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4 November 2013Issue 2 Volume 11
unilifeManchester honours a model of science history
The free magazine for The University of Manchester
Visiting our new student support space The Atrium
Message from the President
The success of the University depends on many factors - but none more than the quality, commitment and engagement of our staff - at all levels. It’s all too easy to focus on prominent ‘stars’,who are indeed extremely important to our University, but wesucceed or fail based on the contribution of every single one of our staff in every area.
Contact usNews and story ideasMikaela Sitfordtel 0161 275 2112email [email protected]/staffnet/newsDeadline 13 November 2013
Events and listings informationPhilippa Adsheadtel 0161 275 2922email [email protected] 13 November 2013
Ads Ruth Middletontel 0161 275 2922email [email protected] 13 November 2013
Next issue 2 December 2013
NewsFour Nobel Prize winners under the same Manchester roof
NewsFabulous figurines reveal secrets of ancient Africa
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ecause of this commitment to our staff, weput a great deal of effort into the recent StaffSurvey with the aim of hearing from as manyemployees as possible about their
experiences and views of our University.
Previous Staff Surveys have had such low responserates (below 30%) that we had little confidence inacting on the findings as there was no clearmandate from staff. We know that at least a 50%response rate is needed to draw any meaningfulconclusions - so we made this our institutional KeyPerformance Indicator (KPI) target for this project.
One of us (Martin) led a University group thatworked with staff to maximise response rates. Theresult was remarkable - 71% of staff responded tothe survey, which made it the largest number ofresponses to a staff survey run by Capita (thecompany that carried out the survey on our behalf)
in the higher education sector in 2012/13. So we willprobably raise our target for participation next time.
Headline findings of the survey included:• The main KPI was the percentage of staff satisfied
with their job - with a target of 80% by 2015. Infact we exceeded that target this year with 81%of staff saying they were satisfied
• 94% of respondents said that they think theUniversity is a good place to work. This meantthat at the time, our University ranked first out ofthe 28 higher education institutions surveyed byCapita in 2012/13
• 92% said they are proud to work at the University
• 95% said they felt safe and secure on campus
• 88% said they knew what they were expected toachieve in their job
These results are extremely encouraging and on thewhole show that staff are very positive aboutworking here. But we are not complacent; we knowthat there is more that we could be doing to makeour University an even better place to work.
In this context, a key response in the survey was thatmany staff (actually 41%) did not expect that theircomments would make a real difference.
But they must do. So we, our senior colleagues onthe Senior Leadership Team, and the oversightgroup are focussing a great deal of attention onaddressing those areas where scores were lower thanwe would hope.
University-level themes have been developed as well as action plans for each Faculty, the Professional Support Services (PSS) and theLibrary/visitor attractions.
The University-level themes identify four key areasfor immediate action:
Behaviours The Survey highlighted a number of unacceptablebehaviours within the University, including reports ofDiscussing the Staff Survey with Martin Humphries
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Contents2 Message from the President
4 News
9 Teaching, Learning and Students
12 Research
14 Features
18 What’s On
20 Making a Difference
Front cover: Honorary graduate Professor Peter Higgs
Photo by Craig Strong
ResearchRevealing the rowdy past of parks
EngagementAll aboard the Worm Wagon!12 16
discrimination and bullying. Many staff also reporteda high level of stress that was triggered by a rangeof factors, including workload and conflict withmanagers and colleagues. We therefore aim todefine and embed a set of behaviours that will havea transformational effect on the interactionsbetween our staff.
Performance and Development Review (P&DR) One of the clearest messages coming from the Staff Survey was dissatisfaction with the currentP&DR processes in the University. Relevant to thisissue is the related topic of work-life balance (whichcovers workload management, time managementand the opportunity to take breaks). A P&DR ReviewGroup has already been established, which aims tointroduce a new P&DR process for staff in all partsof our University.
Recognition and rewardOne topic that is closely linked with P&DR, but whichwill be tackled separately, is recognition and reward.A working group will be established to focusspecifically on staff recognition, reward mechanisms
(including re-grading and promotion) and ensuringstaff feel valued. Research staff and some parts ofthe PSS feel particularly undervalued currently.
LeadershipPerhaps the dominant issue raised in the Staff Surveyrelates to leadership and management. A workinggroup will be established to examine how we canimprove the preparation, selection, training andperformance monitoring of those in leadership andmanagement roles. This general emphasis woulddirectly address a number of specific issues raised inthe Staff Survey, including managing change andlistening to and communicating with staff. Effectivemanagement also requires a positive attitude fromstaff and the working group will examine the issueof personal accountability. This would directlyaddress issues such as responsibility for individualtargets, ambition and performance, challenging poor behaviour, tolerance, team working, timemanagement and ensuring opinions are heard.
Each working group will have senior academic andPSS co-leads and wide representation. Early tasks forthe groups will be to scope out their topic,
incorporate on-going projects into their thinking,develop a plan to address the issues raised by theStaff Survey, and identify specific targets for one,two and five years.
The Staff Survey is extremely important, but is justone of many means we have to understand whatour staff like and are happy about and to identifytheir concerns. There is an array of other means forcommunicating your views - through your School orDirectorate, via Senate, in open meetings with staffacross the University, or simply by presenting yourviews and concerns to senior staff in the University.
There will be on-going and regular communicationsabout progress with the actions plans. This is anarea to which we and all of our senior staff arehighly committed and we want to ensure that weact on your comments.
Professor Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
Professor Martin Humphries,Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences
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With Science Minister David Willetts MP at the National Graphene Institute site
News
Celebrating equalityand diversity
New directorappointedUMI3 Ltd, the University’s technology transfercompany, has announced the appointment ofScott Fletcher as a non-executive Director.
Manchester-born Scott is one the country’sleading entrepreneurs, heading up companieswith a total valuation in excess of £100 million.
Scott said: “It’s a great privilege to be part of the University in this way. It is a universitywhich has a rich, proud history and itsinnovative vision for the future, excellentworld-class research facilities and strongpipeline of novel technologies are what enticedme to join as a non-executive Director.”
Centre stage atConservative PartyConference
he University took centre stage when it setup home in the Innovation Zone at theConservative Party Conference last month.
Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign SecretaryWilliam Hague and Health Secretary Jeremy Huntwere among hundreds of delegates who visited theUniversity’s four stands.
Unsurprisingly, graphene featured prominently.Visitors were able to make some of the wondermaterial using sticky tape as well as learn about theUniversity’s National Graphene Institute (NGI),which will be the world’s leading centre ofgraphene research and commercialisation.
Science Minister David Willetts also visited the £61 million facility, set to open in 2015.
Also exhibiting was SpiNNaker, a massivesupercomputer currently being built by a team in the School of Computer Science. The machine is built to mimic the brain’s biological structure and behaviour.
iMagiMat – also known as ‘the magic carpet’ – anintelligent mat made up of plastic optical fibres, laidon the underlay of a carpet, also featured alongwith University spin-out company, Nanoco whichdevelops and manufactures quantum dots, solarinks and other nanomaterials.
