Download Futures - Summer 2010 - University of Hertfordshire

futuresSUMMER 2010futuresNEWSA snapshot of news bites from around your University this summer...Success in theGreen League 2010The University was recently awarded thirdplace in the People and Planet’s Green Leaguetable 2010. The People and Planet’s GreenLeague is a unique table, ranking 133 UKuniversities by environmental performancein the UK educational sector. The Universitymissed first place position by 6.5 points toPlymouth University who scored a total of51.0 (out of 70 possible points). The Universityhas been recognised as finding new creativeways to go green despite funding cuts andachieved the highest mark in ComprehensiveEnvironmental Auditing. Professor AndrewStarr Director of the Centre for SustainableCommunities quoted, ‘We are proud to havemoved up the (P&P) Green League afterdedicated initiatives to improve environmentalawareness and carbon management.Our environment and estates team haveworked in partnership with student and staffrepresentatives to increase knowledge andparticipation through campaigns and activitiesincluding high-level strategic goals, ourEnvironment Week, and multi-media marketing.Continual improvement of environmentalperformance is a key aspect of the University’ssustainability strategy.’Download University of Hertfordshiremedia content on iTunes UThe University has developed a pilot site on iTunesU that it intends to launch in September. The site isdesigned to showcase material and give a flavourof the learning experience at Hertfordshire. TheUniversity of Hertfordshire on the iTunes U sitewill give you the opportunity to download material(for example a keynote lecture) to watch, listen toor read at your convenience. As a former studentthis is a great way to keep in touch with what yourUniversity isdoing - or followup on thingsyou becameinterested inwhen you studiedhere. Watch outfor news ofthe launch!Alumni of tomorrowvisit for Open DaySaturday 12 June saw over 3,000 prospectivenew students and visitors descend on campus inthe space of seven hours... and representativesfrom your Alumni Association were there togreet them. Fellow alum and Development andAlumni Assistant David Ameh manned our AlumniAssociation stand for the day, talking to studentsand parents about the lifelong support network wehave, as well as giving out copies of Futures andour brochure on what it means to be an alumnus.He was accompanied on the stand during theextremely busy day by volunteer alums StevePhipps and Diane MacLean; both of whom holdseats on the Alumni Association Advisory Board.Steve currently works as the University’s DataCentre Manager and Diane is an internationallyrenowned sculptor and environmental artist (who’slarge stainless steel creation ‘The Mountain’ sitson the lawn on College Lane). “It was crazy!”David commented - on the constant buzz thatemanated through the de Havilland campus wherethe stand was situated - “It was so good to beable to meet and talk to so many prospective newstudents – I just remember that feeling... it was soexciting yet daunting at the same time. It just feltgood that as alumni, we were able to be first-handambassadors for the University.”University of Hertfordshire Researcher developsthe future of disposing of the deceasedIt may sound like the stuff of Hollywood Sci-Fi, but Dr David Naseby, a researchleader in Microbiology at the University and his team have researched and developedthe environmental Cryomation device. The device means that a range of cleaner andgreener ways to dispose of the deceased will soon be made available. Cryomationfreezes the body to -195 degree Celsius through the use of liquid nitrogen. Thefrozen body is turned into powder and then a vacuum is used to dry and sterilizethe remains. Dr David Naseby and his team have received media coverage fromboth the new scientist and The Hindu for their research developments. Suchresearch involved a prototype of this device being used on a pig’s carcass. A full-sizeprototype Cryomator is being built for trials later this year on human corpses.A new Vice-Chancellorfor the UniversityProfessor Quintin McKellar has been appointed as theUniversity’s new Vice-Chancellor. He will take up his rolefrom 4 January 2011. Professor Tim Wilson will retire inDecember 2010 after seven successful years. For the lastsix years, Professor McKellar has been the Principal of theRoyal Veterinary College (RVC), the first and largest veterinaryschool in the UK, and is the only veterinary school that hasa Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning. ProfessorMcKellar is also the Chairman of the London BioscienceInnovation Centre - a subsidiary company of the RVC whichis home to thirty spin-out and start-up companies. Prior tohis current role, Professor McKellar was the director of theMoredun Research Institute after holding the post of Professorof Veterinary Pharmacology at the University of Glasgow.Professor McKellar lives in Hertfordshire and is marriedwith four children. He is a keen sporting enthusiast with apassion for rowing. He competed in the 1986 CommonwealthGames and more recently is an enthusiastic member of theBroxbourne masters team. His other interests are in animalpharmacology and parasitology. In welcoming the new Vice-Chancellor, Chair of the University’s Board of Governors MrsJo Connell said: ‘I am delighted that Professor McKellar willbe joining us. He will be an excellent and inspiring new Vice-Chancellor who will build on the University’s reputation asinnovative and enterprising and ensure that it continues to beseen as an exemplar in the sector.’06 07

