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University of Leicester Newsletter

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ON-LINE BULLETIN: Issues of the Bulletin areaccessible on CWIS via the following webaddress: http://www.le.ac.uk/bulletin/

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by QAA assessors over the last threeyears has been high ranking – addingto a number of Excellent awards theUniversity achieved in earlierassessments.

Economics joins Psychology as thesubject areas to have achieved fullmarks. Head of Department ProfessorKevin Lee said: “For many years,students and employers haverecognised the excellence of theteaching delivered in the Departmentof Economics.

ECONOMICS has achieved amaximum score of 24 points in thelatest assessment of the teachingquality at the University – the 13thdepartment to receive an accolade ofexcellence.

The University now has the raredistinction of nine successive awardsof 22 or more points from the QualityAssurance Agency – which equateswith a mark of Excellent. No otheruniversity rivals this achievement.

It means every subject area examined

ECONOMICS GAINS FULL MARKSFOR THE QUALITY OF ITS TEACHING

RINGS TRUE:Ancient gatepost reveals newfacts aboutRomanoccupation ofthe Midlands.0.

WE’VE GOTDESIGNS ONYOU:Local artistscreate Valentine’sDay designs.Photostop, backpage.

SAFETY FIRST:University stafftrain to use fireextinguishers.Page 20.

MATURESETTING:High qualityadult educationcourses at theUniversity CentreNorthampton.Page 14.

Leicester graduate Chris Moon MBEdelivered an action – packed andinspiring illustrated AnnualGraduates’ Association Lecture onFebruary 28.

A report on Chris Moon’s lecture, OneStep Beyond, which is also the title ofhis biography which is available inthe University Bookshop, will appearin a later Bulletin.

MARATHON MANGIVES ANNUALGRADUATES’ LECTURE

Thirteenth subject area at University wins recognition for excellence

continued on page 2

BulletinUniversity of Leicester

March 2001Bulletin News

This icon indicates that a fullerversion of the story can be foundon the University’s web pages:http://www.le.ac.uk/press/press/

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Volume 33 • Number 5March 2001

Bulletin News ......................1-13

Lifelong Learning ...................14

Business .............................15,18

Artstop...............................16-17

International............................18-20

Out & About ......................20-22

People ................................23-25

Graduate Relations ...............26

Notices ....................................28

Crossword...............................31

Photostop ...................Back Page

YOUR BULLETINWe wish to encourage members of theUniversity to submit items for the Bulletin –feel free to email stories or suggestions [email protected].

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“I am delighted for the staff and all involved that this has been given formalrecognition by the award of the maximum 24 points in the QAA’s SubjectReview of Economics.

“The achievement of maximum marks shows excellence in all six areasconsidered by the Review Team.”

The assessors identified particular strengths in each of the areas examined. Interms of the curriculum, they identified high attainment of subject specific andtransferable skills by students and that new courses are informed by research.

they praised the high quality teaching, good assessment and constructivefeedback and clear learning objectives with well-matched assessment. In termsof student progression and achievement, they identified a healthy demand atundergraduate and postgraduate levels.

They cited the good performance of students and good progression andcompletion rates on undergraduate courses, as well as praising the employmentrecord. The comprehensive consideration of student views through staff-studentcommittees was also cited among other examples of good practice at theUniversity.

Professor Lee added: “The assessors did not identify any areas of weakness,which is extremely unusual even in Departments awarded maximum points.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Burgess said of the result: “Terrific! A welldeserved result which demonstrates the excellence of our teaching provision ineconomics.”

The Department of Economics is one of the largest, and most rapidlydeveloping, departments of Economics in the country. The Review providesconfirmation that the Department has achieved its ambition of becoming oneof the UK’s leading academic centres for Economics, with an internationalreputation for research and for teaching at all levels. The range of academicspecialisms covered by the Department is very wide, and includes BusinessEconomics and Financial Economics in addition to straight Economics.

• Full QAA and HEFCE TQA Score cards on page 13.

ECONOMICS GAINS FULL MARKS FOR THE QUALITY OF ITS TEACHINGcontinued from page 1.

CELEBRATION: Full marks for Economics brings to 13 the tally of excellent subject reviews atLeicester.

BulletinUniversity of LeicesterMarch 2001

Bulletin News

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SUCCESS: Postgraduates await the conferment of their degrees at theDe Montfort Hall, Leicester.

MORE than 1,000students graduatedfrom the University inFebruary, gainingtheir postgraduatedegrees.

Honorary degrees ofDoctor of Sciencewere awarded toProfessor SusanGreenfield CBE andDr Bruce Smith CBE.

Professor Greenfieldis Professor ofPharmacology at theUniversity of Oxfordand Senior ResearchFellow of LincolnCollege. She hasbeen Director of theRoyal Institutionsince 1998.

Dr Smith isChairman of theSmith Institution for IndustrialMathematics and SystemEngineering, the Economic andSocial Research Council and theNational Space Science Centre.

Dr Smith told the congregation: “Ihave spent my working life linkingthe creative talents of youngpeople in universities withapplication in the outside worldand space has been a recurringtheme throughout it.”

He described how he began hiscareer on the Apollo programmesand was among those whoselected the landing sites for themen on the moon. He went on totalk of his involvement in theNational Space Centre – a projecthe described as equally exciting.

HONOUR: Dr Smith CBE.

DEGREE SUCCESS FORLEICESTER POSTGRADUATES

ACHIEVEMENT:Professor Greenfield CBE.

He added: “My profession, in so far as I have one, is that ofa systems engineer and I can sum up what that is all aboutsimply in the words ‘thinking before doing’.

“The education that your University offers to its students isan excellent preparation for my world and I look forwardwith enthusiasm to becoming now even better acquaintedwith your University by building on the connection that youhave made with me today, and through the generosity andhonour that you have shown me.”

In her Response, Professor Greenfield said: “I was delightedwhen I received this invitation from the University because,although I did not study here myself, there are three peoplein my life who have all had close connections with Leicester,and who have all been very formative to me.

“The first, and perhaps the deepest influence on me, is myhusband – Professor Peter Atkins – and I am delighted thathe is a graduate of this University. Leicester gave him amarvellous chance in life and one that he is now taken fulladvantage of. I heard so many marvellous things about theChemistry Department and the inspirational people here

that it always gave me a placeof affection in my heart evenbefore I’d come here.

“The second person who hasbeen an influence, and who Isee you have a building namedafter, is Maurice Shock whowas instrumental indeveloping the Medical Schoolhere. I knew Maurice Shocknot because he was himself amedic, but because he endedup as Rector at the collegewhere I was the medical tutor.We used to talk long and hardabout medical education andmedical research andsomething that perhaps onecan extend to all graduates –the loneliness and difficulties

HIGH REGARD: Professor Greenfield reflected on theinfluence of Lord Porter in her Response.

MALIGNANT mesothelioma, a cancer that predominantlyafflicts men and which will account for 100,000 deaths incoming years, was the subject of a national conferenceorganised by the University.

This was the first national meeting of clinicians andscientists involved in the research and treatment of thisdisease. Representatives of the pharmaceutical industry,nurses and other interested parties also attended.

Dr Ken O’Byrne, Senior Lecturer and Consultant in theUniversity Department of Oncology based at the LeicesterRoyal Infirmary, chaired the conference on February 22. Hesaid:

“Malignant Mesothelioma is both a national andinternational tragedy caused predominantly by exposure ofindividuals and their families to asbestos fibres.

“The disease is an aggressive, debilitating malignancy ofthe lining of the lungs, referred to as the pleura, and, lesscommonly, the lining of the abdomen called theperitoneum. More than half the patients affected will diewithin 6 – 12 months of being diagnosed.

“In the UK malignant mesothelioma is already a morecommon cause of cancer death than cervical cancer andwill be responsible for approximately 100,000 deaths overthe next 2 to 3 decades. Indeed 1% of men born in the1940s will die of the disease.

“At the present time there is no therapeutic interventionwhich has been proven to prolong survival letalone cure the disease. Current treatmentsare aimed primarily at controlling symptoms.Despite these facts research into the disease

does not appear to be a priority with either governmentagencies or the major cancer charities, and is poorlysupported financially.”

The British Mesothelioma Interest Group (BMIG) has beenformed to meet and discuss progress in both scientificresearch and treatment of the disease.



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BRITISH SCIENTISTS BID TO TACKLE ‘SILENT EPIDEMIC’

of being a graduate student readingfor a higher degree.

“I would like to congratulate all of younow because I know what it is like –I’ve seen myself, having been agraduate student, and having seenmany people from differentbackgrounds and subjects experiencethe highs and the lows that readingfor a further degree entails.

“The third person in my life is my verydistinguished predecessor Lord Porterwhom I had the pleasure of witnessingunveil a plaque for a building inChemistry named after him. LordPorter has been a true inspiration forsomeone to see that you can be botha brilliant Nobel prize-winning scientistand, at the same time, have a greatcare for diffusing science for thecommon purposes of life.”

BUILDING NAMED IN HONOUR OF FORMERCHANCELLOR

continued from page 3.

ON THE day of the postgraduate degree ceremony, the Chemistryteaching building was named the George Porter Building in honour ofthe former Chancellor of the University.

Lord Porter,Chancellorbetween 1985-1995, was theUniversity’s thirdChancellor andshared the NobelPrize forChemistry in 1967.He is a formerPresident of theRoyal Society andwas awarded theOrder of Merit in1989 and made aLife Peer in 1990.PLAQUE: Lasting tribute to Lord Porter.

SHARING CONCERNS: Dr Ken O’Byrne and patient Leonard Humber.


Bulletin News

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STEPHEN Byers, the Trade Secretary and Cabinet Ministerfor Science, and David Blunkett, the Education Secretary,announced details of how a £675M Governmentinvestment in British scientific excellence will bedistributed, benefiting more than 100 universities andhigher education institutions across England.

The region’s universities are set to receive a £38 millionshare of the cash. The University of Nottingham (£17.2million), University of Leicester (£9.9 million) andLoughborough University (£7.7 million) have taken thelion’s share of the new cash, but De Montfort (£1.5million), Trent (£1.2 million), the University of Derby(£200,000) and the University of Lincolnshire andHumberside (£200,00) have all received extra funds.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor John Beeby said: “Thiswelcome investment by the Government in scienceresearch will help universities improve their scienceinfrastructure. The £9.9m allocated to the University ofLeicester will allow us to keep our research in science,medicine and engineering at the forefront of the world.

“This cash injection will assist our laboratories to competewith those abroad, for example in the US, Germany andFrance by helping to up-date facilities and allowingLeicester to remain at the cutting edge of developments. Itwill also assist Leicester in attracting additional researchfunding.”

The grants are part of the Government’s £1bn ScienceResearch Investment Fund in partnership with theWellcome Trust, to renew the UK’s science infrastructure,announced in the Spending Review 2000. The allocationcomes from the DTI Science Budget and the Departmentfor Education and Employment. The funding will bedistributed by the Higher Education Funding Council forEngland (HEFCE).

Mr Byers said: “Achieving economic stability means thatwe can invest in the future of our country. Economicstrength comes from investment. UK Scientific excellence is

the bedrock of our knowledge economy and key to ourcontinued economic growth.”

David Blunkett said: “A world-class research base requiresworld-class equipment and buildings. Science andtechnology research is an increasingly competitive field.We need to provide our talented university researcherswith the facilities they require. This money shows ourcommitment to give universities the resources they need.”

LEICESTER NETS NEARLY £10 MILLION IN SCIENCE BOOST

THE WORK of Leicester scientistshas been featured in a nationalnewspaper under the heading‘Would-be Wonders.’

In a report on ‘potentialblockbuster gene patents’ theTHES identified research byProfessor Richard Trembath,professor of medical genetics,who is carrying out research inconjunction with King’s College,London, on therapy for psoriasis.

