to develop an
enterprise culture by raising awareness,
motivation and insight into entrepreneurial
opportunities for students and graduates.
And the University is increasing projects
designed to support and develop a range of
knowledge exchange activities designed to
create economic and social benefit.
With a £200,000 funding allocation from the
Higher Education Council for England’s
HEIF4 fund, the University is launching the
following projects:
School of Arts, Media and Education:
A range of developments including a
production company, to give students added
professional experience of working within
their creative industry;
Bolton Business School: Focus on
professional experience for students,
including developing work-placement
modules within subject areas’ curriculums;
School of Built Environment and
Engineering: An innovative training
programme set up through a partnership of
Bolton housing and education providers, the
Bolton Employer-Led Regeneration Training
Initiative, already shortlisted for the Homes
and Communities Academy Awards – Skills
for Better Places;
School of Games Computing and
Creative Technologies/Business,
Logistics Innovation and Systems
Research Centre: A scheme to build new
partner businesses within the aerospace,
automobile and manufacturing sectors, giving
advice and support in areas such as
knowledge management. Emphasis will be
placed on generating new professional
doctorates and the creation of at least two
knowledge transfer partnership schemes;
School of Health and Social Sciences:
Funding to target the Bolton Centre of
Academic Excellence in Community Health
and Wellbeing project. Working with Bolton
Primary Care Trust and Bolton Council’s
Bolton Health, Higher Education and Leisure
Collaborative Working group, HSS will aim
to establish an on-campus, co-location of the
Diagnostic and Treatment Centre and Sports
and Leisure Complex in a Health and
Wellbeing Centre, due to open in 2011.
7
Coopers Chartered Accountants, at the University of Bolton.
Beating the 'credit crunch' and building a business in challenging
economic circumstances was the theme of the free event which
attracted business owners, directors, managers, and professional
advisers. Pictured, BBS director, Bob Barratt, introduces speakers.
SMEs’ rush to join Innovation scheme
More than 20 small-to-medium size businesses (SMEs) have already
signed up to work with the University through a new £4 million
Innovation Vouchers scheme launched last autumn.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and
Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Programme launched the two-year scheme to help support and
grow the region’s economy.
BBS in action
Bolton Business School has been using its sector knowledge and
contacts to deliver recession-focused seminars for both students
and companies.
At its latest collaborative event with the Chartered Management
Institute (CMI) guest speakers addressed Employability in
Recessionary Times. Part-time MBA students, staff and CMI members
from the local business community were enlightened and
entertained on topics from tips on CV preparation, presentation
and ‘mental toughness’.
Peter Moran, course leader for the part-time MBA, who helped
arrange the event, said: ‘I was very pleased to welcome so many
CMI members from outside the University, especially Roger
McCartney, the CMI’s regional manager.’ The University and the CMI
are discussing how to further integrate some of the qualifications
offered by the University of Bolton with those offered by the CMI,
in line with the University’s aim of integrating academic endeavour
with professional practice.
Creating and Raising Finance in Today's Climate was the title of a
seminar hosted by Bolton Business School, in conjunction with CLB
The scheme aims to encourage business to engage proactively with
the North West knowledge base, including colleges and universities,
to remain competitive in the face of current global challenges.
This project is a voucher scheme that will work with businesses who
do not normally engage with the knowledge base (further and
higher education institutions and the wider public sector), with the
aim of resolving issues which would increase productivity and/or
competitiveness.
The NWDA says many SMEs are not aware of the potential
benefits of collaborating with the knowledge base and might not
know how to access the expertise that is available to them in the
region.
The Innovation Vouchers scheme addresses the lack of interaction
by intervening to encourage SMEs to work with the knowledge
base by reducing the costs and by brokering the contact between
SMEs and the experts in the region.The voucher, valued at up to
£3,000, and support should help to ensure that many SMEs will then
continue to work with further and higher education providers long
into the future.
The scheme runs for two years and the next call for funding bids is
due in August.
Scriptwriters’
conference inspires
Celebrated writers Willy Russell and Debbie
Horsfield were among guest speakers in a two-day
conference held recently at the universities of
Bolton and Huddersfield.
Nearly 200 students attended the first Northern Student
Scriptwriters’ Conference where they heard from writers,
producers, directors and scriptwriting experts from the world of TV,
film, radio and theatre.
The conference was organised by the University of Bolton’s School
of Arts, Media and Education and the School of Music, Humanities
and Media at the University of Huddersfield.
For two days students took part in masterclasses, workshops and
question-and-answer sessions where they learned about writing for
the different media as well as the business end of scriptwriting.
Themes covered included writing and producing for TV, film, theatre
and radio; developing story ideas for TV; the concept of the ‘calling
8
card’ script; BBC Writersroom and the development of new writing
for the theatre.
Jane Stuart, creative industries liaison co-ordinator at the University
of Bolton, said: ‘This has been a very popular and successful
conference and students have been inspired by the speakers as well
as learning a lot of practical information from people working in the
business. We’re looking forward to planning another conference
next year.’
New age for a unique
partnership
The University has appointed the Octagon Theatre
Bolton's new artistic director, Olivier award-winning
David Thacker, to the position of Visiting Professor
of the Dramatic Arts, building on a unique,
professional partnership between the two
organisations.
Already David is working closely with three University subject areas,
bringing his expertise to students studying on the Media, Writing
and Production programmes, the Creative Writing programmes and
those studying for BAs in English or Film and Media Studies.
David brings to the Octagon, and the University, a wealth of
experience and career acclaim. He has directed over 100 theatre
productions, including plays by William Shakespeare, Arthur Miller,
Samuel Beckett, Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov,Tennessee Williams,
Tom Stoppard and Eugene O'Neill.
