Fiftyone North - Summer 09

fiftyone°[email protected] SUMMER 2009

0°WEST

Brunel INTERNATIONAL

PAGE 1Made in Brunelexhibition

PAGE 2Tweet Brunelonline

PAGE 3Brunel athleteswin 16 medals

PAGE 4Meet Brunel’sown policeman

The Union of Brunel Students (UBS) isrun by Brunel students for Brunelstudents and as you’ve guessed, the keyto the union is you: the student!Without your involvement andopinions, the union cannot be effective.

University is the best time of your life and here atBrunel we’ve made sure that you’ll have theopportunity to make the most out of thatexperience. You’ll have plenty of opportunities toget involved in a wide variety of activities andevents and we provide support for you too.Just remember that your time at Brunel is ajourney and you don’t have to see the wholejourney to begin with. Just take that first step andget involved!I hope you have a fantastic time at Brunel and Ihope to see and speak to you around campus.

The entire programme wasreally well co-ordinated... andgreat fun at the same time. Itserved as an ice breaker andhelped us to get to know somany people from all over theworld. The student helpersand the staff did atremendous job in making usfeel very comfortable and notout of place... the trip toBlenheim Palace was reallygood and I thoroughlyenjoyed myself. Thank You!!!

Hi andwelcometo Brunel!

Thinkingout loud!

Check out our Student Profiles from the show throughout the paper

Students from Brunel’s School ofEngineering and Design have beenmaking a big impression again this year,with the fantastic Made in Brunelexhibition at the Business Design Centrein Islington,North London.

Held over two days in early June, this annual exhibitionprovides a showcase for people graduating from degreecourses in our School of Engineering and Design.These courses include Industrial Design, IndustrialDesign & Technology, Product Design, MechanicalEngineering and Multimedia Technology & Design.Each graduating student has his or her own

exhibition space, where they can show their final year

Despite a transport strike, over 1,000 people visited this year’s show,which had ‘Thinking Out Loud’ as its theme, focusing on the three keyareas of ‘people, fun and innovation’.Many world leading design-led companies were in attendance, including

prestigious organisations with whom the School of Engineering and Designruns industrial projects, placements and exchanges.

Natalie Foster UBS President 09/10

There will be day trips, socialevents and campus tours, aswell as special workshops ontopics such as part-timeworking in the UK.All this andthree meals a day!The programme is free for

international, fee payingstudents and just £95 for EUstudents, although you willneed to pay for accommodationif you are staying on campus.It provides the best start to

your Brunel studies so book assoon as you have your flightsand accommodation confirmed.

Orientation 2009...the countdown begins

We will be running our three-dayWelcome Programme again thisyear for international students,on 17th,18th and 19th September.

Jack CheatlePedalockbicycle lockPedalock is a detachablebicycle pedal that converts intoa sturdy lock when the riderneeds it. Because the pedalsare removed the bike becomesless attractive to thieves,making it even safer!Industrial Design &

Technology BAStudent JackCheatle has received considerableattention from entrepreneursinterested in his idea and ishoping to pursue it now he hascompleted his studies.

Thinking out loud! STUDENT PROFILE

projects and network with many notable visitors fromindustry and the media.This year we also welcomed student exhibitors from

four of our partner universities around the world:Tsinghua University, China; The Indian Institute ofTechnology, Madras; The Rhode Island School ofDesign (in conjunction with students from MIT), USA;and Simon Fraser University, Canada. �

continued on page 2

Seewww.brunel.ac.uk/international/whatnext/orientation for details.

2 fiftyone°north Summer 2009

If you have more questionsabout any aspect of studying atBrunel then we would love tohear from you:

Application enquiries:[email protected]

Accommodation enquiries:[email protected]

General enquiries:[email protected]

Foundation and Englishlanguage courses:[email protected]

Or check us out online atwww.brunel.ac.uk/international

contactus

Tweet BrunelonlineAs well as our website,Brunel International nowhas aTwitter account andwill be sending out usefulinformation abouteverything from applying fora UK visa to when clearingplaces available to what theweather is like in London.You can follow our“tweets”by creating your ownTwitter account atwww.twitter.com, clickingthe“find people”button andsearching for“Brunel_Int”.

In addition, we have a Facebookpage for international students.Facebook is the most popular socialnetworking site for students here inthe UK so it is a great way to makefriends, keep in touch, share newsand receive updates.

