Scaling new heights

How should we reason?

KENTThe Magazine for the University of Kent | April 2013

Staff

Welcome

Special thanks to: Lesley Farr, University Design & Print Centre. Photographs by Daimon Beail, Image Works, Suzanne Ridley, KarenWeatherley, Matt Wilson, Nobuyuki Yamaguchi.

Dear colleagues,

You may recall that in the last KENT staff magazine, I introduced some of our new buildings, specifically those onChatham’s Historic Dockyard. I am pleased in this issue to announce that those state-of-the-art facilities will now behome to a new School. The School of Music and Fine Art will take a key role in the Medway campus’ creative andprofessional programmes, while maintaining links with the School of Arts at Canterbury. Continued investment in ouracademic Schools, and the development of engaging programmes of study, are essential to our core university mission.

Following the close of the main UCAS application period in January – when the University has a firmer sense of itsposition in terms of home and EU recruitment to our undergraduate programmes – we learned that we are in a strongposition. I am delighted to be able to say that our applications are up, and by significantly more than the nationaluniversity sector. This is great news, and demonstrates that we continue to be a successful university, and one that ishighly desirable to prospective students.

The deadline for assessment of our research is getting nearer. Many academic colleagues have been preparing oursubmissions for the Research Excellence Framework; there is still more work to do ahead of the autumn submissiondeadline, but thankfully the end is in sight for this exercise. I am proud of the quality of the work that has gone on so far– not least the research outputs – and know that colleagues have put significant time and effort into the additionalelements of the process, including the new ‘impact case studies’.

Earlier this academic year I, along with my Executive Group, decided to take on ‘champion’ roles as part of aninstitution-wide commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity. I am the champion for LGBT, and you can read moreabout this role on p13. EG members will share their roles in later issues.

The University’s commitment to supporting its staff was confirmed recently with the award to Kent Hospitality of theInvestors in People gold award (see opposite). This is the first time that any employer in the county has won the awardfor the second time, and a badge of pride for all involved. Once again, our community has much to be positive about: I hope that you enjoy reading more about the breadth of our successes in KENT magazine.

Professor Dame Julia M Goodfellow Vice-Chancellor

3 News 6 Feature: How Should We Reason? 8 Research 10 Staff profile 11 Fundraising 12 Human Resources 14 Enterprise 15 Environment 16 Digital updates 17 Sport/Hospitality 18 Kent in the News/Books 19 People 20 What’s on

3KENT Magazine

News

Gold Investors in People success for University department

Kent Hospitality has become the firstemployer in the county to be reaccreditedwith a highly coveted Investors in People(IiP) gold award.

The department was first recognised as an IiPorganisation almost 14 years ago, achieving gold status in March 2010.

In March 2013, after six days of rigorousassessment by IiP, Kent Hospitality was informed that it had been reaccredited with gold. It was also commended for its commitmentto staff development and training, continuousimprovement since its last assessment, and its engagement with social responsibilityprogrammes and activities such asapprenticeship schemes, health and safety in the workplace, and environmental issuesincluding recycling.

Confirming that Kent Hospitality staff are fullycommitted to and engage with the University’sequality and diversity policies and strategies, theassessment also noted that these policies wereembedded throughout the department. Therewere many demonstrable examples of this,ranging from recruitment and induction toworkplace adjustments, flexibility in employment,promotion criteria, and reward.

Simon Westerman, Kent’s Director ofCommercial Services, said: ‘This award isthoroughly deserved recognition of my staff’sdedication to delivering excellent customerservice with passion, pride and professionalism.’

Deputy Vice-Chancellor Denise Everittcommented: ‘On behalf of colleagues across the University, I would like to congratulate KentHospitality for this tremendous achievement,which reflects a sustained determination to work with all staff to develop both their ownperformance and that of the whole department.This is reflected in the high standards that aremaintained by Kent Hospitality year after year.’

With a team of over 260 people, Kent Hospitalityprovides housekeeping, catering, bar andreception services for the University. It managesresidential accommodation across theCanterbury and Medway campuses for over5,500 students and in vacation periods operatesa thriving conference and events business. Plansfor almost 800 more bedrooms at the Canterburycampus over the next couple of years willgenerate further growth for the department,which has a current turnover of £26 million.

KENTWe have set up a new group for staff to have theirsay on all aspects of internal communications,including KENT staff magazine. If you would like tobecome a member, please get in touch with us viacommunications@kent.ac.uk.

KENT staff magazine is also available online atwww.kent.ac.uk/campusonline/kentmagazine.Please email communications@kent.ac.uk if youwould prefer not to receive a printed copy.

Editorial team:Wendy Raeside, CommunicationsOfficer, Corporate Communications (Editor);Karen Baxter, Press Assistant, CorporateCommunications, University of Kent. To contact usor submit a story, email kentmagazine@kent.ac.uk.

Next issue: the deadline for the next issue is 10 June with a publication date of 5 July 2013.

Scaling new heights

How should we reason

KENTThe Magazine for the University of Kent | April 2013

Staff

Cover storyScaling new heights: Staff profile on climberEmma Harrington (p10).

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National Student Pride awardfor KentKent was named ‘University of the Year’ at theinaugural National Student Pride awards.

The event, which took place in Brighton in March,involved LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual andTransgender) students from colleges anduniversities across the UK. Among thoserepresenting the University were Colum Maguire,

Vice-President (Welfare) of Kent Union, andEmily Simpson, President of Kent’s LGBT society.

Presented in association with the National Unionof Students, the National Student Pride awardsare designed to celebrate the positive workaround LGBT issues in the student movement.Nominations for the awards were submitted bystudents, with the award winners voted for bythose students attending the event.

Continued overleaf

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News

The University acquired the piece of art in 1979with assistance of a grant from the Linbury Trust.The portrait will shortly go on display in atemporary exhibition within the School of Arts’Jarman Building on Canterbury campus.

Dr Jon Kear, Lecturer in History and Philosophyof Art, said: ‘The painting is a remarkable portraitof one of the great modernist writers by one ofthe best and most admired modern British artistsof the post-Second World War generation. Theseries of portraits of Eliot, begun in 1947 andcompleted in 1949, are considered among hisgreatest paintings.’

Double shortlisting for majorarchitecture awardThe University has achieved a double shortlistingfor the 2013 RIBA (Royal Institution of BritishArchitects) South East Regional Awards.

Kent has been shortlisted for its new Colyer-Fergusson Music Building, and its Crit Buildingwithin its Kent School of Architecture (KSA), bothof which opened in autumn 2012. Winners willbe announced on 12 June.

Designed by Tim Ronalds Architects and locatedat the heart of the University’s Canterburycampus, the £8 million Colyer-Fergusson MusicBuilding is notable for its wide range ofinnovative design features. These include: apurpose-built, flexible performance space;outstanding, adjustable acoustics; fullyretractable seating for up to 500 audiencemembers; external live broadcast provision; and five practice rooms. The building alsofeatures a variety of social and office spaces.

The new programme will also offer students aninternship at the ICA, as well as free ICAmembership during their studies. The Master’sdegree aims to provide students with anunparalleled opportunity to pursue postgraduatestudy in the contemporary period, while gaininginvaluable experience at a prestigious artsvenue.

Brussels students help withnew EU Rights ClinicStudents studying migration law at the Universityof Kent at Brussels are helping provide advicefor EU citizens at a new EU Rights Clinic.

Working in partnership with qualified citizens’advice rights lawyers, the Clinic is helping toprovide members of the public with free adviceon European legislation and other legal issues.Modelled on the University’s successful KentLaw Clinic, the EU Rights Clinic has been jointlyestablished by its Brussels School ofInternational Studies (BSIS), Kent Law Schooland the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS).

The University recently received an EU JeanMonnet grant to develop a new module titled‘Teaching EU Migration Law Through ClinicalLegal Education’. Students taking this modulestudy EU law in action by working at the new EU Rights Clinic.

The EU Rights Clinic is currently based at theECAS office and advice meetings need to bearranged by appointment. It is hoped a public‘walk-in’ service will be on offer when a suitablenew building is ready in January 2016.

Missing Patrick Heron artworkdiscovered at KentOne of several portraits of TS Eliot by Britishartist Patrick Heron has been discovered at theUniversity.

The artwork, thought to be one of few piecespainted with Eliot present, had been assumedmissing by the Heron Estate until a newexhibition at the National Portrait Galleryprompted the University to announce itswhereabouts.

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Kent, which was shortlisted in its categoryalongside the universities of Bedford, Brunel,Sheffield and Warwick, was voted the winner dueto its support for LGBT staff and students, KentUnion’s efforts to make its organisation moreinclusive, the proactive work of the studentgroups at the University with events and peersupport, as well as its strong record ofcampaigning activity on issues such as equalmarriage.

