Campus News
Life Cycle keeps turning for Steve
October 31st, 2014
When the veteran of three Life Cycles and dozens of marathons – including an epic run equivalent to nine marathons in 10 days – says it’s the hardest thing he’s ever done, you know it must have been tough.
Steven Wright cycled 250 miles in 24 hours astride a static trainer that simulated every hill and twist in the road between the Arc De Triomphe in Paris and London’s Buckingham Palace.
The University Chauffeur’s epic ride at May Fest was in aid of Children’s Brain Tumour Research, the cause supported by this summer’s Life Cycle riders.
Like the rest of the Life Cycle 4 team, Steve will ride 1,400-plus miles to four corners of Great Britain in tribute to a young victim of brain cancer.
Steve will be riding in honour of Keira Lee from Surrey who died from a brain tumour in 2013 aged two.
Keira was also in the forefront of Steve’s mind when climbed on board his Ingenius TACX trainer in the Portland Building. “Riding in Keira’s honour is special to me in many ways,” he says. “I have two boys that came along through IVF treatment at the Nuture Clinic at the QMC. The struggle to make it happen makes me appreciate how important and special it is to have them. To lose a child, especially so young, to a brain tumour must be an unimaginable ordeal to endure.”
Just short of 24 hours later, Steve had reached his goal, cheered on by hundreds of well-wishers. His only break had been for a quick shower and a 90-minute kip on a table at 2am. Not only will the ride contribute a substantial chunk towards the £5000 Steve aims to personally raise in Keira’s name, he hopes performing the 250-mile feat will raise the profile Life Cycle 4, while bringing home the demands the challenge makes on its riders.
“Life Cycle is very tough and I don’t think people always realise just how hard it is – when people see photos or footage it looks like fun,” he says. “What they don’t see is how much pain is involved.”
Steve, like Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir David Greenaway, is one of a handful of riders who taken part all three of the annual challenges. It’s a measure of Steve’s unassuming nature and dogged determination that when he fell and dislocated a shoulder during Life Cycle 2 he went on to finish that day’s stage — only then telling his team-mates of his injury. Steve was treated for ligament damage and was back in the saddle for the final three days of riding. He ended the challenge with a dip in the sea at Dover to soothe the pain of his burning shoulder.
But he says even that does not compare with the drawn-out pain of his 250-mile ride at May Fest. “It wasn’t just physically tough,” he says. “Mentally, it’s draining, riding in front of all those people, and relying on the technology.”
“The support I got was fantastic — messages and donations were coming in at 3am, for instance. Keira’s family have been great, so supportive — they’ve been with me all the way for Life Cycle 4.”
Supporting Steve was Life Cycle veteran Gavin Scott, an Environmental Manager at the University, who is riding 2,300 miles to Istanbul, also in aid of the Children’s Brain Tumour Research Centre.
Steven says such support and camaraderie make the Life Cycle rides special — and endurable.
“David [Greenaway] has this ability to pick people for each team who just gel. Everyone is very close and we all support each other. I couldn’t have finished that Life Cycle ride with my shoulder without Mike Carr [Director of Business Engagement and Innovation Services.] He rode with me all the way, warning me of every pothole in the road. He was fabulous — but he says he’s never been sworn at so much in his life!”
He added: “All the team have put so much into the Life Cycles. None of it would have been possible without the vision of David [Greenaway] and the hard work from the Campaign Office and especially the support team; they are the ones who make the riders’ job achievable. All the riders have a lot to thank them for and we’re glad our efforts have made a difference to so many people.”
To support Steve and the other riders, please visit: www.nottingham.ac.uk/lifecycle
Tags: Children’s Brain Tumour Research, Keira Lee, Life Cycle 4, Professor Sir David Greenaway, Steven Wright
Posted in Issue 79 | Comments Off on Life Cycle keeps turning for Steve
Foreign Language TV service a click away
October 31st, 2014
Students and staff can now use any University-networked PC to watch 50 satellite channels broadcasting in 13 languages.
The Foreign Language TV service (FLTV) broadcasts will help students improve their language skills and enhance cultural awareness. The service is available across the University’s UK campuses and improves access to a far wider range of live foreign language TV than previously available.
Four satellite dishes on the roof of the Trent Building receive feeds from broadcasters around the world, allowing students and staff to watch live TV across 50 channels. These will be available on networked PCs on any of our UK campuses, although the service cannot be accessed via laptops or with wireless devices.
