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AUTUMN 2013

ISSUE 11

DRIVING AMBITION

SEEDS OF SUCCESS

FOOTBALL FUTURES

2. Football futures

4. New chair

5. Solent success

6. Shaping Southampton

8. Festival greats

10. Resident artists

11. Port art

12. Bright Sparks

14. Sailing into Barcelona

16. Beaulieu racer

CO

NT

ENT

S

HOW TO CONTACT US:Send your news, views, queries and

comments to: The Press and PR Officer,

Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace,

Southampton SO14 0RB.

Telephone: 023 8031 9040

Email: press.office@solent.ac.uk

Front cover: Luke Shaw, Southampton FC

(photograph supplied by PBWPIX)

Designed and published by:

Southampton Solent University’s

Marketing and Communications Service

PUBD: 2013091802

Printed by: Cedar Group

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AUTUMN 2013 | 1

FOREWORD | ISSUE 11

Southampton Solent University has never been afraid of change. We’re a forward-thinking institution, and we’re always looking for new and better ways to deliver high-quality academic and professional skills to our students.

That’s why it’s gratifying to see the high

standards of Solent’s teaching confirmed,

with the university recently recognised

by Which? University as one of the UK’s

top creative institutions. Solent also came

through a recent Quality Assurance Agency

assessment with flying colours; in awarding

their kitemark for quality and standards,

QAA commended Solent’s innovative

approach to employability and the strength

of our student support.

A key part of this is our recognition that

students’ stories don’t end when they

graduate – that’s only the beginning.

A modern university like Solent is a

community hub, not an ivory tower; it’s an

active part of the wider whole, sustained by

and sustaining its local and global networks.

To see these principles put into action

at Solent you only need to look at the

efforts of staff like Rosy Jones, who’s

been recognised as Enterprise Society

Champion of the Year at the National

Enterprise Educator Awards, or consider the

university’s leading role in driving debate on

Southampton’s future with its latest Vision

for 2020 event.

Many of our students come from the

Southampton region, and the future of the

city is important to us. School outreach

programmes like Solent Bright Sparks nurture

enthusiasm and aspiration in children from

an early age, and one of the aims of Vision

for 2020 is to make good on that promise

– to help create an environment rich in the

opportunities that will encourage graduates

to live and work here.

That’s Solent’s aim – to help build stronger

connections for our students, for schools,

for our communities. Because through

strengthening our connections, both

social and economic, we create a local

environment in which students, graduates

and businesses alike can flourish. We hope

you’ll join us.

Professor Van J Gore

“…Solent is a community hub, not an ivory tower; it’s an active part of the wider whole, sustained by and sustaining its local and global networks.”

2 | AUTUMN 2013

FUTURE OF FOOTBALLA leading position in sport science, elite laboratory facilities and a renowned football research centre, make Southampton Solent the perfect official university partner for Southampton Football Club.

The recently announced partnership cements

the close relationship that Solent has

enjoyed with the club for the past four years.

“Their pioneering work in sports science and

football studies has great synergy with ‘The

Southampton Way,” says Dominic Fawcett,

chief commercial officer at Southampton

Football Club.

Over the last few years, Solent’s sport

science staff and students have been

bringing their specialism into play by

working alongside the club’s experts to

monitor the fitness of the whole squad.

Players are pushed to their physical limit at

the university’s sport science laboratories

and results are sent back to the club where

they have a direct impact on the training and

match preparation.

“Their sport science knowledge, facilities

and flexibility are invaluable to the team,”

says Mo Gimpel, Saints’ sports medicine and

science manager.

Such is the quality of Solent’s sports science

provision, that the university’s physiology

laboratory has recently been recognised as one

of the UK’s leading sport and exercise science

facilities, joining an elite group that includes

Manchester United Football Club.

The university has been officially awarded

the British Association of Sport and Exercise

Sciences (BASES) Accreditation, which

is widely recognised as the leading UK

professional body in sport and exercise

sciences.

Students are benefitting from working with

the Premier League squad too, “We use

Solent BSc students to assist in the delivery

of the sports science programme to our

players, and have recently made a couple of

signings to our full-time staff here,” says Mo.

Ben Rosen is a Solent graduate who, after

working with the club as a student, is

now playing a key role at Southampton.

Just a few years after graduating, Ben is

already an integral part of the club’s sport

science team. Taking his lead from assistant

manager Jesus Perez, he helps deliver sport

science and strength and conditioning

support to the first team, “I get to do what

I love in a dream job for a great club,”

says Ben.

“From working with elite athletes and making

good industry contacts to providing support

for the university’s sports teams, everything

was focussed on an end goal of leaving

university ready to work. And here I am.”

FOOTBALL FOOTPRINTIt’s not just the university’s sport science

students who are enjoying league success.

Graduates from the university’s football

studies degree are also working at some

of the top clubs including Southampton,

Chelsea, West Ham and Crystal Palace.

As well as being a leader in football-related

academic study, Solent has one of the

country’s leading football research and

consultancy centres.

The Lawrie McMenemy Centre for Football

Research enjoys excellent links with the

Football Association, The Premier League

and the League Managers’ Association, and

is conducting pioneering research that has

resulted in at least one rule change in the

Premier League.