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The University has been awarded five Athena SWAN Awards, which recogniseand celebrate good practice in recruiting, retaining and promoting women inscience, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) in higher education.
That takes our total to eight Schools carrying the honour – three with Silverawards and five with Bronze.
The Schools of Chemistry, Dentistry, Psychological Sciences, Nursing, Midwiferyand Social Work and Medicine – which includes six Institutes and ManchesterMedical School – were presented with the awards.
They are funded by the Equality Challenge Unit, the Royal Society, theBiochemical Society and the Department of Health.
Dr Helen Dutton and Professor Nancy Rothwellwith one of our Athena SWAN awards
Creator of SpiNNaker Professor Steve Furber (right)
Four Nobel Prizewinners under the same Manchester roof
our Nobel Prize winners gathered together atour University to celebrate Foundation Day last month.
Professor Peter Higgs, joint winner of this year’s NobelPrize for his discovery of the Higgs boson and ProfessorMario Molina, who received his Nobel Prize in Chemistryin 1995 for his work on CFCs and their impact onthe ozone layer, both received honorary degrees.
And our own Nobel Prize winners Professors AndreGeim and Kostya Novoselov celebrated the RegiusProfessorship being conferred upon the School ofPhysics and Astronomy. Sir Andre also became theinaugural Regius Professor.
Honorary degrees were also conferred upon footballinglegend Sir Bobby Charlton for his work in landminedetection and Frances O’Grady, an alumnus of ourUniversity and the current General Secretary of the TUC.
Hundreds of staff, students and visitors packed intoUniversity Place to hear Professor Molina speakabout climate change.
And Professor Higgs took time out from thecelebrations to meet with students in the School ofPhysics and Astronomy who built a Lego model ofthe ATLAS detector, the part of the Large HadronCollider involved in one of the two experiments thatdiscovered the Higgs boson.
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Manchester tobecome City ofScienceManchester will be European City of Sciencein 2016, having been selected to host theEuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) which takesplace every two years.
Professor Luke Georghiou, Vice-President for Research and Innovation, was jointlyresponsible for the team, in partnership withthe City authorities, which prepared thesuccessful bid.
He said: “We’re delighted to be able toorganise Europe’s biggest general scienceconference. With Manchester’s uniquetradition in technology, industry, engineering,science and innovation, we’re sure that wecan offer a superb environment for delegatesfrom all over the world.”
The main aims of ESOF are to showcase thelatest advances in science and technology,promote a dialogue on the role of science andtechnology in society and public policy, andstimulate and provoke public interest, excitementand debate about science and technology.
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Honorary graduates (front row, second left to right) Frances O’Grady, Professor Mario Molina, Professor Peter Higgs and Sir Bobby Charlton
Professor Peter Higgs with the Lego model of the ATLAS detector
News
Osborneannounces Sino-British healthpartnershipThe Manchester Academic Health ScienceCentre (MAHSC) has formed a partnership withthe Peking University Health Sciences Centre toestablish an international centre of excellencein genetic medicine.
The new Peking-Manchester Centre forGenomic Medicine, announced by Chancellorof the Exchequer George Osborne, will bemade up of three research facilities – theInternational Centre for Rare Diseases, theCentre for Cancer Genetics, and the JointClinical Trials Facility.
MAHSC’s involvement is being led by theManchester Centre for Genomic Medicine,with the aim of leading the world in geneticand genomic medicine for research intoinherited diseases and delivering services tofamilies with inherited disorders.
Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty ofMedical and Human Sciences and Director ofMAHSC, Professor Ian Jacobs, said: “This willlead to important health and research benefitsin the rapidly developing field of genetics tobenefit the people of both countries as well ashaving a global impact.
“The joint venture will contribute to thefurther development of the research strengthof the Manchester Academic Health ScienceCentre and advance Manchester’sinternational reputation as a world leader in personalised cancer medicine, whileimproving care and diagnosis for many people here and in China.”
Rebels with a causeot one, but two, soundtracks to freedomhave been released thanks to Universityacademics.
A tiny 165-year-old pamphlet identified by aUniversity academic as the only surviving copy of aChartist hymn book has been transformed into a CDby veteran protest singer Garth Hewitt.
After reading in The Church Times that Dr MikeSanders had discovered the ‘National Chartist HymnBook’ at Todmorden public library, Garth brought the16 hymns to life. Called “Liberty is Near!”, the CD isthe first time Chartist hymns have been recorded.
And an album of revolutionary and political musicproduced by artists from across the globe, has been digitally released as a free download via thewebsite Bandcamp.
The collection of 33 songs from 33 countries called ‘33RPM – Voices of the Revolution’, chronicles oppression, uprisings, land rights issues, political and social abuses and acts ofrevolution and is supported by the University’s In Place of War research project.
• To buy Liberty is Near!visit: www.garthhewitt.orgor www.kevinmayhew.com
• To download 33RPM – Voices of the Revolution visit: http://bandcamp.comand for more details visit:http://33rpmvoices.wordpress.com orhttps://twitter.com/33rpmvoices orwww.facebook.com/33rpmvoices
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Graphene pioneersawarded the Freedomof Manchester
rofessors Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselovare to be awarded the Honorary Freedom ofthe City of Manchester for theirgroundbreaking work on graphene.
This is the highest honour Manchester can bestowand is given in recognition of their pioneering work.
The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Naeem ul Hassan, said: “The significance of their work ongraphene is breath-taking and we are yet to trulygrasp the magnitude of its real-life applications.
“Manchester is a city born of innovation so it is onlyright we recognise the achievements of Sir Andre andSir Kostya - who have joined the pantheon of scientificgiants connected to our forward-looking city.”
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The pair (pictured) will be presented with thefreedom of the city at a special event early next year.
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Making a differenceore than 100 mysterious purple circlesappeared across campus during Octoberposing the intriguing question “What doesdifference look like?”
The answer was revealed a few days later wheneach circle featured a photo and story from aManchester member of staff, student or alumni,who are all doing their bit to make a difference to the world.
People were also urged to share their own story onthe makeadifferencemcr.tumblr.com blog.
All of this activity was the work of the Directoratefor Social Responsibility which is tasked withshowing how our University has an impact onpeople’s lives on a local, national and global scale.
Julian Skyrme, Director of Social Responsibility, said: “We hope staff will be inspired by thecampaign to share the ways they are making apositive difference to society.
From researching to recycling, public engagement topedagogy, we want this initial awareness-raisingcampaign to celebrate and profile the great workcolleagues are doing that contributes to our socialresponsibility priorities.”
During November and December a new set ofpriorities, programmes, a publication and websiteare being launched as part of a redeveloped strategyto promote our work in this area.