He has worked at eight producing theatres, including the Royal
Shakespeare Company (Director-in-Residence),The Young Vic
(Director), the Dukes Playhouse, Lancaster (Theatre Director), and
the National Theatre. Seven of his productions have transferred to
the West End.
David is also a prolific television director. He has directed more than
30 TV productions, including episodes of The Vice, Silent Witness,
Foyle's War and Waking the Dead. He has also directed films, such as
Measure for Measure, A Doll's House, Broken Glass, The Mayor of
Casterbridge and Faith.
He has directed well-known names such as Joseph Fiennes,Vanessa
Redgrave, Juliet Stevenson and Patrick Stewart. He has also worked
alongside Richard Eyre, Peter Hall,Ted Hughes, Arthur Miller and
Willy Russell.
Having already developed the next season's programme for the
Octagon he is also busy developing his role with the University and
its 'fantastic, unique partnership' with his theatre.The University is
the Octagon's principal sponsor, creating a professional partnership
which brings real-theatre experience to students studying
performance-related subjects – from sound engineering to
scriptwriting.
'I will be engaging in anything that is regarded as "dramatic arts",'
said David. 'So while I won't be taking part in anything to do with
novels, for example, I will have a close involvement in plays and
screenplays.'
David has already been sharpening the performing talents of final
year creative writing students, who have been practicing their
reading aloud skills ready for their final readings.
And he has delivered two seminars on playwriting and the process
of putting together a theatre programme for a season.
The new season, featuring plays such as Shakespeare's A Midsummer
Night's Dream, All My Sons by Arthur Miller and Ibsen's Ghosts, is
part of a programme which David hopes will 'move and inspire
audiences'. Students at the University will have an opportunity to
explore A Midsummer Night's Dream – it is the focus of a module
created especially to take advantage of the opportunities its
production in Bolton affords them. David is leading seven sessions
on the play, which will involve students coming to rehearsals and
taking part in a final session.
And, together with the University, he is exploring new ways the two
organisations can use and develop the theatre space, bringing new
creative ideas to their communities.
Said School of Arts Media Education Director, Sam Johnston: 'As a
Visiting Professor, David is already busy enriching the student
experience with his work across dramatic arts subject areas. His
own career experience, especially in theatre and television, brings a
depth of professional knowledge applicable to the studies of many
of our students. His vision for what he wishes to achieve with us is
exhilarating and we are thrilled at the opportunities we are
developing for us to work ever-closer with the Octagon. What the
Octagon brings to us, and what we will be bringing to the Octagon,
is a unique partnership focused on learning and sharing knowledge,
which we believe will benefit all our communities.'
9
Screen success beckons
for student, Joe
Acclaimed author at
her University
Acclaimed author
Janette Jenkins has been
visiting the University,
talking to students
about her creative
journey.
Janette, an Honorary Fellow
and alumni of the University,
said: ‘Writing can be a lonely
business and hard work. I think
it’s important for aspiring writers to understand the serious
commitment involved and I hope I can give them some insights into
the process, and some inspiration too.’
Student Joe O’Byrne is set for big screen success
after being offered a distribution deal for a film he
has written, produced, acted in and financed.
The film, Lookin’ for Lucky, which was shot on the estates of Bolton, is
being backed by digital distribution company Diva.ag for screenings
at selected UK cinemas, as well as online and DVD distribution.
It is one of a number of successes for Joe, a student on the
University’s teacher training course. He has had plays performed at
The Lowry in Salford and at Manchester’s Library Theatre and is
planning to take one of them, The Bench, to venues across the
North West. Another work by Joe, Rank, is on at The Lowry, in June.
An earlier script, for a four-part TV drama, caught the attention of
famous Bolton-born writer Jim Cartwright, who worked to get it
commissioned through his production company, Destiny Films. Joe
says that at one point actor Pete Postlethwaite had been attached
to the project as lead after reading the script.The plans stalled at
development stage, but Joe remains confident it will get into
production.
Joe turned to acting in his late 30s when he decided to change
careers after working in retail management for 15 years. Influenced
by northern writers Jimmy McGovern and Alan Bleasdale, Joe’s tales
of working class life on the fictional estate of Paradise Heights are
loosely based on his experiences of living and working in Bolton and
Salford.
He said: ‘I turned to writing and acting when I realised there were
so many stories to tell, about ordinary people, and this was the best
way to do it. I’ve been incredibly busy with teaching, writing, acting
and directing, as well as studying on the teacher training course at
Bolton. It looks like the hard work is starting to pay off with these
recent successes, but I’m in it for the long haul. It’s rare that success
comes overnight – it’s a lot of hard graft and sacrifice.’
Joe, who also teaches drama at Warrington Collegiate, has no
intention of easing up. As well as promoting his film and stage
projects he is busy working on new script ideas for theatre and TV.
10
Taking the theme of inspiration to publication, Janette gave practical
advice to aspiring writers and recounted her own experiences, from
her beginnings as a writer to her life now, dealing with publishers
and giving readings. Janette completed a degree in literature and
philosophy at the University of Bolton in the early 1990s, before
going on to further study on the University of East Anglia’s
prestigious MA Creative Writing course. She is the author of three
novels, Columbus Day, Another Elvis Love Child and her most recent,
Angel of Brooklyn, which has been selected by Waitrose as its Book
Club choice for this September.
First theatre success
for Mark
A play by Mark Murphy,
graduate of the
University’s MA Creative
Writing course, has been
selected for 24:7,
Manchester’s festival of
new theatre.
The play, Out of Dead Air, will be
performed at Pure in the
Printworks from 20 – 26 July.
This is the first time the play has
been performed and Mark recognises that study at the University
gave him the boost he needed to develop his creative writing.
He said: ‘I’d been writing for a number of years and did a couple of
adaptations, which were performed by a local amateur group and at
my children’s school. I realised that if I wanted to make any progress
as a writer I needed to develop my knowledge and craft. I found out
about the creative writing course at the University of Bolton and did
a couple of degree modules first, to find out what was involved.
