July 2013 - University of Worcester

news
& views
THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
July 2013
In this issue:
MP’s Visit
David Willetts MP Visits Worcester p.5
Outstanding
Library Team
Winners of The Times Higher Education
Leadership and Management Award p.4
Sporting Success
Learning Through Sport 2013 p.8
Passport to Peru
Student Teacher Wins Scholarship to Teach in Peru p.10

FEATURE
University of Worcester selected to
host the 2015 European Wheelchair
Basketball Championships
Over 400 elite male and female athletes from across
Europe will be based at the University and will play at
the recently opened University of Worcester Arena.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of the news that
the University had been selected as the Standard Life GB
wheelchair basketball team training venue in the lead up to
the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and the preceding World and
European championships.
The University’s successful bid for the Championships, which
received support from UK Sport, was announced by the
International European Wheelchair Basketball Federation
President, Jan Berteling, during the recent Continental Clash
involving Men’s Paralympic Champions Canada competing
against Great Britain, Germany and Spain at the University of
Worcester Arena.
Professor David Green said: “It is a huge honour to have been
selected as the venue for the 2015 European Championships.
This is a testament to the quality of the work of the University’s
staff and students in promoting disability sport and to the highly
inclusive design of our magnificent new Arena.”
The European Championships, involving men’s and women’s
teams from countries throughout the Continent, will take
place in the summer of 2015.
Head of the University’s Institute of Sport & Exercise Science,
Mick Donovan, added: “We have worked very closely with
British Wheelchair Basketball on securing this bid. This success
presents a fantastic opportunity for the City of Worcester, the
Midlands and the UK as a whole to make this the best supported,
most inclusive European Wheelchair Basketball championships
of all time.”
Simon Morton, Director of Major Events at UK Sport, said:
“Along with our partners British Wheelchair Basketball and the
University of Worcester, we are delighted to have won the bid to
host the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships in 2015,
a significant event in the build up to the 2016 Rio Paralympic
Games.
“UK Sport’s National Lottery backed Gold Event Series has the
ambitious goal of securing 70 of the world’s top sporting events
following London 2012, and this would be a great addition to our
growing portfolio of Paralympic events.”
British Wheelchair Basketball Chairman, Malcolm Tarkenter,
said “We are extremely happy to have won the bid to host
the Championships. It reaffirms the UK as a leading nation
of the sport in Europe. Our partnership with the University is
going from strength to strength and we are looking forward to
delivering a world class event with them, UK Sport and other
partners we hope to attract from the local area.”
Professor David Green and Mick Donovan will be travelling to
Germany to accept the IWBF Europe Flag during the closing
ceremony of this year’s Championships in Munich.
Adrian Gregson, Leader of Worcester City Council, said: “The
City is very proud that this prestigious international sporting
event will be held in Worcester, and we look forward to
welcoming over 400 athletes from throughout Europe to our
beautiful city. This is a fantastic opportunity for basketball and
for Worcester.”
2 / July 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

COVER wELCOME STORY
Clockwise from top left:
Women’s Basketball pg. 9
Introducing Adders to Malvern pg. 6
Learning Through Sport pg. 8
David Willetts MP Visit pg. 5 and
Antiques Roadtrip pg. 13
contents
FEATURE
July 2013
2015 European Wheelchair Basketball
Championships Hosts 2
COVER STORY
Welcome to the July issue of
News & Views, featuring a
round-up of news, updates
and milestones from the past
month at the University of Worcester.
In this issue we congratulate all those who
contributed to The Hive and the University
of Worcester winning a Times Higher
Education Leadership and Management
Award. Staff members attended the award
ceremony last month and were delighted
to be named ‘Outstanding Library Team’.
Also this month we announce that the
recently opened University of Worcester
Arena has won the bid to host the
2015 European Wheelchair Basketball
Championships. Having only opened its
doors a few months ago, the Arena has
already hosted many spectacular events
including the Learning Through Sport day,
which is also featured in this month’s issue.
Thank you for sending us your stories.