Professor Alex Hughes, Pro Vice-Chancellor(External), commented: ‘The recognition of theNational Student Pride awards provides awonderful opportunity to celebrate the excellentwork of the LGBT Student Society and KentUnion, who continue to work in close partnershipwith other members of the University to developan ethos of inclusivity and diversity within ourstaff and student community.

‘Among its numerous successes, thiscollaboration has contributed to the University’slatest Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Report,which contains a review of our 2011/2012activities and initiatives, and 2012/2013 workplans for staff and students.’

See p13 to find out more about Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity at Kent.

New MA with Institute ofContemporary ArtsThe University has announced a new Master’sprogramme in a unique collaboration with theInstitute of Contemporary Arts (ICA), London.

The MA in the Contemporary, offered by theUniversity’s School of English in collaborationwith its School of Arts and the ICA, will providestudents with a deep understanding of therelationship between disciplines in the arts. The Master’s degree will also provide studentswith an appreciation of the ways in whichinterdisciplinary thinking makes it possible to grasp and respond to key issues incontemporary culture.

Students taking the MA in the Contemporary willbe taught at both the University’s Canterburycampus and the ICA in London, choosingmodules from English Literature, Creative Writing,Film, Drama and History and Philosophy of Art.

5KENT Magazine

News

KSA’s Crit Building provides architecturestudents with one of the most advanced learningenvironments of its type in the UK. Its eight 70-inch U-Touch screens with HD resolution enableup to six students and tutors to interact on eachscreen and contribute to ‘crit’ presentations. Thenew facilities, designed by Guy HollawayArchitects in association with KSA, have radicallychanged the way that Kent students present theirwork for discussion and feedback.

Medway School of Pharmacyshortlisted for national awardMedway School of Pharmacy, which is jointly run by the Universities of Kent and Greenwich,has been shortlisted for a prestigious TrainingProvider of the Year award by a national scienceskills council.

The shortlisting – by Cogent, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the Chemicals,Pharmaceuticals, Nuclear, Life Sciences,Petroleum and Polymer Industries – is for theSchool’s unique three-year Foundation Degree(Fd Sc) in Applied Bioscience Technology.

The UK Life Sciences Skills Awards will beannounced at an event in May being opened byDavid Willetts MP, the Minister for Universitiesand Science.

Dr Scott Wildman, Senior Lecturer in BiologicalSciences at the Medway School of Pharmacy,said: ‘Our foundation degree is unique in that itprovides a very flexible work-based, e-learningexperience for individuals employed inbioscience-related industries which can standalone, or be incorporated into a higherapprenticeship.’

2013 Bob Friend MemorialLectureBBC Economics Editor Stephanie Flandersmade a plea for people to ask ‘stupid questions’about economics, when she presented the fifthannual Bob Friend Memorial Lecture at theUniversity’s Medway campus on 28 February.

During her lecture, ‘Lessons of the globalfinancial crisis for economists and economicsjournalists’ – hosted by the Centre for Journalism– Stephanie Flanders spoke about theresponsibility economics journalists have for

engaging a wider audience and increasingpublic understanding of the economy.

The event also saw Neil Dunwoodie, ExecutiveProducer, Sky News, present first-year journalismstudent Georgia Fry with the 2013 Sky News BobFriend Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship isamong the most prestigious prizes available toan undergraduate student of journalism in theUK. Georgia will receive £3,500 towards hertuition fees and is guaranteed a fully-funded four-week placement at Sky News later in the year.

3D landscape sculpture marksstart of community projectA spectacular 3D landscape installation markedthe start of a unique community arts andscience project, with workshops run by studentsfrom the University’s School of Arts in Medway.

The workshops aim to inspire pupils to exploretheir cultural identity and engage with a widercommunity arts project running until 2014. All1,200 pupils from Medway’s Brompton Academycreated their own object during hands-onsessions held at the school in March. Eachobject then became part of an impressive 3Dsculpture and centrepoint of a light show on thefinal day.

The installation is the start of the ‘Lines’ project,run by the University’s Partnership DevelopmentOffice and Brompton Academy, which willundertake a number of community-focusedactivities. These will include family arts andscience workshops during the summer, as wellas free adult evening classes run by the Schoolof Arts at the Chatham Historic Dockyard. Youcan follow the lines project via its dedicatedblog: http://blogs.kent.ac.uk/skyline/

Service Excellence shortlistedfor THE awardsThe University has been shortlisted in the Times Higher Education (THE) Leadership &Management Awards 2013 for ‘OutstandingDepartmental Administration Team’.

This award aims to recognise outstanding workin departmental administration, with excellentcommunication and balanced delivery based on the needs of students, academics and theUniversity’s central administration among thejudging criteria. The winners will be announcedat a ceremony in London on Thursday 20 June.

At Kent, the departmental administration teamoperates across all academic Schools andCentres and seeks to provide the best possibleservice to students. To enhance this provisionand to meet the challenges of the changes to HEfrom 2011-12, the team developed an ambitiousand innovative initiative known as ServiceExcellence. The University's Learning andDevelopment Unit were partners in thedevelopment and implementation of this project.Benefits to Kent students include: improvedaccess to Schools’ support; more activeparticipation in the University; and improvedcommunications.

Public workshops lift curtain on theatre researchA new series of public workshops and talksproviding an opportunity to learn more abouttheatre skills and practice, as well as the benefitsto health and well-being that theatre can bring, istaking place at Canterbury’s Marlowe TheatreStudio from 29 April to 1 May.

Hosted by the University, the ‘Lifting the Curtain’programme also includes a range of activitiesdesigned to give people an insight into the latesttheatre practice and research undertaken atKent’s School of Arts.

Open to all ages and experience, the sessionsexplore theatre as an art form, a way of unveilinghistory, and a tool for developing health andwellbeing. Topics covered include actor training,the ways in which British theatre survived duringthe First World War and how drama can helpautistic children. Find out more at: www.kent.ac.uk/arts/drama/lifting-the-curtain.html

1 Patrick Heron artwork2 Sky News Bob Friend Memorial Scholarship

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6 KENT Magazine

Feature

‘Because good reasoning is a reliable way of making decent decisions,there is a real incentive to determine what counts as good reasoning.And the Centre for Reasoning provides a unique environment in whichto study reasoning because it offers opportunities for researchers fromvarious disciplines to interact with one another and become aware ofalternative approaches to the study of reasoning. My own research hasbenefitted a great deal from the intellectual environment created by theCentre for Reasoning. Moreover, my research would not have beenpossible were it not for funding provided by the Centre for Reasoning.’Michael Wilde, a former Reasoning MA student, now a PhD student at the Centre

by the Centre for Logic and Philosophy ofScience in Brussels last September. The next willbe hosted by the Non-Classical Logics Group inPisa in June, with the Centre for Reasoningaiming to run the 2014 conference.

The ReasonerThe Centre publishes a monthly gazette, TheReasoner, which features exciting new researchon reasoning, inference and method. Thisgazette, available at www.thereasoner.org, acts as a forum for the global community ofresearchers in this area. A typical issue willcontain an interview with a leading figure in the field, several short peer-reviewed features,news items, a monthly column or two, andannouncements of conferences, jobs andstudentships. The Reasoner has over a thousandregular subscribers and helps to entrench theUniversity’s position as a leading player in thisfield: in 2012, its webpage was the most visitedpage on the website of the School of EuropeanCulture and Languages after the Schoolhomepage itself.

All are welcome to attend Centre for Reasoningevents. To join the mailing list, contactj.williamson@kent.ac.uk. Find out more aboutthe Centre at www.kent.ac.uk/reasoning

7KENT Magazine

Feature

This is a question that allacademics face when trying to grapple with the researchmethods of their owndisciplines, and when trying to pass these methods on totheir students. It is a question that is particularly pressing forthose who study reasoning – includingresearchers in artificial intelligence, law, logic,philosophy, psychology and statistics, forexample. But these individuals are spread outacross a university and it can be hard for them to identify each other in order to exchange ideasand share good practice.

The Centre for Reasoning was set up by thePhilosophy Department in 2007 to provide aforum for all those at the University who areinterested in the study of reasoning, inferenceand method. It now has around 50 staffmembers, spread across 17 disciplines. Head ofthe Centre Professor Jon Williamson (above right),told KENT staff magazine more about its work.