futuresINTERVIEWSTEVECORBETT“There’s never a timewhen you’re not theVice-Chancellor”After nineteen years at the University of Hertfordshire, in December,*Professor Wilson will retire from his post as Vice-Chancellor. He has seenwhat can arguably be described as the most eventful and exciting periodsince the institution opened in 1952 – and in candid, reflective conversation,talks to Steve Corbett about what it’s really meant to be ‘The VC’...PMainProfessor TimWilson duringa GraduationCeremony atthe Churchand Abbey ofSt Albanrofessor Tim Wilson is aproud man. And so heshould be. Having playedan instrumental part in each ofthe University’s major developmentsover the course of the last twodecades – steering very much fromthe helm for the best part of thelatter – he has moulded the firmbut malleable foundations laid outon College Lane into a unique andpowerful force to be reckoned with.To use one of his own favouredphrases; a “true exemplar in theuniversity sector.”In 1992, when the country’sPolytechnic Colleges werecollectively thrust into a Universitysystem engraved into a long historyof tradition and reputation, the newkids on the block had a lot to liveup to. Simply attaining universitystatusdid not instantly stand thesecolleges shoulder-to-shoulder withRussell Group institutions – many ofwhich more than comfortable witha head start of a few centuries tohave built their universally renownedempires. These were long shadowsbeing cast – but instead of walkingaimlessly into them, ProfessorWilson sought a different route forthe University of Hertfordshire…one that would literally pave a brightnew path through the sector.When I meet up with the Vice-Chancellor on 2 June this year – sixmonths before he is due to passthe baton and retire – as well as apersonal look back over his owntime here, it’s the retrospective viewof this bold journey along the roadless-travelledthat interests me. Thelegacy his tenure will always beaccredited with.Having been appointed Vice-Chancellor of the University inSeptember 2003, I ask him if hehad felt sufficiently prepared for hisnew role. “Oh yes.” he answerswithout hesitation, “I’d been herea long time – and most of theproblems we had then, I’d caused!”So there weren’t any moments of‘what on earth have I let myself infor?!’ “Not at all. I’d prepared for itfor a very long time. I had a vision,and I’d articulated that vision inearly 2002… thoughts from severalyears had crystalised into whatneeded to be done”.At that point, Professor Wilsonhad been working with hispredecessor, Professor Neil Buxton(“a heavyweight academic”) fortwelve years, so had been on boardsince the Hatfield Polytechnic days.“It was a time for reflection andmature consideration. More oftenthan not, quick decisions are notthe right ones – you need time tobalance the options. Over the yearsI learned those lessons.”Aptly, Professor Wilson took upthe appointment in the very samemonth of 2003 that the new £120million de Havilland Campus firstopened its doors. Having workedon the project from conception, itclearly signified a new era for theUniversity – a physical, corporealstatement that was very much inline with his progressive vision.“It was the reason I stayed here.”He states, “It was my baby. Oneof our biggest issues at the timewas that the institution lacked amodern identity. How many peopleget to do that? – construct oneof the biggest new campuses thecountry had seen in thirty years?It was a personal challenge and aprofessional challenge. I had greatpride when it opened.”It was while ‘de Hav’ was beingconstructed that all forms of hisvision were beginning to takeshape. As well as the build, thesoon-to-be-VC was looking beyondthe traditional approach of UKinstitutions to form a new idea ofwhat sort of university Hertfordshirewanted to be. He brought a lot backfrom travelling across America –hugely inspired by the wide range ofspecialisation their higher educationsystem employs. “In the States theyare massively diverse – they have0809>>

futuresINTERVIEWfuturesINTERVIEWdifferent universities for differentthings. That’s when the ‘BusinessFacing’ model was born.” Buildingupon the University’s long heritageof nurturing and encouragingemployability – creating graduatesthat didn’t just have traditionallyrecognised letters on their CV, butthe real, tangible skills that wouldenable them to launch themselvesinto the modern-day workplace – itwas this focus on industry thatProfessor Wilson saw as a newarena for post-’92 universities. Anarena not only to compete in, but totrail-blaze and champion – providinga different choice for today’s schoolleavers.He remembers epitomisinghis idea to the Board of Governorsin one sentence; “I want thisUniversity to be a university otherswant to emulate.”For someone who doesn’t believein league tables as a true measureof success, seeing his institutionbecome the first ‘new’ universityto boldly crash past some of thetraditional ‘red bricks’ into the topfifty in the country (in the TimesHigher Education supplement)can’t have been that bitter a pill toswallow. A fantastic achievement byany account.When I ask what the mostchallenging aspect of his job is, thefirst response is a very practicalone. “Diary management. It soundstrivial but it really isn’t. It’s all aboutmanaging my time in the rightway – getting my priorities right inthe time that I have available. It’salso about managing relationships;adjusting your management styleand your personal style dependingon who you are talking to. WhetherI’m addressing my Board, meetingstudents, meeting politicians etc.”As he continues, he begins to thinkless of the day-to-day difficulties,and more about the personalchallenges. “It’s self-inflicted,but managing expectations isalso a huge challenge… alwaysencouraging aspiration from staff orstudents who might not recognisethat they have huge potentialability or talent.” He also cites theimportance of continually expandinghis own social comfort zone. “Youcan’t evolve as a person withoutdeliberately putting yourself intouncomfortable space. I’m a bigbeliever in that.”So does he feel a personalresponsibility for the studentsthemselves? “I feel a massiveresponsibility for the students.When we have situations wherestudents have gone awry, I alwaysthink ‘what could we have done?’I’m probably too involved and caretoo much in that respect – butTop left “I lovegraduation. Thisis a real ‘peoplebusiness’”.Above The£120 millionde HavillandCampus: “Itwas my baby”.Top rightProfessor Wilson:“I’ve definitelyevolved as aperson”.some of that comes from beinga parent I suppose. I want thestudents to be treated how I wouldwant my own children to be treated.I think if you begin there, that’s apretty good start.”Having given many, many publicaddresses and industry speechesover the years – sometimes toaudiences in their thousands – I’minterested to know if the VC is ascomfortable as he looks up there.