May 2011 - University of Worcester

news
& views
THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
May 2011
A royal
opening
HRH The Duke of Gloucester to
officially open City Campus p.4-5
In this issue:
Award Winning
City Campus artwork wins National Art Award p.10
Bribery & Corruption
Workshop will explore bribery in UK Business p.14
Business Pitch to
Hockey Pitch
Staff feature: Mark Richardson p.15

feature
Vice Chancellor Calls on
Government to Halt Reduction
in Student Nurses
Professor David Green has
written to the Secretary
of State for Health and
the Chief Executive of NHS
West Midlands in a bid to
overturn a cut in student
nursing numbers across the
region.
NHS West Midlands, the Strategic Health
Authority, has made a 17.5% cut to
commissions for 2011/12, which makes up
two thirds of the national cut of 3.5%.
Professor Green said in his letter to Ian
Cumming OBE, Chief Executive of NHS
West Midlands: “This cut, applying across
all universities, and all branches of nursing,
is most serious and is likely to have a
significant impact on the future security of
the nursing workforce and hence the quality
of patient care.
“This cut will lead to significant and entirely
predictable shortages in the years ahead.
It will make it more difficult for nursing
to respond to the pressures created by an
ageing population.”
The cuts come in the wake of the Stafford
Hospital enquiry.
Professor Green said: “At a time when it is
essential to improve and, in some cases, to
re-establish public confidence in the quality
of nursing in the West Midlands, such cuts
will make the situation significantly more
difficult.”
The total reduction in commissioned
places in the West Midlands is 457, with
an 18% cut in Adult Nursing, 15% in Child
Nursing, 17% in Mental Health, and 15% in
Learning Disabilities.
The cut is being made despite the major
review, commissioned by the Department
for Health, in March of nursing numbers.
In a statement to the Nursing Times, NHS
West Midlands said it was commissioning
training places based on long term
workforce plans using detailed projections
made by NHS organisations around the
level of staffing required to meet future
demand of local health services.
However, Professor Green called this
“deeply unconvincing” as there is no
publicly available information showing
that there is a need for a drop in the
nursing workforce. On the contrary, it
is widely accepted that there will be
a greater need for nursing in future.
Currently, there are shortages in many
areas including dementia nursing, theatre
nursing, school nursing and specialist child
nursing. This year’s consultation with
the Strategic Health Authority revolved
around their desire to cut 14% from the
Multi-Professional Education and Training
Budget which covers nursing.
Professor Green said: “University of
Worcester nursing graduates have 100%
employment rate. They are being snapped
up by employers in the NHS, private health
care providers and the armed forces. If we
cut the number of nurses being trained
today then the NHS will be forced to go
back to recruiting trained nurses from
abroad tomorrow.”
Professor Green said: “Earlier this year
West Midlands Strategic Health Authority
reversed a decision to cut 16% of all
midwifery training places, on the personal
order of the Secretary of State Andrew
Lansley, following pressure from the Royal
College of Midwives and Universities. We
hope that the Secretary of State will again
intervene to save the education of the
Country’s future nurses whom an NHS
spokeswoman described this month as “the
backbone of the NHS”.”
Applications to study nursing at the
University of Worcester have more than
doubled over the past two years and, for
some branches, there are now well over
10 applicants per place. The most recent
annual Nursing and Midwifery Council
inspection of nursing at Worcester gave
the University and its NHS partners in
Herefordshire and Worcestershire the
highest rating possible and commended
the University for its “close and effective
partnership working” with local hospitals,
practices and health care providers.
2 / MAY 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