…Their sport science knowledge, facilities and flexibility are invaluable to the team…

Top to bottom: Ricky Lambert and Adam Lallana are pushed to the limit during testing at Solent’s sports science labs.

ISSUE 11 | SPORT

AUTUMN 2013 | 3

SPORT | ISSUE 11

As an active member of the football

community, the centre’s experts are often

called upon by the world’s media – including

Sky Sports, Radio 5 Live and the BBC World

Service - to discuss, debate and comment on

a wide range of football-related topics, from

the importance of football in Spanish culture

to the ‘Beckham effect’!

FOOTBALL DEGREESFive young players whose professional careers

at Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Stoke and

QPR, have come to an end, have swapped

their boots for books as they began their

degree courses at Solent this October.

Every year hundreds of youngsters join

Premier League club academies with the

dream of playing professionally, but not all

will make it at a top club.

Keen to help those who don’t make it to

find alternative career paths, the Premier

League is working with a selection of

UK universities to offer higher education

opportunities for young players who have

the necessary qualifications.

“Solent’s excellent academic provision,

FA accredited sports ground and extensive

football industry links were a key factor

in deciding to ask them to be part of this

important initiative,” says Mark Scarbrow,

Premier League careers advisor.

As well as spending time on the bench in

lecture theatres, the new recruits will also be

given the opportunity to play for Team Solent,

which is already doing well in the semi-

professional Sydenhams League (Wessex).

“We’re proud that all of our efforts

to facilitate other areas of player

development are being recognised at the

top level of football,” says Dominic Cunliffe,

head football coach at Solent University.”

The university’s academic provision,

facilities and research and consultancy

work is providing expert support for the

football industry and having a recognised

impact on the game.

…I get to do what I love in a dream job for a great club…Ben Rosen,BSc Applied Sports Science, Graduate

”

Right: Southampton FC have had a great start to the season.

“

4 | AUTUMN 2013

ISSUE 11 | SOLENT PEOPLE

He took up the role on 1 August, having

served as a Board member since 2007,

and replaced retiring Governor Graham

Sewell who had served as chairman since

2009. Jonathan’s role involves working

closely with the Vice-Chancellor, the Board,

and the Clerk to the Governors to look

after the public investment and the public

interest at the university.

‘I am enjoying my role in this busy and

exciting year’, says Jonathan, ‘We have

many challenges ahead, but I am confident

that our Solent success story will continue

to flourish and grow.’

He cares deeply about social justice and

inclusion, and the increasing challenges

to achieving them in times of austerity

and tight budgets. His views have perfect

synergy with the Solent values and vision.

Outside of his work for the university,

Jonathan is currently Chief Executive of

Wheatsheaf Trust, a charity which promotes

social inclusion and economic development

and runs a range of innovative projects to

support marginalised people into training

and work. He has extensive experience of

working with marginalised and homeless

people, having started a number of charities

in London in this sector. In the late 90s he

founded Portsmouth Foyer, a housing and

employment project for young people.

Jonathan is a keen sailor and oarsman.

He rowed for England in 1969 and sailed

a 76’ schooner across the Pacific in 1978.

He was formerly the Director of Ocean

Youth Club, Europe’s largest sail training

organisation, and he is a trustee of Sail

Training International and the Association of

Sail Training Organisations.

In his first year at the Solent helm, Jonathan,

together with his fellow governors, will be

overseeing the process of recruiting a new

Vice-Chancellor to succeed Professor Van

Gore, who will be retiring on 31 July 2014.

Staff across Solent have been involved in

the consultation process to help establish

the key skills and experience required for

the new leader of the university community.

The post has now been advertised in the

Times Higher and the recruitment is being

managed by Odgers Berndtson.

The Board of Governors of Southampton Solent University has just elected a new chairman, Jonathan Cheshire.

Partnership with Business South

A new partnership between Solent

University and Business South is set to

benefit students, graduates, the region’s

business community and the city.

Both organisations have agreed

to an action plan which will look

at building a comprehensive

understanding of the regional labour

market and inward investment

opportunities; establishing sector

groups that reflect the core and

niche industries of the region; and

the creation of a collaborative

business-facing brokerage service for

staff development needs.

Sally Lynskey, Chief Executive of

Business South, says:“We see it as an

opportunity to identify new ways we

can work together that will benefit

the university and Business South

Champions. By working together we

can achieve so much more.”

This is the latest in a series of

partnership accords that the

university has signed with regional

education and business organisations

including: B&Q; The Ageas Bowl and

Fareham College.

“By continuing to work closely with

education, industry and business

engagement organisations, we aim

to help drive economic growth both

regionally and nationally,”

says Professor Mike Wilkinson,

Deputy Vice-Chancellor of

Southampton Solent.

NEWS IN BRIEF A NEW BOARD CHAIRMAN

…I am confident that our Solent success story will continue to flourish and grow…

AUTUMN 2013 | 5

SOLENT SUCCESS | ISSUE 11

Solent has been recognised for its quality and creativity with two new accolades.

QUALITY AND CREATIVITY SOLENT AWARDED QUALITY ASSURANCE AGENCY KITEMARKIn early June this year a five-strong review

team visited Southampton Solent University

to carry out a thorough study of the quality

of the higher education being provided.

The higher education equivalent of Ofsted;

the team assessed academic standards,

and the quality and enhancement of the

student learning experience. Information was

gathered about Solent learning opportunities,

and on student involvement in quality

assurance and enhancement at Solent.