Also cited is Wilhelm Schwaeble

‘WONDER’ RESEARCH AT LEICESTERwho is investigating the innateimmune system. The THES reports:“A new way to boost the body’sinnate immune system could stopopportunist infections fromclaiming the lives of organtransplant recipients,chemotherapy patients and others,such as people with Aids, whosenatural defences have beenweakened.

“Schwaeble recognised thatalthough the innate system is less

sophisticated than the acquiredimmunity system – which deploysantibodies and specialised cellsagainst specific infections – itcould be easier to boost andcould have many applications.For the transplant patient whoseimmune system has beenartificially dampened to stop therejection of a new organ, thiscould provide the crucialcompensation to keep him free ofinfection.”



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PROFESSOR Sir Alec Jeffreys, who pioneered geneticfingerprinting at the University, has called for Britain’sentire 60 million population to be DNA profiled in a bid tocombat crime.

In an interview with the BBC’s Midlands Reportdocumentary, broadcast on February 22, Professor Jeffreysacknowledges that he has changed his mind about thehuman rights implications of a universal DNA database.

Professor Jeffreys said: ‘‘When this idea was first putforward about 10 years ago, I had considerable concernsover civil liberties issues.

‘‘On reflection, I’m now actually in favour of this. Thetechnology is there to make a DNA database of every oneof the 60 million citizens of the UK.

‘‘I think the potential of this database to prosecute seriouscrime, to save the lives and the misery of future victims isvery substantial. This is a proposal that requires very, veryserious and careful thought.”

The National DNA Database already holds more than1,000,000 samples from crime suspects who are charged,reported, cautioned or convicted for a recordable offence.

Between 700 and 800 samples from crime scenes arematched to a name on the database each week.

As the law stands, samples taken from anyone eliminatedfrom a criminal investigation must be removed from thedatabase, and since 1995, 150,000 samples have beendestroyed.

But a significant change in the law, proposed last monthby Jack Straw in the Criminal Justice and Police Bill, willallow details of innocent people to be stored in thedatabase.

PIONEERING SCIENTIST SUPPORTS ‘DNA BANK’

ANALYSIS of archaeologicalfindings from Rutland Water, oneof Europe’s largest man-madereservoirs, reveal the river valleywas inhabited by hunter-gatherers 6,000 years before thegrowth of villages found today.

The Archaeology of RutlandWater is a new book exploringthe depth of history at thepopular landmark in Britain’ssmallest county. It details thearchaeological findings ofexcavations undertaken nearEmpingham village duringconstruction of the reservoir dam

from 1967-1973.

Author of the book,Nick Cooper, of the

HIDDEN DEPTHS OF RUTLAND WATER BROUGHT TO SURFACE

www

School of Archaeological Studies,explained how the excavations hadrevealed where Rutland’s ancestorslived before the growth of thevillages we know today: "Theevidence of flint tools tells us thatabout 7,000 years ago, hunter-gatherers inhabited this river valleyand that by about 5,000 years agothey had settled down to farm theland."

Mr Cooper added that, "at thetime of the excavations, resourceswere very limited and much of therescue work was undertaken bylocal amateurs, led by MalcolmDean and Sam Gorin from Newark,to whom a debt of gratitude isowed". He added: "Anglian Waterwas helpful in bringing discoveries

to the attention of thearchaeologists and providingopportunities to investigate".

The book is the result of aprogramme of analysis of thefinds and site records funded byEnglish Heritage; a collaborativeeffort including staff andstudents of the University ofLeicester and staff ofLeicestershire County CouncilMuseums Service. The finalchapter brings together evidencefor settlement in the valley as awhole including the results offield walking survey workundertaken by both the localamateur society and Universityof Leicester students during theearly 1990s.

PIONEER: Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys.


Bulletin News

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A PILOT incentive scheme has beenlaunched to encourage departments toreduce electricity use in six buildingson the main academic campus. Thescheme is based upon proposalsapproved by the Savings Committeelast year and will allow departments tomake money by saving energy. If it issuccessful, the scheme could be rolledout to other departments in theUniversity next year.

A modest target of a 5% reduction inelectricity use for the first year isproposed for the buildings involved.Any cost savings achieved beyondtarget will be shared between thedepartments and the University’scentral budget. The buildings that are

EARTHCARE INCENTIVE SCHEME FOR REDUCTIONIN ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION

included in the pilot are Adrian,Physics, the Space Research Centre,both Chemistry buildings and theFielding Johnson Building. Theestimated incentives for departmentsexceeding the target by 5% rangefrom £350 for the Space ScienceCentre to £4,610 for those in theAdrian Building.

The Vice-Chancellor issued a memoat the end of January launching thescheme and discussions have alreadystarted to establish energy awarenessinitiatives in the departmentsconcerned. It is anticipated that thetargets can be achieved simply byswitching off lights and applianceswhen they are not in use. Contrary to

‘urban myths’, worthwhile savingscan be made by switching offfluorescent lights every time a roomis vacated. The start-up energy use ismore than compensated for by thesavings that accrue from switchingthem off. Jamie Goth, the EnergyManager will assist departments toidentify areas where there is thegreatest potential to save electricityand achieve the targets.

• Any queries with regard to thepilot scheme or other energy andwater management issues shouldbe addressed to Jamie on 2308,email [email protected].

TO mark National Science Week, which begins onMarch 16, the University has organised a number ofactivities which has attracted over 300 schoolchildrenfrom around the county.

A University Science Day will take place on Wednesday,March 21, but there are activities planned on otherdays too.

On Monday, March 19, Sean Lawrence from the EarthObservation Science Group will deliver a lecture andworkshop in Derby and Mike Branney will be inCountesthorpe talking about Dangerous Volcanoes.

There will be an opportunity to design and build a PIGin the Engineering Department while Jean Collins, whohas co-ordinated Science Week activities at theUniversity, will uncover Pharaohs' Secrets in bothprimary and secondary schools.

The Science Day will see events by Archaeology,Biology, Chemistry, the Computer Centre, Geography,Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy, Pre-ClinicalSciences and UK SEDS.

Jean Collins, regional BA officer, said: "It is verypleasing to see the support and encouragement alldepartments have given to National Science Week. Theschools are looking forward to spending time oncampus - looking at bones, finding out about erosionin the rainfall tower, building their own town on analien planet and much more.

"Cereal Events and the Extraterrestrial Roadshowworkshops will introduce them to two very importanttopics, farming and outer space, and the Planetariumwill take them on a journey to the stars."

• If anyone can help on the day, please contact Jeanon 2675, email [email protected].

• Details of Science Week events can be found in theEvents Diary on CWIS (le.ac.uk/press/events/preventshtml).

SCIENCE WEEK AT UNIVERSITY

Bulletin News BulletinUniversity of Leicester

March 2001

8

FLIES are buzzing to the aid ofinsomniacs, night shift workers andvictims of jet lag.

Biologists have found their bodyclocks are surprisingly similar to ourown. They are trying to find ways ofcontrolling their time switches - as ameans of tackling sleep disordersamong humans.

Already 500-strong clouds of flieshave settled into the rhythm of risingat 8 am and nodding off at lights-out 12 hours later.

While thriving in glass tubes at theUniversity of Leicester, they feed onsugared water and live at a constant25 degrees C.

But in a throwback to their Africanorigin, they rest in the middle of theday when the sun’s rays would be attheir fiercest.

When the laboratory lights areturned off at different times, the fliessuffer from the equivalent of jet lag.

Biologist Ezio Rosato said: "There areneuronal and humoral signals whichtell the fly that the cycle has gonewrong.

"It takes a few days to recover, justlike someone who has flown fromAmerica. As in the case of airline

RHYTHM OF LIFE STUDYpassengers, the body thinks it should bedark at 8 pm but it gets confused whenit finds night arriving when it feels like 1pm. You have a conflict between yourinternal clock and the externalenvironment.

"We need to find a way of synchronisingthe two. First, we must try to achievethat with flies. The solution couldeventually come in the form of a tabletable to reset the human clock."

As well as easing the problems forairline passengers, the research couldimprove safety records among nightshift workers.

Dr Rosato will spend three yearsstudying the biological cycles of theflies. He has won a £166,168 grantfrom the Biological and BiotechnicalSciences Research Council. The projectwill be centred on his laboratory inLeicester.

“Any progress in understanding the flyclock is directly applicable to thehuman system”, said Dr Rosato, 36,who comes from Venice. He arrived atthe University to study genetics, whichlead him to examine "the molecularanalysis of circadian rhythms" wherebiologists are making giant strides.

THE NATIONAL Space Centre has announced it will opento the public on Saturday June 30th 2001.

The Space Centre, a Landmark Millennium Projectsupported by lottery funds from the MillenniumCommission, is currently being built to the north ofLeicester city centre. Construction on the building andsurrounding area is due for completion next month,while installation of the exhibition is already underway.Many of the Space Centre’s artefacts – including twogiant rockets, an array of satellites from around theglobe and one of only two Soyuz capsules in thewestern world – are already in place throughout theattraction’s five galleries.

There will be a number of events taking place in the runup to the public opening, including a special previewday for media, travel trade, local tourism industryemployees and competition winners. Plans for anopening ceremony at the Space Centre, which expects

to attract around 300,000visitors per year, are stillbeing finalised.

The Space Centre has alsoannounced its admissioncharges for the first time.It will cost £22 for afamily of four to visit the attraction, with adultadmission announced at £7.50 and children £5.50. Allprices include a show in the amazing Space Theatre, aswell as access to all galleries within the attraction.Reduced rates will be applicable for schools and otherpre-booked groups of twenty or more. Season ticketswill also be available. Advance bookings may be madefrom one month prior to a visit – a bookings andinformation line will go live in April.

• The National Space Centre was co-founded by TheUniversity of Leicester and Leicester City Council.

c Rod Malcolm

NATIONAL SPACE CENTRE ANNOUNCES OPENING DATE

BEFRIENDING SCHEME FOUNDER HONOUREDMARGARET Harrison, who received an honorary degree of Master ofArts from this University in 1984, was awarded an OBE in this year'sNew Year Honours List. Twenty-seven years ago she founded thecharity Homestart from a small office in London Road, Leicester. Nowits volunteers visit more than 20,000 under-pressure parents in the UKevery year to give them help and support. The charity is alsoestablished in 12 other countries.

SWITCHED ON: Dr Ezio Rosato.

Bulletin NewsBulletinUniversity of LeicesterMarch 2001

9

A UNIVERSITY scientist has becomethe first winner of a national prize inrecognition of his teaching talents.

Dr Alan Cann is the first recipient ofthe Peter Wildy Prize forMicrobiology Education, awarded inrecognition of his distinguishedcontribution to microbiologyteaching.

In particular it is his talent with ITthat impressed others, students inparticular. Alan can demonstratehow to deliver a lecture live fromthe surface of Mars and to how todevelop a paperless course!

The website he has helped to createat the University of Leicester is oneof the most popular in the world inits particular field. It is linked to as asource of expert information by anumber of prestigious websitesincluding Access Excellence(Genentech); the American Society

THE UNIVERSITY’S Richard Attenborough Centre hasbeen awarded funding of £30,000 from theFoundation for Sport and the Arts and £10,000 fromthe University for an innovative and multiculturalmusic education project.

Mexican percussionist, Alonso Mendoza, will lead aseries of workshops dealing with Latin rhythms andperformance based on Cuban/Salsa percussiontechniques. He will also explore twentieth centurypercussion repertoire in demonstration lectures, andwill encourage student composers to write new musicfor percussion ensembles to perform. Each termparticipants will give a public performance ofpercussion music.

The project, which will be staged over 36 weeks (threeacademic terms), is expected to meet the musicalneeds of the multicultural population of Leicester aswell as the international population of the University.Open to all, the project will particularly welcomepeople with disability.