COVER wELCOME STORY
contents
FEATURE
UW Vice Chancellor Calls on
Government to Halt Reduction in
Student Nurses 2
COVER STORY
welcome
Welcome to the May issue of
News & Views, featuring a
roundup of news, launches
and milestones from the past
month at the University of Worcester.
240 years ago a plot of land was purchased on
Castle Street for the Worcester Royal Infirmary to
solve the increasing problem of limited beds at the
earlier Silver Street Infirmary. Later this month the
University’s Chancellor, The Duke of Gloucester
will officially open City Campus, marking its
revival to Worcestershire’s city landscape.
HOOK-A-DUCK FOR WORCESTER SNOEZELEN
A spring fete is being held at the
University of Worcester in May to raise
money for a local charity.
The University’s Community Development
Workers are hosting the event in aid of the
University’s Charity of the Year, Worcester
Snoezelen. The event will be held on Friday, May
13 from midday onwards, in the area outside the
Chandler Halls of Residence, at St John’s Campus.
There will be various activities such as a cake
decorating competition, a guess how many
sweets are in the jar contest, guess the name of
the teddy, hook a duck and a raffle/ tombola.
The official opening is just one of many events
taking place this month. Various conferences,
lectures and exhibitions are taking place from
St John’s, to the Garage to City Campus.
Along the way the University will be working
closely with some of our local partners
including Worcester Cathedral to many of
Worcestershire’s finest sporting clubs and groups
at the fourth Learning Through Sports event.
If you have an event you would like featured,
please let us know. Please keep in touch by sending
your news to newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
There will also be ice cream and hot food as well
as Trade Nepal and Zaytoun selling Fair Trade
goods and Smartwater kits sold by a member
of the St John’s Neighbourhood Watch.
The Worcester Snoezelen is an independent
charity which provides a multi-sensory
environment to offer leisure and therapy
facilities. People of any age who have physical,
sensory or learning disabilities can benefit of
the Snoezelen Centre. More than 450 people
regularly use their facilities, including multisensory
rooms, hydrotherapy, accessible
music making, soft play areas, creative art
opportunities and a sensory garden.
Royal Opening for City Campus 4
news
Hook-a-duck for Worcester
Snoezelen 3
Shakespearean Scholar to Deliver
Lecture 6
Former England Rugby Coach to
Headline Coaching Summit 6
Fee Level for 2012 Announcement7
Students’ Surprise Meeting with
Exiled Journalist 8
Worcester Sports Psychologist
Helps RAF Team 8
Trainee Teachers Keep Children Safe
Online 9
New Online Journal for Student-led
Research in Sport 9
Children’s Work Wins National Art
Award 10
Kenya-bound 10
PhD Student Establishes Crystal
Healing Business 11
Awards for Commitment to Design
and Technology 11
Student Development Activities 11
Art Students Host Final Year Degree
Show 12
ABS Meeting 12
Worcester Lecturers Nominated for
National Award 13
The Worcester Lecture 13
GB Visually Impaired Football Team
13
Launch of Security Certification
Scheme 14
Childhood Legends Brought to Life
14
Bribery and Corruption Workshop
14
sTAFF FEATURE
From the boardroom to the hockey
pitch:
Mark Richardson 15
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / MAY 2011 / 3

4 / MAY 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

COVER STORY
Royal Opening
for University of
Worcester’s
HRH the Duke of Gloucester will officially open the
University of Worcester’s City Campus later this month.
The former Worcester Royal Infirmary has
been carefully and thoughtfully restored and
converted to modern educational use.
The main infirmary building has been named after Sir
Charles Hastings, who founded the British Medical
Association in 1832 in the boardroom. It houses
bright new teaching spaces, computer labs, and
conference facilities. From later this year the building
will host a permanent exhibition and educational
centre celebrating Worcester’s medical past.
Mulberry House, which once served as a doctors’ residence
has been painstakingly restored and converted into office
space for Worcester Business School, business and regional
development and widening participation staff. The first
phase of the City Campus also includes two high quality
student halls of residence and a cafeteria open to all.
The historic Jenny Lind Chapel has been fully restored and
will soon be graced by a new stained glass window funded
by the Nurses’ League, which will commemorate the work
of the nurses at the Royal Infirmary over so many years.
A new feature in the restored buildings is the McClelland
Health and Wellbeing Centre, which is named after Miss
Mary Jane McClelland, the matron who established the
nurses’ library at the Worcester Royal Infirmary. The
Centre is already providing a variety of classes and
therapies to improve physical and mental wellbeing.
The University’s Chancellor HRH The Duke of Gloucester,
will perform the official opening ceremony at 3.30pm
on Thursday, May 12 before he attends the annual
Worcester Lecture at the Cathedral later that evening.
University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, Professor David
Green, said: “These buildings are an important part of
the history of Worcester and the very place where the
British Medical Association was founded. They have
been sympathetically restored so that they can once
again play a part in the lives of the City residents.”
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / MAY 2011 / 5