The report of their review was published in

August and together with it, the award of

a QAA kitemark was made to confirm that

the university had achieved the required

standards of teaching and learning provision.

The report noted in particular that the

university has a strategic and innovative

approach to employability, and embeds it

in the curriculum as well as the inclusion of

real world learning. Solent was commended

too for its comprehensive and inclusive

range of support mechanisms for students

and succeed@solent was singled out for

particular praise. The report highlighted that

the review team identified enhanced student

opportunities and an outward looking and

proactive attitude across the university.

“We are delighted that the quality of what

we provide here at Southampton Solent

University has been confirmed by the QAA

in this report’, commented Dr Ann Read,

Dean of Academic Services, ‘We are proud

of our real world approach to learning in

higher education, and pleased that the

external review team commended us for

the positive impact our provision has had

on the student experience.”

VOTED ONE OF THE UK’S MOST CREATIVE UNIVERSITIESIn a Which? University poll of over 16,000

current students, Solent University was

voted one of the most creative in the UK.

Fashion, art, media studies and design

coupled with excellent links to the local

arts and cultural networks of the city and

including its own dedicated art galleries all

add up to a recipe for creative success at

Solent.

In the poll, students were asked how big a

role music, theatre, dance and visual arts

play in their university life and which arts

societies, events and facilities were available

at their university.

“Cutting-edge facilities, professional staff,

up to the minute courses and unique work

opportunities make us one of the UK’s

top creative industry providers,” says Tim

Gaskin, Associate Dean of the Faculty of

the Creative Arts. “Coupled with a wealth of

creative societies, work opportunities and a

burgeoning regional arts and events scene,

it’s not surprising Solent is rated so highly.”

…Cutting-edge facilities, professional staff, up to the minute courses and unique work opportunities make us one of the UK’s top creative industry providers…”“

6 | AUTUMN 2013

ISSUE 11 | BUSINESS

Should Southampton take more pride in the city and its 50 years of city status? Improve its transport links? Celebrate its maritime heritage and develop the waterfront? Focus on generating new investment?

VISION FOR 2020: SHAPING SOUTHAMPTON’S FUTURE

The university drove the debate on a range

of important issues to help shape the city

for future investment and prosperity at the

annual Vision for 2020 conference on 21

October. The flagship event was hosted at

the university’s Conference Centre in the

heart of Southampton’s Cultural Quarter

in October.

The Right Honourable John Denham MP

for Southampton Itchen kicked off the

conversation with his thoughts on the city’s

future before introducing keynote speaker

and fellow University of Southampton

graduate, Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of

the Royal Society for the encouragement of

Arts, Manufactures and Commerce.

A prominent UK opinion leader,

controversial media commentator and

social action expert, Matthew was the

Labour Party’s Director of Policy during

the 1997 general election victory before

becoming Chief Advisor on Strategy to the

then Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

During his inspirational speech, he told

delegates from the region’s business,

education and enterprise communities:

“Despite the quality of so much that

happens in this city – from Premiership

football and test matches to the boat show,

from world class university research to

excellence in marine engineering – this is a

city that rarely sets itself the aspiration of

being the very best. In short, Southampton

is a place that finds it hard to get excited

about itself.”

He went on to suggest a major civic event

as part of next year’s 50th birthday. He

invited residents, businesses and regional

organisations to make a pledge to improve

the city, however small, and sign a book of

commitments which would be an official

memorial of Southampton’s Golden Jubilee.

Matthew left delegates with a thought-

provoking question: “Southampton’s doing

OK but shouldn’t it want to be the best?”

Speakers from Southampton City Council

and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership

highlighted the city’s current infrastructure

and economic health and called upon

delegates to help celebrate the city’s

potential by increasing its ambition,

personality, demand and competitive

status. Barbara Compton’s briefing as Head

of Development, Economy and Housing

Renewal for the city, resulted in this bold

statement: “Southampton could become

the new Barcelona.”

Following a number of delegate workshops,

Fred Dinenage MBE, facilitated feedback

from delegates of regional business, local

government and education who discussed

key city issues and looked at ways in which

to celebrate 50 years of city status. Amongst

the themes that emerged were that the city

needs to demonstrate a better connection

with the sea, both in reality and symbolically.

One group suggested that as a city we

should develop a vision of Southampton

as a ‘learning city’ and seek to raise the

aspirations of young people in the 9-19

age bracket. There is a good opportunity

to develop a great cultural offering in

Southampton and initiatives such as the

Marwell ‘Go! Rhino’ project had brought

people of all ages and walks of life together

to celebrate community art installations.

Southampton Solent University’s Vice-

Chancellor, Professor Van Gore, concluded

the conference by discussing the outcomes

of the workshops and examining the ways

in which we can be instrumental in shaping

the city’s future. He said: “Participation and

feedback levels were pleasingly high for

this event. But the trick now is to follow

up with coordinated actions that can meet

the common aspiration for moving the city

forward with ambition and impact.”

“Matthew Taylor has given us a great focus

in his concept of Fifty Pledges to mark the

bi-centenary of the city’s chartered status

and there is already much to build upon. This

initiative could really make a difference.”