“Yes, up to a point! I still makemistakes though – and Angela(Martyn – the University’s Headof Advancement and CorporateAffairs) is ruthless! She alwaystells me when I do!” he laughs. “Ialways enjoyed lecturing, and rugbycoaching helped!” (He was a staffcoach for the English Rugby Unionteam after playing at national levelhimself). He admits to always beingnervous though, even today; “If Ihad a heart monitor on, it would beracing every time.” And he’s a greatbeliever in ad-libbing during hisspeeches too – even stepping outof his comfort zone to ad-lib duringGraduation for the first time lastyear. “Leadership speeches that aread-libbed are far more powerful andpassionate – because you can onlyad-lib if you really believe what youare saying. You can read somethingout and not believe it, but…”And Professor Wilson’s passionis always clear. Which promptsme to ask; if he had to choose…education or rugby? He laughs.“Education. Every time. Rugbyis a hobby now – but I still missit.” Tim Wilson the rugby playeremerged when he was five yearsold, and hung up his boots elevenyears ago, when, as he puts it;“the game became faster and Ibecame slower.” He admits thatthe fire in the belly never fadeshowever – and anyone sitting nearhim when watching a Saracensgame will concur that he’s still “verypassionate!” about it.So what does the Tim not manypeople get to see do to kick-backand relax? “The thing about this jobis that there’s never a time whenyou’re not ‘the Vice-Chancellor’”he explains. “You’re a person, butalso a position – and I live in the(Hertfordshire) community, so theonly time I’m anonymous is onholiday overseas. And even thenI’ve been approached! I’m never‘off-duty’ – even on a night out.”Venting his competitive spirit on thegolf course however (“I still enjoy thefight!”) he says he only really relaxeswith people he can trust; “I’m luckythat I have great family and friends.”Amongst his friends, he counts atleast five old university mates fromhis own alma mater in Reading (onewith whom he still meets up withregularly, “and I’ve been his BestMan twice!”) I ask him what he waslike an undergrad student himself.“I have to say, I was not a modelstudent! I was a traditional memberof the rugby community – let’s justput it like that! It was probably asign of the times, but I was alsovery politically active. In the late1960s, we had Vietnam, apartheid– we were seeing all of the world’sinjustices, so people like MartinLuther King and Nelson Mandelawere our heroes of the day.”Following the seven years ofProfessor Wilson’s leadership,4 January next year will see anew Vice-Chancellor take theUniversity’s reins, as ProfessorQuintin McKellar will embark onhis maiden voyage down the OVCCorridor on College Lane. Hailingfrom a successful six year tenureas Principal of the HertfordshirebasedRoyal Veterinary College(RVC), Professor McKellar will soonbegin working with the VC for thehandover process during the course‘‘of the next few months. So whatadvice will the Vice-Chancellor giveto his successor? “I’ve known himfor years” he states, “and I don’tthink he needs my advice. Quintinis a professional in his own right,and he will really take the agendaforward. He’s achieved a great dealat the RVC. He’s also a genuinelynice guy.”When I ask what the greatestmemories of his time here willbe, he admits that there willbe many – although the mosttouching moments he will recallwill be from during the ceremonies.“I love graduation. This is a‘people business’ and there’s realsatisfaction in seeing how we’vehelped so many people transformtheir lives. All we can do is set upthe mechanism to allow these greatmoments to happen.” And doesone such moment spring to mind?“I will never forget Matthew King,a quadriplegic law student, whoinsisted on coming up on the stageto collect his award last year… Iwas nearly in tears.”So after an eventful nineteenyears of guiding the University ofHertfordshire in teaching others,I’m curious to find out what theinstitution has taught Tim Wilson.“I’ve definitely evolved as aperson; my context of compassionand understanding has grownenormously from where it wastwenty years ago. I’m far morecomfortable with who I am, andthat brings self-confidence. TheUniversity has given me a greatplatform to do whatever will comenext… and I will take whatever skillsI have and continue to apply themfor the good of people.”But as well as being proud, inMy context of compassion and understanding hasgrown enormously from where it was twenty years ago.’’*http://www.herts.ac.uk/about-us/our-structure/key-people/professor-timwilson.cfmthe grand, continuing history ofthe University of Hertfordshire,Professor Tim Wilson can alsolook upon his years as its Vice-Chancellor with respective humility.“I know Professor McKellar will takethe University onto a whole newlevel – which is the way it shouldbe. I had a vision, and I’ve takenit as far as I can, laid down thefoundations, but what would begreat is if in a few years people say;‘you know what? – Tim was good,but look what his successor hasdone… Quintin has really taken us along way’. That would be cool. Thatwould be really cool.” f1011

futures GLOBAL FUTURESIt’s a small worldWith our world-wide alumni community continuing to span further andfurther around the globe, your growing network can now provide supportin more countries than ever before. If you haven’t checked to see if a localUniversity of Hertfordshire community exists in your region, what are youwaiting for?! (And if there isn’t one – why not start one today?!...) To enableyou to get in touch with them, we asked the Founding Presidents of our threemost recent International Alumni Chapters to introduce themselves...FrancePresident: Alexandre BalayI study at the Ecole deManagement, Normandie, and Ichose to do an exchange programat the University of Hertfordshirewhich allowed me to gain a doubledegree. During my exchangeyear I studied InternationalBusiness Administration. This permitted me toboth enhance my English skills and my knowledgeof business. I especially appreciated the fact thatHertfordshire is a modern and dynamic university, whichreflected in the daily student life. This was definitely oneof the best years of my life and I would recommend itto everyone. Even though I was only in Hertfordshire fora year, I gained a whole wealth of knowledge and skillswhich will stay with me for a lifetime. I also grew a lot ona personal level. I made myself a whole network of newfriends from all over the world and I even managed toget an English girlfriend! After graduating, I went backto Normandie to get my Master’s degree. I have alreadyfinished the first year, and am now taking a year out todo a year-long internship in Paris. I never want to forgetmy time at there and would love to keep in contactwith everyone I’ve met. It is for this reason that I havedecided to set up this chapter especially for Frenchalumni of the University of Hertfordshire. I am ready togive back to a uni that has given me so much. You cancontact me at: aap.balay@gmail.comKATEBELLINGHAMKate Bellingham President of the University of Hertfordshire Alumni AssociationUSAPresident: Dorothy ConduahHave you ever been asked ‘where did you goto school?’ - only to respond and hear, ‘Oh!Is that in Connecticut?’ Wouldn’t it be nice toconnect with those who actually know wherethe University of Hertfordshire is located? Ifyou are like me somewhere in Middle America,it’s hard to come across those for whomHertfordshire is near and dear to our hearts. My years at the Universitywere not only educational, but also left me with a lifetime of memoriesand friends. So what better way to maintain the connections bygrounding ourselves in a US chapter of alumni? What a valuable way tonetwork amongst fellow professionals with whom we have something incommon. Contact me at dconduah@msn.com and let’s get networking.KenyaPresident: Ekta ShahMy experience at the University of Hertfordshirewas fantastic and I’d definitely recommend itto everyone. I studied tourism and the coursewas amazing. I absolutely think we as theUniversity’s alumni are the best marketers forstudying there. And not just for tourism - butany degree. The University has helped us all in one way or the otherand I think we can use our experiences to add value to the region, theeconomy and build our own social network. Have a forum to ponder thepast, build the future - and have a laugh and enjoy ourselves! Contactme - it would be great to hear from you. ekta@africansojournltd.comUni-versalIf you live in one of the following regions, get in touch with us for information about your official Chapter and joinyour community!BRUNEI CHINA FRANCE GREECE INDIA KENYA MALAYSIA MAURITIUS MIDDLE EAST NIGERIA SOUTH AFRICATHAILAND TRINIDAD USA VIETNAMAlso... Our International Office is currently very keen to get in touch with the alumni community in Pakistan, so ifyou are interested in becoming the Founding President of this new Chapter (or simply joining it once it is launched),please let us know... alumni@herts.ac.uk f13

futuresSUMMER BALLSATPAL KAURBASSANPhotography: Dan HubbertSCHOOL’SOUT FORSUMMERAs a student here the Summer Ball was a chance tocelebrate the end of my exams and the beginningof an assignment free summer holiday, but onthe 28 May 2010 I descended upon the mostanticipated event of the University calendar yearnot as a student, but as an alumnus. Hosted atthe brand new shiny Forum (and the re-vampedElehouse), with the Summer Ball 2010 being hailedas the ‘biggest and best event of the year’ I had tosee for myself exactly what was being offered by theUHSU this time around…Summer: glorious sunshine,Pimms and lemonade… andthe University of HertfordshireSummer Ball. As I enteredthe College Lane campus Iwas immediately met with afamiliar buzz of music andchattering students. Walkingpast the rides, the bumpercar entertainment with brightlights, and the greasy burgervans – staple requisites which I remember were presentat my own final year summer ball – I was stood outsideThe Forum. This was undoubtedly a far-cry from theoutside marquees at previous summer balls. The familiarcontemporary design of The Forum was now full ofwell-dressed students chatting, laughing and enjoyingthemselves whilst waiting for the evening’s musicentertainment to begin in the auditorium. And whatentertainment it was promising to be.With past acts including Supergrass, Girls Aloud,Kate Nash and Rooster (who were headliners at myfirst Summer Ball), this year’s event showcased musicMain andinsetFlorence andthe Machineheadline thefirst Ball atthe Forum1415>>

from 2010 Brit Award winning act Florence and theMachine,*and number one artists Tinie Tempah andThe Pigeon Detectives. Once I had made it nearerthe front of the main stage, squeezing past tuxes andgowns enveloping a couple of thousand screamingstudents, I was awed by the performers and how TheForum naturally reminded me of world-class arenas,such as the 02 in London. As a past student I felt proudto be an alum of a University that could attract suchworld-class performers to its biggest, most exclusiveevent of the year – a view shared by fellow alum TarquinStephenson. Some of you may remember Tarquin asUHSU President in 2004/05 – now a Deputy StudentsActivities and Development Officer at the Universityof Essex. And as a guest coming back to enjoy theoccasion, he was was duly impressed: “The SummerBall at The Forum is bigger and better than it ever wasat The Font – and it offers great new facilities – but forme the Summer Balls at The Font have history, just asthis year’s at The Forum will create memories for the2010 graduates.”AboveThe PigeonDectectivesInset TinieTempah*http://florenceandthemachine.netWhilst watching the entertainers on stage I alsofelt a pang of nostalgia for The Font – which proudlypresented the Ball in my three years at here. Thecramped, sticky-floored rooms of The Font were nowreplaced by a huge arena with a balcony view onto thestage – undeniably the perfect setting for the biggestand best Summer Ball in the University’s history.Leaving the arena in-between performances I wasintrigued by the huge range of entertainment on offerand I courageously took part in a round of crazy golfand got a free dose of pure oxygen at the Oxygen Bar.If there was one thing that hadn’t changed over theyears, it was the mass of entertainment availableall night.So did the Summer Ball at The Forum live up tothe hype and provide its money’s worth? Ultimately,yes, there were world-class acts in the brand new andimproved facilities, plenty of entertainment both onand off stage – and above all, memories that the 2010alums of the University of Hertfordshire will undoubtedlycherish for years to come. f16