Please keep sending news to us at
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
THELMA Award Winners 4
news
Record-Breaking Open Day 3
Ministerial Visit 5
Introducing Adders to Malvern 6
Speakers Raise Awareness of Abuse
Against People With Disabilities 6
Top Five Greenest Universities 7
Colleagues in Print 7
Student Does Work Experience in
Melbourne 7
Saturday Open Days 8
Learning Through Sport 2013 8
Women’s Basketball 9
record-breaking open day
A record-breaking 1152 potential students registered at last month’s
Open Day marking a 6% increase from the June 2012 event.
The number of people accompanying potential students was even more than
last year and we welcomed well over 4,000 people to the University.
Many thanks to all staff who made this such a successful day.
Our next open events are:
Open Evening: Thursday 5 September, 5-7pm
Open Day: Saturday 21 September, 10am-3pm
Open Day: Sunday 22 September, 10am-3pm
Lord Faulkner to Deliver Talk 9
Preparing for Deaflympics 9
Worcester Lecture 10
Teacher Awarded Scholarship to
Volunteer in Peru 10
Lecturer’s Book Promotes Spiritual
Care in Nursing Practice 11
International Conference to Explore
Increasing Use of Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles 11
Nursing Expert Calls For Greater
Urgency in Patient Care 12
Alumni Reunion 12
BBC Take a Roadtrip to Worcester 13
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / July 2013 / 3

Winning Ways
The University of Worcester has won the ‘Outstanding Library Team’
Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Award.
The prestigious, national award was conferred on the
University in recognition of the leadership and vision required
to create and operate the country’s first university and
public library, The Hive. The Hive, which was opened by HM
The Queen in July 2012, has already issued over a million
books and will shortly welcome its millionth visitor.
The University was named the winner during a ceremony in
London on Thursday June 20, hosted by Dara O’Briain, beating
off stiff competition from universities throughout Britain.
University of Worcester Vice Chancellor and Chief
Executive Professor David Green said: “This award is a very
welcome addition to a glittering array of awards for a truly
inspirational building dedicated to learning for all.
“The stunning success of The Hive, the first library of its kind in
Europe, is down to the work of many staff, working together across
the University and Worcestershire County Council for a common
goal. I would like to pay tribute to everyone who has played a
part in this significant and transformative project and to offer
particular congratulations to those who, through their project
leadership, have been specifically recognised through this award.”
Anne Hannaford, Director of Information and Learning
Services at the University, said: “Our vision for The Hive has
always been to create an inspiring space, which people enjoy
visiting for many reasons: to study and learn and to work.
“The Library team at the University of Worcester has taken on
a unique set of challenges in the last six years to develop The
Hive. They devised staffing models, training programmes and
procedures from scratch- there is nothing else like this in the UK.”
4 / July 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

COVER STORY
Vice Chancellor David Green with David Willetts MP
Universities
and Science
Minister Visits
Worcester
The Minister for Universities and Science,
David Willetts MP, praised the University
of Worcester during his first visit to the
University since becoming Minister.
She added: “The Hive has so much to offer in terms of sharing
resources and expertise for the benefit of everyone.”
Now in their fifth year, the Times Higher Education Leadership
and Management Awards are a highlight of the academic
calendar and a celebration of the best of the sector.
They are a showcase of extraordinary innovation,
teamwork and commercial acumen.
The MP was shown The Hive, before dropping in on
a class of nursing students and finally spending time
with Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green.
Professor Green said: “We were delighted to welcome
the Minister to the University of Worcester and to
show him some of the many terrific achievements of
our staff and students.
“The Minister last visited the University in 2008; much
has changed in the past five years and we were able
to show him the success of our investment in new
facilities, such as The Hive, as well as give him the
opportunity to meet some of our highly talented and
committed students.”
The Minister also met the President and the
Education Vice President of the University’s
Students’ Union.
He said: “It has been great to visit the University,
which is going from strength to strength with many
exciting developments.
“The Hive is a very innovative way of linking library
services for students and the City. It was also
wonderful to meet some of the dedicated nursing
students on the campus.”
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / July 2013 / 5

NEWS
Students Introduce Adders
on the Malvern Hills
A group of students visited the Malvern Hills to
see how adders are being managed as part of a
conservation project.