‘I really enjoyed it so when I found out the University was going to
run an MA course in dramatic writing I jumped at the chance.
I know for sure that what I learned over that year, and the support
and encouragement of the teaching staff, has been key to my
development as a writer.’
Photography graduate
scoops major awards
Since graduating in 2005 with a degree in
photography, Andrew Biraj has won a clutch of
major awards.
In 2008 he was selected for the prestigious World Press Photo
JoopSwart Masterclass. Established in 1994, the award brings
together 12 promising young photographers, nominated by 18
independent selection committees, for a week of intense study with
some of the most experienced photojournalists in the field.
In the same year Andrew also won first prize in the National Press
Photographers’ Association Best of Photojournalism awards in the
Environmental Picture Story category; and won the Press Award,
with Karen McVeigh of The Guardian, in the One World Media
awards.These were in addition to two other awards he won in
2007.
As a young student Andrew, from Bangladesh, took a course in
management as his family wanted him to study a subject with a
clear career path. But he had already started taking pictures and,
eventually, he changed direction and started on a photography
course at the South Asian Institute of Photography in Pathshala.
‘The environment of Pathshala and its alternative educational system
changed my views,’ said Andrew. While on the course he attended a
major photography festival and visited exhibitions by world
renowned photographers. It was at this time that he decided he
wanted to become a professional photographer and heard about
the photography degree course at Bolton. He came to the
University in 2004-2005 as an exchange student.
‘It was the first time for me in any European country and it was a
huge culture shock’, he says. ‘But the teaching staff were very
supportive and I got on really well with the other students.’
Since completing his degree studies at Bolton, Andrew, now 26, has
not looked back. He returned to Bangladesh and took a job on a
local newspaper before branching out into freelance work and, in
June 2008, he was signed up by Reuters.
Since then he has travelled across the region and worked in
Myanmar, Cambodia, India and the UK. In 2008 he was in Myanmar
to cover the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis for the New York Times.
‘That was very difficult as I had to do a lot of travelling to reach the
really devastated areas,’ he said. ‘As the military junta controlled
journalists’ access, I had to do a lot of my work secretly. But for me,
it was one of my most memorable assignments.’
Andrew emphasises that, as a social documentary photographer, his
main focus is to tell the stories of ordinary people in his region of
the world.
He said: ‘It’s great to win awards but my main drive is to take the
pictures of incidents in life as I witness them.That is the
responsibility of a social documentary photographer.’
11
First International
Fellow arrives
International Fellowship PhD student,Wazed Ali,
has joined the University for a year as part of his
three-year research project, working to develop a
wide range of antimicrobial textiles that will be
resistant to bacteria, such as MRSA.
Wazad, who has been based for two years at the prestigious Indian
university, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi, is sponsored
by the University of Bolton for the duration of the project.
He is the University’s first International Fellowship recipient, an
award launched in 2005 to further knowledge exchange with newly
industrialised countries.
Within his research programme, Development of Natural Product
Based Antimicrobial Textile Products for Healthcare and Hygiene
Applications, Wazad's aim is to harness the properties of natural
materials.
The goal is to create antimicrobial textiles using biodegradable and
environmentally-friendly natural products such as aloe vera and
neem extracts.The neem tree, common on the Indian subcontinent,
is a rich source of medicinal compounds. It is known to have insect
control, antimicrobial and medicinal properties. In India, neem has
been in use since ancient times as a traditional medicine against
various human ailments, such as eczema.The developed materials
would be used in hospitals.
Currently, antimicrobial textiles are only effective against a small
number of bacteria and no textile available provides a complete
shield against a range of pathogenic bacteria, which are highly
contagious and can be transmitted through contact with infected
textiles, such as hospital pillowcases.
Wazad is supervised at Bolton by Dr Subbiyan Rajendran and is
based within the Centre for Materials Research and Innovation
(CMRI). His supervisor at IIT, a university ranked among the world's
top 50, has been Dr Mangala Joshi, from its Department of Textiles
Technology.
Said Dr Rajendran: 'We are delighted to welcome Wazad to Bolton
and see how well his research work is developing.
'We look forward to working with him over the next 12 months.
We are grateful to the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in
the UK for funding his travel and living expenses.
'This project has been a first for CMRI and has proved to be a great
stride forward in developing our research relationship with IIT.'
Wazad has received two grants; the University of Bolton
International Fellowship award and a Commonwealth Scholarship
Commission grant, to help cover expenses, including tuition fees and
travel costs.Together they total almost £27,000.
Computer rage now an everyday expression
of anger
Swearing and
shouting at your
computer, hitting the
keyboard and
smashing the mouse
have become
everyday expressions
of anger and stress
relief, according to a
study presented by
the University of
Bolton's Dr John
Charlton at the
recent British
Psychological Society Annual Conference.
Dr Charlton questioned 126 participants on how frequently they
12
expressed anger at their computer and to provide a written
description of one such incident. He found that the majority of
people had become angry three or four times each month, and
more than 10 per cent reported anger occurring ten times or more.
Overall, around 54 per cent of people had expressed this anger in
verbal aggression towards their computing equipment. But 40 per
cent of the participants had actually engaged in physical aggression
towards the computer.
People reported that anger against computers was most often
linked to two triggers – unsatisfactory work progress and time
pressures.
Said Dr Charlton: 'Although the study did not look at health factors,
habitual, unrestrained expression of anger is known to be a
significant cause of ill-health. However, moderate outbursts of anger,
in the form of shouting at a computer, might actually be beneficial.'
Watching TV linked to Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder
Watching
media coverage
of traumatic
events such as
9/11 can cause
negative stress
reactions or
Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder
(PSTD).