futuresGRADUATE FUTURESLIZMORTIMERWhat dopeopledo withdegrees?Ever wondered what all the people youstudied alongside went on to do? Howmany people stayed local to Hertfordshire?Did many go onto further study?What salary were the people on yourcourse earning after they graduated?Each year, every university is requiredto survey every student who hasachieved a higher educationqualification. This is called theDestination of Leavers from HigherEducation (DLHE) survey. Itdetails what graduates are doingon a specific day six monthsafter graduation.TrendsAt the beginning of 2010 GraduateFutures, the University of Hertfordshire’sgraduate jobs and careers networkcompleted the DLHE survey. We have one ofthe largest graduating populations to survey and are pleased to announcethat we received a staggering 87.8% response rate. If you answered aphone call, email or postal form then you contributed to DLHE so a bigthank you. From your answers, the following trends emerged:Location: Most of our graduates opted to work in the East, followedby London and the South East. Thirty graduates were working overseasin countries such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany and theIrish Republic.Sourcing vacancies: 15% surveyed reported that they had previouslyworked at the company they are now employed by. 10% found theirvacancy by looking at the employers’ website and nearly 9% had apersonal contact or used networking to find their vacancy.Remuneration: The average salary band stands at between £20,000and £24,999.Employers: After the NHS and London Probation service, The UniversityImage: istockphoto.comTHINKING ABOUT A CHANGE?Do you want to try something completelydifferent? Many people begin on one careerpath and then consider moving into adifferent area or field. Graduate Futures hasmany resources to support andguide you through this process.A selection of the career changebooks we have available in theMacLaurin building are listedbelow. You can come and consultthese resources at any timeduring our opening hours.Green, Graham (2008) The careerchange handbook: how to findout what you’re good at andenjoy – then get someone to payyou for it. How to BooksJohnstone, Judith (2006)Planning a career change. Howto BooksStein, Marky (2005) Fearlesscareer change: the fast track to acareer in a new field. McGraw-HillYou might also want to take some inspirationfrom some of the autobiographies that we haveavailable.Bannatyne, Duncan (2008) Wake up and changeyour life. Orion BooksBranson, Richard (2008) Business stripped bare:adventures of a global entrepreneur. Virgin BooksMeaden, Deborah (2009) Common sense rules:what you really need to know about business.of Hertfordshire is the biggest local employer of graduates, followed byHertfordshire County Council. Most graduates enter larger companies(250+ employees). Participation in voluntary work has increased to 1.22%(0.73% last year).If you are looking for ideas of what people studying in your subjectarea have gone into, have a look at our website www.herts.ac.uk andsearch for ‘Where do our graduates go’ – or the Prospects websitewww.prospects.ac.uk and search for ‘What do graduates do’.Searching for a jobThe statistics presented here show a snapshot of full time, UK graduatedestinations. However, not everyone is sure what they want to do postgraduation and some graduates, even those in the most establishedcareers, wish to change direction from a chosen path. Graduate Futuresis here to support you with all your career planning and employabilityneeds. We offer a lifetime service, with no charge for up to two yearsafter graduation. If you are looking for employment at the moment, try theUniversity’s jobs vacancy board: JobsNetPlusTo find out more about Graduate Futures and our services to you,email us on graduate.futures@herts.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1707 284791.BethRobertsCourse:Business StudiesGraduated: 2009Current position:Conference andEvents OrganiserWhere are you now? In brief,I plan the events and organisethe large conferences hostedby the company I work for. Myjob involves arranging speakerliaison, supplier management,venue searching, cateringand exhibitor co-ordination.Originally I was hired as‘Events Co-ordinator’ but waspromoted after 10 months.How did you get the job?The role was advertised onJobsNetPlus a few weeks beforemy final exams. I decidedto apply because it was anevents-based role and becauseI’m really organised! Duringmy Business Studies degree atthe University of HertfordshireI did a placement year and Ibelieve this experience helpedme stand out of the crowd andsecure a graduate job.In what ways do you feel youracademic and social life atUniversity of Hertfordshirehave helped you get on inyour career to date? I gaineda real insight into the world ofbusiness through my courseitself. The biggest advantageI gained was completing aplacement year. I jumped at thechance. The experience helpedme to develop my strengths,identify any weaknesses andhighlight what I didn’t wantto do as a career. It helped mywork ethic in the final year andwas a chance to put theory intopractice. I also worked parttimeas a Student Ambassadorwhich helped me to develop mytime-management skills.So where are you going?What are your future plansfor you career? Although Iam happy at the organisationI currently work for, lookingahead, I would like to advancein my events career. I wouldalso like to do a qualificationin Event Planning. fGraduateCASESTUDY2021

University of Hertfordshire Diamond Scholarship Fund Donation FormForename:Surname:Address:Please send me a direct debit form so I can set up amonthly donationOR I would like to make a one-off donation of:£10 £25 £50 £100 £250 £1,000my own preferred amountBy cheque (payable to the University of Hertfordshire)/CAFcheque/or Mastercard/Visa/Maestro (Switch)/Delta/Solo(please indicate)Card NoExpiresJOWEARNESupportthe future......give to the University’sDiamond Scholarship FundNurses, Teachers, Artists, Paramedics,Researchers, Environmentalists, Writers,Musicians, Engineers… our students are ourfuture and as a former student yourself, you have theopportunity to help shape their lives for the better…To celebrate the 60th birthday of the University –which was first established as Hatfield Technical Collegein 1952 - the Diamond Scholarship Fund has been setRef no:(see back page)Issue No (debit cards)SignatureFUT07/CVV No (3 digits on reverse)Dateup to support talented individuals who are capable ofchanging the world in which we live… for the better.Our aim is to raise £1m by 2012 to kick-start a fundto offer financial support to help our most committedand promising students to be the best that they can be.It’s easy to give… just fill in the form below and asa donor to the University you will be invited to specialevents and receive letters of thanks from the studentsyou have helped.If you Gift Aid your donation, the University of Hertfordshire willcontinue to receive an additional 28p for every £1 you donate.Please help us to increase the value of your donation at no extra costto you, by signing the declaration below.Donor declaration: I confirm that I am a UK tax payer and pay income/capital gains tax equivalent