NEWS
Shakespearean Scholar to Deliver Second
Worcester Lecture
A distinguished Shakespearean
scholar is to deliver the second
annual Worcester Lecture.
The Worcester Lectures are a
partnership between Worcester
Cathedral and the University of
Worcester, which serve to heighten
Worcester’s cultural heritage.
Professor Michael Dobson’s lecture,
titled ‘The public good and the
voluntary sector: Shakespeare and
Professor Michael Dobson
the ethics of civic life’, will take
place in Worcester Cathedral on
Thursday, May 12 at 6pm. The University’s Chancellor, HRH
The Duke of Gloucester, will be in attendance at the lecture.
Professor Dobson is a distinguished Shakespearean scholar and
acclaimed lecturer. Presently, he is Professor of Shakespeare
Studies at Birkbeck College in the University of London. He
has recently been appointed Director-elect of the Shakespeare
Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon and Professor of Shakespeare
Studies at the University of Birmingham from September 1.
The Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, Dean of Worcester,
said: “The Worcester Cathedral Chapter is delighted to be
hosting the second of the joint University-Cathedral lectures,
which is one of the many ways in which together we help
Worcester to be a ‘first-rank University and Cathedral City’.”
Professor Dobson was formerly Professor of Renaissance
Drama at Roehampton University. He has also taught at
Oxford, Harvard, Northwestern and Illinois Universities and
has held visiting fellowships at UCLA and Peking University.
Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor of the University of
Worcester, said: “Professor Dobson is a very distinguished
scholar. This promises to be a most interesting and enlightening
lecture. We are delighted that the annual Worcester Lecture
series is attracting such high-profile cultural talent.”
Professor Dobson’s most recent publication, is “Shakespeare
and Amateur Performance: A Cultural History”. His lecture
will draw on the research he undertook for this work.
Professor Dobson comments regularly on Shakespearean
performance for the BBC and writes programme notes for
the RSC, the Old Vic, and Shakepeare’s Globe in London.
Former England Rugby Coach
Headlines at Coaching Summit
Mr Ashton, who took his team to the
2007 Rugby World Cup Final in South
Africa, gave a presention on the coach’s
role in developing players and athletes.
The event, jointly co-ordinated by the
Sports Partnership Herefordshire and
Worcestershire and the University of
Worcester, took place on Sunday 8th
May at the University’s St John’s Campus.
Both coaches and aspiring coaches
were invited to attend the Summit and
get expert advice from ex-professional
footballers, qualified physiotherapists
and senior sports lecturers.
The Summit covered a range of
subjects including Injury Prevention,
Coaching in Education and the
Development of Players.
Steve Brewster, Partnership Director
for Sports Partnership Herefordshire
and Worcestershire, said: “There are
many coaches in the region at all
different levels that are extremely
enthusiastic about developing their team
as well as their own personal skills.
“As a region we have produced some
outstanding athletes and our sporting
achievements have progressed
significantly in recent years. This can be
attributed to good grass root coaching.
The Summit’s aim was to help our local
coaches with the most up to date and
contemporary coaching knowledge in
order to create the best environment
for participants to be involved in sport.”
The Coaching Summit also supported
the University’s Worcester Arena
Fundraising Campaign. Set to open its
doors in 2012, the 2,000 seated arena
will be an ambitious new venue for
sports enthusiasts of all ages and abilities
bringing sporting opportunities to the
community, local clubs and students.
Brian Ashton
6 / MAY 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

University of Worcester Announces Proposed
Fee Level for 2012
Britain’s fastest growing
university has announced its
top fee in 2012 will be £8,100.
Applications to the University of
Worcester have more than tripled
in the last seven years, seven times
faster than the national average
increase over the same period.
The University currently tops the
West Midlands’ universities league
table for graduate employment
and is sixth nationally.
The decision to increase fees comes
as a result of significant cuts in
university funding from the government,
which the University of Worcester
campaigned vigorously against.
Vice Chancellor, Professor David Green,
said: “The University has chosen to
charge the lowest possible fee in the new
situation where government support
for university teaching has been almost
entirely withdrawn. There has been
much consultation to ensure that we
are as fair as we can be to students,
while enabling the University to balance
the books and continue its carefully
managed programme of improvement
to educational facilities for students.”
Fees for most foundation degrees,
run in partnership with further
education colleges, will be set at
£6,000. This will take the average
fee at the University to £7,643.
The University of Worcester has
a first class record of inclusion
and widening participation and
has pledged to continue this. The
University will also continue to develop
its unique earn as you learn scheme
giving students the chance to gain vital
work experience relevant to their studies.
Students starting at the University
of Worcester in 2012 will be the only
students in the Country to benefit from
Britain’s first public and university library,
which is currently under construction.
This £60m development is situated
adjacent to the University’s new
City Campus, which houses business
and computing, in the buildings of
the historic former Worcester Royal
Infirmary, where the British Medical
Association was founded in 1832.
Students also have access to outstanding
new fine art and digital media facilities,
new science laboratories and from
September 2011 new sports and
performance facilities. The University
is also campaigning to create a
new sports arena for the City, with
special focus on disability sport,
for which the University excels.
FEATURE
Professor Green said: “The
University of Worcester has an
excellent reputation for high
quality education overall. Our
teaching, nursing and midwifery
are among the best in Britain
with outstanding reports
from Ofsted and the Nursing
and Midwifery Council.
“Our staff are high achieving and
focussed on providing excellent
education. We were one of only
three universities to make it into
the Sunday Times’ 75 Best Places
to Work in the Public Sector.”
Professor Green added: “Higher
education remains one of the best
investments that can be made. On
average graduates earn more, and
live longer and healthier lives. The
new scheme ensures that repayments
will be affordable. Payments only
begin after completion of the course
and when earnings exceed £21,000
a year. For example, a graduate
earning £25,000 a year will repay
approximately £30 a month.”
The University’s fees level is subject to
the approval of an access agreement
by the Office for Fair Access (OFFA).
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / MAY 2011 / 7