Individuals can
be significantly
affected by media events even though they were
not present and only watched them on television.
These are the findings of a study by Dr Pam Ramsden of the
University of Bolton who presented her research at the British
Psychological Society Annual Conference recently.
Dr Ramsden asked participants to fill in a questionnaire to assess
Post Traumatic Stress symptoms after viewing four traumatic events.
They were also questioned about their previous experiences of
trauma.
Nineteen per cent of the 89 participants in the study were
significantly affected by media events and scored high on clinical
measures of PTSD.There were also high correlations with the
number of times they had viewed the events in the media.These
participants had experienced no previous trauma in their lives.
Dr Ramsden said: 'Acts of violence erode our sense of security and
create intense feelings of anger, fear and helplessness. Watching
these events and feeling the anguish of those who are directly
experiencing them can impact on a certain percentage of individuals
causing longer lasting effects. It is important that additional support
and guidance is provided in communities at times of extreme
violence and terroristic acts.'
University research
spotlights social
cohesion
A research project studying social cohesion in
Bolton's Asian community has been launched by
the University, supported by funds from a local
Rotary Club.
Postgraduate student, Abdul Siddique, will use a one-year
scholarship to study the impact of the government's current model
for social cohesion on the town's Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi
communities.
Finance for the research has come from a development fund set up
by the University in 2008 to provide student scholarships.The fund
was created using £100,000 from the Marriott Trust, donated by
Bolton Le Moors Rotary Club.
For the project Mr Siddique will carry out interviews with members
of the Asian community, including community group leaders and
representatives. His research will include a focus on young Asians to
see how the government cohesion agenda has affected their lives.
Carole Truman, Professor of Health and Community Studies, said:
'This is an important project that will benefit the Bolton community.
Results from the study will help the local authority, community
groups and voluntary organisations to further enhance, accelerate
and support current cohesion activity.This will ensure resources and
funds are focused on activities and events that really promote
cohesion and bring closer Bolton's vision for its future.'
Mark Allanson, the University's Director of External Affairs, said: 'All
projects funded by the Marriott Trust have to meet specific
requirements and the University's Alumni and Development Office
work closely with academic staff and the Marriott Trust team to
ensure every project application meets these requirements.
'We are particularly grateful to the Trustees of the fund and to
Bolton le Moors Rotary Club for their support. Not only does it
support an internationally renowned area of research at the
University, but it provides a wonderful opportunity for a young and
ambitious research student to further his knowledge and personal
development.'
Mr Mervyn Porter, Chair of Trustees for the Marriott Trust, added:
'We have developed an excellent relationship with the University
and are proud that the legacy John Marriott left will be of benefit to
Bolton and to a student at the University. We look forward to
supporting further important work.'
The Marriott Trust fund was established using a legacy donated by
John Marriott who joined Bolton Le Moors Rotary Club in 1978 as
a founder member. Pictured are postgraduate research student
Abdul Siddique and Carole Truman, Professor of Health and
Community Studies.
13
Artist in Residence
shows town
its future
An exhibition of photographs by Ian Beesley,
(pictured right) course leader for the MA in
International Photojournalism, Documentary
and Travel Photography, is being held at
Bradford 1 Gallery until early August.
14
The photographs have been taken as part
of Born in Bradford, a groundbreaking
research programme in which 10,000
babies, born in the city between 2006 and
2009, will be tracked from birth, through
childhood, until they become adults.
Ian was appointed artist in residence for
the project in 2008 and has been taking
photos of parents, especially fathers, and
their babies. He has also been working to
engage the local community in the
project, explain its aims, raise its profile
and encourage participation, ownership
and understanding of the medical research
behind the study.
The aim of Born in Bradford is to collate
a wide range of information about babies
born in the city, which has high levels of
illness and disease and the highest infant
mortality rate in the UK.This information
will then be used to help in the
understanding, and prevention, of illness
and disease affecting both children and
adults.
Ian said: 'This has been a rewarding
residency and also, quite probably, one of
the most challenging due to the
complexity of the issues involved and the
sheer size of the research programme.
I am already working on the second stage
of the project, which will involve visiting
Marpur in Pakistan to photograph families
there as many Asian families in Bradford
come from in and around that region.'
Ian has been working closely with the
medical research team and the midwifery
staff at Bradford Royal Infirmary. He has
also received a major Arts Council grant
for the project in addition to support
from Bradford City Art Galleries and
Museums and the University of Bolton.
15
BAE student, Matt, flying high
Scheduled maintenance expert at BAE Systems
and PhD student, Matt Bell, has been presented
with the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) Young
Persons Achievement Award.
Matt was presented with his award in a ceremony in London in
recognition of his development work on aircraft maintenance
systems.
The focus of Matt’s work is Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM),
a process to ensure military aircraft are maintained effectively and
efficiently. While working on the Nimrod MRA4 project at BAE
Systems, Matt was also a part-time student on the University’s MSc
course in Logistics and Supply Chain Management and used his
research assignment as the basis for developing a bespoke solution
to the project’s requirements and toolsets.
Matt said: ‘When I was looking for a course that would support my
work and extend my skills and knowledge in the field of logistics, the
MSc at Bolton offered the right balance of academic knowledge and
industry experience. My MSc project gave me the basis for
developing the maintenance framework at BAE Systems and this has
been further developed into a form that can be utilised in other
projects across the company.’
After completing his MSc, Matt decided to continue his studies at
Bolton, supported by BAE Systems. He is now carrying out PhD
research around implementing a complete RCM capability that can
be utilised throughout BAE Systems and Matt reports that the
project is showing excellent results across the business.
Pictured, Matt and a Nimrod MRA4 over the Welsh coast.