to the amount of tax the University willreclaim on my donations. I wish the University to treat this donationand all subsequent donations as Gift Aid donations. I will notify theUniversity if my circumstances or name/address change.Signature:Date:Please cut out this form and send in an envelope to theFreepost address below:Development and Alumni OfficeMarketing and CommunicationsUniversity of HertfordshireFreepost BBT 141HatfieldHertfordshireAL10 9AB Registered Charity No: 294730STEVECORBETT“To behonest,I’d neverwatched the showbefore and I didn’tknow who DavinaMcCall was!”After 10 years of rampantly taking over our screens and pop-cultureconsciousness, 2010 sees Channel 4 present it’s eleventh and final UKseries of the mother of all reality TV shows. At the time of writing, it hasjust begun to air (‘Day 5, 10.24am...’), so 12 months after one of lastyear’s most memorable contestants entered the house himself, Futuresasks alumnus Sree Dasari if Big Brother is still watching him...‘‘In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15minutes.” In 1968, when Andy Warhol made his nowmuch-quoted prediction on the all-pervading nature offame in the decades to come, he can only have beenreferring to one thing. Big Brother*.Since its prodigious introduction to the annals ofpopular culture at the turn of the new millennium,the show (in which a generous handful of completestrangers from all walks of life are thrown together ina purpose-built house and filmed 24/7 throughoutthe summer, in isolation...) has spawned a multimedia-hyped,globe-spanning franchise of regionalversions for the whole world to voyeuristically ogle. Itmade a national TV icon of presenter Davina McCall,reinvigorated an interest in George Orwell’s dystopiannovel Nineteen Eighty-Four (from which the show takesits name) and arguably, has also been the single biggest2223

futuresINTERVIEWfuturesINTERVIEW‘‘catalyst for the modern-day obsession with themuch-loved/equally maligned beast that is ‘reality TV’.This seemingly unquenchable thirst for settlingdown on the sofa and drinking-in the ordinary persondoing... well, ordinary things, has not only become asocietal norm for millions of TV viewers the world over– but it has also served to re-define the very nature of‘celebrity’. Within one single opening show, Big Brothercontestants are duly launched into an aggressiveEven in my dreams I thoughtI was still being filmed...’’tabloid-frenzy, the likes of which is usually reserved formore seasoned individuals. The instantaneous ‘zeroto hero’ factor bestowed upon the show’s oh-so-luckychosen ones is one of its most fascinating traits; literallyplacing them among the most recognisable people inthe country overnight (and by first name alone!). Howreadily do we recall Craig? Nikki? Pete? Ziggy? Nadia?Chanelle? Or Brian? (either of them!) The term ‘famousfor being famous’ has never been used more than inrecent years – particularly in the wake of each ‘BB’series, when “ex-Housemates” are routinely bookedfor ‘special guest appearances’ here, there and quiteliterally everywhere... It’s a circumstance that preciousfew have found themselves in, and the majority of uscan only broadly speculate on. So when Sree Dasarifound himself walking into the Big Brother houselast summer, it was one experience the internationalstudent hadn’t exactly banked on when he came toHertfordshire from India to study business.As a ‘BB Housemate’, he was noted early on forbeing one of the most outspoken and unpredictablemembers of the group – often causing friction inthe house accidentally, simply through misjudgedcomments, or backfiring practical jokes. But he reallycaught the public/media’s attention by being the firstof many housemates to fall under the hypnotic spellof Irish belle, Noirin. When Sree was evicted, hisrelationship with his fellow contestant was the hot topicfor uncomfortable scrutiny – although at that point, noonecould have predicted that Noirin’s siren-call wouldbecome the story of the series. As the subsequentweeks unfurled, she systematically entranced a wholestring of male and female admirers – each professingtheir deep love for her in one big summer-long romantictragedy. It was as fascinating as a car crash to watch –and Sree was retrospectively off the hook.Already well-known around campus from his ‘SuperSree’ campaign to become Student Union President –this mere sniff of localised fame was nothing comparedto the attention he received when he returned fromhis tenure on the show. After the necessary hiatus toadjust back to ‘normal life’, despite the addition ofan impressively full-beard and requisite shades, Sreebegan to be spotted moving around the Universitygrounds by eagle-eyed ‘BB’ fans. Even the classicdisguise couldn’t prevent him featuring in an increasingnumber of on-the-spot photos... all hitting the internetvia the mobile phones of beaming students with anarm or two around him. But any initial hesitance toaccept his new found glory was short-lived – andbefore returning to India to work a few months later, anewly groomed Sree soon embraced his hero status oncampus with aplomb.His Facebook ‘friends’ are in the thousands (evenmore than my teenage sister-in-law, which is impressivein its own right...), and the ‘wall’ on his profile page isstill constantly awash with messages of adoration. Oneyear later, and the continuing effects of ‘BB’ fame areas fascinating a social experiment as the programmeitself. Can you ever just go back to ‘normal’ life aftersomething like this? Knowing somebody who’s beenthrough such a unique and intense experience, we tookthe opportunity to find out...The Futures eviction interview...Q Sree – so what made you apply for Big Brother?A Well, my friend Lee (ENT’s Manager for the Forum)watched the show in the UK, and when Shilpa Shetty(Bollywood actress from India) participated in it, itwas so popular in India due to the Racism allegationsinvolving another housemate (R.I.P Jade Goody). So tofind out more, I researched the UK ‘BB’ show – throughYouTube clippings and by reading George Orwell’sbook, 1984 etc. – and finally I found the open auditionsdate and where they were taking place etc. anddecided to go along...Q What was the audition process like?A The audition was held on Feb 2nd 2009 at ExcelArena O2. More than 10,000 people attended just onthat day. Some people from the production team wereinterviewing people in the queue, and they asked mequite simple questions like ‘where are you from?’, ‘Howdid you hear about the BB auditions?’ etc. In first roundthey selected only a few people – and I was not one ofthem and was quite upset. But then we were told thatthose were actually the people that were not selected!– and I was happy to get to the second stage. Then Iknew it was genuine by filling in nearly 100 pages in aquestionnaire, and I came back home that day. After14 days I got a call from the production team, askingme to take part in various activities, like a face to faceinterview, group games and team building exercisesetc. Around May 15th 2009 I got a ‘Big Pack’ from theBB team. Also I got a call from them saying that I amgoing on holiday (to Cumbria, Lake District) for 20 dayswhich is called ‘hiding’ with two producers – and theykidnapped me! It was an amazing experience actually.Finally I got a call from the Boss of BB on 2nd June2009, who confirmed that I was one of the Housematesfor the UK Big Brother – series 10.Q How did you feel when they told you that youwere going into the house?A So excited and happy. I felt proud because it wasanother opportunity to represent my country – asthe first male Indian to have entered into the house.Moreover I felt proud as the Student Union Presidentfrom the University. Like I’ve always said, my mottois: “I am not only an Indian – I want to be a citizen ofthe world”.Q Just how hard was it being cooped up with 15strangers for that long?A Well, as a foreign citizen everyone was a strangerto me when I entered into the UK, and I made sure Imaintained good rapport with everyone in University asyou know very well. So because of this, it didn’t make ithard for me to live with 15 strangers in the BB house.Q I’m sure there are millions of people who haveimagined what it might be like to walk into thehouse, take part in the tasks, be interviewed byDavina etc. Was the experience as you expectedit to be?A To be honest, I’d never watched the show before andI didn’t know who Davina McCall was! Before I enteredthe house I’d only seen her in some YouTube clipsof previous shows. Also, I never expected that manypeople will be watching.Q How aware of the cameras were you? Did yousimply forget they were there after a while?A Yes, I felt very strange with that many cameras allover the house, but to be realistic we are used to livingwith CCTV’s everyday in our daily life and I always try toignore them.Q Did you still feel like you were being filmed allthe time for a while when you came out?A Yeah! I did feel (like I was being filmed) a lot after Iwas evicted from the house – and I was always thinkingthat I was still there with everyone. Even in my dreamsI thought I was still being filmed etc. It took me about3 months to get back to feeling like a ‘normal person’– and now I am back in India I still sometimes dreamabout the BB house.Q You famously clashed with quite a few of thehousemates during your time on the show! WhatRight The bigmother of allpresenters: “Itmade a nationalTV icon ofpresenter DavinaMcCall”BIG BROTHERIS WATCHINGYOU...An historic broadcasting spectacle (thefinal episode of the first UK series waswatched by 10 million people) it’s been themain topic of conversation at office watercoolersevery summer of the last decade.MTV’s Real World is credited with being thefirst incarnation of this kind (which beganairing to a niche, predominantly teenaudiencein 1992), but since first hittingscreens in the Netherlands in 1999 – thenexploding world-wide a year later – BigBrother’s broad, simple, non-discriminatoryappeal has been the very archetype of a TVphenomenon.2425 >>

futuresINTERVIEWfuturesSOCIAL NETWORKINGINTERNATIONAL SIBLINGSClockwise from top The AustralianBig Brother house... a billboard forthe show in the Czech Republic...celebrating the winner on a seasonfinale in Israel.face tofacebookDue to the wonders of modern technology – the cyber revolution that overthe last few years has become as commonplace in many of our daily livesas getting dressed in the morning – these days we get the chance to meetand chat to generations of our alums from all around the world everysingle day. So with the promise of immortalising your little square profilepics in a more traditional form of media, we asked all those of you on ourofficial Facebook page to post something up about your time here! And thisis what you said...do you remember as being the worst argument/incident for you?A *Laughs* Arguments are evitable in our daily life –with friends, housemates and with family – so, it wasquite obvious (it was going to happen) in the house too.Especially the ‘Garlic argument’ with Freddie… and withMarcus about him mimicking my accent… and finallywith Noirin regarding the missing alcohol.Q When you came out of the house, much ofthe focus was obviously on your relationshipwith Noirin. You’re obviously not the first guyto have been disarmed by a beautiful girl –but most are not on camera 24/7 when ithappens! How did you deal with the scrutiny youreceived afterwards?A To be frank with you guys, I totally noticed Noirin’s(real) character the day before I got evicted – becauseshe is a manipulative person, her attitude ruined somany people in the house. I never focused on her afterI left the house.Q Are you still in contact with anyone from thehouse? Is there a particular housemate you’vestayed very close to?A Yes I do still contact a lot of the other housemates –Beinazir, Lisa, Sophie, Rodrigo, Kris, Charlie, Saffia…But the people I contact most are Lisa, Charlie, Saffia,Beinazir and Rodrigo.Q Was it a surreal experience watching yourselfon the show when you got home?A It wasn’t a surreal experience seeing myself on TVor Google or YouTube, because since childhood I’veparticipated in many TV and school programsin India.* http://www.bigbrother.com/Q What did your family and friends think of thewhole experience?A In my family only my Dad new that I was going intothe house, and later on my Mum did as well. Theyhave always given me full choice of freedom since mychildhood – and moreover they do trust me a lot so, it’san experience to them also. I treat them as my livinggod’s because they have given me life and social status.Regarding my friends – they were all really shockedwhen they watched me on the show!Q So one year on, has Big Brother changed you?Has it had a big effect on your life?A Yes, Big Brother changed me a lot with (peoplerecognising) my name and fame etc. Sometimesit makes me uncomfortable, in having privacy withpersonal things like having a relationship, clubbing andpartying etc. But of course, it has had a big effect onmy life.Q What are you doing now?A At the moment, I am living in India, enjoying hotsummer with 45 degree temperatures! I am workingas an Assistant Professor for the CommunicationSkills department at my local university in India. Also,I am planning to come back to the UK again to do myresearch methodology course soon.Q And finally, do you regret your decision to go onthe show at all?A No I’ve never regretted my decision regarding goinginto the BB house. Can I just say, thanks for givingme this wonderful opportunity to be in Futures, and amessage to all my Sree Fans – hope you are all doingwell! I am missing you all here in India and hope tocome back soon! Till then... Sree u later x x x x f2627 >>