A reasoning hubThe Centre for Reasoning brings researcherstogether by hosting seminars, workshops and conferences, and by advertising otherreasoning-related events on its webpage,www.kent.ac.uk/reasoning. For instance, a recentconference, ‘Evidence and Causality in theSciences’, featured researchers from variousdisciplines talking about causal reasoning in theirresearch fields. Forthcoming workshops include‘What can category theory do for philosophy?’,‘Inductive logic and confirmation in science’ and‘Inferentialism and the epistemology of logic’. TheCentre also occasionally runs reading groups: inthe autumn term, there will be a group readingDavid Christensen’s Putting Logic in its Place:Formal Constraints on Rational Belief. The Centreruns an interdisciplinary Master’s programme, thetaught MA in Reasoning, with core modulesprovided by Philosophy and options frompsychology, computing, statistics, law, socialpolicy, biosciences and history.

HOW SHOULD WE REASON?

The Reasoning ClubThe Centre for Reasoning leads an internationalnetwork of allied research centres, theReasoning Club. This network seeks to develop a sense of community for researchers spreadgeographically as well as across disciplines.Currently, the Club has 18 member centres from12 countries. Researchers affiliated to a membercentre are encouraged to travel freely betweenthe various member centres. The director of the Reasoning Club, Julien Murzi, recentlyestablished a series of Reasoning Clubconferences, the first of which was organised

‘Reasoning and decision making are verylargely done intuitively. Traversing the pathto understanding them, and formalizingthem, began 2,000 years ago, and wecontinue to make slow progress. The finaltest of success will be simple: in order todesign a genuine artificial intelligence thatcan reason and make decisions comparablein quality to our own, we will have had tofirst understand our reasoning and toformalize it. I aim to take us a small wayfarther down the path.’

Kevin Korb, director of a Reasoning Club member, theCentre for Research in Intelligent Systems, Monash,Australia, and currently visiting the Centre for Reasoning

8 KENT Magazine

Research

New research by conservationists from the Durrell Institute ofConservation and Ecology (DICE) has revealed that not only could the now-extinct Barbary Lion have persisted until the 1960s in North Africa, but also that this unique sub-species was leftunnoticed for over a decade towards the end of its existence.

Kent research revealslost lion populationsgoing unnoticed

Published in open access journal, PLoS ONE,the research found authentic records of lionsexisting in North Africa as late as 1956;considerably later than the well-quoted accounts of the 1920s and 1940s.

Using information gathered from old huntingrecords, photographs, museum specimens,published articles and recent interviews, theresearch by Dr Simon Black and Dr DavidRoberts also revealed a lion’s behaviour does notchange as populations get smaller. Instead, lionscontinue to form prides even up until theybecome extinct.

Dr Black, Conservation Research Associate,said: ‘Colonial hunters such as Sir HarryJohnston (who famously discovered the Okapi)embarked on trips to Algeria specifically to huntthe last Barbary Lions, but never saw them. Eventhough Johnston suspected a few lions still

Dr Black added: ‘The research will not only helpus manage lions descended from the MoroccanRoyal Collection, possibly the last of the BarbaryLions, but highlights the need for continuedconservation of the extremely threatened andrarely observed remnant lion populations inCentral and West Africa.’

The research paper – available at http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0060174 – is co-authored by Dr Amina Fellous, Agence Nationalepour la Conservation de la Nature, Algeria andDr Nobuyuki Yamaguchi, University of Qatar.

Life-size puppet explores man’slinks with objectsAn impressive, life-size puppet was attached to aKent student for two weeks in an exceptional artproject to explore the literal relationship peoplehave with objects.

‘LIFE-SIZE ME’, by Peter John-Morton from theSchool of Arts, consisted of a self-made puppetpermanently attached to his body for 14consecutive days in March. During this time, thepuppet chose a name, explored Canterbury, andslept, showered and lived through Peter.

existed there in the early 1900s, he would neverhave guessed that a small population could haveclung on for a further 50 years.’

Dr Roberts, Senior Lecturer in BiodiversityConservation, said: ‘When a species becomesvery rare as it heads towards extinction, it can gounnoticed for a long period of time. Because ofthis, it is unlikely that the last record of a specieswas the time it became extinct; it probablyexisted for years or even decades before finallydisappearing.’

Using statistical models developed by DrRoberts, it is thought that the Barbary Lion mayhave survived into the 1960s. The few remaininglions descended directly from the MoroccanRoyal Collection, and still living in a few zoos inMorocco and Europe, may therefore be moreclosely related to wild Barbary Lions thanpreviously thought.

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Research

Made predominantly from wood and bamboo,the puppet’s body comprises over 34components, which are connected by bolts toreplicate joints, allowing it to move in a similarway to a human. The puppet was attached to thefront of Peter’s body using belt-like straps, whichwere then padlocked. The face of the puppet, alatex, skin-like replica of Peter’s face, wasattached to a solid band which went around hishead. In total, the puppet took over 150 hours tomake within an intensive six-week period. Findout more at: peterjohn-morton.weebly.com/life-size-me or facebook.com/LifeSizeMe

Lap-dance clubs near homesand schools cause concernA year-long research project into people’sattitudes to lap-dance and striptease clubs intowns and cities in England and Wales has foundthat most people are only concerned by them ifthey are situated too near their own homes orlocal schools.

Lead researcher Professor Phil Hubbard, of theUniversity’s School of Social Policy, Sociologyand Social Research, found that although manyresidents consider lap-dance clubs ‘lower thetone’ of neighbourhoods, most do not considerclubs located in town centres to be a source ofnuisance.

Women, people over the age of 40, those whohave lived in their current home for over fiveyears and those with children are most likely toargue there are too many lap-dance clubs intheir town, the research found.

The research – funded by a £118,000 grant fromthe Economic and Social Research Council andjointly carried out by Dr Rachela Colosi of theUniversity of Lincoln – is the first of its kind tostudy the regulation of the 241 lap-dance andstriptease clubs in England and Wales and theirimpact on people’s feelings of safety at night. Itwas prompted by the introduction of new powersto regulate Sexual Entertainment Venues underthe Policing and Crime Act 2009.

Kent research could shape newCommon Agricultural PolicyResearch from the University could help shapechanges to the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy(CAP) being considered by the EuropeanParliament.

Professor Sophia Davidova, of the School ofEconomics, is leading an international team ofresearchers looking at proposals for a new CAPpackage for the period 2013-20.

Professor Davidova is studying the value ofsemi-subsistence and small family farming tocommunities across Europe, using case studiesin countries such as Italy, Portugal and Poland –as well as the example of Scotland’s crofters.Her colleague, Dr Alastair Bailey, will investigatethe contribution of small farms to the ruralenvironment and traditional landscapes.

Around 66 per cent of Europe’s farmers – 8million out of a total 12 million – receive directpayments under the current CAP arrangements.Around 70 per cent of farm holdings in the EUarea are less than five hectares. However, verysmall farms are currently excluded from the CAP.

The research – to be presented to the EuropeanParliament in May 2013 – will evaluate theeffectiveness of the proposals on the table forthe CAP after 2013 and make recommendationson policy measures to enhance the capacity ofsmall farmers across Europe to deliver publicgood.

Starring role for Kent engineers The University has been involved in one of theworld’s largest astronomy projects which saw thecompletion of the most complex ground-basedtelescope on 13 March.

As a result of two decades of work frominstitutions all over the world, including engineersfrom the School of Engineering and Digital Arts,the telescope will enable scientists to probeparts of the early universe for the first time.

The telescope – named ALMA (Atacama LargeMillimetre Array) – comprises a giant array of 66radio antenna dishes. These dishes caneffectively operate as a single antenna with adiameter of approximately 16 km, while also

being installed at over 5,000m above sea level inthe Chilean Andes.

The Kent team contributed by helping to developthe system for distribution of the synchronisedreference signals over an optical fibre network.This involved extensive research defining whichfibre cable types to use. Fibres are affected bymovement and environmental variations, such astemperature, and defining the conditions for theirdeployment is critical in ensuring the referencesignals reach the 66 antenna at the same time.

University invited to join UK’snew cyber research instituteThe University has been selected to join the UK’snew Academic Research Institute for cyberthreats.

Funded by a £4.5 million grant, a School ofComputing team will work alongside other world-leading researchers to investigate new ways ofautomatically analysing computer software toreduce its vulnerability to cyber threats.

The University’s involvement in the institute willfocus on two research projects. One will look atmalware – malicious programs – and how toautomatically assess the threat they pose. Thesecond project will focus on the development ofscientific techniques to pinpoint in computercode where memory handling can inadvertentlyleak secret information.

The Research Institute has been established byGCHQ, one of the three UK intelligenceagencies, in partnership with the Engineeringand Physical Sciences Research Councilthrough the Research Councils UK GlobalUncertainties Programme and the Departmentfor Business, Innovation and Skills.