A further conference to gather and share

pledges from around the community

to celebrate Southampton’s 50 years of

city status is planned for spring 2014. To

register interest in attending, please email

vision.2020@solent.ac.uk

…Proud to be part of the transformation…

COMMUNITY | ISSUE 11

…Southampton’s doing OK but shouldn’t it want to be the best?…“

”Left to right Fred Dinenage, Matthew Taylor and Professor Van Gore contributing to the event.

LIVE FROM GLASTONBURYThe largest performance festival in the world

tested the students’ skills to the limits, and

they passed with first-class honours – receiving

broadcast credits, mentions in the national

press, offers of work and fantastic feedback

from clients.

The Solent team made themselves an

essential part of the festival, delivering outside

broadcasts across two stages, providing

footage to Reuters, the BBC, ITV, Channel

4 and news agencies from around the

world, and contributing 14 news videos for

Glastonbury’s own TV service.

Solent’s contribution wasn’t limited to the

entertainment, either, with a short film from

students on the animation and television

production degrees helping keep the festival –

and neighbouring cows – safe from the perils

of Chinese lanterns.

Solent senior technician, Dave Poulton, started

the work experience in 2004. Since then,

Solent students have learnt their trade while

mixing with the world’s biggest performers in

roles ranging from film production and radio

reporting, to backstage management and

filming live acts.

Final-year journalism student Georgina Laming

says of her student experience: “I interviewed

Liam Gallagher, Tony Benn, Billy Bragg, Michael

Eavis and the wonderful Lucy Holmes.”

“I had my work broadcast on ITV2 and online

for the Guardian; witnessed a father and son

meet for the first time in 34 years; saw a man

propose to his girlfriend; and was there to see

Alex Turner in the flesh. Glastonbury 2013 was

pretty incredible.”

STATE-OF-THE-ART BROADCASTINGAlong with the enthusiasm and competence

of Solent’s student and staff, it’s the university’s

state-of-the-art outside broadcast (OB) vehicle

which makes the team so indispensible. Recently

updated with a quarter of a million pounds’

worth of the latest technology, the truck gives

students and university partners access to one of

the best-equipped OB set ups in the UK.

Featuring high-definition (HD) technology and

a satellite dish for easier communications, the

truck’s facilities have made the Solent team’s

content highly sought-after by international

news agencies – with HD footage of

Glastonbury’s Silver Hayes stage featuring on

BBC Three’s coverage of the world-renowned

event. “As far as we know, no other university in

the country has got such a high spec OB vehicle

with full broadcast and HD capability,” said Sean

Lancastle, senior lecturer in media technology.

It’s been a busy summer for Solent University’s media, journalism and backstage students, touring the country with the university’s state-of-the-art outside broadcast (OB) truck and building hands-on experience at a series of music festivals and other events – including the world-renowned Glastonbury festival.

FESTIVAL FIRSTS

8 | AUTUMN 2013

ISSUE 11 | FESTIVAL WORK

FESTIVAL WORK | ISSUE 11

ON THE ROAD The opportunities Solent provides for its

broadcast and journalism students aren’t

limited to Glastonbury, however. The Solent

team have been providing broadcast support

at national events since the 2012 Olympics,

including Bestival, Children in Need and

Truck Festival, and the packed season of work

experience culminated with Butserfest, the

alcohol- and drug-free rock and metal music

festival organised by East Hampshire District

Council in September.

WEATHER-PROOFAs well as live-streaming the festival, Solent

students were responsible for running two

of Butserfest’s three stages – giving students

real-world experience on a whole new level.

“Having to run a large team and operate

between multiple stages is one of the biggest

challenges I have ever faced,” said sound

engineering student Mark Tucker.

The weather proved troublesome as rain

lashed the festival site, but Solent’s students

rose fantastically to the challenge according

to senior lecturer in media technology Polly

Long. “It was a great learning opportunity for

students to work in a live environment, facing

live technical challenges.

“We’ve had great feedback from the festival

organisers and festival-goers… and from those

at home who were able to watch the live

stream in the dry!”

FULL-SERVICE SUPPORTIn addition to providing audio-visual and

technical expertise, the university’s Career

Coach proved popular, providing advice on

courses and university options to potential

students, while the university’s noise and

acoustic consultancy, Solent Acoustics, were

on hand to monitor sound levels.

Councillor Ferris Cowper, Leader of East

Hampshire District Council and Butserfest

founder, said: “Our growing relationship with

Southampton Solent University continues to

prove very positive for the festival. The live-

stream is a big step forward, and I’m sure we can

find many other ways to work in partnership to

make the festival grow and succeed.”

These kinds of industry partnerships are at the

heart of Solent University’s distinctive offering,

ensuring students receive the opportunities

for practical experience that provide a

massive boost to their career prospects. It’s

great for the students, and great for graduate

employers to know that with Solent they’re

getting tried and tested professionals. But for

now, we look forward to seeing what festival

firsts Solent’s outside broadcast teams will

deliver in the year ahead.

…I interviewed Liam Gallagher, Tony Benn, Billy Bragg, Michael Eavis and the wonderful Lucy Holmes…

AUTUMN 2013 | 9

10 | AUTUMN 2013

ISSUE 11 | SHOWCASE

Oliver Knowles, BA (Hons) Fine Art, presented

100 views of Tokyo. During the residency

Oliver created a series of prints of Tokyo

using Google’s online ‘Street View’ tool, and

references traditional Japanese woodblock

printer Utagawa Hiroshige. The collection

depicted the post-war influence of America

on Japan commenting on the western

influence on eastern life plus technology’s

influence on the world in general. Exploring

this further, was an interactive augmented

reality piece where figures materialised from

nowhere through the use of an iPad to create

‘ghosts’ frozen in an invisible virtual space.