“I encourage staff to get involved in this firstcampaign” said Julian. “It takes a only a few
minutes of your time but will help recognise andprofile what is happening across the Universityahead of a range of additional engagementopportunities we have planned.”
You can add some text, an image or weblink to themakeadifferencemcr blog. And if you use twitter, pleasefollow @SocialResponUoM and use the hashtag#makeadifferencemcr to join the conversation.
• UniLife is running a series of articles, showcasingthe social responsibility work of our colleagues.For the latest, turn to page 20.
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Medics breathe newlife into the arts
he link between medicine and the arts was demonstrated when theManchester Museum took part in the annual Manchester Weekender.
The Museum provided the setting for a poetry and medicine workshopled by Caroline Hawkridge, writer in residence at the National Aspergillosis Centre.
‘Open the Windows’ offered readings from cardiologist and poet DeniseBundred, and Rebecca Goss who explored illness, bereavement and new lifethrough her moving and personal works.
Chris Davies and Beth Allen provided a musical interlude with their minimaland wordless piece, the result of a new commission by The NationalAspergillosis Centre which treats patients with fungal disease of the lungs.
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Dr Tracey Speake from theManchester Access Programme
Denise Bundred Rebecca Goss
Social Responsibility and Volunteer of the Year Awards 2012 staff winner Lenox Green
News
Fabulous figurines revealsecrets of ancient Africa
ecrets of sixty remarkable clay figurines – upto 1,400-years-old - have been revealed at aManchester Museum exhibition.
This is the first time the beautiful objects have beenseen publicly outside Ghana.
The figurines, including two-headed humans, achameleon, a crocodile and a man on horseback,are thought to have been used to invoke the help ofancestors to cure illnesses.
Using computed tomography scanning techniquesat the University, the team revealed hidden channelswithin the objects which they think had a medicinalfunction, used for liquid ritual offerings.
Further analysis by the team, led by ProfessorBenjamin Kankpeyeng from The University ofGhana, working with Professor of ArchaeologyTimothy Insoll, will show what liquid ritual offeringswere actually used.
“This will help us to further raise the profile, andpromote the work that is continuing at theUniversity, to increase the current provision of AEDsand the delivery of Basic Life Support training tostaff, students and the local community.”
There are more than 20 AEDs at key locationsaround the campus. Providing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) with defibrillationincreases the chance of the casualty surviving thearrest tenfold to 50 per cent.
• To find out where AEDs are located on campus,look for the green heart symbol on the CampusMap: http://bit.ly/aJ158u
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Brazilian linksThe University has signed a £100,000agreement with Brazil’s leading scientific researchfunding agency to promote research linksbetween the UK and the state of São Paulo.
The five-year agreement with FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation) will make iteasier for UK researchers to work alongsidecolleagues from Brazil’s top-ranked universities.
The memorandum of understanding was signedby FAPESP President Celso Lafer and ProfessorColin Bailey, Vice-President and Dean of theFaculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
University awarded from the hearthe University has won an award for its firstaid policy to install defibrillators and trainstaff and students to use them.
It was presented with the 2013 HeartSafe Tourismor Leisure Business of the Year award in recognitionof its work installing AEDs (automated externaldefibrillators) across its cultural assets, whichincludes the Manchester Museum, Jodrell Bank,John Rylands Library and the Whitworth Art Gallery.
Judges from the charity Hand on Heart, whose aim isto put defibrillators into schools all over the UK,praised the University for its work to ensure staff andstudents are trained in basic life support and AEDuse and their programs to train the local community.
Janet Makin, First Aid Co-ordinator, said: “We weredelighted to represent the University at such aninspiring event.
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(Left to right) Yvette Jeal, Chad McGitchie, Gina Grubband Janet Makin with Roy Wilding, Creative Director ofawards sponsor PushOn
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Teaching, Learning and Students
tudents in Manchester have successfullylaunched the first ever student-run foodbankto support their local community.
No other university in the UK has been able tolaunch such an initiative to support individuals andfamilies in their local neighbourhoods.
The project was launched by a team of 15 studentsfrom the University’s St Vincent de Paul Society, a Catholic voluntary group concerned aboutincreasing levels of food poverty in the city.
Project manager Joey Ferrigno, who graduated in July said: “We’re only open one day a week for a two-hour session but we hope to expand this to three sessions a week. We feel that we will be busy due to the high levels of poverty in Central Manchester.”
The aim of the Manchester Central Foodbank is toprovide support for disadvantaged people from theUniversity’s surrounding areas, some of the mostdeprived suburbs of the city.
Student volunteer Eamon O’Brien said: “We knowmany students who want to make a difference in theirlocal communities. There are fewer more importantissues in Manchester right now than food poverty.”
Julian Skyrme, the University’s Director for SocialResponsibility, said: “It’s said that what Manchesterdoes today the rest of the world does tomorrow.This student-led Foodbank is another first forManchester and is part of many other examples welaunched this week to highlight the difference ourUniversity is making to society.”
• Follow Joey on Twitter @joeyf19 or theManchester Foodbank at @Foodbank_MUSCC
First student-run foodbank opens its doors
Manchester graduatescelebrate success
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wo Manchester graduates have taken top honours at the 2013 SET(Science, Engineering, and Technology) Student of the Year Awards.
Laura Howarth-Kirke, a graduate of the School of Computer Science, won the award for the Best Computer Science Student.
Laura was also the highest scoring category winner, so also took the overall BP SETStudent of the Year Award. And her success meant that the award for the Lecturerof the Year went to Dr Gavin Brown, who supervised her final year project.
Adding to Manchester’s success was Joseph Northwood, a Masters student in theSchool of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, who won the ARM award for theBest Electronic Engineering Student for the ARTEMIS (Autonomous RoboticTechnology Enabling Minimally Invasive Surgery) Project.
Manchester students shortlisted for the awards were Michael O’Connor for bestChemical Engineering Student and James Roscow for best Materials Student Award.
In step to train social scientists
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Laura Howarth-Kirke (left) receives her award
Dr Jackie Carter and Dr Mark Brown
(Left to right) Joey Ferrigno and Eamon O’Brien
he University has been chosento host one of 15 Q-step centresto train social science studentsin techniques which help them
understand, analyse and criticise data.
Q-Step is a £19.5 million programmedesigned to promote a step-change inquantitative social science training.
It will help employers to recruit peoplewith the right skills needed to workcritically with data and is funded bythe Nuffield Foundation, theEconomic and Social Research Council(ESRC) and the Higher EducationFunding Council for England (HEFCE).
The Manchester Q-step centre willpromote the development of theseskills through an integrated set ofnew courses and work placement
opportunities, providing Manchesterstudents with a boost in a highlycompetitive graduate jobs market.
Co-directed by Dr Mark Brown and Dr Jackie Carter from Social Statistics, it pulls together a diverse team,involving colleagues from Sociology,Politics, Social Anthropology,Philosophy, Criminology and Linguistics.