Inclusive in its approach, it will promotelifelong learning strategies for all, includingdisabled groups, youth groups, students and

staff at the University and throughout the

wider community of Leicester and Leicestershire.

Participants will work in ensembles and AlonsoMendoza will teach aspects of world music traditionsfrom Latin America. He will explore the twentiethcentury percussion repertoire in demonstrationlectures and will encourage student composers towrite new music for percussion ensembles to perform.

The finalperformance ofthe year will beunder thedirectorship ofCaroline Sharman.This will be amultimediainstallation,whose theme willfocus on identity,the Labyrinth ofLife. It willcombine elementsdrawn frompercussion music,dance, drama, theuse of technologyand visual arts.www

CELEBRATING CULTURALDIVERSITY

TEACHING TALENT: Dr Alan Cann.

for Microbiology and BBC News.

Dr Cann will deliver a prize lecture ata meeting of the Society for GeneralMicrobiology. The lecture,Microbiology and the Web: a Nerd'sEye View, is based on eight years’experience of using the World WideWeb for teaching at the University.

The Prize is named after Peter Wildy,a former Professor of Virology atCambridge University and a leadingmember of the Society for GeneralMicrobiology. The Society awards arange of prizes in recognition ofsignificant contributions tomicrobiology.

Dr Cann said: "I am honoured anddelighted to have been chosen as thefirst recipient of this prize. I had theprivilege of knowing Peter Wildybriefly at the beginning of my career,mostly through activities such asSGM meetings. It is most

encouraging to know that hisinfluence is still continuing tosupport microbiology through thisnew initiative from the Society. Theprize money will be used to continuethe development of our well-knownDepartmental website at theUniversity and for further researchinto innovative teaching methods."

TALENT FOR TEACHING NETS NATIONAL RECOGNITION

MAKING AN IMPACT: Alonzo Mendoza.


March 2001

10

UNIVERSITY archaeologists have made a discoverythat indicates for the first time how and when theRoman army brought the Midlands under militarycontrol.

Led by Dr Eberhard Sauer, a team from theUniversity's School of Archaeological Studies hasbeen excavating a Roman fortress near Oxford. Thefortress had only been discovered by SimonCrutchley (English Heritage) and Eberhard Sauerthree years ago and Patrick Erwin’s geophysicalsurvey led us to the gate. With the kind permissionof the landowners, Mr and Mrs Miller, and EnglishHeritage, the archaeologists were able to beginexcavations at the site during the summers of 1999and 2000.

Dr Sauer explained: "In 2000 we explored parts ofthe front gate. Typically for the time, it was a largetimber gate with a forecourt where missiles couldbe discharged from three sides against enemies.Thanks to the high water table the bottom of thegate posts was still preserved. Under difficultconditions, constantly scooping and pumping outwater, the dedicated team members were able torecover them intact.

"To our delight the bark was preserved. We knewthat we would probably obtain a precise fellingdate. Tree rings vary in width from year to year,depending on temperature and the amount ofrainfall. If there is a longer sequence (normally 50rings or more) the precise felling date can bedetermined by comparing them with othertimbers."

Excitement grew on January 19 when Ian Tyers, anexpert on tree-ring dating at the University ofSheffield’s Department of Archaeology was able todate two of the three posts to between October AD44 and March AD 45. It is believed that these arethe earliest Roman timbers in Britain to be dated,and the felling dates almost certainly indicate thedate the fortress was built. Knowledge of the

Roman army's customs further narrow the date tothe autumn of AD44.

Dr Sauer explained the importance of the find."Now we know that already in the second year ofthe war Roman control over the Midlands was firmenough for the army to build a permanent base inOxfordshire. Excavation is scheduled to continueuntil 2003 and well-preserved waterlogged organicremains promise to yield further unique insightsinto one of the most decisive turning points inBritish history."

This fieldwork has been funded by the RomanResearch Trust, the British Academy, The HaverfieldBequest, the Royal Archaeological Institute, theRoman Society and the Society of Antiquaries ofLondon.

FORTRESS YIELDS BRITAIN’S EARLIEST ROMAN TREE-RING DATE

TIME IN TIMBER: Dr Sauer examines the tell-tale time rings whichshed new light on the Roman era.

IN THE weeks after the first nationalHolocaust Day, the University ishosting a public lecture thataddresses critical issues relating tothis and future generations.

‘Surviving the Survivors: The Memoryof the Holocaust in a post-HolocaustWorld’ is the lecture to be deliveredby Professor Deborah Lipstadt, the

Dorot Professor of Modern JewishHistory and Holocaust Studies atEmory University, Georgia, USA.Professor Lipstadt was the centre ofa noted trial as a result of her book,Denying the Holocaust. In that bookshe had gone on record as attackingthose who sought to deny theHolocaust and its impact uponhistorical thought and teaching. She

was sued for libel, but the verdictwas a triumph for her.

The Stanley Burton Centre at theUniversity, in conjunction with theElchanan Elkes Association for Inter-Community Understanding, hasorganised the Ninth Elchanan andMiriam Elkes Memorial Lecture whichwill be delivered on Monday, March12, 5.30pm, Ken Edwards Building.

THE HOLOCAUST IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM


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identifies a type ofinstitutional or casual racismthat tends to restrict blackplayers from becomingmanagers and coaches and acultural racism that inhibitsyoung Asian players frombreaking through asprofessional players.

Mr Williams concedes that manyproblems have not yet been resolved.FAR also has tried to address racism inpark football matches, which oftenfoster young talented players fromminority groups. In conjunction withLeicester City Council and the localcounty FA, FAR has helped to draw upa new Charter that articulates the factthat the Council will not tolerateracism on any of its own pitches; localclubs can be banned from councilfacilities for racist behaviour.

He commented: "Recent incidentsinvolving overt racism aimed atLeicester City and other Englishplayers from fans abroad maytempt us to feel that our ownproblems are solved, or areunimportant by comparison. Weneed to be aware of racism in theBoardroom, of course, among theelites as well as that among fans."Despite recent popular initiativeshere, the problem of racism infootball persists. It is only withthe combined efforts of localcouncils, football clubs, and mostimportantly, local people that wecan consign racism to the past.All are welcome to get involved!

• John Williams is one of the editorsof Passing Rhythms: Liverpool FCand the Transformation of EnglishFootball, which will be publishedby Berg in March. One chapter ofthe book is devoted to issues offootball and racism in Liverpool.

A LETHAL outbreak of black comedy hit the city when the UniversityTheatre performed Stephen Briggs' adaptation of Terry Pratchett's Mort,as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival.

The production, directed by Lyndsey Goddard, ran from 14 to 17February. There was a special signed performance for deaf theatre-goers on 14 February.

MORTALLY FUNNY

KEEP BULLETIN ONTARGET

University sections arerequested to inform thePress and Publications

Office (0116 252 2415) ofany change in the numberof Bulletin copies required.

Please remember toinclude in any revisedtotal the appropriatenumber of copies for

clerical/technical staff.

Leicester City Football Club iscommitted to tackling racism and isinvolved in the local task force Foxesagainst Racism or FAR. It pursuesschemes to make football moreinviting to black and Asian fans andlast year held a Diwali night at ahome reserve game. Fans fromethnic minorities now constitute anestimated more than 20% ofspectators at reserve team matcheson some evenings, and numbers atfirst team matches, though stillsmall, are steadily rising.

In the professional sphere, blackplayers have had significant successin football. The Arsenal Manager,Arsene Wenger quoted in the PublicEye, said, "As far as football isconcerned, black players have thequalities of speed and explosive pacethat the managers are looking for."Partly because of this enduring focuson the alleged physical qualities ofblack footballers, Mr Williams also

WRITING in Public Eye, the localauthorities journal, John Williams,Chairman of the local football anti-racism campaign, Foxes AgainstRacism, and Director of the SirNorman Chester Centre forFootball Research at the University,claims that racism remains withinthe game of football at all levels.However, through a widespreadnational commitment to tacklingthe problem, the industry seeks toconsign this intolerance to thepast. Below we look at some ofthe issues covered in the article.

KICKING OUTRACISM INFOOTBALL


March 2001

CARTOON and children's TVcharacters are the most popularsources of pet-names used betweenlovers, according to the greetingscard website - www.moonpig.com.

The website, found that 98% of the30,000 cards ordered through thesite since it launched lastSeptember have been personalisedwith the names on the cover being

PET-NAMESPREVAIL TOEXPRESS LOVE

THE ANNUAL Report, Official Record and FinancialStatement of the University have been published anddistributed to heads of departments.

A number of copies of the Annual Report and OfficialRecord have also been made available todepartments and the Annual Report is available onthe University website.

The University’s Profile leaflet has also been publishedin print and on the Web.

THE UNIVERSITY has been cited in a front pagestory in the New York Times.

In the article, British City Defines Diversity andTolerance, writer Warren Hoge presents a positiveprofile of Leicester following Government figuresthat project it becoming, in a decade, the firstBritish city with a non-white majority.

The article quotes Professor Richard Bonney andthe Centre for the History of Religious and PoliticalPluralism.

Also continuing to hit the headlines around theglobe is Professor Richard Baker whose research onShipman featured in last month’s Bulletin, isyielding a crop of press cuttings from Canada andAmerica.

changed. Around 42% of thepersonalised cards have involved theuse of pet or nicknames.

Dr Julie Coleman from theUniversity’s English Department andan expert on the use of pet-names -or hypocorism - has built up anenormous database by scanning thepersonal columns of thousands ofnewspapers over many years.

In her study entitled – Love, Sex andMarriage, A Historical Thesaurusshe also identifies children's themesas being an important influence overterms of endearment.

"Evidence suggests that the courtshiprituals of animals such as hamsters,squirrels and roe-deer involve theimitation of infantile sounds andbehaviour patterns. Humans doexactly the same thing. Thepreponderance of terms like Pooh,Piglet, Bambi and nonsense wordslike poopsy-woopsy and snookumssuggest a linguistic infantilization."

HITTING THE HEADLINES

OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS

www

12


13

UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER

HEFCE QUALITY ASSESSMENT/QAA SUBJECT REVIEW: GRADINGS 1995-2001

CDCO: Curriculum Design, Content and Organisation; TLA: Teaching, Learning and Assessment; SPA: StudentProgression and Achievement; SSG: Student Support and Guidance; LR: Learning Resources; QME: QualityManagement and Enhancement (titled Quality Assurance and Enhancement before 1998). Each aspect ofprovision is graded on an ascending 1-4 scale.

Results of HEFCE Assessments at the University of Leicester 1993-1995

Between 1993 and 1995, HEFCE had operated a different grading system, with a single judgement of the qualityof education: excellent, satisfactory or unsatisfactory. A selective visiting policy was followed, and visits toestablished universities were usually triggered by a claim for excellence made by the institution. The Leicesterresults were as follows:

+ History, Economic and Social History and English Local History

Lifelong Learning BulletinUniversity of Leicester

March 2001

14

THE UNIVERSITY Centre is a thriving outpost of theUniversity of Leicester situated in the Queen's Building,Barrack Road, Northampton. For several years, the premiseshave been shared by the Education ManagementDevelopment Unit, part of the School of Education, andAdult Education, the latter now being part of the Instituteof Lifelong Learning.

The University's Department of Adult Education has had apresence in Northampton since 1965. Two years' later, theUniversity purchased a building just two doors from itscurrent home and 'UCN' came into being. During the 1970sand 1980s, a warden and several other academic membersof staff were based in the Centre - a reflection of thegrowing levels ofdemand for adulteducation in thearea. However,the changes infunding foruniversity-leveladult education

during the pastdecade led to afall in thenumber of staffat UCN.