Recent research awardsProfessor Mark Smales (Centre for Molecular Processing), £342,147 from the Biotechnology andBiological Sciences Research Council for ‘Tailor-made expression hosts depleted in proteaseactivity for recombinant protein production’.

Dr Stéphane Launois (School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science), £199,484 from theEuropean Commission for ‘RTQASL: Representation theory of quantum algebras and their semi-classical limits’.

Professor Peter Taylor-Gooby (School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research), £188,766from the European Commission for ‘Innovation and Policy Learning for Resilient Labour Markets inEurope (INSPIRES)’.

Dr Konstantinos Sirlantzis (School of Engineering and Digital Arts), £166,877 from Interreg IVChannel Programme (South) for ‘COgnitive Assisted Living Ambient System (COALAS)’.

Dr Jim Ang (School of Engineering and Digital Arts), £162,689 from the Engineering and PhysicalSciences Research Council for ‘Creativity Greenhouse: Digital Brain Switch’.

10 KENT Magazine

Staff profile

Emma joined the University of Kent atMedway in 2006 as an administrationassistant and receptionist for CentralAdministration. In 2011, she became anassistant for the Vice-Chancellor’s Officeand Master’s Assistant.

What would be your perfect day?A sunny spring day walking with my Labrador,Jayda, in the countryside, followed by an afternoonof rock climbing!

What single thing would improve the quality of your life?I like my quality of life, but if I could have a positiveattitude all the time, then that would improveanyone’s quality of life. Never underestimate thepower of your mind.

Which word or phrase do you use most?‘Jayda No!’

What is your favourite item of clothing, eithernow or in the past?I have two sides to me. The outdoor side of mewho loves my walking boots, warm practicalwaterproof jackets and stretchy comfy climbingtops, and then I have the other side of me with alarge selection of girly dresses and my favouritepair of high heels!

What was your first job?My very first job was working as an apprentice forKent Regional Newspapers. I studied for an NVQwhile I was there. I thought gaining a qualification,work experience and getting paid all at the sametime was the right direction to go.

How do you spend your time outside work?My main time spent outside work is climbing. I trainfor sport climbing three times a week. My nearestindoor sport climbing wall is in London, so I wouldgo more often if I could! In the summer months, Ispend my weekends climbing outside, either in thePeak District, Sandstone in Kent, or Portland on thesouth coast. Spring and autumn are dedicated toclimbing trips abroad like Spain, Sicily or Mallorcawhere it’s still sunny but not too hot.

I am very into outdoor activities. My Labrador evenhas her own strength-rated belay harness so shecan access areas that were previously difficult fordogs to access, like being lifted up gullies safelyand in comfort.

EmmaHarrington

I also have my own surf board and go surfing asoften as I can with my partner. We head down toCornwall and Devon for long weekends and praythe surf will be good! We eat lots of Cornishpasties, ice cream and enjoy the joys of camping.

I was part of the Banff Film Festival World TourTrail Team, promoting the short films from theworld’s leading adventure film-makers. The tourcame to the University’s Canterbury Campus forthe first time in February 2013. It showed films ofthe world’s great wild places, remote culturesand amazing footage of adrenaline-packed actionsports such as climbing, kayaking, skiing andmountain biking. Watch out for it touring againnext year with new adventure films!

What is your greatest achievement?I do not have one specific greatest achievement. I could say that in climbing I have surpassed allmy expectations and gained my personal bestthrough hard work, determination and love of thesport. I am by no means the best as I am stillimproving. I would like to thank my partner whohas guided and supported me immensely withclimbing and other aspects of my life.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve everbeen given?‘Whatever happens, life goes on. Go and enjoy it!’I had a climbing trip planned to Mallorca which Iwas going to cancel as my dad was terminally illwith cancer. I will always remember one of ourlast conversations. He told me, I must go on mytrip, whatever happens life goes on, go and enjoyit! A few days later he passed away. I went on mytrip like he wanted me to. I went with friends andmy partner who is the Rockfax climbing guideauthor for Mallorca, and new climbing routeswere put up in my dad’s memory; a whole wallwas dedicated to him called ‘Terry’s Wall’ whichwill appear in future guidebooks.

Emma supports Climbers Against Cancer(CAC) charity, which aims to spread awarenessof cancer and raise money for CancerResearch. You can find out more atwww.climbersagainstcancer.org/

11KENT Magazine

Fundraising

Staff and students across Kent’scampuses were busy fundraisingfor the Comic Relief 2013charity appeal during March.Here are some of thedifferent activities thattook place, from aconcert to cake salesand a staff car wash…

The Music Department hosteda concert by the UniversityConcert and Big Bands, toraise over £300. A packedaudience was treated to avibrant concert taking them‘From Bond to Basie’ under thesuave leadership of conductorIan Swatman. The enthusiasticaudience obviously enjoyedthemselves and generouslydonated at the end of the gig.

Gulbenkian staff dared to join the rest ofthe country to ‘Do Something Funny forMoney’ with an attempt to set the world recordfor the longest Oops Upside Your Head line, abake sale and a guess how many M&Ms are in the jar. A total £128.50 was raised.

At Medway campus, £276 was raised from a bakesale, book sale, cake raffle – won by Alan Le

Grys – and staff car wash. Studentvolunteers helped with the car wash,washing 19 cars in four hours.

Back in Canterbury, there weresome tasty treats thanks to a‘Great HR Bake Off’. HR staffbaked all week and asked fordonations in return for a pieceof cake. On Red Nose Day,HR staff also dressed in red,to raise a total £331.

Staff in Kent Innovation andEnterprise continued the tastytheme by hosting a bake saleand a ‘bring & share’ lunch intheir Rothford Building to raise£83.36. Staff in Student Recordsand Exams Office, Income Officeand Student Planning raised£290.57 from a bake sale, while an

Information Services (IS) bake saleraised £357, and was featured in the

Kentish Gazette’s Red Nose Day round-up.

Staff in Kent Business School paid £1 to wearred for Red Nose Day and took part in two national

sweepstakes to raise £130.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

Staff and

students

raise fund

s

for Comic

Relief

1 From ‘Bond to Basie’ concert2 Alan Le Grys and Micky Dalzell at Medway campus

3 Danika Jarrett and Judi Rowbotham from IS4 Oops Upside Your Head at the Gulbenkian

5 Car-washing students at Medway6 Chris Morrison from IS

1 2 3

4 5 6

12 KENT Magazine

Human Resources

The Learning and DevelopmentAwards Ceremony took place on24 January in the DarwinConference Suites. Kent Hospitalityprovided and sponsored a buffetlunch for all award recipients, theirguests and presenters.

The ceremony was very well attended withapproximately 120 awards presented, making this the largest Learning and Developmentawards ceremony to date.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Julia Goodfellowpresented the awards, which ranged fromaccredited professional qualifications, such asAAT Accounting awards, to the University of KentStaff Erasmus Placement participation award,and included participants from the University’sleadership programmes from 2011 and 2012.

Recipients celebrated their achievements overlunch with their guests and representatives fromHuman Resources, Academic Division,International Development, Commercial Services,Safety, Health and the Environment, the Centre forEnglish and World Languages, and InformationServices.

Photographs and further information are availableon the Learning and Development websitewww.kent.ac.uk/hr-learninganddevelopment/documents/local/awards2013/awards12.html

New UCU Branch President and SecretarySteve Holland and John Fitzpatrick recentlystepped down after many years of service asSecretary and President respectively of theUniversity of Kent branch of the University andCollege Union (UCU). The new Secretary is OwenLyne (SMSAS) and Sian Lewis-Anthony (Law) isnow branch President. They are available torepresent and advise their members on allemployment issues. Membership is open to allacademic and academic-related staff, includingthose on hourly-paid and/or temporary contracts.Subscription rates are graduated according toincome levels. To join, please see the UCUwebsite (www.ucu.org.uk) or contact Owen(o.d.lyne@kent.ac.uk) or Sian (s.lewis-anthony@kent.ac.uk).

UCU activities include individual casework:attending meetings with heads of school,representing members at meetings with HR and senior management, drafting grievances,attending dismissal and disciplinaryproceedings, negotiating redundancy packagesetc; and collective work: negotiating with seniormanagement on university policies andprocedures such as the treatment of hourly- paid staff, the reform of university statutes andordinances, and redundancy etc. Nationally, theyrepresent University of Kent UCU at UCUCongress and other meetings, feeding intoUCU’s national negotiating over issues such aspay and pensions. Training is available for allmembers who would like to take an active role in UCU.