(photo courtesy of BAE Systems)
Citation of Excellence for research on the
psychology of perceived inflation
A research paper by Rob Ranyard, Professor of
Psychology in the School of Health and Social
Sciences, has been recognised in the 2008 Citation
of Excellence Awards by Emerald Management
Reviews.
Now in their thirteenth year, these distinguished annual awards
recognise the 50 outstanding articles published by the top 400
management journals in the world.
‘A key feature of these awards is the unique way in which the
Emerald Management Reviews database works. Over 15,000 article
reviews are added annually, so being singled out as one of the top
50 is quite an honour,’ said Debbie Spurgeon, Emerald Executive
Editor.
Rob Ranyard was lead author of the paper, published in a special
section of the Journal of Economic Psychology that he edited. It was
an international collaboration with colleagues from the Universities
of Leeds,Trento and Trieste.The citation comments that the
originality and value of the research was that it ‘presents an
intriguing review of inflation studies from 1986 and interesting
research topics for the future. Ideal for the student of prices’.
Prof Ranyard said: ‘Drawing on relevant literature from a diverse
range of academic disciplines we presented a conceptual framework
16
intended to further our understanding of perceptions and
expectations of price changes and inflation. Based on this framework,
we provide a detailed review of the literature and an analysis of
open issues in current research.
‘The review was primarily concerned with individuals’ perceptions
and expectations of price changes and inflation, which can influence
individuals’ economic behaviour - for example, spending and saving
decisions.The main insight from the review was that while
consumers may have a limited ability to store and recall specific
prices, and even succumb to a number of biases in the way in which
they form perceptions and expectations of global price changes, they
do seem to have some feel for, and ability to judge and forecast,
inflation. How they achieve this, however, is still an open question.
Our Economic Psychology and Decision Research group at Bolton is
currently researching some of these questions with our Italian
colleagues.’ References
Ranyard, R, Del Missier, F., Bonini, N., Duxbury, D., & Summers, B.
(2008). Perceptions and expectations of price changes and inflation:
A review and conceptual framework. Journal of Economic
Psychology, 29, 378-400. (46) Ranyard, R. (2008). Foreword to the
Special Section: Perceptions and Expectations of Price Changes and
Inflation. Journal of Economic Psychology, 29, 375-377.
Micro-world project wins prestigious
Leverhulme grant
University scientists Professors Jack Luo and
Guosheng Shao have won a prestigious Leverhulme
Trust research grant to develop a cutting-edge
technology – a lab-on-a-chip system.
Lab-on-a-chip technology is an exciting new development. It
integrates biosensors, microchannels and microfluidics on a single
chip no larger than a few square millimetres. It can manipulate
biosamples and reagents down to a few picolitres with great
precision, perform biochemical reactions and identify and detect
diseases, virus or bacteria within a few minutes. It is expected to
transform clinical diagnosis, DNA sequencing, and biochemical
laboratory procedures.
The scientists aim to create the lab-on-a-chip using low cost, high
quality piezoelectric thin films and for it to be a surface acoustic
wave (SAW) device.
Professor Luo, in collaboration with his former colleagues at
Cambridge University, has been developing a unique SAW-based
lab-on-a-chip technology using the sputtering deposited zinc oxide
(ZnO) piezoelectric thin films.
This technology utilises surface acoustic wave as an actuation force
to pump and mix liquids, and to perform biosensing on a small chip.
The single SAW-based lab-on-a-chip technology allows a great
degree of miniaturisation of the system and simplification of sensing
and readout of the results.
The Leverhulme Trust research funding will allow the two scientists
from the University of Bolton to take one step further to develop a
technology to synthesise nanostructured ZnO thin films for SAW
device fabrication, using chemical solution methods.The
piezoelectric and electrical properties of the ZnO thin films could
be enhanced dramatically using embedded high quality
nanostructures, and the films can be produced at a fractional cost of
the sputtering deposited ones, as they can be synthesized chemically
on large scale, low cost glass or plastic substrates with no need for
sophisticated equipment.
Said Professor Luo: 'We are honoured to receive this prestigious
award from the Leverhulme Trust. We will develop a technology for
a high performance lab-on-a-chip system which will greatly improve
diagnosis with great accuracy and reliability, and develop a method
to synthesize high quality ZnO films with the applications beyond
the acoustic wave devices for electronic devices with great
commercial potential.'
The grant package totals more than £86,000 to support a PhD
studentship for three years to conduct the proposed research. 'This
is an exciting opportunity for a postgraduate student in a rapidly
evolving research field,' said Professor Luo.
Pictures above, Professors Guosheng Shao and Jack Luo.
International scientists head for Bolton
The University is hosting the sixth International
Auxetics Workshop.This continues the successful
series of Annual Auxetics Workshops and Biannual
Conferences held in Poland, Malta and the UK, at
Exeter and Bristol.
Auxetics are logic-defying materials that work in the direct opposite
of all other stretchable materials in that they expand when
stretched.
The Workshop will also include the 6th AuxetNet Young
Researchers Forum, which was inaugurated in Bolton as part of
auxetics network, AuxetNet, which was led by Kim Alderson of the
University of Bolton’s Centre for Materials Research and Innovation.
The Forum allows PhD students and early career researchers to
present their work to an international audience.
Delegates from the US, Europe and the Far East are expected to
converge on Bolton for the four-day workshop, which will focus on
the processing, properties and modelling of auxetics and related
systems, including negative thermal expansion.
For further information go to:
www.bolton.ac.uk/conferences/auxetics2009/
or contact Prof Kim Alderson, AUXETICS 2009 Chairman,
email: [email protected].
17
Bolton represents North West in contest
A team of students from the School of the Built
Environment and Engineering represented North
West colleges and universities in this year’s
Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Student
Challenge final.
Twelve teams from around the UK competed in the final, which was
held at the CIOB headquarters near Ascot.The challenge was
designed to give students an opportunity to showcase their
construction skills and knowledge in front of potential employers,
CIOB members and other key members of the profession.