NEWS
Students’
Surprise
Meeting
with Exiled
Journalist
An exiled video journalist from Burma gave University of
Worcester students a disturbing insight into undercover
reporting from a military regime.
The journalist, known by his first
name, Joshua, to protect his
identity, made a surprise visit to
the showing of a cutting edge
documentary about the work of the
reporting team he founded.
The film, Burma Video Journalists,
shown at Worcester’s Odeon,
documents how in 2007 secret
video footage was recorded of
barbaric clampdowns by the
Generals in charge of the country.
Joshua, founder of the Burma VJ group
The atrocities, reported on the BBC
and CNN, included images of monks and ordinary civilians being arrested,
attacked and killed.
Joshua told the students, studying Journalism, Politics and Media, that
he was driven to capture events on film at the age of eight after 30,000
people had been massacred for protesting.
“I thought this will not happen again if I take my camera onto the streets
and record it,” he said.
But he said his team had “paid the price” as many were jailed for up to 65
years and he had his passport confiscated and can’t return to Burma.
Journalism student James Jeffrey said: “For me the film alone reinforced
how important journalism can be and how it can change lives. I have
been a part of an Amnesty International group at my sixth form college,
but I have never met anyone involved with or related to the people I was
writing to help. It was incredible to see how much this man had gone
through, what he was doing for his country, friends and family and to have
the chance to ask him questions in person.”
Worcester Sports
Psychologist
Helps RAF Team
to Beat Army at
Basketball
sports psychologist from the University of Worcester
A was drafted in to help the RAF’s ladies’ basketball team
overcome their competitors and win a major competition.
Three days before the team were due to play against their
counterparts from the Army and Navy, Dr Paul Castle was
called upon to offer some specialist advice.
“Historically, the squad had lost to the Army for the previous
six years,” Paul said. “I designed a workshop and worked with
the team for the morning where, collectively, we worked
through some applied sport psychology techniques to instil
and retain a sense of mental focus during the competition.”
The team contacted the University in the hope that some
psychology coaching could help them to over-come their
block when it came to playing against the Army.
Paul said: “I am pleased that they made full use of the
expertise available to achieve the objective, emerging as
winners of the competition, but more importantly for
beating the Army.”
The team is due to play in a competition in New Zealand in
June, using the skills they learned with Paul.
Team Manager Flying Officer Claire Birney said: “Having lost
the Inter-Services Basketball competition to the Army for the
last six years, as a team we were keen to get some guidance
on methods to mentally prepare for the competition.
“Dr Paul Castle came along to our training camp and held a
two hour long workshop which allowed the girls to discuss
mental preparation techniques and how to channel nerves
and pressure before and during a game. The session was
very well received and the players all found it extremely
insightful. Their new found mental attitude, in addition to
hard work and commitment, culminated in a richly deserved
victory at the weekend.”
Using satellite the material was send out of the country, edited and
then broadcast around
the world and back onto
Burmese TV screens via a
pro democratic channel.
The free film viewing
was organised by the
Co-operative which is
campaigning for the release
of political prisoners,
including the five people in
the film.
Joshua meeting Journalism, Politics
and Media students
RAF Ladies Basketball Team
8 / MAY 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

NEWS
Trainee Teachers Keep
Children Safe Online
Trainee teachers at the University of Worcester are being taught how
to keep children safe online thanks to two new schemes.
More than 200 Primary Initial Teacher Training (ITT) and Postgraduate
Certificate in Education (PGCE) students have undergone special training
to ensure they are prepared to educate children in how to minimise
risks to their personal safety when using online technology.
The Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) training was
delivered by staff at the University who are CEOP Ambassadors.
Moira Savage, Senior Lecturer in Primary ITT and e-learning Coordinator in
the Institute of Education, said: “We received funding from the Training and
Development Agency (TDA) for members of staff in Education to train as
CEOP Ambassadors. This meant that we could then pass this knowledge on to
our students and ensure that they are fully equipped to start their careers.
“Online safety is a big thing for teachers in today’s society and knowing how to
spot the signs of children at risk and how to deal with it, is really important.”
The University currently has seven trained CEOP Ambassadors, with a further five undergoing training this year.
As well as funding for the CEOP training, the University also received funding from the TDA to participate in the European
Pedagogical ICT (EPCIT) Licence. This saw 15 members of staff and 30 Primary trainee teachers undergo special e-safety training
and become certified providers, with the University significantly being awarded EPICT’s Esafety Aware status as a result.
Professor Chris Robertson, Head of the Institute of Education, said: “Ensuring that our trainees are fully equipped to deal with
online safety for children and young people inside and outside school is increasingly very important and gives our University of
Worcester trainee teachers an added advantage in the jobs market. We fully intend to continue this training in the future.”
New Online Journal for Student-led Research
in Sport, Exercise and Physical Education
A new online journal is being launched to give sport, exercise and physical
education students around the world an outlet for their research.
The Graduate Journal of Sport, Exercise & Physical Education
Research (GJSEPER) was the idea of Professor Derek Peters, Dr
Gyozo Molnar and Professor Ken Hardman at the University of
Worcester, who will act as the Editorial Board for the resource.
It will be the first online free-access research journal in the field to
solely publish student-led research.
Professor Peters said: “A lot of research that students produce is
outstanding, but for one reason or another it doesn’t make it into
the top ranked journals around the world, but that doesn’t mean
that it’s not high quality research”.
“There is some excellent research being carried out by undergraduate
and postgraduate students around the world in the broadest areas
associated with sport, exercise and physical education and we
wanted to create an outlet for this.”
It will be an expert-reviewed
journal with submissions only
eligible if the first named author
is (or has recently been) a
student. The first issue will be
published in Autumn 2011.
For more information please
visit www.worc.ac.uk/gjseper
Professor Derek Peters
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / MAY 2011 / 9