Interim Head of the School of SocialSciences, Professor Chris Orme said:“It’s a huge boost for our studentsand will give them sought after skillsto make them highly attractive totheir future employers.”
www.nuffieldfoundation.org/q-step
• See our feature on improving ourstudents’ employability on page 14
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Teaching, Learning and Students
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Student support at the double!
Raising bags of charity cashscheme to raise charity cash set up byUniversity students and their local Sainsbury’ssupermarket has passed the £10,000 mark.
The scheme was set up in 2012 when Sainsbury’s and the University’s Volunteer and CommunityEngagement Team recruited student volunteers fromthe Manchester Leadership Programme (MLP) to carryout a series of fundraising bag packs at the checkouts– and raised more than £5,000 for Comic Relief.
Such was its success, the group decided to continuethe fundraising throughout the year, with the fundsbeing distributed to local charities.
Local charities and organisations benefitting fromthe scheme include ASSIST, Fallowfield Food Share,The Christie, Ladybarn Community Centre, ScoutGroups, St Ann’s Hospice and Willows PrimarySchool in Wythenshawe.
Kirsty Hutchison, Volunteering and CommunityEngagement Manager, said: “Some of the studentshave also chosen to volunteer with the organisationsthat they are raising money for, so they have beenable to see for themselves how the money is used to benefit the local community.”
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One of the Manchester Leadership Programme students at work
Thanks to its quirky interview pods,there’s space for confidential as wellas non-confidential conversations.
Director for the Student Experience Dr Tim Westlake said: “I amtremendously excited about the openingof The Atrium as the University’s one-stop shop for information, adviceand guidance for students. I amabsolutely certain that The Atrium candeliver tangible improvements to theservices we offer to our students andmake a real difference to theexperience of our students.
“Next time you are in University Place,why not visit The Atrium and see whatwe have on offer for our students?”
base will remain on Burlington Streetnear the Main Library.
And located on the first floor ofUniversity Place is The Atrium, animpressive space which brings togethera whole range of new and existingstudent advice and support services.
Staff can offer on-the-spot information, advice and guidance onmoney and finances, careers andemployability, studying abroad andhealth and wellbeing.
n-the-spot advice andinformation for students isnow available at twoprominent locations inUniversity Place.
The eye-catching new Welcome Deskon the ground floor foyer is open allyear round, run by staff from theStudent Services Centre.
They will be able to deal with mostquestions and queries from students.The Student Services Centre’s main
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Confidential interview pods
A welcoming reception
Manchester-trained medic helpsvictims of Kenyan mall siege
A meeting with…Naomi Smith, Education and InterpretationManager at Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
Naomi, a Manchester alumnus, helpsplan and deliver the educationprogramme at Jodrell Bank DiscoveryCentre for both schools and membersof the public. She visits schools as partof our Widening Participation outreachprogramme and is also involved inprojects such as the Science andTechnology Facilities Council-funded‘Explore your Universe’ project.
What’s the best part of your job?
All the fun of testing out new ideasfor workshops and shows is great andthe feedback I get from an audiencewhen I’m presenting a show orworkshop can be absolutely fantastic.
Any challenges?
Just trying to fit everything in! Thereare so many different aspects to myjob, but that’s why I enjoy it so much.
How did you get to the role youhave now?
I graduated from this Universityhaving studied Physics, then went to
work at the Science and TechnologyFacilities Council Daresbury Laboratoryfor eight years. My job there involveddesigning and operating particleaccelerators, and I also becameinterested and active in publicengagement. When the main particleaccelerator at Daresbury closed down,I decided to concentrate on a career inpublic engagement with science. I worked at a couple of other sciencecentres, gradually gaining experienceand also studied for my Masters inScience Communication. Shortlyafter that, I got a communicationsjob at CERN for six months, thenlanded my present role.
Any future projects coming up?
I’m continually developing new ideasfor our school and public programs.Anything which involves a newaudience is always particularly goodto be involved in.
Who would be your ideal dinnerparty guests?
Just my friends and family!
What would you say to your 16-year-old self now?
Not a lot. I wouldn’t want to spoilthings by having knowledge of the future!
Favourite book, film and TVprogramme?
I’m not much of a reader. Myfavourite film is probably ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’. It combines my love
of music and exploring new places!On TV, I enjoy comedy and drama.
Any interesting hobbies?
I play the flute in a local wind orchestraand I enjoy dancing (although I’mnot much good at it!) Also exploringplaces both on foot and by bike.
former PhD student has toldhow he struggled to cope whenfaced with the aftermath of therecent Kenyan mall siege,
when he volunteered to treat victims.
“I can’t help but be grateful for theinvaluable training I received atManchester,” commented Dr InnocentOrora Maranga, who completed hisPhD at the University’s Institute ofCancer Sciences and now works as aconsultant gynaecologist in Nairobi.
Sixty-one civilians and six soldiers areknown to have died and dozens arestill missing after a terrorist groupattacked shoppers in the Westgatemall in Nairobi last month.
Dr Maranga treated people with seriousinjuries, such as gunshot wounds andshrapnel injuries, in chaotic conditions.
He said: “The most difficult time forme was when I received from an
A ambulance an injured four-year-old girlwith a gun shot wound to her leg. Shewas in obvious pain but she wasn’tcrying! She was calm, calmer thanmost of us who were receiving her.
“I also witnessed first hand the powerand resolve of the human spirit in themidst of adversity. Thousands ofpeople were at hand to donate blood.I wanted to donate but had to wait tillthe third day after the attack, whenwe had fewer volunteers.”
Dr Maranga completed his PhD underthe supervision of Drs Ian and LynneHampson at the University’s Instituteof Cancer Sciences and Dr PeterGichangi in Nairobi.
Ian said: “Orora is a fantastic guy andit was my great privilege to have beenhis supervisor. Since then he hasbecome a valued collaborator andalso a dear friend.” Dr Innocent Orora Maranga (front) donates blood
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Research
Fasterdiagnosis forchildren withcataractsA new test devised by University scientists whichspeeds up the diagnosis of cataracts in childrenwill become available on the NHS in December.
The blood test - developed by ProfessorsGraeme Black and Jill Clayton-Smith, at theUniversity’s Institute of Human Development andSt Mary’s Hospital; Rachel Gillespie, also at theUniversity; and Professor Chris Lloyd fromManchester Royal Eye Hospital – checks allgenes known to cause congenital cataractsusing just one blood sample and will allow fasterdiagnosis and more personalised treatment.
Congenital cataracts is a leading cause ofblindness in children, affecting around 200,000children around the world every year - half ofcases are thought to be due to genetic mutations.
Housing crisishits minoritieshardestNew research from University sociologists hasrevealed a deep divide in who gets the bestaccess to the most desirable housing inEngland and Wales.