The languages supported by the new service are Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Slovene and Spanish. There are also several additional channels broadcasting in English, such as the BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera, which also has an Arabic channel.
The channels offer a range of mainstream programming. As well as news and factual programmes, fans of soap opera, for example, can catch up with shows on Canal de las Estrellas while brushing up on their Mexican Spanish.
Daily news digests of French, German, Spanish and German broadcasts are automatically recorded and are available in the Self Access Centre or by using the FLTV video on demand facility. Recordings of specific programmes can be requested by staff teaching modern foreign languages.
Marisa Marmo, Director of the Language Centre and a lecturer in Italian Language, said: “The Foreign Language TV service will help staff and students consolidate and build on their existing language skills. Watching FLTV can significantly improve listening skills and familiarise students with the sounds and rhythms of a foreign language. It’s also an enjoyable way to learn new phrases and can help increase motivation and proficiency.”
Oranna Speicher, a lecturer in German language, (pictured) said: “Being able to access up-to-date and topical audio-visual resources in the target language is an integral part of the coursework requirements we set for our students in the classes with a language competence of B1 and above (European Framework of Reference). The FLTV service is ideal for this purpose, not only from an authentic language point of view, but also with regard to its availability.””
The Language Centre offers high-quality language learning to more than 1300 students studying foreign language modules across the University. Additionally, the Language Centre facilities are also made available to students studying degree courses with compulsory language elements as well as being a service for staff and students to learn or improve language skills as a self-access service.
For more on the service, visit
www.nottingham.ac.uk/go/fltv
Tags: Director of the Language Centre, FLTV, Foreign Language TV service, Marisa Marmo, Oranna Speicher
Posted in Issue 80 | Comments Off on Foreign Language TV service a click away
University hot air balloon returns
October 31st, 2014
It’s a view of the campus that most freshers never expect to see… Emily Roseveare and Rhianna Greene, who are both taking Modern European Studies, enjoyed a flight in The University of Nottingham hot air balloon as it made its first appearance at University Park in almost four years.
The balloon (G-NUNI) may become a more common sight if a University ballooning club is set up.
The balloon was formerly piloted by Dr Janet Folkes, a Senior Research Fellow and Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering. Janet, who died from cancer in January 2012, wanted to set up the club and the world-record breaking pilot donated equipment to help get her dream off the ground.
Yvonne Wilkinson, a close friend of Janet and part of her G-NUNI crew who continues to fly the balloon, said: “We were able to give interested staff and students a real ‘hands on’ opportunity to get involved in the balloon set-up and inflation before it took to the skies with its pilot for the day, Robin Waite.”
She said Registrar, Dr Paul Greatrix, is a keen supporter of the cause and also enjoyed a flight. Gusty winds meant flights later had to be curtailed but the crew collected contact details from 100 people who were interested in joining the proposed club.
Yvonne added: “Janet wanted nothing more than for the University to set up its own hot air balloon club. Shew was passionate about getting young people and especially women involved in our wonderful sport and would have been so proud to see the buzz among the freshers and staff at Nottingham as the balloon soared above.”
Tags: Dr Janet Folkes, Dr Paul Greatrix, Emily Roseveare, Modern European Studies, Rhianna Greene, The University of Nottingham hot air balloon, Yvonne Wilkinson
Posted in Issue 80 | 3 Comments »
‘For me, APPLE was totally career changing’
October 31st, 2014
Apple, an award-winning women’s development programme is celebrating 10 years at the University.
Here, five APPLE graduates reflect on a programme that has played a key part in their careers:
Marion Walker MBE
Professor of Stroke Rehabilitation
In 2004, Marion, then a senior lecturer at the University, joined APPLE’s first cohort at Nottingham.
“Looking back, it was a key moment in my career. APPLE gave me the chance to reflect on where I was going — like many of us finding the time to think about our careers seemed like a luxury, not a necessity.
“It made me realise I wanted to stay at Nottingham and progress my career here. It was a pivotal point, really. A key thing was an understanding of the University landscape, how it works. I met colleagues from outside my area, it really encourages networking, to share experiences. I learnt how the promotion system operates. The programme involved inspirational women who shared how they managed a successful career and a work-life balance. My children were small then and being encouraged to achieve that was important.
“I encourage all my staff to go on APPLE. I mentor staff on the course and Apple was instrumental in my wanting to help set up WAND [Women’s Advancement Networking and Development for staff at level 6 or 7] for which I’ve spoken on master classes on promotions.
“APPLE had such a positive impact for me — it was hugely important.”