NEWS
Children’s Work Exploring Past, Present and
Future of University’s City Campus
Wins National Art Award
More than 200 children from St
Barnabas and St George’s CE primary
schools took part in the project, called
Making Your Mark on the Future, in
which they worked with professional
artists.
The project has now won a Drawing
Inspiration Award from The Campaign for
Drawing’s Big Draw campaign. Commissioned
by the University of Worcester, local artists
Alison Ogle and Petr Horacek spent time in
the schools helping the children to produce a
series of work celebrating the re-birth of the
former Worcester Royal Infirmary.
The children explored the history of
the Castle Street buildings and their
transformation into a second campus for the
University.
Steve Boffy, arts co-ordinator at the
University, said: “We are delighted that the
project has won a national award. It is a real
testament to the hard work of the children,
teachers and artists who all took part. They did
a fantastic job.
“We wanted to get the children thinking more
widely about education and university and the
life journeys they can make. They explored
where they want their own lives to go in the
future and different aspects of their families’
pasts.”
The children created pictures and stories,
which were used to produce a series of
banners. The schools project was part of
a number of arts projects to celebrate the
history of the former Worcester Royal
Infirmary and its future as part of the
University.
In November the dance development agency
for Herefordshire and Worcestershire,
performed a unique piece of live dance
at the City Campus. The University also
commissioned Vamos Theatre company to
create a piece of drama last year, which drew
on former nurses’ recollections of their time
working there.
The art project has been supported by The
Elmley Foundation and Worcestershire
County Council.
STUDENT TO TEACH YOUNGSTERS IN KENYA
Twenty-four year-old Ian Widdows, from Chipping Norton in
Oxfordshire, will join 30 volunteers to teach children in Nakuru.
The trip, which departs on June 5, has been organised by Oxford
United Football Club.
Ian said: “I saw the opportunity and thought it was brilliant. It was
something I’d always wanted to do and I don’t think I’ll ever get a chance
like this again.”
Ian aims to raise over £2,000 for the project which will support
Oxford United Youth Community Sports Trust and Kenyan
Adventure’s 2011 community development pledge.
He added: “I always wanted to help others with fewer opportunities
than I had, it’s one of the reasons that I chose to do coaching.”
As part of the fundraising efforts Ian has already organised a local pub
quiz and is planning a sixty miles sponsored walk with other members
of the team.
The University of Worcester’s
Scholarship Panel awarded Ian
£800 to contribute towards the
expedition which will be help build
houses, buy school equipment and
provide clean drinking water to
communities in Kenya.
Ian will be required to create his
own lesson plans for the children
aged four to 12 years old. He will
be teaching maths, English, art and
music.
He said: “It’s quite scary seeing that
I have to plan my own lessons but I see
it as a challenge.”
Ian Widdows
The University’s Scholarship Panel awards grants of up to £1,000
towards volunteering, sports and course related activities.
10 / MAY 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