Mentoring in a changingenvironmentThere is a growing recognition across theUniversity of the potential of mentoring insupporting and developing members of staff. A new Mentoring Network was launched on 19March to provide an opportunity for members ofstaff from across the University to learn moreabout mentoring and its values, to discuss andshare experiences and good practice and,

hopefully, to build new mentoring relationships by bringing together potential mentors andmentees.

The network meeting was well attended by arange of staff groups and schools/departmentsfrom across the University. Participants wereinvited to talk in groups about theirunderstanding and experiences of mentoringand to explore ways in which a network of thiskind can be instrumental in actively developingand extending effective mentoring.

The groups came up with a range of ideas onthe role of a network and a number of key actionpoints have been identified. Learning andDevelopment is working with this material todevelop a plan for taking the work forward.

If you would like to find out more aboutMentoring in general or would like to get involved with the network, please go theLearning and Development Mentoring pages at: www.kent.ac.uk/hr-learninganddevelopment/mentoring/index.html or contact Jena Dady onext 3395, J.Dady@kent.ac.uk. We would also beinterested in hearing from members of staff whohave positive stories to share about mentoring.

Learning and DevelopmentAwards 2013

Staff received certificates for successful completion of professional and technical qualifications.

13KENT Magazine

Human Resources

New induction event for staff atMedwayLearning and Development has been workingwith Professor Nick Grief, Sub-Dean for Medway,to design a new welcome and induction event atthe Medway campus for Medway-based staff.The first event will take place on Wednesday 26June and invitations will be sent out shortly to allMedway-based members of staff who havejoined the University since the beginning of theacademic year 2012/13, including those whohave already been to an earlier induction event atCanterbury.

The event will offer presentations from DeputyVice-Chancellor Professor Keith Mander, NickGrief, and representatives from Safety, Healthand the Environment, and Equality, Diversity andInclusivity. An informal networking lunch willfollow to which all Medway staff will be invited,including Medway managers and staff from keyMedway service areas to provide informationabout their facilities and services.

Participants will be asked to provide feedbackon the usefulness and value of the event to helpmake improvements for 2013/14 and beyond,and we would urge all Medway members ofstaff to come along, meet new colleagues andfind out more about what’s available for staff.

Further information on times and venue will bepublished shortly, but for general informationplease contact Lucy (ext 4348) or Naomi (ext3487), or email ldev@kent.ac.uk.

This event will be supplemented by the AnnualPlanning and Strategy induction event, atCanterbury on 5 July, to which all Kent staff whohave joined the University since 1 September2012 will be invited.

HR policies The Disciplinary Policy & Procedure for UK-based staff in grades 1-6 has been updated. To view the documents, please visit the HumanResources website – www.kent.ac.uk/human-resources/

Equality, Diversityand InclusivityValuing diversity and inclusivity is integral to Kent, and is a keyprinciple within our InstitutionalStrategic Plan for 2012-15.

The Plan states:We will promote diversity andinclusivity within the University community byoffering fair treatment and equality of opportunityto every member of the University (staff andstudents), keeping morale high.

Kent is firmly committed to the prevention ofdiscrimination and the advancement of equality,and has invested in resources that will help totake forward the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity(EDI) agenda for both staff and students. Tosupplement the formal EDI structure, which isoutlined in detail at www.kent.ac.uk/about/plan/equality.html, each Executive Group member hasagreed to take on the role of EDI Champion,acting as advocates and actively promoting allprotected aspects of equality and diversity.

The Champions are: • Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow – gender,and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender(LGBT)

• Professor Keith Mander – disability for staff• David Nightingale – disability for students• Denise Everitt – age• Professor Alex Hughes – race/ethnicity• Professor John Baldock – marriage and civilpartnership; pregnancy and maternity

• Karen Goffin – religion and belief.

We will feature interviews with individualChampions in KENT staff magazine. First to beinterviewed is Vice-Chancellor Professor DameJulia Goodfellow about the LGBT aspect of herchampion role.

How do you sum up your role as LGBTChampion?JMG: It is important for me and my colleagueson Executive Group to be aware of the issueswhich face our staff and students. By eachtaking on a champion’s role, we can help ensurethat all groups are given the necessary support,appropriate to their circumstances.

What have you done in your role so far?JMG: It is still early days, but I have met with theLGBT Staff Network to give them an avenue forraising issues of interest. I have lent my support

to the International Day Against Homophobiaand Transphobia (IDAHO) on 17 May. We will flya rainbow flag on the Templeman Library, and weare already inviting speakers to next year’s LGBTHistory Month. I am very fortunate to have suchan active and enthusiastic group. My role is tosupport the group’s work, as well as be the EGvoice for LGBT issues.

How well do you think Kent supports LGBTstaff and students?JMG: I am pleased to say that I think we do agood job in this area. We were recently namedUniversity of the Year in the inaugural NationalStudent Pride Awards (see p3). This is a fantasticachievement, which reflects the hard work ofstaff, and of students, particularly Kent Union.

What new initiatives are in the pipeline forLGBT people at the University?JMG: In addition to supporting the overall workof the University to embed the principles ofequality, diversity and inclusivity throughout ourwork, the LGBT Staff Network is currently lookingfor staff members to come forward to act as rolemodels – people who would like to take theopportunity to talk about their roles within theUniversity and LGBT issues that affect themmore widely. This is a chance to celebrate ourtalented LGBT staff in the hope that thecampaign will also inspire others – locally andfurther afield – and to promote recognition of thediversity that we have at the University of Kent.

Further information about the role modelsproject will be forthcoming. In the meantime,the LGBT Staff Network can be contacted atlgbtstaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk.

EDI Report 2011/12The Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI)Report 2011/12 and 2012/13 Work Plan for Staffand Students was published in March and isavailable at www.kent.ac.uk/about/plan/equality.html

EDI networks and e-learningJoin an Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI)network or brush up on your knowledge of EDIby accessing the Diversity in the Workplace e-learning module: www.kent.ac.uk/hr-equalityanddiversity/documents/equality-and-diversity/EDInetworks&elearning.pdf

14 KENT Magazine

Enterprise

Kent students share social mediaexpertise with Medway businessesStudent IT consultants from theSchool of Computing recentlyshared their social mediaknowledge at a hands-onworkshop for local Medwaybusinesses.

At the workshop, held on the Medway campus,the students – who are part of the Kent IT Clinic– shared their expertise with small and medium-sized organisations (SMEs), giving them tips onhow to incorporate social media services intotheir business strategy.

The event was organised by Kent Innovation and Enterprise (KIE) as part of the University’sInnovation, Creativity and Enterprise (ICE)workshops in support of SMEs. Studentsdiscussed services such as Twitter, TopsyAnalytics and Bufferapp, providing anintroduction for businesses to develop theirsocial media and online collaboration skills.Businesses at the workshop included Producedin Kent, Maco (UK) Ltd, REd Teachers andParagon Office.

Lesley Chater, Business Development Managerat KIE, said: ‘We had a great spread ofattendees from different sectors, and feedbackwas overwhelmingly positive.’

Julie Hills, attending from Paragon Office,described the event as ‘an informative overviewand helpful in allowing us to decide what mightbe useful for our requirements.’ Petita Wiles, fromMaco (UK), tweeted the next day ‘@KentITClinicGreat workshop last night, really enjoyed it.’

Students on the Computer Science coursesbecome consultants for the Kent IT Clinic as partof their final-year studies, developing theiremployability skills, and helping them stand outto prospective employers. For more informationon the Clinic, visit: www.kitclinic.com

Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise (ICE) opensup opportunities to share innovative and creativeideas, and provoke discussion and debate oninnovative solutions to business problems andgrowth. It is made up of three intertwinedconcepts that, for many organisations, representthe principles of competitive advantage.

ICE champions value-added, multi-disciplinarycollaboration between academia and business,addressing some of the key issues that allorganisations face. This approach inspirescreativity, innovation and enterprising ways ofworking.

The University’s holistic approach has beenestablished to build networks with the businesscommunity, nurture local clusters and createnational and international relationships. It focuseson sharing and developing innovative ideas toform new partnerships and collaborations.

Our next ICE Showcase event is scheduled forJune 2013 where we plan to bring together ournetwork of businesses with all three faculties. For further information on the University’s ICEnetwork initiative, email KIE atenterprise@kent.ac.uk

Economics student wins twoSantander competitionsRyan England, a final-year economics student,impressed the judges with his convincingbusiness idea, breath.loud, during theUniversity’s ‘Big Ideas’ presentations on 21March sponsored by Santander Bank.