Dr Ian Foster isthe NorthamptonCentre's AdultEducation Organising Tutor and Manager, and he isassisted by a professional secretarial team consisting ofChristine Hayward, Dot Ketteman, Marinka Spurling andLesley Morgan, and a part-time Librarian, Don Slater. Othersupport services are provided by the Centre Manager, ValCocks.

There is a loyal and dedicated student population, forwhom the Centre is an important source of intellectualenjoyment and stimulation. Several University of Leicester

Certificate courses are taught at UCN, including those inModern Social History and Local History. There is asuccessful counselling programme, under the leadership ofconsultant Ms Aileen Coupe, which offers a wide range ofoptions.

There was a very encouraging increase in enrolments thisAutumn, especially on courses for the Certificate inCombined Studies. The titles of courses ranged fromPhilosophers of Ancient Greece and Life in Victorian Timesto The Universe Today and The Romantic Symphony. Aquick glance at the prospectus for UCN shows the greatvariety of topics on which courses are available - this termthere was even a course offered on a subject of greattopical interest: Railway Operating and Safety whichpromised a detailed study of nearly 200 years of railwaysafety issues, including analysis of some serious accidents.

The University Centre, Northampton, together with the restof the Department of Adult Education, is now part of thenew Institute of Lifelong Learning, which has been given abrief to expand lifelong learning and to develop newactivities. Within the constraints of existing resources, UCNis aiming to maintain and where possible expand itscurrent programme, to foster collaborative ventures withpartner organisations, and to develop innovative coursesand approaches.

The Centre continues to work closely withNorthamptonshire County Council in the provision ofcourses both in the town of Northampton and in thecounty at large. Above all, the small but dedicated teamseeks to maintain the University of Leicester's reputation ofdelivering varied, high-quality adult education courseswhich serve the needs of the people of Northamptonshire.

• For further information on the courses available at UniversityCentre Northampton, contact the staff at UCN (telephone01604 251801) or staff in Leicester Institute of LifelongLearning, telephone 0116 252 5966, email [email protected].

• More on lifelong learning on page 21.

‘A THRIVING OUTPOST OF THE UNIVERSITY’Ian Foster outlines the work of University Centre, Northampton

Business BulletinBulletinUniversity of LeicesterMarch 2001

15

A MEMBER of the Scarman Centrehas been flying high in the interestsof his research.

Dr Simon Bennett, who directs theScarman Centre’s Distance-LearningCertificate, Diploma, Post-GraduateDiploma and MSc courses in DisasterManagement, is continuing his pace-setting research with a major Britishairline.

The research, which involves thedevelopment of a ‘sociology of theflight–deck’, is intended to fill a gapin academic studies of commercialpiloting. While much effort has beenfocused on the psychological aspectsof flying, much less attention hasbeen paid to the sort of people whofly, their work environment andinteractions with other crewmembers. Dr Bennett’s study isintended to fill this gap in ourknowledge.

The study has two majorcomponents. First, developing adetailed personal understanding ofthe task and the environment inwhich it is performed. To this end DrBennett has been ‘crew trained’ andis now qualified to fly ‘jump-seat’ oncommercial aircraft (the jump-seat isthe ‘spare’ seat in the cockpit usuallyoccupied by Training Captains). Thisallows detailed observations to bemade during commercial operations,which in this case may include flyingup to four sectors per day.

FLYING TONIGHT

THE LATEST edition of the Security Journal, edited bystaff at the Scarman Centre, provided leading insightsinto major issues of security and crime prevention.

Professor Ed Miller of the University’s Centre forApplied Psychology reports that professionalinvestigators are no more effective than amateurs atdetecting who is lying.

Adrian Beck, a lecturer in the Scarman Centre notes,‘These findings have important implications, and theyare not good for investigators. Much more research isneeded’.

Mike Cahalane notes that the rate of false alarms istoo high and that the police should start charging forthis service, and the police performance should bemonitored.

Dr Martin Gill adds, ‘the time has come to think aboutwho suffers from some people’s quite negligentattitude to protecting their homes. Charging thosewho are negligent is probably a better option thanhanding over responsibility to the private sectorbecause the police would lose an important source ofcontact with the public’.

SECURITY JOURNAL

Secondly, he has been carryingout interviews with Captainsand First Officers, during whichthey are probed on theirgeneral social background,education, career(s), family andother social support structures,motivations, ambitions, andother social parameters.

‘This is definitely the mostexciting and rewarding researchI have done since becoming anacademic’, says Dr Bennett,‘Flyers are entertaining,loquacious and just greatcompany. The problem is notgetting them to talk … butgetting them to shut-up!’.

The project, which has beenrunning since mid-2000, isexpected to run for at leastanother 12 months. It willproduce an ‘interim’academic paper, which, it ishoped, will be published inthe BSA’s journal Work,Employment and Society.Eventually a book will bepublished, which will be thefirst major work of its kindon this topic researchedthrough such a ‘hands-on’method. An application hasbeen made for a researchgrant to enable rapidcompletion of the research,writing and publication ofthe book.

BLUE SKIES RESEARCH: Landing a Boeing 737 at aregional airport in the UK. Pic taken by SimonBennett from the ‘jump-seat’.

Says Dr Bennett; ‘The first elementof the research process gaining adetailed understanding of thepractice of commercial flying canbe exhausting. It involves longworking days, for example twoflights to Glasgow per day, withthe added dimensions of delaysand of being expected to performto commercial crew standardsduring an incident or emergency.But I would not ‘swap’ my job forany other. And neither would thepilots!’

Dr Simon Bennett

BOLLYWOOD COMES TO TOWNLeicester’s Haymarket Theatre celebrates the ethnic diversity of the city with amain house production of East is East (March 8-24), a touching comedyabout an Anglo-Pakistani family in 1970s Salford where the two cultures andtraditions collide. The original production spawned a highly successful film.The Theatre’s hugely successful Asian group Natak are also active this month

in the Studio; there isdance in You on March23 and the writinggroup has aperformance of Heroes,a present-day storyabout the hopes anddreams of two Leicesterkids from Belgrave, onMarch 27-31. Meanwhileover at NottinghamPlayhouse (March 6-10)Bollywood comes totown in a touringproduction of FourteenSongs, Two Weddingsand a Funeral.

If you aren’t transported by the combined st2001: A Musical Odyssey (Queen’s Hall, Mafrom an amazing variety of music this montthis season (Fraser Noble Hall, March 14) incOctet alongside quartets by Haydn and Shosinclude the fine Leicester choirs Cantamici –University Big Band (Fraser Noble Hall) – and

Emma KirkbJames the Gyou’ll have as both eveBlues Brothvisits De MMarch 26-3Carlo CurleHall’s fine r2. If nothinabout a tripMarch 24 fSangam – Fusion... a Harmoniumtemple with

RECENT BRITISH ART The latest Public Lecture Series fromthe History of Art Department is wellunder way. Looking at aspects ofcontemporary British Art, itconcludes on March 12 with MichaelArcher from the Ruskin School of Arton ‘British Artists working outsideBritain’ and on March 19 with TonyGodfrey from Sotheby’s Institute ofArt on ‘How new is new British Art?’(Enquiries to 0116 252 2866).

MUSICAL ALLSORTS

POPULAR PERFORMER: Carlo Curley.

Farquhar vs. Coates vs. Gottelier byLuke Gottelier.

Artstop

LIES, DAMNED LIES, AND..LittleWhiteLies, w‘conjurewhere cforth mbeg forvisual kbeen ecused a inexactwhoppeAlibi’s pTheatrethe firstLeicestepresentTale (Apwith a

Winter’s Taleimage by LiziHamer, W&QE1College.

OPERATIC MADNESSOpera is renowned for exploring the worlds oYou will find all of this and more when Englishto the Haymarket Theatre with performances Massenet’s Manon on March 6-27. Both operacclaimed orchestra. Gilbert and Sullivan’s undmelodrama Ruddigore (or the Witch’s CurseNorthampton from 2-7 April).

ARTS AND ENTIN THE

16

CELEBRATING ARTHUR MILLER

Arthur Miller continues to be one of the most-performed playwrights of the 20th Century. The

Royal Theatre, Northampton, mounts BrokenGlass (March 9-31), set in 1938Brooklyn, exploring SylviaGelburg’s strange relationshipwith her husband against theimpact of news of increasinganti-Jewish violence in

Germany. In theAttenborough Theatre

the University ofLeicester Theatre’s busyseason turns to 1950sNew York and Miller’spopular A Viewfrom the Bridge(March 14-16).

tudent musical societies’arch 10), then pick and mixh. The Lindsays last concertcludes Schubert’s magicalstakovich. Choral delights– performing with thed the Cecilian Singers withby and Antony Rooley (StGreater Church) – butto choose between them

ents are on March 17. Thehers (final) Final Tourontfort Hall between31, and the inimitableey returns to play therestored organ on Aprilng here suits, then whatp to Phoenix Arts onfor Milan Lad &‘a new departure inblend of the Tabla and

m music of the Hinduh Jazz and Pop’.

Sylvia Gelburg.

..

hiche a worldcash machines pour

money and politiciansrgiveness’. If you likekitsch and have everconomical with the truth,terminologicalitude, or just simply told aer, then get down to Theatrepresentation in the Haymarkete Studio (March 14-17). Fort time in the main theatre, theer Haymarket Youth Theatrets Shakespeare’s The Winter’spril 5-7), both tragic and comic, buthappy ending.

A DOSE OF WHAT YOU FANCYGeorge’s Marvellous Medicine presented (March 27-

31) by Birmingham Stage Company atNottingham Playhouse will certainlydo you good, and perhaps

make your children thinktwice! One of Roald Dahl’s

stories, it tells the tale of anew cure for Grandma’s

terrifying temper.

f villainy, magic and innocence.h Touring Opera makes a rare visitof Mozart’s The Magic Flute andras are given in English with ETO’sderrated tilt at Victorian

e) runs at the Royal Theatre,

Mad Margaretin Ruddigore.

ArtstopTERTAINMENTSREGION

17


March 2001Business Bulletin

TRADE EXHIBITION AT UNIVERSITYamount of paperwork andadministration required. Such wasthe success of the first event thatanother exhibition is being held thisyear.

The first trade exhibition caught theimagination of the guests. Onedelighted guest said: "I felt that theTrade Fair provided a platform foreveryone in the lab to converse withthe suppliers and discuss productsand protocols directly relating totheir work. This isn’t alwayspossible in the laboratory due tothe limited time that therepresentatives have per visit."

The scientists’ mood was matchedby the suppliers who also heapedpraise upon the event. One AreaSales Manager said: "I thought itwas a great success and very wellorganised for both exhibitors anddelegates alike. It was the attentionto detail that made it possibly thebest trade show for companies thatI have attended in this country."

This year’s Biological Sciences TradeExhibition will be held on April 4between 10am - 4.30pm in theConcourse/Coffee Lounge area ofthe Medical Sciences Building.

There will be Free Prize Draws andSupplier Gifts on the day. Don’t missthis opportunity to attend.

A TRADE exhibition is to be held atthe University, building on thesuccess of a previous one on campus.

The first Biological Sciences TradeExhibition was held in March 1999.The exhibition featured theUniversity’s top 22 preferredsuppliers of scientific equipment andconsumables. The aim of theexhibition was to consolidate thesupplier base, raise awarenessamongst members of Life SciencesDepartments of the presentpurchasing structures and promotemutually beneficial relationships.

The exhibition’s aim of "Building aBridge between Scientists andSuppliers" gives the end users achance to catch up on all the latesttechnology, discuss products andprotocols relating directly to theirwork and at the same time savemoney on laboratory purchases.