The theme for the final was the provision of facilities for the ageing
population. Students were briefed on the project requirements at
the start of the day and each team was then required to present
their proposals in the afternoon.
Roger Seeds, Undergraduate Programme Leader in the School of
the Built Environment and Engineering, accompanied the students
on the day. He said: ‘The Bolton team did extremely well in a very
tough final.Though not placed in the top three they had to deal
with the issues and pressures of a real working brief, giving them
valuable experience which they can take with them when they finish
their studies.’
McCarthy & Stone (Developments) Ltd, who worked with the
Institute at the Student Challenge, praised all of the finalists for the
high quality of their submissions and presentations. Pictured are
University of Bolton/CIOB NW Student Challenge team members
Hemesh Halai, Patrick McStay, Carl Murphy and Tony Rigby with
Roger Seeds, Undergraduate Programmes Leader.
Fine Arts students create for Liverpool company
A prestigious commission for a
public artwork, won by two Fine
Art students at the University,
has been installed in the foyer of
Novartis’ new manufacturing
facility in Liverpool.
The commission was awarded to Ruth and
Linda Brown in September 2007 after
Novartis Vaccines invited students from
across the North West to propose ideas
for an artwork that would represent the
company’s work and core values.
Ruth and Linda, who are due to graduate
this summer, submitted their proposals as
part of the public art module of their
degree course and have worked over the
past 18 months to realise their idea.
Linda said: ‘This has been a huge
achievement for both of us. We’ve learned
a great deal, not just in terms of making a
piece of public art, but also dealing with all
the other related issues such as working
with the customer, interior designers, issues
of health and safety, finance and the
longevity of the work itself.’
The imagery used for the piece is based on
biological culture slides of the flu virus,
which incorporate Novartis’ corporate
values into the Liverpool skyline.The design
18
was transferred from an original computer image onto curved glass panels using a process
called glass manifestation.
Ruth said: ‘This has been a good, live, learning experience and we’ve seen how theory and
practice go hand in hand – that ‘s something you can’t fully appreciate unless you are
working on a real project. Many aspects of the artwork’s development were learned during
the process of its creation and installation.’
Prize to honour famous steeplejack
The Fred Dibnah Memorial
Appeal is to sponsor a University
student prize, in honour of the
famous steeplejack.
The prize will celebrate Fred Dibnah MBE's
interest in engineering and construction.
There will also be a trophy, both to be
presented to the best University
engineering and built environment student
on alternate years.
The appeal, which was run by Bolton Civic
Trust, is also donating copies of Fred's
books, which the School of Built
Environment and Engineering will use in
fundraising initiatives.
Said the School of Built Environment and
Engineering Director, Alan Cornthwaite:
'Fred Dibnah's passion for engineering and
construction was an inspiration to
everyone who saw his television
programmes or had the pleasure of
meeting him.
'The University is proud to receive this
award and have a role in honouring the
memory of Fred Dibhah MBE – a national
institution.'
Pictured with a cheque for the prize fund
donation are, from left: University Deputy
Vice Chancellor, Dr Peter Marsh; Alan
Cornthwaite; Civic Trust; Fund Treasurer,
Alan Gill; and Trust and Fund Chairman,
Brian Tetlow. Below, the party with copies
of Fred's books.
Conference celebrates Bill Naughton
A conference celebrating the work of acclaimed
Bolton playwright Bill Naughton is to be hosted by
the University, Bolton Museum and Archive Service,
and the Octagon Theatre.
The University has issued a call for papers to be presented at the
conference, which will be held at locations across the three
institutions, on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 November 2009.
Keynote speakers are Neil Sinyard (Professor of Film Studies,
University of Hull), Stephen Lacey (Professor of Drama, Film and
Television at the University of Glamorgan) and David Thacker
(Artistic Director of the Octagon Theatre, Bolton). Erna Naughton,
Bill Naughton's widow, will also be attending.
Organisers are planning a book on Bill Naughton's work, drawing on
the best papers submitted at the conference, to be published in
2010, the centenary year of his birth.
Born in Ireland in 1910, Bill Naughton moved to Bolton with his
family in 1914. He is famous for writing some of the most enduring
British 'kitchen sink' dramas such as The Family Way and Spring and
Port Wine, besides the internationally renowned depiction of the
swinging 60s in Alfie. He has produced work in other media,
including radio and TV drama in the 50s and 60s, winning the Prix
Italia for his radio play The Mystery in 1974. He also wrote fiction,
with a number of novels and around 200 short stories, many of
which are still used in schools today, especially those in the
collections Late Night on Watling Street and The Goalkeeper's
Revenge.
In his final years, Bill Naughton's autobiographies attracted attention
with their reflections on his childhood in Ireland and his later life in
London and the Isle of Man. But he mostly wrote about his life in
Bolton in and around the 1920s. Bill Naughton died in 1992.
For further information see:
www.bolton.ac.uk/Conferences/BillNaughton/Home.aspx
19
Children explore books at University
As part of Bolton’s Children’s
Book Award, 200 pupils from
schools across Bolton, Bury and
Blackburn took part in three
days of workshops at the
University.
They worked on creative ways to explore
the themes of the seven books shortlisted
for the Award. Activities included
scriptwriting, mask-making, creating posters,
creative writing and working with textiles.
Sessions were organised by Laurette Evans,
Communities Liaison Officer and run by
support staff and students at the University.
‘The workshops aim to help instil a love of
books and reading,’ said Laurette. ‘By
exploring different ways of interpreting
stories, and working with media which the
children may not be able to access in the
classroom, we wanted to broaden their
reading experience. At the same time, by
spending a full day on campus, the children
had an opportunity to experience
University life.’
The winner of this year’s Book Awards will
be announced in a ceremony at the Festival
Hall in late June.