Not only did Ryan win a fully-funded trip to theUSA to represent Kent in the prestigious ‘GlobalStudent Business Concept Challenge’, but also a fully-funded office in the Kent Enterprise Hubfor one year upon graduation, support from aSantander business mentor and £500 to helpwith start-up costs.

Seven teams out of a total 46 applications fromacross the University were shortlisted andpresented their business ideas to a panel of four judges. These included Gareth Anderson,Relationship Director at Santander Bank; GillSmaggasgale, Partner at patent attorneys WPThompson; Dr Gary Robinson, SeniorCommercialisation Manager at the University; and Carole Barron, Director of Innovation andEnterprise at Kent.

Despite the tough competition, the judges wereunanimous in their decision. Ryan’s well thought-through business case, financial projections,presentation and competence during thequestion and answer session left them with noroom for doubt.

Ryan said: ‘I can’t believe I’ve won. I am soexcited about this fantastic opportunity andespecially representing the University in Virginiain August. It’ll be a real privilege to go.’

The University has participated in the GlobalChallenge for the past three years and achievedthe runners-up prize twice. If Ryan wins the‘Global Student Business Concept Challenge’,he will receive a cash prize of $25,000. Ryan’sbusiness idea will also be entered by theUniversity in the Santander EntrepreneurshipAwards later this year.

To find out more about business competitionsand student enterprise activities, emailthehub@kent.ac.uk.

Ryan England receiving his certificate fromStephanie Barwick, Senior EnterpriseManager.

15KENT Magazine

Environment

Top environmentalcertification successThe University has now achievedcertification to ISO 14001, aninternational standard thatprovides a framework fororganisations to manage andimprove their environmentalperformance.

This marks a major step forward in Kent’s effortsin managing its sustainability. This externallyaudited award, which encompasses theUniversity’s many buildings across theCanterbury and Medway campuses and morethan 3,000 staff, was obtained through theintroduction of an environmental managementsystem (EMS) that enabled the University toidentify all its environmental impacts and put into effect strategies to reduce them.

Staff from both the Safety, Health andEnvironment Unit and the Estates Departmentmake up the Environmental Sustainability Teamwho have worked with staff from across theUniversity to put measures in place to reduce our impacts. Areas at the University covered byISO 14001 include: environmental awareness;energy efficiency and carbon reduction; wastemanagement and disposal of all types of waste;recycling; water usage and management; wholelife cycle procurement, wherever possible; andthe continuous improvement and managementof records.

Examples of recent steps by the Universityinclude:• Installation of photo-voltaic panels on the newColyer-Fergusson Building

• Campus-wide improvements to recyclingfacilities

• Improved environmental communications to all staff through regular news updates andredesigned webpages

• Introduction of a new biodiversity plan toensure campus green spaces are maintainedand protected

• Introduction of environmental awarenesstraining for all staff.

Did you know?Since Kent became a Fairtrade Universityin 2006, all of the tea and coffee servedacross campus is 100% Fairtrade. Lastyear, we made the switch to Fairtradebananas too!

Bernard Angus, University Director of Safety,Health and Environment, received the Awardfrom Emma Fawcett-Jones, InternationalBusiness Manager for Certification International,on 1 March in front of the University Council.

He said: ‘ISO 14001 is the cornerstone of a series of international standards onenvironmental management. It provides a framework for the development of anenvironmental management system and thesupporting audit programme.

‘All business leaders are aware that managingthe environment is about managing a balancebetween the needs of the business and theneeds of the environment. I am confident that theUniversity’s achievement of ISO 14001 standardfor environmental management demonstrates ourcommitment to getting that balance right.’

Certification is only the beginning; expect to seelots more about our Environmental ManagementSystem and related sustainability projects in the future. For more information on theUniversity’s Environmental Management System and ISO 14001 certification, seewww.kent.ac.uk/safety/env

February’s Fairtrade flavourThis year’s Fairtrade Fortnight kicked off in stylewith the University’s Fairtrade Steering Groupsponsoring the Fitness Fest event at the SportsCentre. Over 150 people attending the eventreceived a free Fairtrade orange juice and had

the opportunity to find out more about howFairtrade benefits producers across the world.

The steering group then took Fairtrade on theroad with a Fairtrade roadshow visiting outletsacross campus. Volunteers from the steeringgroup promoted the benefits of Fairtrade, askedpeople to make pledges to swap to Fairtradeproducts and gave out samples of Fairtradechocolate.

The University’s Fairtrade steering group iscurrently looking for volunteers who can help us to promote Fairtrade across campus. Fromorganising music events to handing outchocolate samples, or just persuadingcolleagues to switch to Fairtrade, they needpassionate individuals to help raise awareness.There is no time commitment involved. If you are interested in getting involved, please contactCatherine Morris (c.morris@kent.ac.uk) or visitwww.kent.ac.uk/fairtrade for more information.

1 Bernard Angus receiving the award from EmmaFawcett-Jones of Certification International

2 Anne Rushworth and Cindy Vallance at theFairtrade roadshow, Dolche Vita

Digital updates

Online guide for studentsCorporate Communications has launched a newset of webpages, called the Student Directory,for current students.

The aim was to create a central place forinformation that students might find useful whilestudying at Kent. The Student Directory includeseverything from study advice, to what studentscan do on and off campus.

The Student Directory was launched in Betaformat, to gather both staff and studentfeedback via a usability questionnaire, studentfocus group, and range of web analytics. Testingresults were very positive, with studentscommenting on how easy it was to use and howthey will continue to use it throughout theirstudies. The webpages will be further developedto ensure the best online experience for ourstudents.

Take a look at the new webpages atwww.kent.ac.uk/student/ and please tell yourstudents about it.

New on the web

Interactive Medway mapA new map to help students explore places ofinterest across Medway has been launched by a Kent student.

Jack McDonnell, a third-year student from theSchool of Arts at Medway and the face behindthe @UKMStudent Twitter channel, has created a new interactive map using Google. The maphighlights key buildings and places of interestacross the Medway area and the University’scampus, including supermarkets, bars, eateries,cinemas and other leisure activities.

Jack said: ‘It has already been shared by currentstudents so I hope it will help them find more ofthe great spots in the area, as well as point thenext set of first-year students to some of theexcellent places on offer in Medway.’

The custom maps have been created for bothMedway and Canterbury campuses, following a special arrivals map for new students inCanterbury, which received over 8,000 views.Take a look at http://goo.gl/maps/9mYcI

The University’s annual Europe Day celebrationstake place on Thursday 9 May at the Gulbenkian,Canterbury campus, from 11.30am to 3.30pm.This year, the event will also feature the launch ofthe Global Europe Centre, an inter-disciplinaryand cross-campus research-led learning centrewith a strong student voice (www.kent.ac.uk/politics/gec/index.html).

Activities include:• ‘European Challenge’ student/school quiz • EU careers presentation• Global Europe Centre fellows’ debate on ‘What future for Europe?’

• Student photo exhibition: ‘What does Europemean to you?’

• Information stands on European careers,Kent’s European activities (Erasmus, ErasmusMundus, European partnerships), ourEuropean centres, the Centre for English andWorld Languages, and European Societies

• Concert by local music group

16 KENT Magazine

Health & Wellbeing websiteKent’s Health & Wellbeing website was launchedon 22 March to help staff find out aboutUniversity resources that help contribute to theirwork-life balance.

These can include flexible working, family-friendly policies and exercise facilities (KentSport). The website also aims to be anintroductory knowledge base to subjects relatingto physical and psychological health. News anddetails on health promotion initiatives takingplace on campus can also be found in its pages.

You can explore the website at:www.kent.ac.uk/healthandwellbeing/

Occupational Health manages the website andthey are keen to hear on what you think. Get intouch with your views and what you’d like to seeas upcoming promotions or articles. You canemail them at occupationalhealth@kent.ac.uk.

• European-themed food in Gulbenkian Café• European quiz• European sporting event• European film-screening in the GulbenkianCinema

• European research event.

The event is being organised by InternationalDevelopment and the School of Politics andInternational Relations, with contributions from

other Kent departments including ResearchServices, the Centre for English and WorldLanguages, Kent Sport, the Careers andEmployability Service, and University centres at Brussels, Paris, Athens and Rome.

What is Europe Day? 9 May, or Europe Day, is the anniversary of the‘Schuman declaration’. Speaking in Paris in 1950,Robert Schuman (the French foreign minister)proposed a new form of political co-operation for Europe, which would make war betweenEurope’s nations unthinkable. Schuman’sproposal is considered to be the beginning ofwhat is now the European Union and 9 May iscelebrated as a key moment in the EU’s creation.

Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate.Find out more at www.kent.ac.uk/international/europeday.html or email Jan Lowe, InternationalDevelopment, j.lowe@kent.ac.uk.