NEWS
PhD Student Establishes
Crystal Healing Business
As well as academic degrees in English
Literature, Psychology and an MSc in Work
Psychology and Business, Marie Dunnion, from
Kings Heath, Birmingham, has a Diploma in
Crystal Therapy and a qualification in Anatomy
and Physiology. She is also qualified in both
Reiki I and II.
Marie, who is currently researching unethical
behaviour in the workplace for her PhD, set
up Emerald City Healing through the SPEED
(Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in
Education) programme.
Marie Dunnion
“After doing the Diploma in Crystal Healing I
started practising just as a hobby,” said the 31-year-old. “I was doing it every
weekend and got to thinking that maybe I could turn it into a business. With the
help of SPEED I have managed to get my website up and running and establish
myself at a therapy centre, called Serene Mind & Body, in Coventry every
Saturday.”
Marie added: “As a crystal therapist and Reiki practitioner, I help people to
progress on their unique healing journeys by listening to their story and tapping
into what they really feel to help them move forward. Reiki is very popular but a
lot of people don’t know much about crystal healing. Once people understand it
they love the concept.”
Marie is currently also training as an animal healer with the Healing Animals
Organisation, combining her love for animals with her passion for healing.
She said: “The long-term vision is to be able to practice crystal healing and animal
healing on an international level and to bring these practices to the public and
even into the workplace.
“It’s great to have been given the opportunity to get my business off the ground
and I’m feeling very positive about the future.”
As part of the SPEED WM programme students are given access to business
start-up training, Chamber of Commerce membership for 12 months, £3,000-
£8,000 to spend on setting up their own business, promotional package
including logo design, access to business mentors, and much more.
Howard Skerry, Head of Business Development at the University of Worcester,
said: “The SPEED programme has been helpful to all kind of students from
different countries, different disciplines and different experiences to help them
understand what’s involved in setting up a business in the knowledge that help is
always at hand.”
To find out more about Marie and her business visit
www.emeraldcityhealing.co.uk or email maried23@hotmail.com Alternatively
you can find Marie on Facebook at facebook.com/emeraldcityhealing
Awards for
Commitment
to Design and
Technology
Jane Proctor, a technician within the Institute of
Education, has received an award for Exceptional
Support for Design and Technology, and Lisa
Wishart a 2008/09 PGCE Secondary student
picked up an Outstanding Newcomer Award.
DATA is the recognised professional association
which represents all those involved in design and
technology education and associated subject areas.
In nominating Jane colleagues acknowledged that
she “consistently provides exceptional support
to the whole design and technology community
at the University of Worcester. This extends to
teaching staff, undergraduate and post graduate
students within the Institute of Education”.
Jane said: “It came as a complete surprise and I am
grateful to DATA for recognising my contribution.”
After graduating from Worcester, Lisa taught at
Haybridge High School in Stourbridge until last
Christmas. She has now returned to her native Scotland
and secured a teaching post north of the border.
“I feel extremely proud and fortunate to have
achieved such an award so early in my career,” said
Lisa. “The Design and Technology Association does
fantastic things for Food Technology and I was
thrilled to attend the event with other professionals
who have a similar passion for the subject.”
In nominating Lisa her tutor, Susan Wood-Griffiths,
acknowledged that: “Lisa was an exceptional trainee
teacher. She came to Worcester from Scotland to
do the course with a school background in Home
Economics and a degree in Food, Nutrition and Health.
“She applied to do the subject knowledge booster course
to familiarise herself with the differences and similarities
between Food Technology and Home Economics. This
gave us our first glimpse of her enthusiasm for and
commitment to the teacher training course she was due
to embark upon. These characteristics were demonstrated
throughout her training, and her bubbling enthusiasm
motivated and inspired the pupils she taught.”
FOR YOUR STUDENTS: Student Development Activities
From Monday 23 May to Friday 3 June Student Development activities will be held in room EE 1102. The sessions are
designed to help students move on to the next stage of their academic or working careers. Subjects to be covered
include improving academic skills, getting the right disability support, moving into private rented accommodation from
halls of residence, preparing for job hunting and next steps for international students finishing their course.
The full programme of activities can be found at https://secure.worc.ac.uk/cgi-bin/workshops/workshop.pl where students can also book
their place on the sessions of their choice. Please encourage your students to make the most of this opportunity to enhance their skills.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / MAY 2011 / 11

NEWS
Art Students Host Final Year Degree Show
Final year students at the University of
Worcester are presenting progressive and
inspiring works in a double exhibition later this
month.
Elliot Robinson, a Fine Art student, said:
“There will be everything from paintings and
prints, to ceramics, film and photography.
It’s going to be a really fantastic show, with
something for everyone.”
25th May 2011, 5:15pm to 8pm
Grand opening speeches at 6pm
The Digital Arts Centre, St John’s Campus, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ
Fine Art, Art & Design and Creative Digital
You are invited to attend the Private View of COGITO ERGO SUM,
Media students will showcase their work
the degree show of work by graduating students in:
to the public from Thursday, May 26 until
Creative Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration,
Sunday, May 29 from 10am to 4pm.
Digital Film Production & Animation
The Fine Art and Art & Design show,
SHIFT.2011, will take place in the Garage Please RSVP by 18th of May 2011 to rsvp@worc.ac.uk
complex on Hylton Road, while the Creative
Digital Media show, COGITO ERGO SUM,
will be held in the Digital Arts Centre and
Cotswold Suite.
by Rachel Blackwell
The work of final year students presenting
their show at the St John’s campus will
encompass animation, illustration,
photography, film and graphic design.
Students have worked on projects in
partnership with various clients such as
Worcester City Council, English Heritage, The
National Trust and Westons Cider.
Professor Antonia Payne, Head of the
University’s Institute of Humanities & Creative
Arts, said: “This year’s shows celebrate the
work of our first graduates from a number of
new Worcester courses, including Animation,
Digital Film Production, Illustration, and Fine
Art Practice, as well as the latest graduates
from existing courses. They are testament
to the growing ambition and achievements
of art and design students and staff at the
University.”
For more information about the COGITO
ERGO SUM show, please visit the website
www.cogitoergosum.co.uk or contact Mark
Salmon at Finalshowmarketing@gmail.com
ABS Meeting
A special meeting looking at Business Schools in Cathedral Cities - Strategies for the Future, was recently
held at the University.
The Association of Business Schools organised the event especially for university business schools which are
located in non-metropolitan Cathedral cities.
The one-day event, held at the City Campus, explored branding, student recruitment, the nature of the
learning and teaching environment and campus, research and strategies for the future.
Mark Richardson, Head of Worcester Business School, said: “It was a very useful meeting where we could
share ideas and best practice with other business schools and build on the quality of our offering here at
Worcester.”
Business School representatives
12 / MAY 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