Benjamin Else, BA (Hons) Photography,

showcased Rearranging Atoms, an

exploration of the balance between

man-made and natural objects. His work

examined this relationship by constructing

sculptural arrangements of various

contrasting objects, which formed the

subject for his images. His objects were

delicately and precisely arranged through

planning and instinct, and the process

of creating these arrangements took

on a methodical, almost religious, ritualistic

experience.

Julia Soboleva, BA (Hons) Illustration,

presented Faceless Society. For Julia, an

image-maker favouring collage, modelling and

installation, the story is of primary importance

and her projects involved a lot of journalistic

research. For the residency Julia illustrated the

short story The Nose by nineteenth-century

Russian writer Nikolai Gogol, encompassing

the dark side of humanity, corruption in

society and human nature.

Andreea Stan, BA (Hons) Animation,

showcased her short animation film, Rekindle.

Using pen, pencil, and ink, Andreea, an

accomplished filmmaker, hand-drew each

frame of her animation before scanning it into

her computer, prioritising the human touch

over technology. Her work touches on the key

themes of love, death, loss and longing.

Louise Bradley, BA (Hons) Fine Art, used a

variety of media to create her work and

her sculptures always involve physical

construction. During her residency

Louise produced Meditations on Death, a

multimedia work bringing together two films

with various sculptural elements. The work

looks closely at specific moments in time,

together with philosophical issues about the

body as a bid to immortalise ourselves.

Six degrees forward which ran in Solent Showcase Gallery from 30 August – 3 October 2013, presented the innovative works of six emerging artists. All six artists were recent graduates of Southampton Solent University’s school of art and design and were awarded prestigious residency awards by the university.

SIX DEGREES OF SUCCESS

The White Dress

A simple white dress gets a colourful

makeover thanks to an innovative

international collaboration between

Solent University and the Hong Kong

Design Institute (HKDI).

Students from both institutions

explored creativity across cultures

through the common ground of

the White Dress. They were given

identical copies of a collection of 17

white dresses and asked to create

styled images.

In some of the images the different

cultural influences are evident, with

elements of kitsch and harajuku;

while some students draw upon

social themes such as toxicity,

materialism and the unrest of

1980s England.

Jennifer Anyan, Fashion and Media

Styling Programme Leader at Solent

and visiting fellow of the HDKI, says:

“The diverse ways that the White

Dress is customised, accessorised

and situated demonstrates the scope

of the stylist’s role in defining how

clothing communicates”

Students from Solent University’s

BA (Hons) Fashion Photography,

BA (Hons) Photography and BA

(Hons) Make-up and Hair Design,

worked with the design teams

to produce the stunning images

featured in a publication celebrating

the final designs.

A selection of the final images

are also being exhibited in both

Southampton and Hong Kong.

NEWS IN BRIEF

AUTUMN 2013 | 11

EXHIBITION | ISSUE 11

Southampton celebrates 175 years of the

modern port this year and at Southampton

Solent University the landmark date

was marked with the opening of two

complementary art exhibitions in October.

‘Port Perspectives’, an exhibition of newly-

commissioned works by university staff,

students and local school students captured

the artists’ personal views, commentary and

feelings of the port and the surrounding area.

The tone for the show was set by Philip

Brannon’s 1861 imagined view of the city

and the port, providing a platform for fellow

artists to re-imagine aspects of the port and

its environs. Peter Jarvis, a lecturer for the BA

(Hons) Illustration course, was commissioned

by the university to create four large

paintings showcasing views of the port and

Southampton Water. Mandy Lee Jandrell, BA

(Hons) Photography course leader, has created

three large scale photographic montage works

reflecting upon the aesthetics of logistics. An

English Journey is a contemplative piece by

artist Andrew Cross. By bolting a camera to

the brow of an Isle of Wight Ferry, he produced

a contemplative video of the journey. Senior

BA (Hons) Photography lecturer, Stephen

Brigdale, has reworked LANDFALLS, a film

and photography work that explores the

physical topographies of land and water in

relation to the physical histories of the Titanic,

concentrating on Southampton. Red Hot Press

worked with Southampton Solent University

first-year animation students and Oasis

Academy Lordshill pupils to gather visual art

work – photographs, film footage, drawings and

written notes – which were transformed into

artworks using photo transfer printing and film.

Over at the Concourse Gallery in the Michael

Andrews Building, East Park Terrace, ‘Any port

in a storm’ is an exhibition by documentary-

style seascape artist Clive McCarthy.

The evocative art showcase celebrates

McCarthy’s life and work out of

Southampton Docks as a technician

labourer maintaining and repairing the

boilers of ships. His job took him around

the world, working on the vessels as they

sailed. McCarthy’s lengthy periods spent

on the high seas were not idly wasted, he

passed the time sketching and painting the

seascapes that confronted him every day.

The familiar dry docks of Southampton,

Brest and the ports of the Caribbean can be

recognised in this exhibition too.