Europe Day

17KENT Magazine

Sport

Great news! Phase two of Kent Sport’s newfacilities, including the Functional Wellness Suite,Strength and High Performance Training Suiteand the Group Exercise Studio will all open intime for the summer term.

The Functional Wellness Suite will include aselection of cardio equipment, fixed resistancestations, and cutting-edge Human Sport cabledresistance machines. It also has a shortplyometric sprint track and open functionaltraining space, with the latest in functional fitnessequipment including kettlebells, medicine balls,TRX suspension trainers, and core bags.

The new Strength and High Performance Suitewill house the free weight dumbbells andbarbells, as well as a selection of new plate-loaded lifting stations. This suite will have abespoke bodyweight training frame offeringusers a variety of functional exercises to developtheir performance. The Strength Suite alsohouses ‘The Pit’ where a dedicated zone housesfour floor-level Olympic lifting platforms equippedwith Eleiko Olympic lifting equipment and twopower-lift half racks.

The combination of new suites includingintegrated Physiotherapy Clinic, as well as theexisting first-floor Cardio Suite, will ensure thatKent Sport offers probably the best equippedstrength and conditioning facility in the county forany level of aspiring athlete.

High Intensity Interval Training, Yoga, Pilates,Abdominal & Core, and Balanced Bodies, aswell as all the usual popular classes.

The third sports hall will be available in thesummer after exams, with the PhysiotherapyClinic and online bookings coming later in theyear.

Look out for details of open days and tastersessions next term to try the new facilities.

Improve yourgame!Join one of our six-week courses for someprofessional coaching to improve your game.

Introduction to Golf is on Mondays from 5.30 to6.30pm and starts on Monday 13 May at thePavilion outdoor pitches.

Introduction to Tennis is on Wednesdays from5.30 to 6.30pm, starting Wednesday 15 May atthe Indoor Tennis Centre.

Improvers Squash is on Mondays from 1 to 2pm,starting Monday 13 May at the Sports Centre.

Courses cost £10 for members or £30 for PAYGmembers. For further details and to download abooking form, see our website – www.kent.ac.uk/sports/

New sports facilitiesopen next term

Hospitality New services All menus for the delivered catering service havebeen updated and now also include a healthyoption buffet lunch and a range of Kentish wines.Full details are available on the Catering websiteat www.kent.ac.uk/catering/other-services/entertaining-on-campus/available-menus/index.html

Our virtual tours, enabling students and visitorsto look round all our campus accommodation,have been upgraded and now work on iPhonesand iPads. The Colyer-Fergusson Building andnew sports facilities will be added shortly.

In response to clients’ requests and to offergreater flexibility, the Conference Office hasintroduced three new price packages for itsEvent Management Service. The Bronzepackage is suitable for small one-day events; the Silver package is for larger non-residentialevents; and the Gold package offers a fullservice for residential events lasting more thanone day.

Using the Kx Registration software provided byKinetic Solutions, the Event Management Servicecan now offer an individually customised websitefor events and conferences and greater flexibilityof choice to delegates attending.

The new larger studio will also be open for thestart of next term and can be split into twospaces for smaller classes. Fitted with the latestin light and sound technology, including fourmirrored disco-balls, the new studio will create acolourful and motivating environment for groupexercise.

There will be increased class provision with amore diverse timetable for the summer termoffering members a range of new classesincluding Spinning (Studio Cycling), Boxercise,

Organising an event can be a very time-consuming process and the Event ManagementService provides academic departments with acost-effective solution to arranging conferencesand events both on and off campus.

To find out more about the Event ManagementService, contact Louisa Grillo in the ConferenceOffice, ext 8000, L.Grillo@kent.ac.uk.

18 KENT Magazine

BooksKent in the news

Kent experts continue to feature strongly in international and national newscoverage. There have been contributions from, among others, the Schoolsof European Culture and Languages, Social Policy, Sociology and SocialResearch, Anthropology and Conservation, and Law.

International broadcast coverage of University research and expertcomment included: Dr Nicholas Newton-Fisher, of the School ofAnthropology and Conservation, who featured in a story on chimpanzeeand human behaviour, with a particular focus on the nature and role ofalpha males in both species, for National Geographic’s Blink Films. SeniorDeputy Vice-Chancellor David Nightingale and Dr Annie Trégouët, of theSchool of European Culture and Languages, were interviewed on France’snational France3 News as part of a feature on the National Student Survey.

National broadcast coverage included: Dr Ellie Lee, of the School of SocialPolicy, Sociology and Social Research, who took part in a debate on BBCRadio 4’s Women’s Hour on the issue of men’s rights in abortion decisions;Professor Tim Luckhurst, of the Centre for Journalism, who was interviewedon various BBC programmes including The World Tonight and Radio 5 LiveNews on the implications for the BBC of the Jimmy Savile scandal and theresignation of BBC Director General George Entwistle; and Dr CharlotteFaircloth, of the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research,who was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live on a UNICEF report intobreastfeeding.

Small adsAllport Cars – Our business is picking up. City of Canterbury Licensed cars,specialising in airport & long-distance travel with competitive prices. All major credit cards accepted. Contact us on: 01227 370 370 or 0772 0 597 700. Visit the website at: www.allportcarsltd.co.uk or email: allportcars@btinternet.com

Seaside villa-Oualidia-Morocco – Private complex in fishing village (sleeps 4-6) – families and couples. Swimming pools and restaurants. 50m from safesandy beaches/lagoon. Surfing, boat trips, bird watching. Discount for Kentemployees. Contact nandini.hayes@gmail.com, 07049977838/ 01227456620,www.villalaylah.co.uk

Moral Crusades in an Age of Mistrust: The Jimmy Savile Scandal Frank Furedi, Palgrave Macmillan

A new book and work of public sociology by Frank Furedi, HonoraryProfessor of Sociology at Kent, explores the precarious status of trust inthe aftermath of the Jimmy Savile scandal.

The book examines the sociological meaning of the suddentransformation of Jimmy Savile – charity fundraiser, household name,cultural icon – into the personification of evil. It also considers theimportant role scandals usually play in clarifying the moral issuespreoccupying society and how, in the wake of the Savile affair, theabsence of moral consensus only bred uncertainty instead of restoringmoral order. Consequently, the ‘febrile atmosphere surrounding theexposure of Savile as a paedophile’ should be considered a moralcrusade rather than a moral panic.

By situating the scandal in a wider historical perspective, ProfessorFuredi not only outlines the distinctive feature of this particularly 21stcentury moral crusade, but also goes on to form a surprising conclusion:that the concerns unleashed by the Savile affair will no doubt serve tointensify the climate of mistrust and encourage moral crusaders toexpand their activities – a climate that has led to at least one publicfigure being falsely accused of the sexual abuse of minors.

Find out more at www.palgrave.com/products/title.aspx?pid=675020

The King’s JockeyLesley Gray (Solis Press)

The King’s Jockey offers a fresh perspective on events surrounding thedeath of a suffragette at the 1913 Derby. It tells the story of the life ofroyal jockey Herbert “Bertie” Jones and the dramatic events that followedhis fatal collision with suffragette Emily Wilding Davison 100 years ago.

This debut novel by mature student, Lesley Gray, was written while shestudied part-time for her BA (Hons) in Comparative Literature at theUniversity’s Tonbridge Centre.

Lesley said her studies at the University had provided inspiration andinformed her work. ‘The course covers such a range of beautifulliterature; exploring these works has helped enormously in the struggleto find my own voice as a writer.’

Find out more at www.solispress.com/9781907947612.html

19KENT Magazine

People

Appointments and awards

Welcome to…Dr Ward Blanton, Reader in Biblical Culturesand European Thought (Religious Studies); DrRachel Calogero, Reader in Psychology (Schoolof Psychology); Professor Anna Corrias, Readerin Chemistry (School of Physical Sciences);Professor Geoffrey Craig, Director of Researchand Professor of Journalism (Centre forJournalism); Professor Steven Gao, Professor of RF/Microwave Engineering (School ofEngineering and Digital Arts); Professor TomHenry, Professor of History of Art (History andPhilosophy of Art); Professor Richard King,Professor of Buddhist and Asian Studies(Religious Studies); Professor Wendy Parkins,Professor of Victorian Literature (School ofEnglish); Professor Karla Pollmann, Professor of Classics (Classical and ArchaeologicalStudies); Dr Dean Sayle, Reader in Chemistry(School of Physical Sciences); Professor YvonneSherwood, Professor of Religious Studies(Religious Studies); and David Williams, Readerin Developmental Psychology (School ofPsychology).