FEATURE
Worcester Lecturers Nominated for
National Award
Guide to Understanding Primary English
Teaching Written by Worcester Lecturers
Nominated for National Award
An important and engaging book on teaching English in primary
schools, penned by staff at the University of Worcester, has been
shortlisted for a prestigious literary award.
The book, An Introduction to Primary English Teaching: Language,
Literacy and Learning, was edited and co-authored by former lecturer
Dr Robyn Cox, with chapters written by Professor Chris Robertson,
Head of the Institute of Education, Professor Jean Webb, Director of
the International Research Centre: Children’s Literature, Literacy and
Creativity, and Dr Bob Fox, a senior lecturer in ICT who has recently
retired from the University.
It has been shortlisted for the UK Literacy Association’s Author Award
2011, which is presented to a member of the Association whose text
most effectively supports the teaching of literacy.
It must reflect current developments in literacy research and
encourage teachers to be reflective, innovative, and creative.
Dr Cox, now Associate Professor in Literacy Education at the
Australian Catholic University, who wrote the two opening chapters,
said: “Initial teacher education students need the best possible
introduction to the field of primary English teaching. In shaping up
this book I was aiming to do that; I wanted to bring accessible but
strongly theoretical chapters to those first entering the important
area of primary English literacy teaching, and this nomination and
shortlist suggests that I was able to do just that.”
The winner will be announced at the UKLA International Conference
in Chester in July.
Professor Webb, whose chapter is titled ‘Learning and Teaching
Literacy Using Children’s Literature’, said: “This is an innovative work
edited by Dr Cox. It is not at all usual for a section on children’s
literature to be included in a text for teaching literacy, although
literature is at the heart of why we teach literacy skills.”
Professor Robertson added: “My chapter is called ‘Primary English
Curriculum Perspectives’. It reflects on both the theory and changing
practice in primary English teaching over the many years I have been
both a practitioner and expert in the field of language and literacy.”
In a review of the book, Clare Dowdall, Professor at the University
of Plymouth, described it as: “both comprehensive and accessible to
trainee teachers”.
She said: “This book will make a useful contribution to reading lists
for both primary and early years students. The range of content is
extensive and engaging, and will ensure that readers are equipped to
develop their skills of reflection and analysis in relation to primary
English, language and literacy issues, as well as to take on the practical
challenges of literacy teaching and learning in educational settings.”
The Worcester
Lecture
Thursday 12 May 2011, 6pm
Worcester Cathedral
“The public good and the voluntary sector:
Shakespeare and the ethics of civic life”
Professor Michael Dobson
Birkbeck College, University of London
This annual lecture, jointly sponsored by the
University of Worcester and Worcester Cathedral,
will explore the matter of ethics in public life.
Admission free – by ticket only
To reserve a place please call 01905 855141
GB Visually Impaired Football Team
Finish 4 th in World Games
Report from David Mycock, Coach of Great
Britain Blind Paralympic Team
IBSA (International Blind Sport Association) 1-10 April
4th World Games held Antalya, Turkey
For this tournament we represented England and we had graduate
Lewis Skyers in goal. We beat Thailand 4-0, Germany 4-1, drew
0-0 with China, which meant we won our Group with 7 points.
We were then drawn in the semi-final against the European
champions, France. We lost in extra time with a deflected home
goal. France progressed to the final and we had to play 3rd
and 4th place play offs – we lost to China 3-0 and came 4th.
The next tournament is the IBSA European
championships in Ankara in September.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / MAY 2011 / 13