You can register for an accountfree atwww.facebook.comand then find us on theBrunel network.

Honesty Lab:Can you tell when someone’s lying?Be part of Brunel’s research by taking part in an onlineproject run by Brunel’s Law School.

Run in partnership with the British ScienceAssociation, Honesty Labseeks to explore people’s varying definitions of dishonesty and also thefactors that might lead them to believe someone was dishonest.By visitingwww.honestylab.com you can take part in a special

survey, where you can watch people talk about what they have done andthen decide whether they were being dishonest.The project’s aim is to involve at least 20,000 people from as many

countries as possible, so if you can help us please go to the website. Thesurvey is quite short and is good fun!

If you would like to find out more about undergraduate and postgraduate courses from Brunel Design please go tohttp://brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/sed/. For details about the show visitwww.madeinbrunel.com

Amongst our visitors were Rebecca Edge, Directorof Audi Design Foundation; Emma Heatley-Adams,Dyson’s Director of International Design; and JoeFerry, Head of Design at Virgin Atlantic.Other companies attending includedWilliams F1,

Bentley Motors, O2, Hasbro, Siemens, Chanel andEatonAerospace, as visitors or as participants in thespecial events taking place.Of course the real stars of the show were the

exhibitors. Over 140 people took part, showing thatBrunel University’s Graduates have a lot to offer thedesign world! Look through this newsletter to meetsome of them.Speaking about the exhibition, Prof Mike Short,

O2’s Vice President Research & Development , said:“When I visited Made in Brunel this year it stood outagain as a showcase for talent, innovation, realprototypes, and for how university students can becomeengaged with business. I have no doubt that we will seemany of the ideas helping to build markets, careers andnew areas of innovation. It is really exciting to catchthe energy and wave of innovation as it begins.”

Continued from page 1Thinking out loud! Creative Arts at Brunel

Brunel’s School ofArts offers an exciting range ofundergraduate and postgraduate courses - in English,Digital Games, Journalism,Film andTV,Music and Drama.

The School has a spectacular new centre, the Antonin Artaud building(often called theArto Building), which, true to the Brunel ideals, uses thelatest technology to support teaching, learning and creativity. This includesa large digital multimedia newsroomwhich a visiting journalist from TheGuardian recently described as ‘exactly like ours!’Our MAprogramme in International Journalism is especially popular

with international students, thanks to its focus on the international andglobal media industry. Other favourites include our MAprogrammes inCreative & Professional Writing; Digital Games: Theory & Design; andContemporary Literature & Culture.At BA level, there are some exciting new courses due for 2009 and

2010. These include joint honours Degrees in Games Design andScreenwriting, and a BA in Journalism. The English with TranslationStudies joint honours BAwill also be expanded.Head of School, Doctor William Leahy, adds, “Work experience is an

important part of our undergraduate and postgraduate degreeprogrammes. We have close partnerships with leading media, arts andpublishing organisations in London and worldwide, so we can offersome exciting placements and career opportunities.”

A Brunel University student ensemble performing New Noise,directed by Professor Wiegold at the opening of the AntoninArtaud building.

HollywoodActor andDirectorStephenBerkoff at theAntonin Artaudbuilding Plaqueunveiling.

Brunel University Drama graduates perform Antonin Artaud’sNerve Scales.

To find out more about the School and the courses available, pleasevisitwww.brunel.ac.uk/sa

Michael AbateWind-uphearing aidMichael Abate came to Brunelto study for a BSc in IndustrialDesign, having attended highschool in Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.He designed his wind-up

hearing aid for developingcountries, where there is a needfor high quality hearing aids thatare cheap and easy to maintain.Michael plans to build up his

own design company in the UKor USA. “I hope I can generatefurther interest in the hearing aidproject as it has the potential tohelp many people”.

Thinking out loud!STUDENT PROFILE

Summer 2009 fiftyone°north 3

Brunel students won sevengold, five silver and fourbronze medals at the BritishUniversities and CollegesSport 2009,outdoor athleticschampionships in May.

Brunel athletes win 16medals at championships

Tara Bird, winner of the 800m. Chris Hughff wins gold in the javelin.

U.S. studentwins topsportingaward

Brunel PhD student ChristinaGipson has won the prestigious NellC. JacksonAward.This is awardedannually to anAfricanAmericanwoman who has made anoutstanding contribution to sport.