The show displays McCarthy’s keen interest

in sketching his colleagues in the cavernous

boilers of the ships on which they worked.

These would later be worked up into

huge paintings documenting the dark,

claustrophobic caves of a ship’s boiler, eerily

lit by flashing sparks of a welder’s torch.

Much of the works on show depict the ships’

coordinates of the threatening storms that

ensued and which often prevented ships

from entering port for days. These were

often painted by McCarthy on redundant

navigation charts allowing the underlying

islands and exotic place names to break

through the overlying paint.

McCarthy has since returned to the Port of

Southampton to extend his collection and

to capture the changes in the port’s post-

industrial landscape. The dry docks have long

gone, replaced by one of the largest metal

recycling and export facilities in the UK.

There is free admission to the Concourse

Gallery space and it is open weekdays from

9am to 8pm and weekends from 9am to 4pm.

The exhibition runs until 31 December 2013.

Southampton celebrates 175 years of the modern port this year and at Southampton Solent University the landmark date was marked with the opening of two complementary art exhibitions in October.

ART OF THE PORT

Left to right: Peter Jarvis, Clive McCarthy

12 | AUTUMN 2013

ISSUE 11 | LEARNING

An important part of Southampton

Solent University’s commitment to

inclusivity and social justice, the Bright

Sparks programme gives young people

in years 5–13 the chance to access

activities, events and competitions, all

designed to ignite a passion for learning

and raise aspirations.

Bright Sparks is broken down into three

main groups: Solent Aspire for years 5–8,

Solent Inspire for years 9–11 and Solent Go

Higher for sixth-form and college students

from years 12–13 – who have potentially

life-changing decisions ahead.

Working closely with schools, colleges

and other education and community

organisations, Bright Sparks is designed to

be flexible, fitting around the timetables

and term schedules of each individual

school. And programme content is

tailored too, with Solent partnerships staff

collaborating with school and college staff

to ensure every pupil gets the most from

the programme.

GET SET The first step, Get Set days, are designed

to kick off the Bright Sparks experience

in a familiar classroom setting, bringing

student ambassadors and outreach staff

into schools.

Get Set days’ exciting learning activities

provide a taste of the career opportunities a

university education can bring. Pupils might

work together as a news team to research,

write and lay out their own front-page

stories, investigate engineering problems

like bridging the gap between tables using

only sheets of paper, or explore the science

of sport.

DISCOVER AND DOThe second step gives pupils a chance

to experience university life and studies

for themselves with a visit to the Solent

campus. They’ll take a tour of the university,

talk to staff and student ambassadors, and

take part in a mini-masterclass that builds

on their previous activities.

If their Get Set day involved a journalism

activity, for example, pupils could find

themselves in Solent’s state-of-the-art

newsroom in the new media academy,

learning to use the latest software and

developing their teamwork skills.

STUDENT AMBASSADORSThe success of the programme’s

engagement is largely due to Solent’s

student ambassadors, whose enthusiasm

and passion for learning can help to

overcome resistance and motivate young

people of all ages.

Great role models, they provide a first-hand

idea of university life. “Solent’s student

ambassadors were excellent,” Miriam

Kenny-Williams of Richard Taunton Sixth

Form College said. “They really helped

develop the students.”

GOING HIGHERFor college and sixth-form students, Bright

Sparks can help provide direction at a

challenging time. The Go Higher programme

is also open to individual students looking

for extra support – providing guidance on

a diverse range of issues, including writing

their personal statement, the UCAS system

and student finance.

The transition to higher education can be

a daunting time for parents and carers,

too – particularly those who never had the

chance to go to university themselves.

Solent’s university prep evenings are

designed to provide the information, tools

and support parents and carers might need

in order to feel confident they can help their

child make the right choice.

RAISING REGIONAL ASPIRATIONSSolent has always been a strong advocate

of inclusivity and social justice, doing its

utmost to ensure every child with the

ability to succeed has the opportunities

they deserve, whatever their background.

“Higher education isn’t the preserve of a

small elite’, says Dr Steve Lake, Solent’s

head of student recruitment. “Nearly half of

the 18-year-olds in this country now go on

to study at university. Solent Bright Sparks

is intended to get pupils to think about the

possibilities that studying at university can

bring – and to realise that with hard work,

it can be the right path for them to realise

their ambitions.”

For more information about the Bright

Sparks programme visit:

www.solent.ac.uk/brightsparks

Tel: +44 (0)23 8031 9539

or Email: partnerships@solent.ac.uk

Solent Bright Sparks programme brings a taste of university to Southampton’s young people – giving them a chance to meet our passionate student ambassadors and get a feel for university life.

SPARKING

SUCCESS

12 | AUTUMN 2013

AUTUMN 2013 | 13

?????? | ISSUE 11

SPARKING

SUCCESS

“”

Solent Bright Sparks is intended to get pupils to think about the possibilities that studying at university can bring…

50%Nearly half of the 18-year-olds in this country now go on to study at university

96.8%full-time Solent undergraduates are from state schools

14 | AUTUMN 2013

ISSUE 11 | MARITIME

Just one year after its high profile launch

at the Monaco Boat Show, WSA has seen

a 30% increase in student numbers.

To meet this increasing demand, WSA –

based at the university’s Warsash Maritime

Academy training centre – is setting sail for

Spanish waters to team up with one of the

industry’s most prestigious shipyard.