Eleanor Forward
Researcher Training and Development Manager, Graduate School
“I guess I was on a fairly typical career zigzag, and perhaps uncertain of where I wanted to go next. Sometimes it’s difficult to share those things and APPLE gave me the opportunity to talk with colleagues across the University. I was a project manager at the Graduate School, on short-term contracts, when I joined APPLE. I took an ILM (Institute of Leadership & Management) Certificate in Project Management through APPLE and it was a colleague at Apple who suggested I think about the Strategic Projects Unit (now the Executive Project Management Unit). I got a project management post there, focusing on a portfolio of strategic and change projects and working with senior colleagues.
“I wanted to get more involved with the research environment, and 18 months later I was back at the Graduate School as Researcher Training and Development Manager.
“One of the key strengths of APPLE for me is the contacts. It’s easy to see no further than your department — with Apple you can develop yourself and it gives you the time to meet wider colleagues.”
Kelly-Ann Vere
Senior Technician, Institute of Biophysics, Imaging and Optical Science and Technical Staff Development Officer
“I participated in the APPLE programme in 2005/06 and it was a huge eye opener. I’d been working here for six years as a technician. In a technical role it can often feel like you exist in your own laboratory bubble — you can lose sight of the bigger picture.
“Apple opened my eyes to the vastness of our University and the diversity of roles. I built some fantastically useful networks and made some good friends. The courses gave me the tools and motivation to push on with my career and work towards making a positive difference to the technical community in higher education.
“I’ve since achieved things I never would have thought possible and I will always be grateful to APPLE for giving me the confidence to create and pursue these opportunities. I encourage all colleagues to sign up!”
Soma Mukherjee
Research Systems Manager, Research & Graduate Services
“Through APPLE I found a new focus and a better understanding of how the University works. I was in a mixed learning set and it helped me understand how academics actually work. If you are a manager it can offer real support on challenges like time management, managing conflict, how to be assertive.
“I’m leading a learning set for the first time this year, on The Challenge of Leadership. In discussing it I’ve met some very interesting and influential people, who have shared some of the issues and challenges they’ve faced. I’m looking forward to running it — I want to move on my career, it will give me more learning and understanding of the problems managers face — and running this gives me the chance to think about something outside work.”
Tamsin Majerus
Assistant Professor and Daphne Jackson Research Fellow, Life Sciences
Tamsin was an early stage post-doctorate researcher when she enrolled on APPLE.
“For me, it was totally career changing. I learned a whole set of skills, varying from project management to building confidence and networking. I did the ILM diploma in project management, which was funded by my School — they were very supportive.
“APPLE asked us what we wanted to achieve — for me it was publishing papers and fellowship applications. I submitted papers that year and put in at least one fellowship application. The course empowered me.
“Since graduating from APPLE. I’ve been running a learning set aimed at early-stage researchers. We look at networking, the promotion system, building careers. A lot of early-stage researchers — myself included when I enrolled on APPLE — haven’t a clue about how the promotion system works at the University.”
APPLE is offered by the University’s Professional Development Unit and focuses on developing leadership and professional skills for women at levels four and five in all job families. The course runs annually and lasts nine months. There’s no cost to schools or individuals.
APPLE (Academics’ and Administrators’ Professional, Personal and Leadership Experience) consists of:
- Two core days at the beginning and end of the programme
- Optional ILM leadership sessions (first line manager, project management and coaching)
- Optional personal development sessions (e.g. assertiveness, time management, networking, life balance)
- Learning sets, mentoring and promotions master classes
There are 80 places and demand is high. Places for the September 2015 programme are filling fast.
For more information please contact Suzanne Morton, Course Director for APPLE and WAND programmes.
e: suzanne.morton@nottingham.ac.uk
w: www.nottingham.ac.uk/go/pd-apple
Tags: Apple women’s development programme, Course Director for APPLE and WAND programmes, Eleanor Forward, Graduate School, Imaging and Optical Science and Technical Staff Development Officer, Institute of Biophysics, Kelly-Ann Vere, Life Sciences, Professor Marion Walker, Research & Graduate Services, Researcher Training and Development Manager, Senior Technician, Soma Mukherjee Research Systems Manager, Suzanne Morton, Tamsin Majerus Assistant Professor and Daphne Jackson Research Fellow
Posted in Issue 80 | Comments Off on ‘For me, APPLE was totally career changing’
Star Wars fan no longer in the dark
October 31st, 2014
He’s had the box for four or five years but vintage toy collector and Star Wars fan Dave Moss had no idea which figure was inside – or even if it really did contain a Star Wars figure.