Leisure Lives conference builds on success
The second Recording Leisure Lives conference
took place in Bolton recently, presented by the
University and Bolton Museum and Archive Service
in partnership with the Leisure Studies Association.
Once again the conference was inspired by the photographs taken
by Humphrey Spender during Mass Observation’s Worktown
project in Bolton in the late 1930s.
Delegates saw a special exhibition on sports and games, mounted
to coincide with the conference, in the Museum’s Worktown
Gallery.The links between the conference and Mass Observation
were further in evidence in its aim of drawing attention to the
everyday aspects of sports, games and pastimes in people’s leisure
lives in twentieth century Britain.
Recording Leisure Lives conferences are concerned not only with
the history of leisure but also with the ways in which leisure is
recorded, archived and, from a museum curator’s position, collected.
In keeping with the spirit of the recording of everyday leisure lives
there was an on-going presentation throughout the day of images of
street games and sports in China taken by students of the
University of Bolton’s MA Photography course. In addition to
providing an insight to leisure lives in another country, these images
formed the basis of the workshop on documentary photography.
20
Keynote papers included a presentation by Dorothy Sheridan,
Development Director of the Mass Observation Archive. Before
taking this post Dorothy was Director of the Mass Observation
Archive for a long period and was thus able to give a fascinating talk
on the relationships between leisure and Mass Observation, liberally
interspersed with anecdotes and memories of its development,
including some relating to Tom Harrisson, a founder of the Mass
Observation project.
Presentations were heard from academics across the country,
touching on every subject from sport to the pub to film and the
cinema to knitting. Also included was Exhibition and inhibitions:
working-class boys and leisure in the 1920s and 1930s by Melanie
Tebbutt, Director of the Manchester Centre for Regional History at
Manchester Metropolitan University and author of Working-class
Masculinities in the Interwar Years:Youth, Leisure and Identity,
(forthcoming 2010).
Academics from around the country presented dozens of papers on
subjects as diverse as gambling, holidaying and knitting within ‘makedo-and-mend’ as they explored the social history of our leisure lives
and their representation and recording.
For a full account of the conference themes and events go to:
www.bolton.ac.uk/HSS/NewsAndEvents/Home.aspx
Celebrating cultural
diversity
Students from around the world celebrated their
cultural diversity at the University’s recent
International Evening.
More than 100 students from 34 countries representing Asia, China,
the Middle East, India, Europe, South America and Africa joined
together for the event.Visitors were entertained to an eclectic mix of
music from around the world as well as a demonstration by Iranian
dancers and a display of traditional Indian Kathak dance.
Prashana Mahendran from Sri Lanka, in the second year of an
accountancy degree course, said: ‘The International Evening is a
wonderful way of meeting people from different countries and has
given me a chance to learn more about their food, fashion and
culture.’
Emmanuel Matsika from Zambia, a research student at the University
and president of the international society, added: ‘Many of our
international students are in the UK for the first time when they
come to the University.The society helps them to settle in and also
gives them a chance to meet people and make new friends.’
The Society, which is open to all students at the University, also
organises social events and trips to places of interest around the UK.
Film premiere honours
for Jamie
Award-winning
student Jamie Coles
joined actors and
media professionals
at a film premiere
and awards
ceremony in
Manchester city
centre recently.
Jamie, a student on the
University’s Media, Writing
and Production course,
was invited to attend the
event as a runner-up in
the Environment Agency
Tomorrow’s World film
competition.
The aim of the competition was to create a short film designed to
convey to business leaders important messages on climate change.
The contest also provided an opportunity for students at
universities across the North West to showcase their talent.
Jamie’s script, Where’s the Water Gone? came second and earned him
the invitation to the awards event where he joined TV producer Phil
Redmond, DJ Terry Christian, actor Pete Postlethwaite, filmmakers
and media professionals for the premiere of the two winning films.
Jamie said: ‘I got through to a shortlist of five and had to pitch my
idea to a panel of film and media professionals which was pretty
daunting. I was disappointed not to win but it was a great
opportunity and it gave me some real experience of how the media
industry works.’
Kerry Fletcher, a student on the same course as Jamie, was also
shortlisted but did not get through to the final stages.
Students teach pupils how to stop the bullies
Students have been helping children combat
bullying in a unique programme for schools in the
town.
Pupils have been taking part in role-playing sessions, interactive
computer games and workbook exercises, designed to teach them
the effects of bullying and ways to combat the bullies.
Community Fund’s Best Outstanding Project award to the
University and the CSEF. Pictured are pupils from Top O’th’Brow
County Primary School, Bolton with student Summaya Patel and
Megan Lescure, classroom assistant, at an anti-bullying session.
The programme, now in its fourth year, is run at the University, in
partnership with the Children’s Safety Education Foundation (CSEF).
Students have been visiting schools as part of the University’s
volunteering programme and delivering sessions to schoolchildren
for one to two hours a week, over a 10-week period.
Students take part in training sessions at the University to prepare
them for delivery of the programme and familiarise them with the
material used.
In 2006 the work of the anti-bullying programme was recognised
through the presentation of the Higher Education Active
21
Leadership Academy
launched at University
Bolton’s Leadership Academy has been launched at
the University, starting a ‘cream of the crop’
leadership and volunteer programme for Bolton’s
leading schools and colleges’ champions of sport.
Wheelchair rugby paralympian Rob Tarr joined the launch
celebrations and spoke at the event.
Forty young people, age 14-19, have applied for and been selected
for the prestigious programme, which will give the town’s top-flight
young sport leaders the opportunity to hone their coaching and
mentoring talents with the best in their borough.
The launch event day included the youngsters’ first Sports Coach
UK course.
The programme is being run by Bolton School Sport Partnerships
in close partnership with the University.