The Marina Barcelona 92 (MB’92) has

developed into a full service superyacht base

since the Barcelona Olympics of 1992. It

employs 100 people, supports 800 experts

and is renowned as the premier centre for all

aspects of superyacht repair and servicing.

It has contracts with some of the most

important companies in the industry, and is

a world leader in the provision of integrated

services for the world’s biggest yachts.

Already renowned for its world-class

education, WSA will deliver training courses

at the MB’92’s newly founded nautical

academy. The course portfolio will include

yacht deck and engineering certification

courses, as well as a comprehensive range

of mandatory and non-mandatory courses

including: human element, leadership and

management, international ship and port

facility security, maritime security, medical

and international safety management .

“This is an exciting development for the

academy and one which will help to cement

our reputation in the global industry,” says Lars

Lippuner, WSA business development manager.

“WSA aims to set new standards in

education and training to meet the

requirements of the luxury yacht sector and

to develop its future leaders. The partnership

with the nautical academy in MB’92 is a

perfect fit and further proof of the success

of the academy’s innovative collaborations

with the major partners in the industry.”

Southampton Solent University’s renowned Superyacht Academy (WSA) is expanding into Europe to meet the growing global demand for world-class crew.

WARSASH SUPERYACHT ACADEMY SETS SAIL FOR BARCELONA

…This is an exciting development for the academy… one which will help to cement our reputation in the global industry…

AUTUMN 2013 | 15

MARITIME | ISSUE 11

ABOUT SUPERYACHTSA superyacht is a commercially operated

luxury yacht (motor or sail powered), which

is professionally crewed and has a loadline

length of 24 metre and above. Some are

used exclusively by their owners while

others are operated as charter businesses.

Although a notoriously secretive industry,

the largest vessel currently under

construction, known as Project Azzam, is

believed to be 180m long and to have cost

in the region of £400million. It is currently

being fitted out at German Shipbuilder

Lurssen’s yard and it is believed it will

require 150 sea-going staff.

Previously, the world’s largest private yacht

was the M/Y Eclipse. Owned by Russian

billionaire and Chelsea FC owner Roman

Abramovich, it is 164m long, employs more

than 70 crew and is thought to have cost in

the region of 340m Euros to build.

THE SPECIALISTSThe global superyacht industry has an

annual turnover of 24 billion Euros, from

yacht-build to repairs, services, berths and

crewing with 54% of the total amount

created in Europe.

The world’s superyacht fleet has more than

doubled in size in the last ten years, with

4,950 yachts currently in service and more

under construction.

The industry directly employs 148,000 to

163,000 personnel worldwide, and its rapid

expansion has increased demand for trained

and experienced yacht crew at a time when

there is a shortfall in the supply of personnel.

As the only centre of its kind WSA is well

placed to help address that demand. Due to

its unique collaboration between Warsash

Maritime Academy, Southampton Solent

University and a group of high-quality

service providers, it offers a comprehensive

range of courses for both sea-going and

shore-side staff. From entry-level training for

deck, engineering and interior crew through

to progression training and certification for

officers and captains, this innovative training

centre is helping to expand the horizons of

those wishing to work in this lucrative sector.

New HORIZON

for maritime safety

Researchers from Southampton

Solent University have been awarded

$1.5 million by the TK Foundation

in Nassau, Bahamas, to lead an

international research project into

seafarer fatigue.

Building on its predecessor project

HORIZON, a €3.4 million European

Commission-funded study into

fatigue at sea, MARTHA will continue

this research and pilot some of the

recommendations made by experts

at Solent and the Stress Research

Institute at Stockholm University.

Superyacht app

Warsash Superyacht Academy (WSA),

became the first superyacht training

provider to develop an app for its

students this autumn. Launched on

25 September, the learning app

enables students to access updated

course materials, news, career

information and a wide range of

training materials via iPads.

The app – created by CM Group – is

available to download free from the

Apple iTunes Store, and WSA students

have the added benefit of accessing

their course materials via a user name

and password.

“The ability app removes the need for

them to carry course material with

them while they are travelling and

working globally,” says Lars Lippuner,

WSA Business Development Manager.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Above: The Marina Barcelona 92 (MB’92)

16 | AUTUMN 2013

ISSUE 11 | TECHNOLOGY

‘So who do you want to be?’ I cheekily asked the Vice-Chancellor as he took hold of the controls of the Beaulieu Racer, ‘a racing driver?’

‘‘Well, that’s a secret wish I think a lot of

us have had’, he answered as he tried his

speed driving skills on the treacherous

track. And where better to have a go than

here at the Beaulieu Motor Museum,

surrounded by beautifully preserved

classic cars from the past and present?

The Beaulieu Racer was thought up by

several members from Beaulieu and was

created by two Solent graduates Adrian

Gordon and Arran Langmead, who both

graduated in 2012 with different degrees,

but who got together to bring their different

skills and experiences to form LudoPhobia,

a graduate start-up company. Andy Sexton,

another Solent graduate in Product Design

designed and constructed the exhibition

with Beaulieu National Motor Museum to

engage, entertain and educate the national

attraction’s visitors.

‘I have always wanted to design video

games since I was a kid’, said Arran. ’It’s a

lot of hard work but when you see people

enjoying something that you have helped

create it makes it all worthwhile.’