By analysing Census data from 1991 to 2011, Dr Nissa Finney and Dr Bethan Harries show thenation’s severe rise in insecure housing is hittingethnic minority groups hardest. The research wasfunded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
The trend, argue the researchers, showsminorities are much more likely to live in insecure,substandard, private rented accommodation.
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Climate puzzle over originsof life on Earth
he mystery of why life on Earth evolved whenit did has deepened with the publication of anew study in the journal Science.
Manchester scientists, working with colleagues inFrance, have ruled out a theory as to why the planetwas warm enough to sustain the earliest life formswhen the Sun’s energy was roughly three-quartersthe strength it is today.
Life evolved on Earth during the Archean, between3.8 and 2.4 billion years ago, but the weak Sunshould have meant the planet was too cold for lifeto take hold at this time; scientists are seeking toexplain the ‘faint, young Sun paradox’.
One explanation was that greenhouse gas levels –one of the regulators of the Earth’s climate – were
higher during the Archean than they are today, buttests on ancient fossil soils suggest only modestlevels of carbon dioxide during the Archean.
But another climate-warming theory – one the teamwanted to test – is that the amount of nitrogen couldhave been higher in the ancient atmosphere, whichwould amplify the greenhouse effect of carbondioxide and allow the Earth to remain ice-free.
Dr Ray Burgess, from the School of Earth,Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, said: “Ourresults gave a higher than expected pressure readingfor carbon dioxide – at odds with the estimatesbased on fossil soils – which could be high enoughto counteract the effects of the faint young Sun andwill require further investigation.”
Research reveals therowdy past of parks
University researcher has revealed a rowdyside to the history of our Victorian andEdwardian public parks – including our ownWhitworth Park.
Ruth Colton says that children were central to theestablishment of our well-loved parks.
The Victorians, she says, thought parks wereimportant for promoting social harmony, respectabilityand family values at a time of rising concerns aboutchildren’s behaviour, health and welfare.
But through postcards, public records, archaeology andchildren’s literature from the period, the PhD studentfrom the School of Arts, Languages and Cultures,shows that children weren’t always little angels!
The work included a dig organised by the University-led Community Archaeology Project, whichunearthed a range of different marbles showing howchildren from different social classes played together.
Other objects showed that eating food and drinkingalcohol, forbidden in the park bye-laws, took place.
Ruth said: “I don’t agree that Victorian andEdwardian children were to be seen and not heard.
“Like today, there was a rowdy and unpredictableside too: while parks were supposed to promote
social harmony, this was often resisted and parkscould be sites of conflict and contrast.
“Newspapers reported that children and youthswere sitting on park benches shouting abuse atpassers-by. Children would also illegally fish in parklakes for ornamental fish or steal fruit off the trees.
“I hope that my work will inform ourunderstanding of the parks’ heritage and, in doingso, will help to inform a vision for their future.”
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A youngster examines a toy soldier found on the dig
Dr Melanie Giles with one of the toy solidersdiscovered by the archaeology team
The Sun
New cancer imaging centre
he University has been selectedas one of four new prestigiousCancer Imaging Centres in theUK being set up by Cancer
Research UK and the Engineering andPhysical Research Council (EPSRC) in a£35 million boost to research.
The University will team up with theUniversity of Cambridge to form theCambridge Manchester CancerImaging Centre (CMCIC).
It will see scientists in Manchester, led by Professor Alan Jackson, develop studies to revolutionise drugdevelopment and cancer treatment.Their current work involves looking in greater detail at how drugs used to treat a brain tumour are deliveredand distributed around the brain tokill cancer.
Their work also involves analysing howtreatment of cancerous tumours witha second drug may increase take up ofthe first cancer drug. The technologycan identify recurrent tumours notseen on conventional scans.
Professor Ian Jacobs, University Vice-President and Dean of the Facultyof Medical and Human Sciences, said:“This is an exciting developmentwhich will provide added value to ourefforts in cancer research by investingin and linking the expertise andresearch resources in cancer imagingin Manchester and Cambridge.
“We can anticipate that it will, in duecourse, result in advances in cancerknowledge and cancer care that will savelives and benefit people in the NorthWest, across the UK and worldwide.”
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Identifying the riskof rheumatoidarthritisResearchers at Manchester and King’s CollegeLondon, funded by Arthritis Research UK, havedeveloped a new method to identify peoplewho are at a very high risk of developingrheumatoid arthritis.
The prediction can be made using a simple bloodtest and information about their smoking habits.
Professor Jane Worthington, from the Facultyof Medical and Human Sciences, teamed upwith King’s College London to develop the new computer-based technique of predictionmodelling which uses both genetic andenvironmental risk factors to estimate anindividual’s lifetime risk of developing this disease.
X-ray vision revealsinternal secretsScientists have developed a new kind of ‘X-rayvision’ that’s able to peer inside an object andmap the three-dimensional distribution of itsnano-properties in real time.
Manchester researchers, working with colleaguesin the UK, Europe and the US, say the techniquecould have a wide range of applications acrossmany disciplines, like materials science, geology,environmental science and medical research.
“This new imaging method represents one ofthe most significant developments in X-ray microtomography for almost 30 years,” said ProfessorRobert Cernik, in the School of Materials.
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ight reports outlining ideas to shape our city spanning a 40-year period have been made available tothe public in the first project of its kind in the UK.
The plans, which can be viewed online at the link below, cover an important period in the city’s history -from the 1920s through wartime reconstruction and 1950s austerity to the end of the ‘swinging’ 1960s.
The project, a collaboration between the University and Manchester City Council, shows how the city couldhave looked very different if the professionals had got their way.
• See www.mappingmanchester.org/plans
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Brain scans showing cancerous tumours
The city that never was
A plan of Trinity train station, 1945
Employability
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or a great example of how we’re improvingour students’ employability, look no furtherthan the School of Mathematics.
“Mathematics Careers Czar” Professor Bill Lionheartand his team have come up with an impressiverange of ideas.
The team includes fellow academic Dr LouiseWalker; Sebastian Rees and Helen Harper from theProfessional Support Services and Karen Butterworthfrom the Careers and Employability Division (CED).
Bill explains: “When the recession first started tobite, I was worried about our students getting jobsand also that they were taking longer to getgraduate jobs than we hoped. I was determined toput some effort in to the problem.”
The Careers and Employability Division was broughtinto the School to offer maths specific support.Students are now no longer leaving it until theirthird year before thinking about what to do withtheir hard-won degree.
The annual ‘Calculating Careers’ Fair features 20-25employers from a wide range of sectors like finance,technology and even intelligence – GCHQ attended.
There are also regular careers focussed talks – forboth students and academic advisors alike.
But the most innovative and exciting activity isstudent-led: an interview training progamme wheresecond and third-year students interview andshortlist first year students for a mock internship.
As Louise Walker puts it: “The second and thirdyears get some wonderful experience while the firstyears get proactive about their careers. They are ableto make their mistakes and get feedback beforethey have to do it for real.“
Helping ourstudents enterthe big wide world
Through our teaching
Around 30% of the students in the School are fromfamilies who are new to higher education.