Speakers Raise Awareness of
Abuse Against People With
Disabilities at University Event
l-r: Rob Sykes, Gerard Lemos, Ruth Jones, Sarah Pillington, Annie Rose
and Dr Ravi Thiara
Throughout Europe the adder
(Vipera berus) is the most
widespread snake species, but
due to declining populations
in the UK, it has been
designated a priority species
for conservation and is
protected under the Wildlife
and Countryside Act of 1981.
The Malvern Hills are one of
the strongholds for adders
in Worcestershire, but
populations have become
increasingly threatened
through development and
road building, leading to a
loss of habitat. The isolation
of adder populations
within Worcestershire and
across the UK is resulting
in genetically distinct
communities, which in turn
increases their vulnerability
to environmental change.
To address these issues, the
Malvern Hills Conservators
are taking advice from
Nigel Hand, an ecological
consultant from Central
Ecology, and are targeting
key areas on the Malvern
Hills with management
practices aimed at saving this
important reptile species.
Students at the University
of Worcester studying
Conservation Ecology/
Environmental Management
had the opportunity to visit
the Malvern Hills to explore
the range of reptiles present,
with the specific aim of
finding adders.
Dr Duncan Westbury, a Senior
Lecturer at the University,
said: “Whilst it is important
that students understand
the theories behind species
declines, it is equally important
that they experience and
evaluate how such issues are
being addressed. The Malvern
Hills provides an excellent
classroom for discussion and
debate.”
He added: “Adders are the only
naturally occurring venomous
snake species to be found in
Britain and have suffered a
long history of persecution. We
need to raise awareness of the
importance of this vulnerable
species and change negative
public perception.”
Nigel Hand, of Central
Ecology, said: “The adder has
recently been declared as the
UK reptile species under the
most dramatic decline and
that is certainly evident within
Worcestershire and the West
Midlands. I have seen adder
populations disappear from
areas within my lifetime. It
would be a tragedy to loose
such a beautiful and enigmatic
species from our countryside.”
Children and adults with disabilities are at higher risk of
abuse and violence against them, according to experts
speaking at an event held at the University of Worcester.
The event exposed the issues faced by survivors of abuse
and sexual violence and how people from different
professions and agencies can support people with
disabilities who may disclose abuse to them.
Ruth Jones, University of Worcester Lead for the Centre
for the Study and Prevention of Violence and Abuse,
said: “According to two systematic reviews published by
the World Health Organisation, both children and adults
with disabilities are at a much higher risk of violence than
non-disabled people. The studies are the first to confirm the
magnitude of the problem.
Both Dr Ravi Thiara, Senior Lecturer at the University, and
Gerard Lemos, leader of the research team at Lemos &
Crane, have carried out further research on this subject in
the UK. At the event they revealed the stark truth about
people with learning disabilities and their experience of
harassment and abuse.
Dr Ravi Thiara presented her findings from the first
national study of domestic violence and disabled women
with physical and sensory impairments.
Ruth Jones said: “Dr Thiara uncovered that the majority of
disabled women said they experienced poor response rates
from statutory services and problems with accessibility to
refuges and outreach services. This lack of information and
support for victims of domestic violence must change by
training professionals across the board.”
The event is the third in a series of events about violence
and abuse that are part of the development of the Centre
for the Study and Prevention of Violence and Abuse at the
University of Worcester.
Ruth added: “The events have been really successful and we
will be planning further events to run in the next academic
year.”
6 / July 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

NEWS
University of Worcester Among Britain’s
Top Five Greenest Universities
The University of Worcester has been named among Britain’s
greenest universities for the fifth year in succession.
The University has been awarded
“First Class Honours” in the People
& Planet’s Green League, published
in The Guardian last month, and is
ranked fourth out of 143 institutions
for its environmental and ethical
performance.
Professor David Green, University of
Worcester Vice Chancellor, said: “This
is the fifth consecutive year that the
University of Worcester has achieved
first class honours for environmental
sustainability. This wonderful
achievement is a tribute to all the
members of the University – students
and staff alike – who have worked
positively to promote energy efficiency,
recycling, cut private car journeys, shop
locally, reduce carbon emissions and
support Fair Trade and sustainability at
home and abroad.”