It is hoped that a reduction in thenumber of suppliers will prove morecost-effective, and cut down on the

International Focus

International Focus provides stories with an international dimension. Any stories or ideas should be sent toJane Pearson, Press and Publications Office, ext 2440, fax 2485, e-mail: [email protected]

FOLLOWING the thaw in relations between Britainand Iran and the appointment of Dr Jamshid Kohalas the University's consultant in Iran, ProfessorGordon Campbell of the University's Department ofEnglish, who also acts as International RelationsAdviser to the International Office, recently visited anumber of leading Universities and educationalinstitutions in Iran. He was accompanied by DrKohal, who was able to arrange appointments forhim to meet senior representatives.

There was very considerable interest in thepossibility of members of staff of IranianUniversities coming to Britain to take Master’sdegrees or PhDs, and it is hoped that ProfessorCampbell's visit will lead to the development oflinks with Iranian universities.

Pictured are Professor Campbell and Dr Kohal on avisit to the Isfahan University of Technology.

NEW LINKS WITH IRAN

FORGING NEW LINKS : (left to right) Dr Ahmed Saatch, Dr JamshidKohal, Professor Gordon Campbell, Dr H Farzanehfard.

18

19


International Focus

ON the weekend of February 3 - 4, 21students from Japan were able tosample a taste of UK university lifefirst-hand here at the University ofLeicester.

The English Language Teaching Unitplayed host at College Hall to theJapanese students, who came fromvarious colleges and universities inJapan. They were on a visit to the UKwith the World Youth Visit ExchangeAssociation (WYVEA), an organisationunder the jurisdiction of the JapanMinistry of Education, Science, Sportsand Culture.

been worried about whether theLeicester students would beinterested or not, but they certainlywere. Leicester is a lovely University."

‘Thanks to all the Leicesterstudents for the wonderful

welcome you gave us and forhosting us so well. The discussion

session was a most valuableexperience for the Japanesestudents, and we hope that

"Japan Night" gave you somekind of glimpse of Japanese

culture and humour. TheUniversity of Leicester was the

highlight of our trip.’Mr Isamu Yamaguchi, Group

Leader

‘It was a decidedly two-wayexperience, with the British

students also getting a lot outof the weekend. The visitors

were very friendly and genuinelywanted to get to know their

hosts. Many of the participantspromised to keep in touch afterthey had departed. Hopefully,

further visits will take place andit will become an annual event,allowing many more people to

benefit from experiencing adifferent and fascinating

culture.’Mr Jonathan Rawle, final-yearPhysics student, University of

Leicester

Dr Johnathan Young, Warden ofCollege Hall, emphasised howimpressive the Japan Night had been:"For me, the undoubted highlight ofthe whole weekend was the Japaneseevening, organised entirelyby our student guests. Mostof the female Japanesestudents were dressed inbrightly coloured kimonos.We were welcomed in trueJapanese style and wereinitially entertained withmusic and dance. We thenbroke off into smallergroups to sample Japaneserefreshments - including thetraditional tea drinkingceremony."

Stella Smyth, a member ofthe University LanguageServices Unit, opened the

WARM WELCOME ON A WET WEEKEND

Not quite the average cuppa: A Japanesevisitor explains the complexities of the teaceremony to a Leicester student.

The evening ended with the home students all intraditional Japanese dress, taking part in songs and dance.

‘On behalf of all the Japanesestudent group I would like tothank Martin Kenworthy and

Stella Smyth for all the time andeffort they put in to give us all a

really memorable weekend atthe University of Leicester.

Particular thanks must also go tothe Leicester students who gave

up their time to befriend theJapanese. From the word go, the

British and Japanese mingledtogether very well. This was

facilitated by the wide range ofactivities offered. There was a

great deal for them to talkabout. Communication was

greatly eased by the friendly,welcoming attitude of the UK

students.Let's do it again next year.’

Mr Jim Cuthbert, Group Interpreter

The Group had specifically asked ifthey could meet some of our Leicesterstudents to exchange ideas and learnabout student life and they turnedout to be delighted with theresponse. Twenty-five curious "natives"turned out for the whole week-endand participated in an event that willlong be remembered, as Miss YukikoKondo, one of the group memberssaid: "I enjoyed the University ofLeicester experience immensely. I hadbeen feeling tense when we arrived,but Stella Smyth's slide presentationand the friendly approach of theLeicester students soon dispelled thattension. Japan Night was great. I had

"Some of us were instructed in the artsof calligraphy and origami, whilstothers tried their hands at playingJapanese children's game," said DrJohnathan Young.

International Focus BulletinUniversity of Leicester

March 2001

20

weekend with an illustrated talkabout Leicester and the EastMidlands. This led to small groupdiscussion in which the students hadchance to get to know each other.

A visit to the Haymarket Theatre thatevening to see a performance of theWizard of Oz proved to be thoroughlypopular with the 48 participants.Jonathan Rawle, a final-year Physicsstudent at the University said: "Thiswas the perfect choice for anevening's entertainment, as the story

is just as popular in Japan as here, andbesides, the spectacular special effectsmade the play worth seeing, evenwithout full comprehension of thedialogue."

Early morning sports at Manor Roadand a visit to Warwick Castle on Sundayfound the two sets of students forgingnew friendships which will undoubtedlyendure. Only the weather was notwelcoming, as Jonathan Rawleadmitted. "On Sunday the Japanesestudents received a real taste of life inBritain when the weather turned torain. This made the selection of sportsplanned for the morning somewhatdiminished, and so a sizable subset ofthe group instead took part intraditional children'splayground games - somethings, it seems, are the samethe world over."

The success of the visit isreflected in demands for it tobe repeated, Martin Kenworthy,Director of the LanguageServices Unit, said: "Everyonewas anxious that the visitshould become an annual event- a view seconded by our ownstudents, many of whom havealready booked their tickets fornext year and have enquiredabout learning Japanese in the

Language Centre."

Johnathan Young concluded: "Overall Iam left with an abiding impression ofsheer joy and unbridled congenialityexperienced by all who were present.We learned so much from each other,and made many new friends. Theweekend was a huge success in everyway - so much so that some of ourguests are already talking of comingback to Leicester for a postgraduateyear."

Jane Pearson, with contributions fromMartin Kenworthy, Director of Language

Services Unit; Johnathan Young, Warden,College Hall; Jonathan Rawle, final-year

Physics student

Out & About

UNIVERSITY staff have already had hands-on experience in theuse of fire extinguishers as part of a rolling programmeorganised by the Safety Services Office. Leading the fire safetytraining course is Alan Marshall, an ex-fireman. He explained tothe first group of participants the appropriate type ofextinguisher to use in a variety of situations. Jack Sansom andTrevor Edwards from the Safety Services Office were also inattendance.

• For further information about fire safety training, contact theSafety Services Office on 0116 252 2426.

FIRE DRILL

Bulletin is pleased to receive contributions from across the University for Out and About. Send information aboutwhat’s happening in your department/unit to Bulletin, Press & Publications Office (email: [email protected])

GO WITH THE FLOW: Alan Marshall shows Hilary Whitbread howto use a fire extinguisher, while Geoff Hamp observes the action.

FUN WITH ORIGAMI: Stella Smyth (right) learns a newskill from a Japanese student.

‘The three days which I spentwith you all were truly

enriching. As for these feelings,all of the Japanese students feelthe same. We want to continue

to make contact with thestudents who we met on thisvisit, as good friends forever.

Also, a lot of students came tothe Japanese Party which wesponsored and I am glad they

have known the culture ofJapan. I think there is a

resemblance, as the same kindof island country, between UK

and Japan. For me, thisexperience was one of the best

in my life. Thank you.’Masaaki Asatsuma, Kanagawa

University student

CONGRATULATIONS to the 155 students who were invitedto the Department of Adult Education’s Certificate andDiploma Presentation Evening at the Fraser Noble Hall on

Friday, February 9 to receive awards. Dr David Parsons, Headof the Department, introduced those on the platform tostudents and their guests, and Professor John Benyon,

Director of Lifelong Learning, welcomed everyone to theceremony.

Awards were presented by the Vice-Chancellor, ProfessorRobert Burgess, with candidates being presented in threegroups - Sciences, Humanities and Counselling andPsychotherapy, by Dr Parsons, Dr Tony Brown and GailKing.

The Vice-Chancellor congratulated students on theirachievements and in a brief address outlined the manyopportunities available through the Institute of LifelongLearning. The evening concluded with refreshments and achance for those present to mingle with their guests,tutors and staff of the Department.

Looking at the smiling faces of those receiving awards andknowing the dedication it took to succeed in their studiesalongside their other commitments of homes, families andjobs makes the successful completion of these awardseven more to be applauded.

Diane May


Out & About

21

DAY OF KNIGHTS

Notelets

PROOF POSITIVE

A DAY school on Saturday, May 12 atthe Institute of Lifelong Learning'sVaughan College will explore theorigins of knights during theCrusades, their castles and campaignsin the Holy Land, their estates,churches and other buildings, thesuppression of the Templars, and the later settlements ofthe Hospitallers. • Ring 0116 251 1128 for further details.

LIZ Edgar (pictured in the group below), now a first-yearBA Archaeology student in the School of ArchaeologicalStudies, writes about her life-changing experiencestudying for the Certificate in Archaeology at VaughanCollege over two years on a Thursday evening:

"I missed the opportunity to go to university straight fromsixth form, and after years of working as a vocationalskills tutor I decided to pursue my interest in archaeology

in order to change my career. I discovered theCertificate in Archaeology course at Vaughan College byvisiting the local careers office and I haven’t lookedback since. It’s a demanding but excellent and highlyenjoyable course. Completing the Certificate has given methe confidence to continue my studies and has preparedme very well for the degree course I’m now following."

COURSE PROVES TO BE AN EXCITING FIND: Certificate inArchaeology students with Certificate Director Dr Tony Brown. Leftto right standing - Rosemarie Redfern, Bruce Redfern, AndrewChilvers, Chris Massey, Elizabeth Edgar. Seated, left to right, Dr TonyBrown, Marion Searancke, Brian Thompson, Janice Holmes. ChrisMassey is now in the first year of a BA Archaeology course atLeicester. Janice Holmes is a second-year BSc Archaeology student,also at this University. Many others from this Certificate course arecurrently studying degree courses at Leicester.

THE LIBRARY is pleased to be able to announce anextension to its Main Library services. From Sunday,March 4 until the end of June (excluding Easter)borrowing and enquiry services will be available from 12noon to 6.00 pm, with reference only 6.00 - 9.00 pm.

• The Library welcomes feedback on its services.Comment forms are available, or contact Jo Aitkinson 5180 (email [email protected]).

SERVICES EXTENDED

CENTRE STAGE: Students who have successfully completed theAdvanced Certificate in Behavioural Studies course. Left to rightstanding - John Pelmore, Mick Wilkinson, Brian Fowler, AnnStones, Susan Bradshaw, seated, left to right, Jasbinder Sahota,Fiona Payne.


March 2001Out & About

22

THIS year's programme for the University's Golf Societytees off with its opening event - the NBS Golf trophy(Stableford full handicap) at Ullesthorpe Golf Club onMarch 21. Thereafter an event each month keepsmembers in full swing (further news of these in futureBulletins).

This small and friendly Society (annual membershipsubscription £5) welcomes new playing members ofany standard. Friends of members are also welcometo play at LUGS events, but are not eligible to win

trophies. Last year, trophieswere awarded to Robert Kelly(Department of Geology),Graham Goode (graduate),Roger James (Department ofSurgery), Tony Dexter(Department of Engineering)and Ian Bowler (Departmentof Geography).

• For more details about LUGS contact the Secretary,Alan Baker (Department of Economics) on 2890,email [email protected].