Louise says: “We’re very proud of that, but thesestudents may not have the network of contacts thatother students have. They have to start fromscratch, and we want to help them.”
Bill adds: “When we select students we are lookingfor those who are good at maths and love it.
This means that they are often not especially skilledat job applications and interviews.
“An emeritus member of staff reminisced to methat a well-known accountancy firm once told him“We like your graduates - we like the way they aretrained to think,” it still holds true.”
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We all have our part to play in helping our studentsgain experience and confidence before they leavecampus for the ‘real world’.
That’s why, as a University, we put a lot of effort intomaking sure our graduates leave with the skills andknowledge they need to find a job and developing afulfilling career.
Here, UniLife looks at some of the ways in which we’repreparing our students for life beyond campus… Professor Bill Lionheart with his students
Students at a careers fair
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“I realised the importance of networking withpeople. At one point, I was emailing the worldexpert on the Anolis lizards I would be studying.”
Once in post, he learned a wealth of skills that have given a huge boost to his employability – and his confidence.
“As well as working in the labs, I spent a month inPuerto Rico, studying the lizards on my ownindependent project,” he recalls.
“The work I did helped me secure a place at The Manchester Museum vivarium for my final year project.
“I also learned how to present my work, how towork in teams and about problem solving – I wouldbe asked, ‘Max what shall we do?’ instead of aresearcher telling me what to do.”
Through work experience
he Careers and Employability Division (CED)has a raft of activities to help our studentsthink about ‘the next step’.
They’ve developed a new employability frameworkto help show students what’s important for futurecareer success. The aim is to provide each
undergraduate with their own employability reportby 2014/15.
Other activities include Global Graduates, a schemewhere groups of students visit alumni and employersin four international locations to learn about globalcareers. This scheme is funded thanks to a gift from
Paul Lee, who is a member of the University’s GlobalLeadership Board.
Bursaries are also available for students in unpaidinternships and more than 150 student andgraduate internships are on offer either at ourUniversity or throughout Greater Manchester.
Through working with our students
Can you help? Do you have a business contact who could offera student work experience? The Careers andEmployability Division would be pleased to hearfrom you: [email protected]
Max Drakeley A male Anolis lizardinal year student Max Drakeley’s industrialplacement has had a real impact on his future life.
Max, 22, is studying Cognitive Neuroscienceand Psychology with an industrial placement, and isbased at the Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS).
He spent his year working in labs at the University ofRhode Island (URI), in the US, and also carried outwhat turned out to be unique research on theforaging behaviour of small lizards, having chosenand arranged the placement himself.
“I found the placement through an ex-FLS studentat Harvard, who put me in contact with the peopleshe was working with,” he explains.
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Engagement
All aboard the Worm Wagon!
Fancy a mucus dip or the chance to savour a reallygood look at the worms that inhabit our guts?
It’s not for everyone, but a team of immunologists inthe Faculty of Life Sciences has discovered thatparasitic nematodes (that’s worms to you and me)have huge popular appeal – particularly whenthey’re wheeled into music festivals and schools.
Professor Kathryn Else, Dr Jo Pennock and Dr SheenaCruickshank are the drivers of the “worm wagon,” a train of mini-carriages where all the passengers areworms and their reason for travel is to educate usabout the pros and cons of our intestinal lodgers.
It’s brought accolades along the way since launchingin 2009. The team recently took the science prize atthe Manchester International Women’s Day Awards,but their greater reward is witnessing the public’scomprehension of the complexities of the globalworm problem.
“They can kill, but death rates are comparativelylow. The real concern is how they make millions ofchildren feel very unwell in large parts of SouthAmerica, Africa and Asia,” explains Professor Else.
“Chronic bowel problems, malnutrition and lethargymean misery for large populations and many of theaffected children will attend half as much school asthey need.”
Part of the team’s ground-breaking research intothe use of clove oil to control rather thaneradicate worms was achieved through theircommunity work.
Students at Trinity High School in Hulme helpeddiscover that cloves reduced worm eggdevelopment by half during an eight-week project.
“It was exciting to get them involved in whatcould be a potential remedy,” explains Dr Pennock.
“‘However, whilst we know that parasites canhave detrimental effects on health, for instancethey increase susceptibility to malaria, they canalso protect the brain against infection - sogetting the worm balance is important.”
(Left to right) Dr Jo Pennock, Dr Sheena Cruickshank and Professor Kathryn Else
Dr Jo Pennock and Museum visitors draw a giant body rangoliA Yorkshire schoolboy dips worms in a bucketof mucus at the Big Bang National Science Fair
The University’s researchers have avariety of ways of showcasing theirwork to the public – informing andinspiring, even thrilling and enchantingthem. Here UniLife looks at how ouracademics escape their ivory towers…
“When we take the worm wagon out we can get thatacross to people here, but it’s also important for them tounderstand that we evolved to carry worms and they helpto develop our immune systems,” Dr Cruickshank adds.
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Listings
What’s OnBatak Bone Amulet. Date unknown. IndonesiaThought to be Water Buffalo, these seemingly decorative bones were used as amulets to ward off evil spirits during magical rituals. (Batak MS 34)
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Chaplaincies
St Peter’s House Chaplaincy Sunday, 11am Holy Communion12.45pm Lunch (1st Sun)Sunday, 5.30pm Student Service (term-time only)Wednesday 12.15pm Eucharist, followedby free soup lunch (term-time only)
RC Chaplaincy Avila House Mass Times (term-time only)Sun, 7pm (in the Holy Name Church) nextdoor to the ChaplaincyMon, Tues, Thurs and Friday, 5.30pm in theChaplaincy ChapelWeds, 1.05pm in the Chaplaincy Chapel
The Jewish Student Centre andSynagogue07817 250 557Email Rabbi Mati Kos:[email protected]
Muslim Chaplaincy
South Campus Mosque, McDougall CentreJammaat (Group Prayer) Daily Juma Prayer Friday 1.15pm Honorary Imam: Imam Habeeb,[email protected]
North Campus MosqueBasement of Joule Library, Sackville StreetBuilding Jammaat (Group Prayer) DailyJuma Prayer Friday 12.30pm
The role of Volunteer Muslim Chaplain is toprovide pastoral support, guidance and alistening ear to Muslim staff and studentsChaplains’ email:[email protected]
John RylandsLibrary (Deansgate)
EXHIBITIONS
Locating Boccaccio until Dec 2013
Picturing Stories: British and FrenchRomantic Illustrations until Jan 2014
Polari Mission: Bona Eek until Feb 2014
Morbid Miscellany Jan 2014
Portrait of a Living Archive until Jan 2014
THINGS TO SEE
Tues 5 Nov, 3-4pmCurator Tour: Morbid Miscellany
Thurs 14 Nov, 1-2pmCurator Tour – Locating Boccaccio in 2013
Weds 14 Nov, 6-7pmTalking About Pictures: A Curator’sView
Thurs 14 Nov, 5.30-7pmArtists’ Books and Literature
Sat 16 Nov, 1-2pmPoala Collection Encounter
Thurs 21 Nov, 5.30-7pmBooks for Boccaccio
THINGS TO DO
Weds 6 and Sat 9 Nov, 2-3pmTextermination and the Pleasures ofExperimental Fiction
Sun 10 Nov, 1-4pmMake Your Own Morbid Miscellany
Sat 16 Nov, 2.30-3.30pmExplorer Tours: A Peek Behind theScenes!