Kent Business Schoolappointments signal ambition Kent Business School has signalled its ambitionto strengthen its position as a leading businessschool with two new senior appointments.

Leading expert on business and innovationProfessor Martin Meyer joined in April and willtake over as Director in July. He comes to Kentfrom the University of Sussex, where he hasbeen Head of Business and Management.

Professor Meyer’s research has focused onknowledge exchange, academic patenting andemerging science-based technologies. He has a particular interest in innovation andnanotechnologies and the way technologiesand knowledge can transfer betweenuniversities and business.

In a further move to enhance its research andteaching base, Kent Business School haswelcomed Professor Veronica Wong to head its marketing group. Professor Wong has alsojoined Kent from the University of Sussex, where she led in a number of research areas,including knowledge and innovationmanagement.

Congratulations to…Carole Barron, Director of Innovation andEnterprise has been elected as Vice Chair ofAURIL (Association for University and ResearchIndustrial Liaison) Council. Carole will serve aterm of two years before becoming Chair ofAURIL Council in January 2015. AURIL is theprofessional association representing allpractitioners involved in knowledge creation,development and exchange in the UK and Irelandwho work to ensure that new ideas, technologiesand innovations flow from their institution into themarketplace. It is the largest knowledge transferassociation in Europe, with more than 1,600members from universities, NHS Trusts and publicsector research establishments.

Robin Gill, Professor of Applied Theology, hasbeen appointed editor of Theology, a researchjournal published six times a year which offers aforum for conversations between the church andacademia in all areas of theological enquiry.Alongside lecturing within the University’sDepartment of Religious Studies, Professor Gillhas written extensively on Christian ethics and onrelationships between theology and sociology.Professor Gill’s first issue as Theology editor willappear in January 2014.

Professor Mark Green, Head of the School ofPhysical Sciences, has received a Royal SocietyWolfson Research Merit Award. The esteemedfive-year award, jointly funded by the WolfsonFoundation and the Department for Business,Innovation and Skills, supports excellence inresearch across the sciences. Professor Green isone of 24 newly-appointed Wolfson Merit award-holders from selected universities across the UK.

Encore for Estates Team Choir Members of the Estates Team Choir took to thestage for a second time on 27 March. Theirlunchtime concert, on the foyer-stage of theColyer-Fergusson Building, included the songsI Got Rhythm (Gershwin), Dream a Little Dream(made famous by Mama Cass) and CaliforniaDreamin’ (Mamas & Papas). The Choir wasjoined by percussion Scholar Cory Adams on kit.

The Estates Choir was set up in November 2012and held its debut concert in front of other staffat Christmas. Since then, the Choir has met oncea week at lunchtime for rehearsals, led by DeputyDirector of Music Dan Harding, with pianoaccompaniment by Miles Banbery.

Members of the Choir are unanimous in theirenthusiasm for their new pastime.

‘Once people get over the initial embarrassmentof singing in front of colleagues, it’s reallyrewarding.’ Sarah Cooke, AdministrationServices Manager

‘It’s great fun, and I’ve not done anything like thissince school.’ Mark Crutchlow, Postal Assistant

‘I joined for a bit of fun, and it’s a nice way torelax once a week.’ Paul Griffiths, GroundsMaintenance Manager

‘I wanted to do something with office staff asthere’s not much chance to interact with them. I get quite into it and I’m still singing on the way home!’ Kate Norton, Cleaner

‘We’re a mix of staff from different sections so wedon’t normally get together – that’s the wholepoint of it really.’ Karen Weatherley, Planning &Property Services Assistant

What’s on

MusicSaturday 5 May, Colyer-Fergusson Hall,11am-5pm, A Musical Guide to the Galaxy.As part of the Sounds New Festival, treatyourself, your family and friends to a day ofnew music, song, art, workshops, dance anddrama at Canterbury’s Gulbenkian and theColyer-Fergusson Concert Hall.

Saturday 1 June, Colyer-Fergusson Hall,7.30pm, Summer Timbre! A great opportunityto hear John Harle, the world’s leadingclassical saxophonist, performing with theFestival Chamber Orchestra an excitingprogramme of music for a summer evening.

Monday 3 June – Sunday 9 June, SummerMusic. Watch out for exciting events in theColyer-Fergusson Hall and foyer, aroundcampus and beyond to celebrate our year ofmusic-making at the University, including aBig Band Gala (with special guests), theUniversity Chamber and Cecilian Choirs anda Music Scholars’ lunchtime concert. Thegrand finale will be a Sunday afternoonconcert, including the University’s ConcertBand, Chorus and Symphony Orchestra, andcream teas.

Sunday 30 June, 3pm, Colyer-FergussonHall, Centrally Heated Knickers presented byThe Homemade Orchestra. A compelling newproduction performed by legendary children’spoet Michael Rosen.

Gulbenkian Theatre Thursday 2 May, 7pm, The Watery Journeyof Nereus Pike, a new show by Fringe Firstaward-winning comedian, storyteller andtheatre-maker Laura Mugridge.

Wednesday 8 May, 7.30pm, The Masks ofGod. Moving Visions is the research-basedMA performance company of Rambert DanceSchool. The work is based on thinkersincluding Jung, Grotowski and Wittgenstein.

Friday 10 May, 7.30pm, Sugartits. Treadingthe line between comedy, cabaret and a goth-pop-catwalk nightmare, Bourgeois & Maurice defy categorisation. They set out tosolve every issue of the 21st century using apiano, plasticky instruments and a very

Studio 3 Gallery A new exhibition of Palestinian contemporaryart from artists based around the world isrunning at Studio 3 Gallery until 18 May 2013.The exhibition, entitled ‘Resilience and Light:Contemporary Palestinian Art’, is open to thepublic and admission is free. Bringingtogether art from Gaza, London, Venice,Paris, Zurich and Dubai by leading figures incontemporary art, the exhibition explores anumber of themes of Arab culture. It alsoshowcases how art is interpreted within, and out of, its historical, social and politicalcontext. Find out more athttp://blogs.kent.ac.uk/studio3gallery/

University calendar onlineYou can now see all University events at:www.kent.ac.uk/calendar/

The online calendar includes events fromacross the University including term dates,meetings, lectures, training courses, culturalevents and exhibitions.

You can also:• Share events with friends and colleaguesthrough Facebook, Twitter, email and more

• Add events to your web or desktopcalendar including Outlook

About the calendarThe calendar is compiled directly by staffacross the institution, managed byCorporate Communications and developedby Information Services.

Adding your eventsAre your school and department events inthe calendar?

If you think your events are missing, emaileventscalendar@kent.ac.uk and you canhave direct access to add your own events.

Did you know?Kent web authors can use the eventscalendar to power their own webpagesusing a Dreamweaver snippet – emaileventscalendar@kent.ac.uk for moreinformation.

warped sense of right and wrong. Suitable forages 14+.

Sunday 12 May, 7.30pm, Blofeld & Baxter’sMemories of Test Match. Insert Theatre presentstwo titans of UK cricket with side-splittingmemories from the Test Match Specialcommentary boxes.

Monday 13 May, 7.30pm, UK Touring Theatrepresents Miss Julie by August Strindberg in a newtranslation for the 21st century directed by DenisNoonan. Suitable for ages 14+.

Thursday 16 May, 7.30pm, That Is All You NeedTo Know. Idle Motion will take you back to 1940sEngland and the secretive worlds of Station X atBletchley Park, using personal testimony, inventivestaging and multimedia projection. Followed by apost-show discussion

Friday 24 May, 11am and Saturday 25 May,2pm, My Brother the Robot. Tall Stories (thecompany that brought you The Gruffalo, TwinkleTwonkle and The Snail and the Whale) presentsits brand new show, combining humour, musicand storytelling for everyone aged four and up.

Saturday 1 June, 7pm, Varmints. Travelling Lightpresents an East London Dance, Sadler’s Wellsand Stratford Circus production, based on theaward-winning book by Helen Ward and MarcCraste. Suitable for ages 8+.

Gulbenkian Cinema Wednesday 22 and Thursday 23 May, GoodVibrations (15)

Friday 17 – Tuesday 21 May, The Place BeyondThe Pines (15)

Friday 31 May – Monday 3 June andWednesday 5 June, I’m So Excited (LosAmantes Pasajeros) (15)

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June, Compliance(15)

Saturday 1 June, The Odd Life of Timothy Green (U)

Thursday 13 June, NT Live: The Audience

Friday 14 – Sunday 16 June, Promised Land(15)

Friday 14 – Thursday 20 June, The GreatGatsby (3D) (12A)

Tuesday 18 June, Pompeii Live From the BritishMuseum