HOME FOR TEES

AVS - VIDEO has been helping a group of MuseumStudies students to produce a CD-ROM for anexhibition at the New Walk Museum and Art Gallery.The interactive CD describes the life and work ofGerman artist Johannes Koelz, who escapedGermany in the 1930s when his refusal to paint aportrait of Adolph Hitler led to a warrant beingissued for his arrest. Koelz’s greatest creation - aseven-metre triptych - was too big for him to bringwith him to England and so before he left he sawedit into pieces which were given to various friends forsafe-keeping. Only a few of these pieces are knownto survive and they will be on show at theexhibition, fitted into a life-size black and whitephotograph of the rest of the triptych.

The in-gallery interactive has been produced by agroup of four Museum Studies students as part ofthe Department's New Technologies Project, co-ordinated by Lecturer Ross Parry. This year theproject involved 18 different groups building digitalresources (including web sites) for 10 differentmuseums across the region.

Jon Shears from Audio Visual Services recorded a tenminute voice-over, written by the students, toaccompany the text and images on the CD whichillustrates Koelz’s dramatic story. Meanwhile, the searchfor the missing fragments of the triptych continues.

The exhibition runs from Sunday, March 4 toSunday, May 20 at Leicester's New Walk Museumand Art Gallery.

NEARLY 300 people squeezed intothe Rattray Lecture Theatre to hearDr David Cook give the annualChaplaincy Lecture on Monday,February 5. Dr Cook, Fellow andChaplain of Green College, Oxfordand broadcaster on BBC Radio 4'sThe Moral Maze, spoke with energyand humour on the theme ofMedicine and Morality.

In a wide-ranging address, he raiseda number of ethical issuesconcerning the beginning and end oflife, the relationship betweenmedicine and the law, and thehuman capacity to be bothautonomous and yet responsible

CHALLENGING ETHICS human beings.The Chaplainswere delightedwith the event,which concludedwith a receptionhosted by theVice-Chancellor."It was anothergood example ofthe Chaplaincyacting as a bridgebetween theUniversity andthe City", saidThe Rev Dr IanMcIntosh, co-ordinator of theevent.

SOUND HELP

INTER-ACTION: Museum Studies students Eva Fotiadi, ClaireValarino, Jessica Adler and Helen Poole with Jon Shears, AVS VideoProduction Manager, in Audio Visual Services’ recording studio.

LIFELINE: Present for Dr Cook's lecture on ethical issues concerningthe beginning and ending of life were (left to right) Ian McIntosh,Christine Ord (Chaplains), Professor Robert Burgess (Vice-Chancellor),Dr David Cook, Dr Bob Norman (Chair of the Chaplaincy Council),Michael Docker (Chaplain).


People

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THE UNIVERSITY has appointed anew Director of StaffDevelopment. John Doidge tookup his post on February 12. Hejoins us from Aston Universitywhere he was Head of the Centrefor Staff and Academic PracticeDevelopment.

John is well known for his worknationally and is a regionalrepresentative for HESDA (HE StaffDevelopment Agency). He hasundertaken consultancies andtraining and development activitiesin more than 20 other universitiesand overseas. His published workincludes Support and Allied StaffDevelopment in HE (Kogan Page1999) and Good Practice Guides onquality management and onproblem solving for the AUA. He is aregular contributor to seminars andconferences. John has latterly beenparticularly involved in supportingdepartments preparing for QAAsubject review, Continuation Auditand in early preparations for QAAAcademic Review.

With extensive experience ofdeveloping and delivering nationallyaccredited professionaldevelopment awards for teachers,researchers and support staff, hisimmediate aim is to build on theexisting work of the Centre by

NEW APPOINTMENT providing a suite of similarawards.

John said: "The recent HEFCEconsultation document onRewarding and Developing Staff inHE gives a timely opportunity forus to develop and deliver atargeted plan over the next threeyears, for which some help will beavailable. I hope that we shall beable to address the needs of allstaff groups, especially supportingstaff in developments in teachingand learning, the newtechnologies, management at alllevels and support systems such asappraisal and review. With keyappointments now in train forAcademic Practice and for Trainingand Development we should be ina strong position to address theseneeds."

• Following his early retirementlast September, Nigel Beasleywill continue to work in theCentre part-time as AssociateDirector.

ACADEMIC STAFF DISTINCTIONS (AS REPORTED AT SENATE)Professor Lin Foxhall (Archaeological Studies) has beenawarded an honorary MBE in recognition of hercontribution to the Millennium celebrations. ProfessorFoxhall secured National Lottery funding to support the‘Ringing in the Millennium’ Project, through which anational network of church and town bells were installedor restored in order to ring in the New Year in January2000.

Professor David Siveter (Department of Geology), DrDerek Siveter (Oxford) and Dr Derek Briggs (Bristol)have had an exhibit accepted for the prestigious RoyalSociety Summer Science Exhibition 2001.

Professor Graham Smith (Anaesthesia and PainManagement) has been elected as an Honorary Memberof the Japanese Society of Anaesthesiologists.

Dr Alan Cann (Microbiology and Immunology) has

been awarded the newly-established Peter Wildy Prize forMicrobiology Education by the Society for GeneralMicrobiology in recognition of his distinguishedcontribution to microbiology teaching.

Dr Timothy Hobbs (Librarian) has been appointed:

(a) Chairman of the SCONUL Advisory Committee onSpecial Collections (SCONUL being the StandingConference of National and University Libraries); (b) Vice-Chair of the Rare Books Group of the Library Association.

Dr Gary Willars (Cell Physiology and Pharmacology)has been elected The 2000 Bill Bowman TravellingLecturer by the British Pharmacological Society. TheLectureship is awarded annually, on the basis ofpublished research work, to a young (under 40) memberof the BPS to enable him/her to give lectures at threeacademic or industrial locations in the British Isles.

GEISSEN VISIT FOR PROFESSOREMERITUS Professor of History William (Bill) Brock recently visited the Justus-Liebig University of Geissen to receive onFoundation Day (November 24) a prize for his study Justus von Liebig. The Chemical Gatekeeper.

Uni-forum, Geissen’s equivalent of Bulletin, was there and carried in its December 6-13 issue a report of the ceremony.There were three principal prizes, including Professor Brock’s

for ‘work on the history of the University’ through the study of Liebig. University, Professor Brock replied: "The citizens of thetown and its university can be proud that Liebig chose to work in Geissen". His words were used to caption the second pageof the report which gives a summary of his address. The accompanying pictures showed the prizewinners, with ProfessorBrock signing copies of the German translation of his book after the ceremony ‘im Foyer’.

A PRE-CHRISTMAS get-together at the Institute ofLifelong Learning's Vaughan College combined mirthwith sadness, as it was also the occasion of aretirement farewell to Judith Smithard, secretary tothe part-time BA Humanities degree organised by theDepartment of Adult Education.Many past students joined with members of staff towish Judith a very happy retirement and to paytribute to the friendliness, patience and humour shehad brought to her work since she joined theDepartment in 1994. David Parsons, Head of theDepartment, thanked Judith for her valuedcontribution, and Robert Colls recalled highlights ofthe happy collaboration that he, Judith, part-timetutors and students of many years had shared atVaughan College and Ruskin College, Oxford. Flowersand a portable CD player were presented to Judithwith the very best wishes of all her friends andcolleagues.

Wendy Brown

The University has learnt, with regret,of the death of the following:

PROFESSOR J D SWALES, MD FRCP Professor John Swales died on October17, 2000, after asudden cardiac arresttwo weeks previously.He was formerlyFoundation Professorof Medicine, Universityof Leicester School ofMedicine, 1974-1996.He was a powerful andinfluential figure inBritish academicmedicine and arespected authority on antiquarianbooks, his great passion outsidemedicine.

John Douglas Swales was born inLeicester in 1935, and was educated atthe local state Wyggeston GrammarSchool and Clare College, Cambridgefrom which he received a double first-class honours before completing hismedical degree at Westminster medicalschool, University of London.

After an outstanding undergraduateand post-graduate career in London andManchester, he was recruited to leadthe development of the academicDepartment of Medicine at the newUniversity of Leicester School ofMedicine in 1974. He made an immensecontribution to Leicester Medicine, and

OBITUARIES from fledgling beginnings he helpedestablish the Medical School and itsDepartment of Medicine as aninternationally-respected centre forclinical medicine, training and research.

His passion, ahead of its time, was toensure that the teaching andpractice of medicine wasfounded on a strong researchbase and, wherever possible,solid evidence. This ethos wasthe basis of his critical and attimes cynical appraisal ofsome aspects of modernmedical practice and research.John’s views on any subjectwere always carefully craftedand enlightening, and his

lectures and writing sparkled. Hisdistinguished Harveian oration to theRoyal College of Physicians in 1996was widely regarded as a masterpiece.

His main interest in clinical medicinewas high blood pressure. He wasacknowledged as an internationalauthority in this field and was proud ofhaving helped found the BritishHypertension Society and tosubsequently serve as its secondPresident. Beyond Leicester, he servedthe NHS and British academic medicineas chairman of many nationalcommittees. Of these, he wasparticularly committed to the BritishHeart Foundation, for whom he servedas Chairman of numerous seniorcommittees.

He surprised many of us when in 1996he accepted the appointment asDirector of NHS Research andDevelopment at the Department ofHealth in 1996. John relished thepotential to invigorate the researchethos and infrastructure of the NHS –a challenge that was frustrated by theturgidity and inconsistency of thepolitical machinery and John’s ownreluctance, perhaps inability to bepolitical.

He retired in 1998 and returned toLeicester as Emeritus Professor ofMedicine. This was a golden time forhim, unburdened by administrativeresponsibilities he lectured around theworld and wrote prolifically. He washappy and more relaxed and contentthan I had ever seen him.

Outside medicine, his relaxation wasto be found in the library or in pursuitof antiquarian books. His culture andgreat intellect combined with his skillin medicine and research wasreflected in his beautiful writing,which remains as a proud testimonyto his glorious and lastingcontribution to British academicmedicine. Leicester has lost a greatambassador and friend. He is survivedby his wife Doonie and two children,Philip, who is a junior doctor inLeicester, and Charlotte, a CharteredAccountant in London.

Professor Bryan Williams

People BulletinUniversity of Leicester

March 2001

24

RETIREMENT

HAPPY COLLABORATION: Judith Smithard, with husband Ernie (left)and Dr Robert Colls, formerly Senior Tutor for BA Humanities.

SIR DENYS LASDUN, CBE, CHSir Denys Lasdun, the architect whodesigned the Charles Wilson Buildingand the new residential buildings forStamford Hall, died on January 11,aged 86.

Best known for the National Theatreon London’s South Bank, he isregarded as one of the greatest oftwentieth-century architects. Inspiredby Le Corbusier and Cubist painting,he was particularly known for hisdesigns in reinforced concrete which,though not universally popular, wasused for some of his most impressivebuildings. He was fascinated bygeometric shapes and ‘with the lie ofthe land’, producing urban landscapeswith walkways and promenades, andbringing ‘high art’ into everyday life.

The Stamford Hall buildings, datingfrom 1964, were built in brick ‘in astyle immediately recognisable as thatof their architect, affording strikingvistas across a fine stretch of garden’.The Charles Wilson Building of 1967,characteristic of Lasdun’s reinforcedconcrete style, provided badly-neededsocial and sports facilities on the maincampus. Its completion was muchdelayed, partly because of a last-minute decision to add a verticalextension of five floors to the originaldesign. It thus became the firstUniversity building to exploit theprominence of its landmark site on thehighest point in the city.

Lasdun’s early work focused onhousing blocks, but he later builtmainly for public institutions. Hisfondness for stepped linescharacterised his work for theUniversity of East Anglia and a newbuilding at Christ’s College,Cambridge. There were furtheruniversity buildings in Liverpool andLondon, where he also designed thenew Royal College of Physicians in thesouth-east corner of Regent’s Park.