Weds 27 Nov, 1-2pmMachiavelli the Bandit and the Writingof The Prince
Every 3rd Thursday of the month, 12-1pm(booking essential)Tour and Treasures
EVENTS
Weds 13 Nov, 11-4pmWhimsical Wednesday Workshops:Shadows From the Page
FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES
Sat 9 Nov, 12-1pmHere be Dragons!
Sat 9 Nov, 11-12pmEnchanting Tales
Sat 9 Nov, 11-3pmWoodcut ‘n’ Colour
Sun 1 Dec, 11-4pmWinter Fun Day
For further details of our events, please visitour website
FREE ADMISSION Public opening times: Sun-Mon 12-5pm,Tues-Sat 10am-5pmReader opening times: Mon-Weds, Fri-Sat10am-5pm, Thurs 10am-7pm
The John Rylands Library 150 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 3EH Visitor / Event Enquiriestel 0161 306 0555email [email protected] / Reader Enquiries0161 275 3764www.library.manchester.ac.uk/specialcollections
InternationalSociety
Visit some of the most beautiful andinteresting locations around England, Scotlandand Wales. There are visits taking place almostevery weekend throughout the year.
Sat 9 NovAlton Towers – Ultimate Fireworks!
Sun 10 NovNorth Wales visiting Caernarfon Castleand Portmeirion Village
Sat 16 NovOxford with Guided Tour
Sun 17 NovWhitby
Sat 23 NovPeak District visiting Chatsworth House(at Christmas) and Bakewell
Sun 24 NovChester with Guided Tour
Sat 30 NovYork (St Nicholas Fayre Market)
Sun 1 DecKeswick Traditional Victorian ChristmasFayre
Sun 1 DecEureka (The National Children’sMuseum) in Halifax
Opening times Mon-Fri 9.30am – 7pm (during term time)Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm (during vacation)
Small World Café opening timesMon-Fri 11am – 3pm
327 Oxford Road (next to Krobar)0161 275 4959 email [email protected]
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The Whitworth Art Gallery
Re-opening summer 2014
The Whitworth Art Gallery has started anew and exciting chapter in its history. Amajor building project is now taking placeto transform and extend the 120-year-oldgallery, doubling its public areas whilstreducing its carbon footprint and improvingfacilities for visitors.
This new development by architects MUMAwill re-connect the 19th century buildingwith Whitworth Park through an elegantcontemporary extension. The newWhitworth will bring you more art, moreactivities, more events and more space. Itwill be all things our many visitors havealways loved about the Whitworth.
We look forward to welcoming you back insummer 2014.
Watch this space for details of ourforthcoming outreach events...
Whitworth Art GalleryOxford Road, Manchester0161 275 7450Booking line 0161 275 7450email [email protected]/whitworth
Gig Guide ManchesterMuseum
EXHIBITIONS
All exhibitions at The Manchester Museumare FREE90 Degree Citizen until 17 NovFragmentary Ancestors: Figurines fromKoma Land until 5 May 2014Coral: Something Rich and Strange from30 Nov
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Most activities are free and drop-in, someactivities may need to be booked and maycost up to £1.50, all ages
Sat and Sun 10am or 2pm – bookings 1month in advanceNew! Children’s Birthday Parties
Every other Tuesday, 12 and 26 Nov, 10.30-11.15am, 11.30-12.15pm, 1-1.45pm, Free(booking essential)Baby Explorers: Sensory Play for Babies
Fri 29 Nov, 10.30-11.30am/11.30-12.30pm,Free (booking essential)Magic Carpet for Under Fives and TheirCarers
Sat 16 Nov, 11am-4pmBig Saturday: Ancient Faces and Places
MUSEUM MEETS
Every Weds and Thurs, 1pmTaster ToursTues 5 Nov, 1-2.30pm (drop in)English CornerSat 9 Nov, 10-4pm (£15)Behind the Scenes at the Museum:Geology and Fossil FocusSat 9 Nov, 7-10pmStudent Social: Wonders of the NaturalWorldThurs 14 and 28 Nov, 6-8pmWildlife RecordingFri 15 Nov, 12-1pmDig It Archaeology IdentificationSessionTues 26 Nov, 5.30-6.30pm (drop in)Manchester Museum Book ClubThurs 28 Nov, 2-3pm (drop in)Rock DropSat 30 Nov, 10am-4pm (£15)Hands on Hieroglyphs – What DoHieroglyphs Mean?Sat 30 Nov, 2-4pmUrban Naturalist: Plant Dyes
COLLECTION BITESWeds 6 Nov, 1-2pmTrading Well-being: The Materiality ofMedicine and Religion at a Healers’Market, Accra, Ghana
TALKS
1st Wednesday of the month, 1-2pmCollection BitesThurs 7 Nov, 1-2pmHappy Birthday Alfred WallaceWeds 27 Nov, 1-2pmThe Confucius Institute China Talks:OperaThurs 28 Nov, 6-8pmAncestors in Ancient Egypt: Images andPractice
Opening times Open: Tues-Sat 10am-5pmSun-Mon (and Bank Holidays) 11am-4pm
FREE admission
The Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester 0161 275 2648www.manchester.ac.uk/museum Follow us on Twitter @McrMuseum www.facebook.com/ManchesterMuseum
The Martin HarrisCentre for Musicand Drama
CENTRE FOR NEW WRITING
Sun 1 Dec, 6.30pm, £12/£10Jeanette Winterson in Conversationwith A L Kennedy
LITERATURE LIVE
Mon 18 Nov, 6.30pm, £6/£4Louis de Bernières
EVENING CONCERTS
Fri 8 Nov, 7.30pm, £10/£6/£3Ad Solem: University of ManchesterChamber Choir
Sat 9 Nov, 7.30pm, £10/£6/£3MUMS Chamber Orchestra and WindEnsembles
Fri 15 Nov, 7.30pm, £13.50/£8/£3Quatuor Danel
Sat 16 Nov, 7.30pm, £10/£6/£3MUMS String and Brass Ensembles
Sun 17 Nov, 7pm, £8/£6 (free for under 16s)Stockport Youth Orchestra
Sat 23 Nov, 7.30pm, £10/£6/£3Manchester University Wind Orchestra(MUWO)
Sat 30 Nov, 7.30pm, £12/£9/£3The University of Manchester Chorusand Symphony Orchestra
FREE LUNCHTIME CONCERTS
Thurs 7 Nov, 1.10 pmJoby Burgess Percussion Pioneers
Fri 8 Nov, 1.10pmCosmo Singers
Thurs 14 Nov, 1.10pmQuatuor Danel
Fri 15 Nov, 1.10pmMUMS Vocal Showcase
Thurs 21 Nov, 1.10pmJohn Turner 70th Birthday Concert
Thurs 28 Nov, 1.10pmFeatured Artist: Richard Casey‘Beethoven and …Peter Maxwell Davies’
Fri 29 Nov, 1.10pmManchester University CommissioningEnsemble (MUCE)
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER DRAMA SOCIETY
Weds 6/Thurs 7/Fri 8 Nov, 7pm,£5.50/£4.50/£4 DS MembersOpening Performance
Weds 20/Thurs21/Fri 22 Nov, 7pm,£5.50/£4.50/£4 DS MembersAutumn Showcase
The Martin Harris Centre for Music and DramaBridgeford Street, Manchester, M13 9PL0161 275 8951 email [email protected]/martinharriscentre
Jodrell BankDiscovery Centre
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre offers a greatday out for all the family. Come and explorethe planets using our model of the SolarSystem. Find answers to the wonders theUniverse, listen to the sounds of the BigBang and discover what the scientists areresearching ‘Live’ in our interactive SpacePavilion. The glass-walled café offersspectacular views of the iconic Lovelltelescope and fantastic homemade cakes!