The University is now generating
its own electricity through photovoltaic
panels on the rooftops of
some of its largest buildings and
recycling rainwater. It has also
installed electric vehicle charging
points, and introduced a range of
electricity saving measures, among
other initiatives including planting
a small orchard at the St John’s
Campus.
Katy Boom, Director of
Environmental Sustainability at
the University, added: “It is a fantastic
achievement to be ranked, once
again, among the best institutions in
the country. The volunteering work
of the students, the enthusiasm and
innovations from staff-led initiatives,
along with our commitment to making
a sustainability elective available to all
students, are reasons why the University
has climbed again in this year’s green
league.
“Ethics and ethical investments have
received more prominence in the
student-led league. Having a policy and
showing that we have made decisions
based on the policy gave us full marks
in this section. This achievement is
only possible because of the clear
commitment from the entire university
community and it shows that everyone
making a small difference can all add
up.”
Colleagues in Print
The Compendium of Effective Practice in Higher Education Vol 2 has been
published on the HEA website and it includes three papers from University
of Worcester colleagues, as follows:
Facilitating transition from further to higher education to improve retention:
A first year tutor system
Laura Jones, Frances Taylor and Maggie Andrews, University of Worcester
Supporting “complicated” trainees through their PGCE year
Judy Miller, University of Worcester
Embedding mandatory personal tutorials within a personal development
planning scheme to improve student retention and success
Lorraine Weaver and Debbie Holmes, University of Worcester
Congratulations all - there are some really exciting innovations
reported in each paper.
The document can be accessed at:
http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/assets/documents/retention/
Compendium_2_rc_ja_Final.pdf
Student Does
Work Experience in
Melbourne
A second year Digital Film student, Lauren
Davis has gone on a University work
organised work and learning experience
trip to Australia to work on the production
of a new feature film ‘I am Evangeline’
written and directed by Christine
Roberts. This trip has been co-organised
by RMIT University Melbourne and the
Screenwriting and Digital Film Production
departments at Worcester. Lauren will
be working as a production assistant and
in the sound department during the four
week shoot and will be keeping a blog to
let us know how she gets on.
To follow Lauren’s journey visit:
http://iameadventure.tumblr.com/
post/54372029164/mammoth-days
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / July 2013 / 7

news
New Saturday Open Days at
University’s Medical Museum
Learning Through
Sport 2013
The University of
Worcester’s medical
museum, The Infirmary,
is opening its doors on
the second Saturday of
every month for visitors to
explore all it has to offer.
The Infirmary, in the
University’s City Campus,
which is the site of the former
Worcester Royal Infirmary
hospital in Castle Street,
will be hosting its Summer
Saturdays every second
Saturday until September 14
from 10am to 4pm.
The museum combines
history, science, art and
technology to explore the
medical stories of one of
England’s oldest infirmaries.
Learning and Access Officer,
Carol Bowsher, said: “It is a
great opportunity for families
to visit the site and explore all
our hands-on medical exhibits
within the gallery. You can
have a go at key-hole surgery,
investigate germs in our digital
laboratory or, if you fancy
yourself as a surgeon, try on
one of our medical outfits,
plus there is much to find out
about the history of the former
hospital and the people who
worked here.”
During these Summer
Saturdays, guided tours of the
former hospital will also be
taking place in the mornings,
many by previous staff and
nurses at the hospital (11am
and 12 noon) and craft events
for young people will be
taking place in the afternoon
(2pm-4pm).
Admission to the exhibition
is free, with small charges
for craft activities and
demonstrations. A café is
available onsite. Parking
onsite is for blue badge
holders only but the campus
is easily accessible from the
car park at Pitchcroft, or from
the city centre.
The Infirmary’s usual weekday
open hours are 10am-4pm
Mondays to Fridays (except
bank holidays).
This site is suitable for
families with activities to
suit different age ranges. The
exhibition is recommended
for seven years and above.
For more information about
The Infirmary please contact
Carol Bowsher, Learning and
Access Officer on 01905
542540 or at
c.bowsher@worc.ac.uk
Hundreds of schoolchildren from Worcestershire
enjoyed a range of educational sporting
activities at the annual Learning Through Sport
Day at the University of Worcester Arena.