An unassuming man of tremendousintegrity and humour, he wasnevertheless quietly assertive, andmaintained a passionate interest in theworld around him till the end. He wasawarded the CBE in 1965, wasknighted in 1976 and became aCompanion of Honour in 1995.

David Johnson

newborn, thussaving manymothers and infantchildren fromfatality. Service atGuy’s Hospital andin the Royal Navywas followed afterthe war by posts inBirmingham andLiverpool, where hebecame Professor ofMedicine in 1965.Made a Fellow ofthe Royal Society ofPhysicians in 1949,he served as itsPresident from 1972to 1977, and then

Director of its Research Unit. He wasawarded a CBE in 1969, and advancedto KBE in 1974.

He held honorary degrees from manyuniversities, including a fellowship at

his old Cambridgecollege, returningto his home townin 1971 for theaward of anhonorary DSc fromthis University. Hisfamily’s longconnection with

the University wasfurther marked when he opened theUniversity’s Medical Sciences Buildingon December 8, 1977.

PROFESSOR J WALLS

Professor John Walls died onThursday, March 1. Professor Wallsbecame Clinical Sub-Dean designatein October 1987 and Clinical Sub-Dean the following year. He wasawarded the title of HonoraryProfessor of Nephrology in 1990. Hewas appointed Postgraduate Dean onJanuary 1, 1994, a post he held untilDecember 31, 2000. An obituary willappear in future issue of Bulletin.

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PeopleBulletinUniversity of LeicesterMarch 2001

SIR CYRIL CLARKE, FRCP FRS

Sir Cyril Clarke died on November 22,2000, aged 93. An outstandingmedical geneticist whose clinicalresearch saved thousands of babies’lives, he was theson of Dr AstleyClarke, SeniorPhysician atLeicester’sInfirmarybetween 1896and 1930. Itwas AstleyClarke who firstsuggested in 1912 that Leicestershould have its own University, and in1919 lobbied for the purchase of theold Asylum as its home. He wasbrother-in-law to Percy Gee, and thetwo families gave tremendousfinancial support and continuousservice to the University College.

Cyril Astley Clarke was educated atWyggeston Grammar School, Leicesterand Oundle School before going toCambridge where he graduated innatural science in 1927. He qualifiedas a doctor in 1932 and proceeded toan MD in 1937. His clinical studiesresulted in a procedure to preventRhesus haemolytic disease in the

DEATH NOTICESInformation about the death of a member of the University’s staff or a student

(past or present) should be given to Vivienne Paul, the Registrar’s Secretary, whowill ensure that the details are disseminated throughout the University via CWIS.

Her telephone number is 0116 252 2411.

CATCHING DESIGN: This photo of Stamford Hall is one of severaltaken shortly after the buildings came into use. Mary Ridgway,current Hall secretary, comments "the photos certainly show his[Lasdun's] fondness for the straight line".

'Cyril Clarke was a retiring manwho, coincidentally for Leicester,could be seen quietly slipping inand out of Denys Lasdun’s new

Royal College of Physiciansbuilding in Regent’s Park, even

in his presidential days.'

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March 2001

GRADUATES, members of the FamilyProgramme and University staff arewarmly invited to join the Graduates'Association for an informal receptionand buffet in the medieval Hall atLincoln College at 7.00 pm onMonday, April 9, 2001.

Founded in 1427, Lincoln is one ofthe oldest colleges in Oxford. TheHall, with its fine 15th centurytimber roof and 18th centurypanelling, will be a splendid settingfor people to meet up with oldfriends, and enjoy food widelyacknowledged as the best in theUniversity.

There will also be a chance toexplore other parts of the College,including the 17th century Chapeland 18th century Library, guided by

members of the College.

This event forms part of theGraduates' Association's regionalreunion programme, which has seenprevious receptions held at uniquelocations such as Queens' College,Cambridge, the Houses ofParliament, and an unforgettableevening at the Cutty Sark lastautumn.

• Tickets at £18.50 per person willinclude both drinks and buffetmeal. For a booking form andfurther details please contact CarlIszatt in the Graduate RelationsOffice on 0116 223 1363, ore-mail [email protected].

Graduate Relations

HISTORY AHOY! "People told me that the most obviousroute to becoming an author was tobecome a journalist, and to do that, Ishould get a degree first. I decided tostudy History because it is afathomless source of inspiration for anovelist."

He continued to write during his timein Leicester, regularly contributing tothe student Ripple newspaper.

It was also at the University that hefirst became involved in politics, andafter graduating pursued this further,working for six years as a spin-doctor.But his passion for writing neverabated. His decision to concentrate onwriting seems to be paying off.

Killigrew and the Golden Dragon is onthe shelves now, with anotherinstalment due for publication in 2002.

Carl Iszatt

• Killigrew and the Golden Dragon(ISBN 0 7472 7439 8) is availablefrom the University Bookshop.

ACTION MAN: Jonathan Lunn.

The protagonist of his adventures,Killigrew, was, as the books explain,born in a cabin on board HMSCambrian in the Aegean Sea onOctober 15, 1824. But as Jonathanexplains, that's a lie.

"Kit Killigrew was born on the thirdfloor of the library of the Universityof Leicester some time around 1990.I was studying history at the time,although by then I'd already aspiredto be an author for five years."

NOVELIST Jonathan Lunn (aka DanielHall, BA History, 1991) has combineda passion for writing with a degreein History to create the VictorianHornblower - none other than KitKilligrew!

ADVERTISE IN THE BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE!See page 34 for details.

RECEPTION AND BUFFET AT LINCOLN COLLEGE, OXFORD

AdvertisementBulletinUniversity of LeicesterMarch 2001

RESIDENTIAL & CATERING SERVICES

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Notices BulletinUniversity of Leicester

March 2001

28

Dates for Your Diary

A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF EVENTS IS AVAILABLE ON CWIS

INAUGURAL LECTURESThe following Lectures take place at5.30 pm in Lecture Theatre 1, TheKen Edwards Building on the datesshown. All Inaugural Lectures areopen to the public and free.

TUESDAY MARCH 13Wired for Sound: Exploring SynapticTransmission in the AuditoryPathway. Professor Ian Forsythe,Department of Cell Physiology andPharmacology.

TUESDAY MARCH 20Ostracod Palaeobiology and Ecology:Sex Through Time. Professor DavidSiveter, Department of Geology.

TOMODACHI – An Exhibition ofWork by Students at Schools forthe Blind in Japan and England –continues Monday-Friday, 10.00 –4.30, at the Richard AttenboroughCentre, Lancaster Road, Leicesteruntil March 18.

WORK EXPERIENCEAS A major employer within Leicestershire, theUniversity is regularly asked to provide workexperience places for students from local schoolsand colleges.

Many Year 10 and 11 students are required toundertake a two-week placement as part of theirgeneral development. For those studying at ahigher level, relevant work experience is often anessential requirement.

The University is keen to build on its relationshipswith local schools and colleges and wouldappreciate your support in the provision ofplacements. If you feel that you may be able andwilling to offer a work experience placement to alocal student, you may wish to discuss thepossibility with your Head of Department.

Heads of Department are asked to advise thePersonnel Office in writing of any expressions ofinterest, providing details of the type of workavailable. Expressions of interest should be sent tothe Head of the Support Staff Division.

COMIC RELIEF 2001Let’s Pull Together this Red Nose Day!

IT’S that time of year when large red objectsbegin to appear on people’s clothes, cars andfaces. Luckily they take the shape of a nose asComic Relief gears up for its big fundraising night on March16. The University’s Sports and Recreation section is doing itsbit by taking part in The Red Nose Row, and it is appealing toall members of staff to enter either themselves or a teamfrom their department. The events involve rowing on theConcept 2 indoor rowers that are found in the Greenhousegyms. If you think you’ve got a touch of the ‘Steve Redgrave’about you, why not enter one of then following events?

Individual 2000m Row

or

1-hour Relay Race (teams of 4)

Both events will be graded based on ability, so all comers arewelcome. Anyone interested in entering or sponsoring a teamshould call Rob on 0116 371 9144 or call in to theGreenhouse on Manor Road for further details. The eventstake place between March 12-16.

MARCHMonday March 12The Ninth Elchanan and Miriam ElkesMemorial Lecture: Surviving theSurvivors – The Memory of theHolocaust in a post-Holocaust World.Professor Deborah Lipstadt, DorotProfessor of Modern Jewish Historyand Holocaust Studies, EmoryUniversity, Georgia, USA. 5.30 pm,Lecture Theatre 1, New Building.Open to the public and free.Sponsored by the Stanley Burton

Centre for Holocaust Studies and theElchanan Elkes Association for Inter-Community Understanding.

Monday March 12History of Art Department – RecentBritish Art – 2001 Public LectureSeries: Getting Out. British ArtistsWorking Outside Britain. MichaelArcher, Ruskin School of Art, Oxford,Research Fellow at Chelsea School ofArt. 5.30 pm, Attenborough LectureTheatre 3. Free and open to all. For allenquiries call 0116 252 2866.

SATURDAY MARCH 17Evening Concert: Cantamici Choir and theUniversity of Leicester Big Band present aprogramme of musical entertainment – songs,spirituals, famous dance numbers and theplain smoochy. 7.30 pm. Fraser NobleBuilding. £7.50/£6.50 (includes wine andnibbles). Tickets available from the UniversityBookshop, the LOROS Appeals Office (0116231 8431) and at the door. All proceeds toLOROS in aid of their hospice work inLeicestershire and Rutland.

Dates for Your DiaryBulletinUniversity of LeicesterMarch 2001

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Monday March 12British Association (local branch):Computational Complexity. ProfessorRick Thomas, Department ofMathematics and Computer Science,University of Leicester. 7.30 pm.Council Room, New Walk Museum,Leicester. Enquiries to Norma Corby on0116 252 2073.

Tuesday March 13Lunchtime Soundbite at the RichardAttenborough Centre: Studentsperform excerpts from variousmusicals. 12.45 pm. Admission free.

Tuesday March 13Department of Geography ResearchSeminar – An Integrated RemoteSensing – Geographical InformationSystem Approach for Coastal HabitatMonitoring. Danny Donoghue,University of Durham. 4.00 pm,Seminar Room (75A), GeographyDepartment, Bennett Building. Furtherdetails from Professor AndrewMillington on 0116 223 1777.

Tuesday March 13Botanic Garden Lecture: AncientWoodland: The Recent Past and theFuture. Dr Oliver Rackham, CorpusChristi College, Cambridge. 8.00 pm.Lecture Theatre 1, Ken EdwardsBuilding. Open to the public and free.Sponsored by The Friends of theBotanic Garden.

Wednesday March 14Lunchtime Concert: Alison Strange(violin), Alan Brown (piano). 12.45pm. Music Room, 10th floor, CharlesWilson Building. £2 (free admission forstudents). Ring 0116 252 2781 forfurther details.

Wednesday March 14Department of Biochemistry SpringSeminar Series: Structural changesthat drive myosin molecules alongactin filaments. Dr Peter Knight,School of Biomedical Sciences,University of Leeds. 1.00 pm, LectureTheatre 2, Medical Sciences Building.All welcome. For further detailscontact Claire Di Palma, Departmentof Biochemistry ([email protected]).

Wednesday March 14Lunchtime Performance at the RichardAttenborough Centre: Anne Kind,Leicester Mercury Millennium Poet,presents a selection of her work. 1.30pm. Admission free.

Wednesday March 14Evening Concert: The Lindsays. 7.30pm. Fraser Noble Hall, Fraser NobleBuilding, London Road, Leicester. Forfurther details ring 0116 252 2781.

Thursday March 15Lunchtime Soundbite at the RichardAttenborough Centre: LeicesterRecorded Music Society perform musicfrom ancient to modern times. 12.45pm. Admission free.