He paid £5 for the mystery box over the internet. There was an outside chance it could contain one of the rare Star Wars figures worth as much as £5000. But the value would drop significantly if the packaging was damaged. So he needed to find out what was inside without opening the box!
After posting a couple of ‘What’s in the Box’ videos on Youtube help arrived in the shape of Rob Burman, Editor of Collectors Gazette. Rob contacted soil scientists at The University of Nottingham to find out if they would use one of their super CT scanners to peer inside the box. The recently opened Hounsfield Facility on the University’s Sutton Bonington Campus is equipped with a machine that can study roots in soil without disturbing the plant.
Now all has been revealed… inside the box was an Emperor Palpatine figure worth around £30. BBC Radio Nottingham was there to capture everyone’s reaction. Mr Moss, who is from Somerset, said: “I’m slightly disappointed but it’s still an amazing thing to have.” LB
Tags: Collectors Gazette., Dave Moss, Emperor Palpatine, Hounsfield Facility, Rob Burman, Star Wars
Posted in Issue 80 | Comments Off on Star Wars fan no longer in the dark
Black History Month at Nottingham
October 31st, 2014
Music, spoken word, and public lectures on Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King — Black History Month has been exploring black art, history and culture.
Free events have included a night of soul music, DJed by our very own Soul Professor — Professor Patrick Callaghan, Head of the School of Health Sciences, and an evening of readings and conversation with Margaret Wrinkle, author of Wash, a novel on American slavery.
Highlights have included a performance by Gambian kora player Sura Susso, public lectures on Martin Luther King by Professor Peter Ling, Head of the University’s Department of American and Canadian Studies, and a public lecture by Pulitzer Prize winner Annette Gordon-Reed, Professor of History and Law at Harvard University.
Val Watson, Chair of the University’s BME Staff Network, said: “Black history and culture are often still seen as somehow ‘separate’ from the mainstream.”
She said it had been an opportunity to celebrate black culture at the University and beyond, and she hoped people had discovered something new that had changed their way of thinking.
blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/blackhistorymonth
Tags: Annette Gordon-Reed, Black History Month, BME Staff Network, Head of the School of Health Sciences, Margaret Wrinkle, Professor Patrick Callaghan, Professor Peter Ling, Sura Susso, Val Watson
Posted in Issue 80 | Comments Off on Black History Month at Nottingham
Malawi maths ap’s ‘amazing success’
October 31st, 2014
An app designed to boost the education of children in Malawi has also proved to be a highly effective learning tool for UK primary schoolchildren.
The study has found that in just six weeks of using the maths app on personal tablets in the classroom, children made as much progress as would be expected in 12 to 18 months of teaching.
The app was produced by the charity Onebillion and has been trialled in Malawi by Dr Nikki Pitchford from the University’s School of Psychology. Children in Malawi often only receive a very basic education with classes of 90 pupils or more so the results of the randomised controlled trial were significant.
Dr Pitchford said: “We found the app boosted the children’s maths knowledge to a much greater extent than we expected. Indeed it was so effective in Malawi that it begged a comparative test on children in the UK. Dunkirk primary in Nottingham agreed to take part and allow us to carry out an identical study. What was so incredible was that in both countries we saw the same gain. One week of working on the tablets for 30 minutes a day equalled three months of formal education. We were amazed at the results.”
The Onebillion app is it based on the national curriculum for maths but is similar to a simple computer game in which users have to score full marks in tests to progress to the next level.
The charity says the system is designed to supplement class or group teaching and the children’s time using it was limited to 30 minutes. Dunkirk Primary teacher Rachel Jurkiw said: “In today’s society, we have to teach children ICT because it’s so important in future careers. The earlier we teach them, the more successful they are later on in their ICT skills. We did find that after 30 minutes of using the app most of the children have had enough and want to go and play outside.”
Andrew Ashe from Onebillion said: “Our ambition is to give all children in Malawi access to basic maths education. If you don’t have basic numeracy you can’t do anything, even a job selling tomatoes at a market stall is denied you. So we believe these skills are almost a human right.”
Together with VSO, Onebillion and The University of Nottingham plan to roll the tablet app project out across the whole of Malawi to help improve the chances of children facing extreme adversity.
Tags: Andrew Ashe, Dr Nikki Pitchford, Malawi, Onebillion app, Rachel Jurkiw, School of Psychology
Posted in Issue 80 | Comments Off on Malawi maths ap’s ‘amazing success’