More than 200 pupils from schools across the county
took part in an action packed day of sport and
education, including rugby, cricket, basketball, and
for the first time, rhythmic gymnastics. The children’s
activities were led by University of Worcester lecturers
and students together with coaches and players from
the Worcester Warriors Rugby, Worcestershire County
Cricket and Worcester Wolves Basketball Clubs.
Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport &
Exercise Science, said: “We were thrilled to be using the
Arena for the first time at our annual Learning Through
Sport Day. It was a great opportunity for the children
to experience what this fantastic facility has to offer.
The Learning Through Sport Day is the highlight of our
annual programme. Since last summer’s Olympic and
Paralympic Games, over a thousand children have been
involved. We are aiming for even more next year.”
Vice Chancellor, David Green, added: “The University’s
Learning Through Sport Programme helps children
improve their Maths and English whilst participating
in sport. Sport teaches skills of teamwork and selfdiscipline
as well as promoting health, sociability
and all the benefits which come from joining
in. The University of Worcester is passionately
committed to top standards in education for all.”
8 / July 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

NEWS
American Basketballer to Launch
Women’s Programme
A professional women’s basketball
player is moving from the USA to
study and play at the University of
Worcester.
Shantrell Moss will join the University
in September as part of a new national
league women’s basketball programme,
launched as a partnership between the
University of Worcester and Worcester
Wolves Basketball Club.
The programme has the ambition to
mirror the success of the Worcester
Wolves men’s squad, with the women’s
team competing in the English National
league.
Shantrell, a graduate from Georgia Tech
in the USA and a professional player
from the European circuit, has been
identified as the player to lead the
initiative both on and off the court.
The 27-year-old will combine studying
for a Master’s degree with playing and
coaching for the University, the Wolves
national league team, whilst also taking
a lead role in inspiring young girls in the
community programme.
“I see this as a great opportunity in so
many ways and there are some fantastic
foundations in place in Worcester to
create something very special. I cannot
wait to begin,” she said.
The University’s men’s basketball
team was this year crowned as British
Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS)
champions for the seventh time in nine
years. The University is also home to
British Basketball League (BBL) side
Worcester Wolves, who are hoping
for a top four finish for the second
time in two years, with whom the
University runs a successful scholarship
programme.
The Wolves national league team will
also be hoping to attract the best
players in the region who may not
necessarily want to study but want to
be part of the programme, which will be
based at the University’s new Arena.
The University of Worcester Arena has
already been hailed as one of the finest
basketball facilities in the country and
the three courts add to the existing
two courts at the University’s St John’s
Campus sports centre.
Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of
Sport & Exercise Science, said: “We are
aware that there are some very talented
female players in the UK who want to
combine study with playing at the highest
level. We are very excited about Shantrell
leading the programme and she clearly
demonstrates tremendous talent whilst
also expressing a clear belief in what we
Shantrell Moss with David Green
are trying to achieve with the University
and the Wolves.
“The University of Worcester will be a great
option for proven players or for those who
have the potential to improve as a player
whilst gaining a degree. We would like
to hear from any players, whatever their
current playing level, who are enthusiastic
about getting involved.”
Paul James, Director of Basketball at
the University, added: “We have the
strategy and drive to create one of the
best university and club programmes for
female student athletes in Europe and
Shantrell will play a major part in this
ambition.”
Lord Faulkner of Worcester to
Deliver Railways Talk at The Hive
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Lords will deliver a
special talk on Britain’s railways at The Hive this month.
Lord Faulkner of Worcester, who is a Fellow of the University
of Worcester and Director of Worcester Live, has just
published a book exploring how the nation’s railways were
saved.
His talk, on Friday July 5 at 5.30pm, will deal with the recent
history of the railways and contemporary reality.
Prior to entering Parliament, Lord Faulkner ran his own public
affairs and PR consultancy, working as an advisor to the
British Railways Board for over 25 years, and as first deputy
chairman of The Football Trust.
Lord Faulkner is a former chair of the Railway Heritage
Committee and was responsible for persuading the
government to retain its powers of designation and transfer
them to the Science Museum.
The talk will take place in The Studio at The Hive.
Preparing for Deaflympics
The GB Deaf Women’s Football Team attended
the University of Worcester last month for fitness
testing and player profiling ahead of the forthcoming
Deaflympic Games that will take place this month.