NEWS
Business Leaders Attend Launch of Security
Certification Scheme
Leaders of small and medium-sized businesses, IT professionals
and representatives of government organisations took
part in a special conference looking at data security.
following data breaches, where data controllers in the organisations
in question are found to have been negligent in failing to implement
guidance or codes of practice published by the ICO or others.
The event, held at the City Campus, saw the launch of the
Information Assurance for SMEs (IASME) certification scheme.
IASME is the product of a collaboration between the National
Computing Centre (NCC), University of Worcester and Independent
Consultants, funded initially through a Technology Strategy
Board grant, and now operating on a fully commercial basis.
Further information about the IASME process is available at www.
iasme.co.uk and case studies relating to SMEs that have undertaken
the IASME process will be published on the web site in the near future.
Daniel Dresner, Head of Information Assurance Practice at the
NCC, said: “The lack of information assurance in the commercial
world is not just a problem for the SMEs themselves. The recent
survey conducted by the University of Worcester reinforced research
conducted elsewhere, showing that a security vulnerability in one
link can create vulnerability right across the supply chain. Focussed
attacks on the nation’s information infrastructure may already
be moving from larger companies with dedicated resources for
protection to poorly defended SMEs who provide quicker wins.”
The Conference heard from Alastair Barter, Senior Policy Officer at
the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), who reminded the
audience that “the protection of personal information is now rated
ahead of the NHS, National Security and Environmental Issues
amongst the key public social concerns”. Data protection is viewed as
an essential part of business activity, and financial penalties are now
Childhood Legends
Brought to Life at the
University of Worcester
A conference exploring the folklore of
childhood took place at the University in
April.
The theme of this year’s conference was ‘Childlore
and the Folklore of Childhood’. It saw presentations
from a range of experts from both inside and outside
the academy on such diverse topics as folk song,
legend, traditions and beliefs, and popular culture.
The Folklore Society, who held the weekend long
conference, is a learned society devoted to the study
of traditional culture in all its forms. It was founded in
London in 1878 and was one of the first organisations
established in the world for the study of folklore. The
Folklore Society’s interest and expertise covers such topics
as traditional music, song, dance and drama, narrative, arts
and crafts, customs and belief, as well as popular religion,
traditional and regional food, folk medicine, children’s
folklore, traditional sayings, proverbs, rhymes and jingles.
The Conference hosted over 20 renowned
delegates from a wide cultural spectrum including
UK, the United States, Lithuania and Greece.
Workshop will Explore Bribery
and Corruption in UK Business
Bribery and corruption will be the topic of a
workshop to be run by the University’s Centre
for Ethical Leadership later this month.
The workshop, on May 27, is aimed at business leaders concerned
with the ethical and legal implications of bribery and corruption.
All UK organisations are covered by the Bribery Act 2010, which requires
companies to demonstrate, not just that they haven’t been involved
in bribery, but that they have procedures in place to prevent it.
Rob Sykes, Director of the Centre for Ethical Leadership,
said: “The workshop aims to investigate corporate social
responsibility, with particular focus on bribery and corruption,
and develop awareness of ethical, legal and cultural issues.”
Workshop participants will analyse a case study on bribery and
corruption and interact with actors in related scenarios.
It will be delivered by Mr Sykes, Dr Mike Bagshaw, from the
University, and Ashley Callaghan, of Ashley Callaghan Training.
A presentation on the implications of the Bribery Act 2010
will be followed by a question and answer session, with an
opportunity to discuss the possible impact of the Act on
organisations and consider appropriate responses.
The University’s Centre for Ethical Leadership works with leaders to
support them in making decisions that acknowledge and respect contested
values in areas such as the environment, social justice and governance.
If you would like to attend the Bribery and Corruption workshop please
contact Cath McGourty on 01905 542234 or c.mcgourty@worc.ac.uk
14 / MAY 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk

COVER STAFF FEATURE STORY
This month we chat to the Head of Worcester
Business School, Mark Richardson, who swaps the
boardroom for the hockey pitch at weekends.
Learning Sporting Passion
for Business Head:
“Are you studying a joint degree in geography and hockey?” - the words of a professor
to Mark during his student days, which sum up his passion for the sport.
Since the age of 11 Mark has been a keen hockey player, religiously turning
out every weekend to represent his school, college or town.
“I was too little to play rugby and not quite good enough for football,”
he recalls. “So I took up hockey and really enjoyed it.”
After leaving school Mark went on to play for his home city of York and then
while at Aberystwyth University played for the University team.
“I remember one of my professors asking if I was studying for a
joint degree in geography and hockey, because I spent all my
Mark Richardson, Head of WBS
time playing,” he said. “I remember we reached the semi-final of
the UK universities outdoor competition and came first once and second once at indoor hockey.”
Mark, who plays in right back, later played for Harbourne in Birmingham, York again, and has now been playing for
Worcester Men’s Hockey Club, which plays at the University of Worcester, for almost 17 seasons. Over the years he has
sustained a serious blow to the head and even had a tooth knocked out, but even this didn’t deter him from playing.
“I’m getting a bit too old now so I play in the seconds and in the veterans teams,” he jokes. “We made it to the finals
of the Hockey Association Plate, on April 17 and narrowly missed the title by losing 2:1 to Peterborough.
Mark’s other passion in life is gardening. “I’ve
only got a very small garden but I do enjoy
pottering about in it. I particularly love Acers,
Hostas and Primulas. Gardening and a good
bottle of wine is what keeps me happy.”
Before Mark’s academic career, he
worked for Bass Brewery, during which
time he became a qualified wine taster –
despite his hatred for the red stuff!
“I can tell the difference between
Champagne and a sparkling wine just by
looking at it,” he says with a wry smile.
Mark (back row second from left)
What do you get up to when you leave the Campus?
Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at s.jones@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER / MAY 2009 2011 / 15