Current BA (Hons) Computer and Video

Games students from Southampton Solent

University researched Beaulieu National

Motor Museum’s extensive collection of

motoring photographs and printed reference

material and also helped to design the

interactive game.

The ‘Beaulieu Racer’ game is based on

genuine vehicles from Beaulieu Museum’s

collection, including the 1903 Napier

Gordon Bennett, 1904 De Dion Bouton

Model Q 6hp, the 1928 Austin Seven Tourer

and the 1971 Ford Capri 1600L. Users can

choose different motor parts from the wide

collection of Beaulieu cars and combine

them together to make their own custom-

made car design; then buckle-up for an

exciting race around the virtual track to

attempt to set the best lap time.

The project is jointly funded by

Southampton Solent University’s

Entrepreneurs Scheme and the European

‘VIVID’ initiative which seeks to enhance

visual design in the heritage sector.

DRIVING AMBITION

…when you see people enjoying something that you have helped create it makes it all worthwhile…

Top left: (l-r) Aaron James Davies, Richard McCarthy, Jaymie Clampitt.Top right: (l-r) Adrian Gordon, Arran Langmead.Bottom right: (l-r) Adrian Gordon, Peter Lloyd, Arran Hangmead, Professor Van Gore.

AUTUMN 2013 | 17

ENTERPRISE | ISSUE 11

A keen business sense, bagfuls of energy and a passion for helping enterprising students and graduates to succeed, has resulted in a national award for Rosy Jones, Solent University’s Head of Employment and Enterprise.

ENTERPRISE CHAMPION

Funding futures

Eight more students have received

bursaries from a scholarship fund set

up in memory of a Solent graduate

who was tragically killed while

travelling abroad in 2002.

The Lisa Wilson Scholarship Fund was

set up by the Wilson family to help

young people with the cost of their

education at Solent. It has now helped

68 students since the fund was set up.

Speaking at the scholarship awards

ceremony, Clive Wilson said: “It’s

amazing to think that nearly 11 years

after her untimely death Lisa’s fund is

able to help other young adults fulfil

their educational dreams.”

Model students

First-year yacht production student

Alice Courage, became the first woman

to win a model yacht race which began

more than 40 years ago, as end of

term fun for Solent yacht design and

production students.

The annual race now forms part of

the first-year assessment for BEng

(Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design

and BEng (Hons) Yacht Production and

Surveying students.

More than 40 budding designers

competed for the coveted title at

Gosport Boating Lake, scrutinised by their

lecturers. The students spend 100 hours

designing and building the vessels to the

yacht design rules, with 85% of the mark

awarded on the design and build quality

and 15% on their yacht’s performance.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Jointly run by the National Centre for

Entrepreneurship in Education and Enterprise

Educators UK, the awards recognise

outstanding achievement in this sector.

A fierce supporter of entrepreneurship,

she has been recognised for the passion,

innovation and leadership she has brought

to student enterprise over the past 12 years.

“For me, entrepreneurship is about helping

our students realise they can use their skills

to do something they love. That they have

the necessary skills and capabilities to work

for themselves, make their own money and

pursue their dreams in industries where

becoming a freelancer or consultant is the

norm,” says Rosy, “A strong focus on putting

students and graduates at the heart of

its enterprise strategy is what sets Solent

University apart.”

“This year alone, the university has given

out £86,000 from its slice of the Higher

Education Innovation Fund, helping 54

students set up 49 businesses, with grants

of between £500 and £2,000.”

And Solent’s strong commitment to

enterprise is producing excellent results.

Around 40% of the university’s graduates

launch careers either working for themselves

or for micro businesses, and a further 40%

of university start-ups are still running three

years after they began trading.

A successful businesswoman in her own

right, Rosy has used her knowledge to

create materials for start-up programmes

and strengthen links between the business

community and higher education.

Among her numerous achievements she

is particularly proud of setting up the

Dynamo Challenge – a Dragon’s Den-type

competition for student entrepreneurs

from the five regional universities – and

organising the first ever Enterprise Support

Conference for university enterprise officers.

Since joining Solent she launched the Solent

Entrepreneurs’ Network for Sustainable

Enterprises (SENSE). Keen to continue

supporting entrepreneurial students after

they leave the university, this scheme enables

graduate entrepreneurs to meet up, learn from

each other and receive support and advice.

“I want to be able to commission one or

two of our graduate businesses to create a

forum and website, so that even more of our

graduate businesses can support each other

during those vital first years of start-up.

Ask any leading businessman what

key ingredients make up a successful

entrepreneur and they will invariably say

‘passion, drive and determination’. In this

respect, Rosy is a perfect role model for

Solent’s budding entrepreneurs.

…putting students and graduates at the heart of its enterprise strategy is what sets Solent University apart…

Above: Enterprise Society Champion of the year at the prestigious National Enterprise Educator Awards (NEEA) 2013

ISSUE 11 | ??????

18 | AUTUMN 2013

Want to further your career prospects?Postgraduate coursesWe offer a wide range of postgraduate courses, in the following areas:

• Advertising/Communications

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Short coursesOur professional development units (PDUs) and short courses offer continuing professional development to meet your specific business needs. We can also offer employer-driven courses tailored to your organisation. For a list of courses visit our website.

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