The players were tested over 3 separate weekends to
help the GB coaching team to select the best possible
squad for the Deaflympics that will be held in Sofia,
Bulgaria.
This is the first time the University has been in a
position to invite the squad. Organiser, Rebecca
Foster said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise the
profile of Deaf sport off the back of the success of the
Paralympics and Olympics. Not many people know there
is a separate Games for the Deaf community, who often
get overlooked, especially for funding.”
Julia West, a Senior Lecturer in Sports Psychology at
the University, arranged two football fixtures as a
result of this link for the GB Deaf Squad to play the
Worcester team whilst they were on campus.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / July 2013 / 9

news
Worcester Lecture 2013
One of Britain’s Most Distinguished
Lawyers to Deliver the Fourth
Worcester Lecture
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, one of
Britain’s most renowned lawyers, is to
deliver the fourth annual Worcester
Lecture.
The Worcester Lectures are a
partnership between Worcester
Cathedral and the University of
Worcester, strengthening the links
between the two institutions and
contributing to the rich cultural
heritage of Worcester.
Baroness Kennedy’s lecture, titled
‘Ethics – the basis of trust in public life’,
will take place in Worcester Cathedral
on Thursday 4 July at 6pm.
The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson,
Dean of Worcester Cathedral, said:
“Helena Kennedy is the latest in a series
of distinguished speakers to give the
annual Worcester Lecture. Through the
Worcester Lectures, the Cathedral and
the University are working together
to promote discussion of matters of
social justice, and Helena Kennedy
will undoubtedly make a memorable
contribution to that.”
Baroness Kennedy is a distinguished
lawyer, who spent her professional life
giving a voice to those who have least
power within the system, promoting
human rights and championing civil
liberties. She has used many public
platforms, including the House of Lords,
to which she was elevated in 1997, to
argue with passion, wit and humanity
for social justice. As part of her career,
she has also written and broadcast on
a wide range of issues, from medical
negligence to terrorism to the rights of
women and children.
In her lecture, she will argue that
the embrace of a particular form of
turbo-charged capitalism has created
major distortions within society,
simultaneously undermining the
significance and standing of a proper
ethos of public service whilst lowering
ethical standards within private
enterprise. She will also remind us of
Adam Smith’s arguments about the
need for ‘moral sentiments’.
Baroness Kennedy will argue that many
major professions, including nursing,
teaching, medicine and policing have
been undermined with the introduction
of targets, raw competition and
an elevation of money over other
measures of success.
Together, it will be argued that these
changes have eroded trust at every
Baroness Helena Kennedy QC
level of society and created a climate
in which litigation and law become the
route to redress.
Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor
of the University of Worcester, said:
“Helena Kennedy is one of the most
inspiring lawers of her generation. As a
passionate campaigner for opportunity,
dignity and human rights, she has used
her expertise for the good of many tens
of thousands of people. She is one of
the most creative, independent-minded
members of the House of Lords and this
lecture is sure to stimulate new thinking
about ways to contribute to the common
good and develop society.”
Budding Teacher Awarded Scholarship to Volunteer in Peru
Roxandra-Maria Crisan
A Romanian teaching
student at the University of
Worcester is flying to Cusco,
Peru, to teach local students
and organise educational
games and activities.
Roxandra-Maria Crisan, who
is in the second year of an
Education Studies course at
the University, has received
£750 from the University’s
Scholarship Panel to help
fund the trip.
Leaving later this month, the
budding teacher will spend
four weeks volunteering
for the Peru-Cusco English
programme, run by
International Volunteering
HQ.
During her time in Peru,
Roxandra will work in
local schools, community
centres and shelters for
street children. Through the
programme she will be able
to gain experience in setting
up small workshops, assisting
local teachers and teaching
local students.
Roxandra, who is 20 years
old and from Timisoara,
Romania, said: “I am really
grateful that the University
understands what this project
means to me. Receiving the
scholarship increased my selfesteem,
made me feel more
secure and confident, and
taught me the importance of
being self-motivated to a level
when you set a goal and you
cannot achieve it on your own.
This scholarship is a big step
towards making my dream
come true.”