Christina, from Ohio, is studying her PhD atBrunel’s Centre for Youth Sport andAthleteWelfare and has forged a career in coachingyoung women in football. Her work hasincluded spells with non-profit organisationspromoting equal opportunities for girls andwomen in international sport.

To find out about the Centre for Youth Sport andAthlete Welfare go towww.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/sse/sseres/sseresearchcentres/youthsport


DamonMurray-MorrishInnovativeTravel CaseFrom the Industrial Design &Technology BA course, Damonhas certainly won admirationfrom travelling members ofBrunel International, thanks tohis innovative travel case!The case not only features

retractable wheels to keep themsafe from airline baggage handlers,but also has a weighing systembuilt into the handle, so you cancheck that you are within yourbaggage allowance.

Bookbags travel the worldWalk around our campus and you will see many studentscarrying brightly coloured Brunel book bags.

These popular bags are on sale in the library as a useful andenvironmentally friendly way of carrying your books about. The Libraryare running a competition to see who can take a picture of their bag in aplace as far away as possible from Brunel. The bag that travels the furthestfrom the library will win its owner £40 worth of grocery vouchers.International students will definitely have a good chance of winning!

The women’s team finished second overall with an impressive six goldmedals, in the 100 metres, 800 metres, 1500 metres, high jump, triplejump and pole vault.The men’s team finished sixth overall, with former captain, Chris

Hughff setting a new record and scoring gold in the javelin. Othermedals included a silver in the pole vault and bronze in javelin.Brunel University has an excellent reputation for Sport, thanks to our

acclaimed sport-related courses and world class facilities. We have anumber of Olympians and we award sports scholarships every year.For more details about Sport at Brunel go towww.brunel.ac.uk/sse

Photographsby

Mark

Shearman

Millionth downloadfrom our researcharchiveThe Brunel University ResearchArchive(BURA) has just celebrated its millionthdownload,a little over two years after itslaunch in December 2006.

BURA stores our research community’s work onlineand makes articles, data sets, working papers,conference papers, pre-prints and PhD theses freelyavailable to the public for download.On average, the website records 4,000 individual

downloads per day and is currently ranked 132ndamongst the top 300 institutional repositoriesworldwide.You can visit the site and download material athttp://bura.brunel.ac.uk

Jency ChongMy Heart Needs micrositeJency’s innovative microsite, My Heart Needs,is designed to help young people develop theirhealth, confidence and social awarenessthrough a series of guides, quizzes and games.Having completed her BSc Multimedia

Technology & Design studies, Jency has nowstarted work as a Web Designer in London withthe company that hosted her one-year industrialplacement.

“I had a brilliant time studying at Brunel. TheUniversity offers great support and facilities.”

Detail showingthe digitalweighing system.

Coming tothe UK?Everybody likes to bringtheir favourite treats fromhome,but if you’recoming from outside theEU please rememberthere are strictrestrictions on importingfoods and plants.

You can find guidance atwww.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/TravellingAbroad/BringinggoodsorcashintotheUK/DG_064942, but thesimple rule is: if in doubt leaveit out.

Happily the Brunel campusshops stock many internationalbrands and there is an Orientalfood market every week.London also has a vast range ofinternational restaurants andgrocery stores, so you’re sure tofind a taste of home.

This Bookbag travelled as far as ‘The Nittany Lion Shrine’ atPennsylvania State University.

Thinking out loud! STUDENT PROFILE

4 fiftyone°north Summer 2009

brunel life

Karen Arnold is ourInternational Admissions TeamLeader.

How long have you workedat Brunel?I have worked at Brunel for a totalof 15 years: 7 years in the HealthEconomics Research Group and 8years in Brunel InternationalWhat does your job entail?The list is endless. My main roleis overseeing the Admissions team(operations side) on a day-to-daybasis. We process and assessapplications for all internationalstudents for the University and Iam also involved in Registration.What do you like most about it?It’s great to make an offer to anapplicant and then meet them atenrolment. I also enjoy working atBrunel International as the team islike a family.What do you think of livingnear London?I love it! Especially living locallyto Brunel - you could either be inthe countryside within ½ hour oneway or in central London if yougo the other.Favourite singer or band?Hmmm…..don’t really have afavourite, I like all sorts of musicthe only thing I don’t like is heavymetal as I just don’t get it! Thelatest CD I have bought isJason MrazFavourite food and why?Anything that I don’t have to cookor have to do the washing upafter! I do like a traditional roastdinner though and then you get tohave bubble & squeak the dayafter (this is the leftovervegetables which are cut up andthen fried).What’s your favouritedestination?Destination Brunel of course! Ihaven’t travelled too much butam heading off to Cuba in theSummer which I’m really lookingforward to.What is the most interestingthing you’ve seen?