EVENTS
Sat 16 Nov, 7pm SOLD OUTTelescope Night
Information:Live from Jodrell Bank website
Tickets: http://ow.ly/hQCFU Tickets include entry to the Discovery Centre.
Opening times10am-5pm
For more information and prices please visitour website Jodrell Bank Discovery CentreMacclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 9DL01477 571 766www.jodrellbank.net
Mon 4 & Bring Me The Horizon +Tues 5 Nov Guests - £17.50Mon 4 Nov Joseph Whelan - £12.50Tues 5 Nov Watsky - £12
Deap Vally - £10.50Weds 6 Nov Dillinger Escape Plan - £14
KAL & Satellite State Disko- £10
Thurs 7 Nov Public ServiceBroadcasting - £1836 Crazyfists + Guests- £12.50
Fri 8 Nov Marillion - £25Unknown MortalOrchestra - £12 The Union + Tax The Heat -£13.50
Sat 9 Nov Whole Lotta Led - £12Sun 10 Nov Satyricon + Chthonic - £14Mon 11 Nov Alice in Chains - £27.50Weds 13 Nov Defenders of the Faith -
£18.50The Wonder Years - £12
Thurs 14 Nov Gary Numan - £27.50Stephen Lynch Live - £20
Fri 15 Nov Laura Veirs - £16.50Road to Warped Tour - £15
Fri 15 & Beady Eye (SOLD OUT)Sat 16 NovSat 16 Nov Vice Squad + Guests - £8
Naughty Boy + Ella Eyre - £11Sun 17 Nov Television - £25
Mallory Knox + Guests - £10Mon 18 Nov Blue October - £16Tues 19 Nov Karnivool + TesseracT
- £10.50Tues 19 Nov Hayseed Dixie - £17.50Weds 20 Nov Panic! At The Disco
- £20 (SOLD OUT)They Might Be Giants +Wonder Villains - £18.50
Thurs 21 Nov The Rifles + Dexters + TheMono Polys - £15
Fri 22 Nov Editors + British Sea Power- £20The Backhanders - £6The Temperance Movement+ Guests - £8.50The Virginmarys - £10
Sat 23 Nov Lee Nelson – £22.50Crystal Fighters - £12.50Absolute Bowie - £12
Sun 24 Nov Ms Mr - £11Vuvuvultures - £9The Passengers performIggy Pop songs - £10
Mon 25 Nov Barenaked Ladies - £23Weds 27 Nov The Dismemberment Plan
- £13Wednesday 13 + Sister - £13
Thurs 28 Nov Hudson Taylor - £8Fri 29 Nov Dan Baird & Homemade
Sin - £12Crisis + One Week Behind+ Guests - £6
Sat 30 Nov Flux Pavillion - £14.50The Complete Stone Roses- £15The Doors Alive - £11The Lancashire Hotpots - £12
Sun 1 Dec Capercaillie - £22.50Littlecrazy + Guests - £6
Tickets fromStudents’ Union, Oxford RoadPiccadilly Box Office @ easy Internet Café (c/c) 0871 2200260Royal Court (Liverpool) 0151 709 4321 (c/c)Students’ UnionOxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL0161 275 2930 www.manchesteracademy.net
Manchester Academy 1, 2 and 3
The University’s Strategic PlanManchester 2020 lists one ofour goals as contributing tothe social and economicsuccess of the local, nationaland international community.Last month our newengagement campaign toencourage staff to highlighthow they are ‘making adifference’ to society waslaunched featuring campusinstallations and a new blog.Here UniLife looks at acolleague we can be proud of…
Next Issue 2 December 2013
M950 10.13 The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL Royal Charter Number RC000797 Cert no. SGS-COC-3059
Feature
Please help us distribute UniLifemore efficiently.
Undelivered copies should be sent toSarah Davenport at The University ofManchester Visitors Centre, UniversityPlace, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL.
University staff should send changes ofwork address [email protected]
Or opt out of receiving hard copies atwww.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/opt-out/
More than 25 youngsters have hadtheir eyes opened to higher education– and their opportunities boosted –thanks to Dr Tracey Speake.
Tracey, a Senior Lecturer in the Facultyof Life Sciences, has been aManchester Access Programme (MAP)Academic Tutor since 2006.
MAP supports talented students whoare from backgrounds that are currentlyunder-represented in universities.
The aim of the programme is tosupport potential students who arelooking to come to Manchester, oranother research-intensive university,by completing a portfolio of workdemonstrating specific knowledgeand skills.
One element of the programme is toproduce an independent piece ofresearch. This gives a real insight intowhat they can expect during the firstyear of undergraduate study.
Tracey explains: “It’s great to workwith MAP students who reallyembrace the opportunity to developnew skills.
“And it’s amazing to see thedifference my support can make toyoung peoples’ lives. Many of myprevious MAP tutees have progressedto be undergraduate students here atManchester and I’ve been able towitness first-hand the way in whichMAP has helped in their preparationfor university.
“MAP encourages them to thinkabout and develop some of the skillsthey will need for university; likeliterature searching, referencing,constructing an assignment andevaluating sources.”
• If you have a story to tell like Tracey,add some text, an image or weblinkto the makeadifferencemcr blog.
• Or if you use Twitter, follow@SocialResponUoM and use thehashtag #makeadifferencemcr tojoin the conversation.
Opening our doors