During her studies at the
University, she has spent
time teaching Spanish
and French in two Primary
Schools in Gloucester and
Droitwich.
She added: “Going to Peru
means a lot to me because
I believe that anyone can
change the world. I have
travelled around Europe
and I have seen a variety of
educational systems. Since I
was a child, I knew I wanted
to be a teacher and I feel that
I have a duty – to teach and
help children. Being a teacher
is a lovely experience, which in
Peruvian context will also be
a life-changing one and I am
prepared to teach, learn and
change.”
10 / July 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

NEWS
Lecturer’s Book Promotes Spiritual Care in Nursing Practice
International Conference to Explore Increasing Use
of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
As civilian use of unmanned aerial
vehicles (or drones) increases, the
University of Worcester is bringing
together a host of experts to explore
the potential of these unique tools
for environmental applications.
Historically, Unmanned Aerial
Vehicles (UAVs) were the preserve of
the military. But in recent years, the
potential to use small UAVs, including
environmental monitoring has been
recognised, and interest is booming.
The University of Worcester is one of
just three UK universities to hold a Civil
Aviation Authority licence to fly a UAV.
It uses a Draganflyer X6 UAV largely
for research in geographical sciences,
including assessment of river habitats.
The conference, taking place on
Thursday 4 July, will bring together
a host of expertise to explore how
these small, remote-controlled
helicopters and aeroplanes are
being used. Over 70 delegates have
registered to attend, from a wide
range of backgrounds including
academia, industry and government
organisations. Presentation topics
include monitoring and imaging
archaeological sites, the seabed and
sea ice, coastal change, geohazards,
river systems and air quality.
One of the conference organisers,
Amy Woodget, a PhD student at
the University of Worcester, whose
The Francis report has shown health professionals that we can’t afford to be complacent where
compassionate care is concerned. What it is and how to do it has to be thought through and
analysed and we have to find ways to teach it. When Janice Clarke was awarded project leave
in 2011 she used it to turn her PhD into a book that addresses just this issue. Dr Clarke, from
the Applied Professional Studies Department of the Institute of Health & Society, hopes this
ground-breaking text will mark a sea change in the way health practitioners, and especially
nurses think about compassion and links it for the first time to spiritual care. Health workers
are exhorted to address a patient or client’s spiritual needs but there is a huge confidence and
knowledge gap in the abilities of practitioners to address this ambiguous subject. This book
demonstrates that far from being an esoteric and burdensome addition to care, there is a way
of ‘doing’ spiritual care which integrates it with compassion in every interaction and activity,
even the most physical of care such as helping patients to wash, eat and move. The model
described here shows how the way that we communicate with, care for and physically touch
people, if it addresses the whole person compassionately, can reinforce spiritual wellbeing and
so deserves to be called spiritual care. Thus two large and essential areas of care, compassion
and spirituality are brought together in this fundamentally practical text which puts the heart
back into nursing.
research involves using the
Draganflyer UAV, said: “The
use of remotely sensed data,
collected using small, low altitude
unmanned aerial systems, has
seen significant growth in
recent years, for a wide range
of scientific applications. UAVs
offer many benefits. Within
this field there is a need for the
exchange of knowledge, theory
and practical experiences, with
a view to developing best
practice and encouraging use
in new application areas.”
Amy will also be presenting her
research on the use of Worcester’s
UAV to assess river habitats
on a river in Chile, carried out
jointly with colleagues at the
University of Concepcion.
The one day conference is part
of the Remote Sensing and
Photogrammetry Society’s
UAV Special Interest Group
and will include a number of
keynote presentations, and
discussions about data collection,
analysis and application.
To find out more about
the conference visit www.
worcester.ac.uk/discover/
uav-conference.html
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / July 2013 / 11

NEWS
Nursing Expert Calls For Greater Urgency in
Patient Care
Government must act now to implement NHS culture change, says University of Worcester nursing expert
A nursing expert has called for greater
urgency in hospital reform, echoing
concerns raised by Health Secretary
Jeremy Hunt over patient care.
Mr Hunt has urged hospitals and the
healthcare regulatory body, the Care
Quality Commission (CQC), to be
more ‘open and transparent’ following
revelations over patient neglect.