I’m not quite sure. I think seeingThe Sultan’s Elephant in HydePark a few years ago – it wasamazing to see this huge movingmechanical elephant and a giantpuppet girl roaming in the streetsof London and through the park.

Internationalteam profile

Karen

fiftyone° north was brought to you by Brunel International, a team at BrunelUniversity dedicated to supporting international students in their studies.

Words: Pete Greenfield Images: Sally Trussler Design: Helen TaylorTo contact the editorial team, please email [email protected]

BrunelwinssecurityawardBrunel has investedheavily in making itscampus a safe placeto live, study,workand socialise.Nowthe UK’sAssociationof Chief PoliceOfficers hasrecognised this witha prestigious award.

The Secured EnvironmentsCertificate is given toorganisations that showthey can manage theirsecurity effectively.Brunel is only the fourthUK university to receiveit, following an in-depthaudit.

Formally established inJanuary 2009, the MagnaCarta Institute seeks toresearch,debate andinfluence some of the keypolitical, legal and socialissues of the 21st century.

Akey theme for the institute isexploring how political, economic

and social changes around theworld affect the rights ofindividuals, as well as the role ofgovernment in upholdingdemocracy.

Leading figures from around theworld are contributing to theInstitute’s research projects,publishing activity, consultancy,symposia, events and postgraduateteaching programmes.

My name is JonWalls. I am the campus

police officer so you are likely to see me

around quite a lot if you come to Brunel!

You will find that policeofficers in Britain are ve

ry

friendly and helpful, so do not be afraid to appro

ach

us and ask for help withanything if, for example

,

you are lost!I am part of the local ‘Safe N

eighbourhood’

team. We walk round theUniversity and are alwa

ys

happy to help, so pleasecome and say hello if yo

u

have any questions or worries.

If you are attending theorientation programme,

we will meet then, as I will be giving a talk on

personal safety and some of the British laws that

might be a bit different to home.

Brunel is a very safe campus, but if you do have

any worries my colleagues, Indy and James, run

an

advice session about keeping yourself safe. It tak

es

place every Tuesday between 1 and 2pm in the

Student Union Buildingon Campus.

You can contact me anytime on my mobile

number, 07766497677, and do make friends with

me

on my Facebook page. You can find me by

searching for ‘Brunel Bobby’.

See you on campus!

Jon

The British Council has recently published Comfort Zone, making sure that your time in theUK is safe and enjoyable. You can download it fromwww.educationuk.org. It is under‘living in the UK’ / ‘Health & Safety’.

Hello

from Brunel’spoliceman

FrankieLathburyEarwig Player ComProduct Design BSc studentFrankie Lathbury designed ateam sport communicationsystem that allows rugbycoaches to speak to singleplayers or groups withoutinterrupting training sessions.The coach speaks into a

wrist-mounted, multi-channeltransmitter, whilst players wearspecial skul caps withheadphones built-in. Theworking prototype has had agreat reaction from sportstrainers and teams.

“I’ve had some interest froma Japanese company that wantsto develop the technology”,Frankie says, “so I’m hoping togo and work in Japan”.


Brunel assists withKorean sport welfareA delegation from the National Human RightsCommission of Korea visited Brunel in July to meet CeliaBrackenridge,Director of the Research Centre forYouthSport andAthleteWelfare (CYSAW).

Professor Brackenridge has a particular interest in human rights in sport.The delegation hopes to use her expertise to improve welfare in theKorean sporting system.You can find out more about CYSAW atwww.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/sse/sseres

The Fairtrade Foundationhas awarded the University“Fairtrade status”torecognise our work inpromoting the use ofFairtrade products onour campus.

Visitwww.brunel.ac.uk/fairtrade to find out more about our activities.

Brunel awardedFairtrade status

For details please go towww.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/magnacarta

New political institutelaunches

Our campus shops and cafes offer avariety of ethically sourced products,including tea and coffee, sugar,sweets, pasta, rice, jam and wine –and the range is increasing allthe time.Over seven million workers in the

developing world benefit from theFairtrade Foundation’s programme.

Documents

Fiftyone North - Summer 09