Part of Step into Sport, a UK-wide programme of sport mentoring
and coaching development, Leadership Academies are designed to
provide high quality support and development for young leaders
and volunteers that are committed to actively volunteering within
their school and/or community settings.
The programme aims to increase the quantity, quality and diversity
of young people engaged in leadership and volunteering, with
consequent benefits to schools, clubs, the community and the young
people involved.
Delivering the programme, run at the University, will be Sam Inman,
Further and Higher Education Sport Co-ordinator based at the
University of Bolton and Scott Warrington, Community
Development Manager at St Joseph’s High School and Sports
College. Said Melita Mather, Partnership Development Manager for
Thornleigh Salesian School Sport Partnership: ‘We had a packed day
of activities for the launch where our programme participants will
be well on their way to becoming sport champions, as coaches,
mentors and volunteers in their schools and communities.
‘This is a rolling programme, which will grow and develop each year
to provide generations of sport champions in the coming years.’
Health mela
partnership
The University is hosting a health mela in October
through its partnership with Lancashire Gujarat
Health Users Forum and the community health
forum.
The event aims not only to promote partnership between local
communities, health professionals and health organisations, but also
to engage communities and to empower them to take charge of
their own health. Around 60 different disciplines, including
complimentary practitioners in areas such as reflexology and reiki,
will be taking part in the event.
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University helps
footballer in his
Deaflympics
preparation
Local footballer Paul Mills has been using the
University’s facilities and expertise to help in his
preparation for the Deaflympics to be held in
Taiwan this September. Paul has been selected for
the Great Britain deaf football squad.
Following his selection, Paul’s coach contacted teaching staff at the
University’s Department of Sport and Exercise Science to ask if they
could measure Paul’s fitness levels and a series of fitness-testing
sessions were arranged. Using the facilities at the Sports Science lab,
tests have been carried out to measure Paul’s aerobic capacity, lung
function and body composition. Results from the tests have enabled
him to gauge his readiness for the Deaflympics, make any necessary
changes to his training programme and monitor his progress over
the coming months.
Andrew Fallone, Programme Leader Sport and Exercise Science,
said: ‘We were more than happy to offer Paul the use of our facilities
here at the University and hope that measuring his fitness levels has
helped him to prepare, both physically and psychologically, for the
Deaflympics in September.’
Paul plays for Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Everton Deaf FC and
Rochdale Deaf FC. He is a student at Bolton Community College.
Pictured is fitness testing for Paul Mills at the University’s sports
science lab (picture courtesy of The Bolton News)
Karthick shines in UK contest
student representative and was President of the International
Society in 2007-08. He has also arranged sponsorship enabling five
children, from poor families in his home town of Tiruttani, to
continue with their education when they turn 14.
Karthick said: ‘I have had the opportunity to do so many things to
improve myself personally and meet so many people from all over
the world while studying at the University of Bolton.The town has
become a second home for me, I always find good people and
never miss my home food here!’
Student Karthick Kanchi Govarthanam recently
joined other international students from
universities across the UK for the London finals of
Shine 2009.
Karthick, from India and a research student in technical textiles, was
selected as the North West regional runner-up in the competition,
which celebrates the successes and achievements of international
students studying in the UK. In addition to his studies, Karthick has
worked part-time for Creative Support in Bolton and Salford,
supporting people with mental health issues and learning disabilities.
He is currently serving on the University’s Board of Governors as
Professor Subhash Anand, Karthick’s director of studies at the
University’s Centre for Materials, Research and Innovation, said:
‘Karthick is currently working on the project to develop a new
fabric for knife-proof clothing. He is a very dedicated, intelligent and
hard-working research student and we are extremely proud of his
success in the 2009 international student awards.'
Nearly 1,500 students from 118 countries entered the competition.
They were invited to write an account of their time studying in the
UK. Judges were looking for entries that reflected how the students’
experiences in UK institutions and communities have helped them
to develop new life skills, influenced their interests and goals and
also, how the students have contributed to life in the UK.
Sports student sets
Olympic sights
These are busy times for Jatinder
Rakhra. A student on the
University’s foundation degree in
Sports and Fitness Management,
he is also a wrestler who has set
his sights on competing in the
2012 Olympics.
As both scholar and athlete, Jatinder
manages a hectic schedule of studying
combined with a training programme that
requires him to spend a lot of time at
training camps abroad, mainly in Eastern
Europe.
This has not affected his commitment or
work-rate however. Stuart Steen is the
Course Leader for the Sport and Fitness
Management Foundation Degree and
Jatinder’s personal tutor at The Manchester
College, where he is currently based on his
University foundation degree. He said:
‘Jatinder is an extremely hard-working
student. Many of the high-level wrestling
competitions are held in Eastern Europe,
which means he spends a lot of time
abroad. In spite of these pressures, and with
the necessary support, he continues to
achieve high standards in his academic work
and in the wrestling arena.’
In 2007, 20-year old Jatinder came tenth in
the World Junior Championships in Beijing.
More recently, he has finished third in major
tournaments in Austria and Russia, he
represented Great Britain at the Junior
Grand Prix in Azerbaijan and at the
European Senior Championships in Vilnius.
All these trips have been within the space
of three months and were followed by a
tough two weeks at a training camp in
Russia.
Jatinder’s goal now is to step up to senior
level and prepare for the London Olympics.
‘In the UK, wrestling is one of the less well
known Olympic sports,’ said Jatinder.
‘However, that may change if I do well in
2012. I’m determined to achieve at the
highest level and I’ve had fantastic backing
from my course tutors at college, which
has allowed me to continue with my
studies while still training and competing.’
After travelling to Poland for a tournament
at the end of May, Jatinder will be spending
the summer in Russia in preparation for the
European Junior Championships to be held
in Georgia and the World Junior
Championships taking place in Turkey.
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