Robert Dudley, Head of Nursing
and Paramedic Science at the
University of Worcester, said: “We
welcome and support Mr Hunt’s
recognition that doctors, nurses
and other healthcare professionals
should be the driving force behind
developments, and the government is
right to ask for greater transparency.
However, it is acting far too slowly.”
Robert points out that The Francis
Report, published 6 February, called for
a culture change and a ‘duty of candour’,
which would require hospitals to make
their failings and mistakes public.
Changes now need to be implemented,
Robert believes, and examples must
be set by the regulatory body.
“If the CQC – the government’s
flagship regulator – is hiding mistakes,
how on earth can we expect the
hospitals to be open?” he asked.
Training for nurses at the University
of Worcester is designed around
the principle that patient care
should be a central element of
all degree programmes.
The University, which received a
100% student satisfaction rating in
last year’s National Student Survey,
making it the top rated nursing
degree in the UK, uses panels of nurse
academics, patient representatives
and clinicians to agree that every
candidate for its nursing programmes
has the potential to be a good nurse.
Alumni
Reunion
It also teaches students to accept
personal responsibility for judging
the care standards they witness when
they spend time in hospitals, GP
surgeries and treatment centres as
part of their courses, and supports
them if they raise concerns.
The University will be hosting its annual Alumni Reunion
on Saturday 13th July from 12pm. Participation from colleagues is most welcome
as former students are keen to catch up with past and present members of staff.
Welcome drinks, live jazz music, campus tours and sports activities will all be
taking place in the afternoon. This year’s event will celebrate the opening of the
Arena, and will include tours of the newly-opened facility as well as of The Hive.
Please contact Sian Gould on ex. 2467 or via alumni@worc.ac.uk for further
information.
12 / July 2013 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

COVER NEWS STORY
BBC Take a Roadtrip to Worcester
Doctor Who Comes to The Infirmary
Peter Purves and Colin
Baker journeyed to
Worcester and The
Infirmary for a special
episode of Celebrity
Antiques Road Trip,
exploring aspects of
the former hospital’s
history and artefacts.
Joined by antiques
experts Will Axon
and James Braxton,
the crew spent an
afternoon filming in
key locations within
the University’s City
Campus, including
the museum and the
boardroom.
Carol Bowsher,
Learning and Access
Officer at The Infirmary, was under the camera lights, showcasing the
unique medical artefacts in the museum to Will Axon and Peter Purves.
They explored all aspects of Worcester’s medical history: from the
introduction of anaesthetics with Dr Curt Schimmelbusch’s mask and
Henry Carden’s single flap method of amputation, to investigating
bones found during site excavations in 2007, evidence of the gruesome
practice of dissection.
Joined by Colin Baker and James Braxton, they revealed the antiques
they bought from the area.
Colin and Peter attracted everyone’s attention not only with their
presence, but also with the two vintage cars they used for the show.
Talking about the experience, Carol said: “I was a little apprehensive
when I first heard Celebrity Antiques Road Trip were coming to the
Infirmary – a mixture of excitement and nerves. I grew up with Peter
Purves, not literally, but through my regular Blue Peter after school switch
on. He was absolutely charming and very encouraging to a novice.”
“We were delighted to have a special loan from The Hive - a patient records
book from the Powick Asylum dating from 1896. It showed the case of
Henry Maiden, whose mania was triggered by ‘disappointment in love’.
His notes reveal states of grand disillusionment, believing himself to be
on ‘intimate terms with the Earl of Dudley’ and he had a strange habit of
sewing multiple patches onto his coat, which eventually weighted 19lbs.
The filming experience was all very exciting with lots for the Director to
remember about continuity!”
More excitement followed with the arrival of former Dr Who, Colin
Baker, not by Tardis, but by vintage car. Very fitting as Peter Purves was
an assistant of an earlier Doctor. We came to the conclusion Peter could have done with a sonic screwdriver as keyhole surgery
is a tricky business – be interesting to see if that makes the cut!
The episode is scheduled for broadcast in September.
Sons of Rest
above left - right: Will Axon, Peter Purves, Carol Bowsher,
Colin Baker and James Braxton
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2009 13
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / July 2013 / 13