Friday March 16Department of BiochemistryPostgraduate Seminar: Moleculardynamics in electron transferringflavoprotein. Matthew Jones. 12.30pm. Adrian Building, LG26. For furtherdetails, contact Claire Di Palma([email protected]).

Friday March 16Centre for Urban History Seminar: TheProperty Market in Durham andNewcastle. Adrian Green (DurhamUniversity). 2.30 pm. Seminar Room,Centre for Urban History, Marc FitchHouse, 3-5 Salisbury Road. Allwelcome. Enquiries to the secretary,Centre for Urban History, 0116 2522378, [email protected].

Monday March 19History of Art Department – RecentBritish Art – 2001 Public LectureSeries: How New is New British Art?Tony Godfrey, Sotheby’s Institute ofArt. 5.30 pm, Attenborough LectureTheatre 3. Free and open to all. For allenquiries call 0116 252 2866.

Tuesday March 20Lunchtime Soundbite at the RichardAttenborough Centre: Guthlaxton BigBand play jazz standards andcontemporary jazz/rock fusions. 12.45pm. Admission free.

Tuesday March 20Department of Geography ResearchSeminar – Globalization and RegionalChange in Russia: The Case ofSakhalin. Professor Mike Bradshaw,University of Leicester. 4.00 pm,Seminar Room (75A), GeographyDepartment, Bennett Building. Furtherdetails from Professor AndrewMillington on 0116 223 1777.

Wednesday March 21Lunchtime performance at the RichardAttenborough Centre: Falling in Lovein NG7. Andy Barrrett, story teller.1.30 pm. Admission free.

Thursday March 22MRC Toxicology Unit, CMHT: TheExecution Phase of Apoptosis Revealedat the Molecular Level. Lecture byProfessor Guy Salvesen, BurnhamInstitute, La Jolla, San Diego. 11.00 am,Seminar Room, Level 5, HodgkinBuilding. All welcome.

Thursday March 22Lunchtime Soundbite at the RichardAttenborough Centre: Alonso Mendoza(artist in residence) with studentsperforms music from the Cubantradition. 12.45 pm. Admission free.

Thursday March 22Department of English Local HistorySeminar: Digging a Strange Pool:Marietta Pallis and the LandscapeHistory of the Norfolk Broads. Dr DavidMatless, School of Geography,University of Nottingham. 2.15 – 4.00pm (approx). Seminar Room, Marc FitchHouse, 5 Salisbury Road. It is essentialthat those wishing to attend shouldnotify the Departmental Secretary on0116 252 2762 the day before theseminar.

Saturday March 24Evening Concert: Helix Ensemble. Aprogramme that explores aspects ofthe concerto grosso and the theme ofnight. 7.30 pm, Fraser Noble Hall. Forfurther details and ticket prices ring0116 252 2781.

Tuesday March 27Lunchtime Soundbite at the RichardAttenborough Centre: John Brindle andSue Mason sing acoustic andcontemporary songs. 12.45 pm.Admission free.

Wednesday March 28Lunchtime Performance at the RichardAttenborough Centre: Shakespeare forLunch – literature students from theRAC survey the sonnets. 1.30 pm.Admission free.

Friday March 30Evening Concert: Moira Finch andfriends present a musical extravaganzafor MANA (Musicians Against NuclearArms). 7.30 pm. Fraser Noble Hall.Tickets £6 (concessions £5). For furtherdetails ring 0116 252 2781.

APRILSaturday April 7Concert: Hinckley Choral Union and theUniversity Sinfonia. 7.30 pm, HinckleyUnited Reformed Church. For ticketsand further details ring 01455 612901.

Small Ads BulletinUniversity of Leicester

March 2001

30

ADVERTISE IN THE BULLETIN FREE OF CHARGE!Space permitting, Bulletin will publish small advertisements FREE OF CHARGE. Simply complete the form below andreturn it to Press & Publications Office ([email protected], 0116 252 2415) by the closing date for the preferredissue. Bulletin will make every effort to publish all advertisements received by the deadline, but cannot guaranteetheir inclusion.

PAID ADVERTISINGSmall adverts (up to 30 words) are GUARANTEED a space at the following rates:

House sales and lettings: £5.00 / Other sales and services: £2.00Prices for display adverts are available from Chris Walters on ext 1150. Tick box for type of advertisement:

PROPERTY ❏ CARS/BIKES ❏ HOUSEHOLD ITEMS ❏ SERVICES ❏

SOCIAL ❏ WANTED ❏ MISCELLANEOUS ❏

Your advertisement: (maximum 30 words)

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

(for information only): Name and department:

........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Daytime telephone number: Evening telephone number:

................................................ ..................................................

• The Editor reserves the right to refuse or edit advertisements. • This service is available to members of the University only.

MEDITATION ON THE HEARTSahaj Marg (Natural Path) is a meditation group with the

intention of serving Humanity. It aims to balance the materialand the spiritual existence to lead a simple and peaceful life.There are no conditions or charges to join. For more detailscontact R Aravindhan on 0116 212 6036. Open House every

Sunday between 11.00 and 12.00.Please ring before you come.

FLORIDA APARTMENT TO LETMarco Island, South West Florida. Attractive 2 bedroom

apartment, balcony, water views. Peaceful harbourside complex,pools, hot tubs, sports facilities. Sub tropical island, stunning

beaches, 330 days of sunshine. Good access to Everglades, Miami,Key West, Orlando. From £350 weekly. Telephone 01823 277801,

email [email protected].

HOUSE TO LETUnfurnished terraced house with two large bedrooms, kitchen,

reception, bathroom and garden in Hallaton. £425 pcm.Call 01858 555529 for further details.

WANTED TO RENT Australian academic, wife and baby, wish to rent small houseor flat from early August till mid November 2001 (or any partthereof). Would prefer somewhere on the south side of thecity, but anything considered. If you can help ring 0116 259

3948 as soon as possible. References available.

NIGHTLINENightline is a telephone listening service run by students forstudents. Whether you want information, a phone number

you can’t find, someone to talk to if you can’t sleep,friendship when everyone else is out, or an ear to listen toyou, then that is why we are here. Whatever you say, wewont judge you or force our opinions down your throat.

Nightline is open from 8 pm to 8 am each night.Contact us on 0116 223 1230.

GOVERNMENT-FUNDED NURSERY PLACES FOR 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS

The Leicester Montessori Nursery School at 27 St John’s Road,Stoneygate, has EYDP-funded places available for a limited

number of pupils. The School offers genuine Montessori pre-school education for ages 2-5 years, qualified and experienced

staff, small groups (maximum 16 pupils), approximately 4:1 pupilteacher ratio, morning and afternoon sessions. For aprospectus/appointment, telephone 0116 270 2758.

BRIDALWEAR SHOPBradgate Belles – a

friendly bridalwear shop –has just opened in

Newtown Linford. Dressesfor brides and

bridesmaids (made tomeasure or off the peg),shoes, tiaras, favours and

wedding stationery.Ring Heather on 01530 244744.

CORNERPLOT VEGETABLESMake a weekly choice from a wide

range of organically-grown,petesticide- and gm-free fruit andvegetables by email. Prices are verycompetitive with the supermarkets,and delivery is free to the University.

To find out more, visitwww.CornerPlotVegetables.co.uk

(Matt and Ces Beamish, 0116 269 7920,

[email protected]).

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PRIZE CROSSWORD 51 by Seivador

Entries (in a sealed envelope, clearly marked) to PRIZE CROSSWORD COMPETITION, PRESS & PUBLICATIONS OFFICE, FIELDINGJOHNSON BUILDING BY NO LATER THAN NOON ON MONDAY 19 MARCH.

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WINNERS OF PRIZE CROSSWORD NO. 50:

A three-course lunch in the Carvery, donated by the University ofLeicester Catering Services – Martin Pennington, Careers Service;£15 book token, donated by the University of Leicester Bookshop– Fred Chapman, Maths and Computer Science; a bottle of wine,courtesy of the Bulletin – Dr A Young, Psychology; £5 booktoken, courtesy of the Bulletin – Michael Hoffman, Maths andComputer Science; a box of chocolates, courtesy of the Bulletin –Anne Heymorth, Maths and Computer Science.

PRIZE CROSSWORD 50 SOLUTION (THEME GOLD, FOR OUR 50th)Across: 1 Digger. 4 Stick. 7 Silver. 8 Import. 10 Tibia. 12 Leaf. 14 Snout. 15 Fluor. 17 Tuatara. 19 Rosie. 20 Smith. 21 Peer. 22 Rebus. 26 Critic. 27 Fibula. 28 Plate. 29 Method.

Down: 1 Disc or Disk. 2 Gull. 3 Emeritus. 4 Sumo. 5 Ironer. 6 Kit. 9 Fifteen. 10 Tutor. 11 Ala. 12 Loams. 13 Fish. 14 Swap. 16 Ursuline. 18 Air. 19 Regina. 23 Mine. 24 Rush. 25 Card. 26 Cup.

Clues Across1. Sink with this defect could make you think! (4)3. It’s nearly the season: moose returns to spray (8)8. Piece of land may be hatched (4)9. Being there, old thing goes in to change (8)

11. Bell Inn tea distributed with this on board? (5,5)14. Applaud actor that’s vulgar, in London area (7,6)16. Terraced housing for those overlooking certain races (10)20. Injured raven had a stoop (8)21. To leave out nothing from the elevated capital (4)22. Yews said to be swaying laterally (8)23. Small-diameter growth that’s useless (4)

Clues Down1. Cosmetic changes made, to pick list (8)2. Booth was organized in travelling theatre (8)4. House’s main party, with real disorder (13)5. Publication is to take legal action (5)6. Some skin – grafting for the head, man! (4)7. We’re going into jug (4)

10. Some shilly-shally, some get engaged (4)12. Tire a mum out, being childish (8)13. Nude tied up, awaiting correction! (8)15. Big oven, as in the holy books (4)17. Disgracefully, were not to begin to start again (5)18. Rescue head-dropping birds (4)19. Supply network? There’s your answer (4)

FOUR PRIZES THIS MONTH: First correct entry of the draw – a three-course lunch for two in the Carvery, donated by theUniversity of Leicester Catering Services, second correct entry – £15 book token, donated by the University of LeicesterBookshop, third correct entry – a bottle of wine, courtesy of the Bulletin, fourth correct entry – £5 book token, courtesyof the Bulletin.

SALA

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Photostop

SNAPSHOTON HAND In the PercyGee Building on StValentine’s Day weremehndi (henna) artists,there to paint, for free,henna patterns, bothtraditional andindividual. Designed topromote a local businessinitiative, which issupported byregeneration funds forthe Belgrave areaobtained by the LeicesterCity Council, the eventattracted much interest,not only from those oncampus, but also fromthe media. The artists’workshops includeinstruction in the gradingand mixing of hennapowder, while advancedstudents work on moreintricate patterns andbody art.

NAME: Stephen Rawlinson

OCCUPATION: Library Publicity Officer

STEPHEN Rawlinson thrives onchallenges – his role as the LibraryPublicity Officer certainly provides himwith plenty! He develops the publicity,promotions, and marketing strategy forthe Library, implementing publicityinitiatives himself. It’s important he is agood communicator. Stephen enjoysgiving publicity talks and states that“the bigger the audience the better”. Heenjoys writing text for notices,brochures, and guides, especially wherespace is limited and the text must besuccinct.

Stephen graduated in maths and a legacy of this, says Stephen, is a “cravingfor precision”. His friends even joke that he is likely to proof-read their lettersto him and send them back! Stephen responds that he is “not like thatreally!”

His ability to rise to the challenge is also evident in his personal life; he hasbeen a long-distance road runner for over thirty years! He is also veryinterested in nature and enjoys going on holiday to desolate places. TheNamib Desert is his favourite destination – a world away from air-conditionedenvironment of a University library.

Caroline Jones

GETTING THEMESSAGE

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