futuresSOCIAL NETWORKINGMaxine BromyardIt gave me adegree, a career,a husband andmany memoriesboth good and bad!Working all nightin the ComputerCentre - no PCs inthose days! (1979)Oh and all nightdrinking in thecricket club.DEBBIE SAWYERAdded so muchmore to my lifethan just a Degree.Kristine Liv‘05-’08.Fantastic!Js Lloydgrad 2003 -met people I would notnormally meet. Was at Wall Hall - beautifulplace. BEd QTS. Now a school leaderhoping to become a Headteacher in Egyptfor 2011. Enjoyed my 4 year degree andteaching placements. Thanks Alumni.John D Brownlie1966-1969excellent. Bestuniversity in theuniverse!Lisa Syne89-92 happy days. theshock of finding myself inPembroke Hall, noisy ashell, boiling in summer/freezing in winter! Atleast it was near the FontManu MisraUniversity was anexperience - from thefirst day nervousness tothe hurried all nightersat the LRC followed bya refectory breakfastwaiting for the assignmentsubmission desk toopen! Besides academiclearning, 4 years ofmental and intellectualdevelopment into a personwho “Seeks KnowledgeThroughout Life”.FrancesNoble1996-1999, bestyears ofmy life...!!JanetteMarshall1996-1999fabulous!Then again2003 -2006...Susie Winter1988 to 1991. Had an amazing timeand even got a decent degree at theend of it.Suandi Andyfond memories... workinglate in the LRC DeHavilland Campus doingassignments. Playingbadminton at the SportVillage, staying late in thecomfort hostel, AdelhamHall....doing SundayMarketing at the St.Albans Market. Timepasses really fast... I missthose days!Stella ButtAppliedBiology 71 -76 - probablypatchy!!!!Jay Mick2006 - 2010.Wish I coulddo it again.Cindy BernardAn experience I willnot soon forget, whichproduced excellent results,a university I’ll recommendto anyone ... btw I do!all nighters at CTS, myfirst taste of red bull ... Iliterally saw stars, lol. Thecoursework increased myinterest in networking andsoftware development.DuncanSmith1976-1980.Ace!!Find us onFACEBOOK!‘The Universityof HertfordshireAlumniAssociation’RebeccaSiu-Ying Liu2003-2006.Best years ofmy life.Dafni Deva MilioniHeld the space for the most amazing course:Dramatherapy! That literal space doesn’t existanymore (the old British Aerospace building thatwas brought down), but in our hearts, of course!Imran Alibest time atuniversity...was greatDarrenBarsby1991-95.Goldenyears!! f2829

futuresENTERPRISE AND BUSINESSBlue-sky guidanceFrom reuniting a WWII airplane Beacon with its spiritualhome, to helping a graduate launch his entrepreneurialfuture, this issue we look at two examples of how theEnterprise and Business Services Team are helping bothindividuals and community projects soar...“The University has helped me progress froman initial stage of having a business idea toa phase where I am now just a few monthsaway from running my own business.”The programmesrun by the EnterpriseEvents teamenable aspiringentrepreneurs totransform theirbusiness ideas intowell constructedcredible businessplans. These goon to become realbusinesses thatprovide valuableservices in themarketplace.Student, Alexander Bracq, is one such individual that has benefited from our enterpriseprogrammes. When Alexander entered the Flare business ideas challenge, hisbusiness, Go2clubs was only an idea. He had no concrete plan of how to transformthe idea into the viable business he dreamt it could be. Attending the enterprise workshops,business advisory sessions and the Flare bootcamp provided him with the knowledge andskills he needed to write a good business plan, and consequently a credible platform toapproach potential sponsors and partners with.‘I always knew that I wanted to run my own business and work for myself but like any otherbusiness in life, I came across hurdles. Attending the enterprise initiatives such as EnterpriseWednesday and Enterprise Spotlight helped me overcome these obstacles by providing mewith relevant and useful workshops and information. These included ‘how to write a businessplan’, ‘Finances for Business’ and listening to successful entrepreneur speakers which helpedto revitalise my passion and kept me motivated in pushing forward with my business idea.These events helped me to further understand and develop my concepts of the business andwhat is involved in creating and running a successful business. One of the most valuable andhelpful events that helped me develop my business idea into a fully viable business, was Flare.Flare acted as a driving force for me and enabled me to speed up the process of my businessby accomplishing specific tasks such as completing by business plan by a set date.’Alexander was one of the 2010 Flare finalists, his business idea Go2clubs aims to providestudents with much needed night entertainment options. Backedwith sponsorship from strategic partners providing Go2clubs’clientele with attractive freebies, free and safe transportationto venues and no entrance fee, Go2clubs is set to takestudent experience to a new level of fun. Alexanderreceived an honorary award from Julie Meyer, aleading champion for entrepreneurship in Europe forhis performance at the flare finals. Go2clubs will belaunched in September 2010 during fresher’s week andAlexander can be contacted at a.bracq2@herts.ac.uk forfurther information about Go2clubs.Discover how theEnterprise andBusiness Services Teamcan help you today.Visit go.herts.ac.uk/businessservices, emailbe@herts.ac.uk or call+44 (0)1707 286406and speak to one of ourexpert advisers.OppositepageAlexanderBracqreceiving hisaward fromJulie MeyerInset ‘TheBeacon willbe a publicmonument’SATPAL KAURBASSANHelping to guidethe beacon homeSatpal Kaur Bassan reports on the University of Hertfordshire community projectthat’s returning the favour to one of the aviation industry’s guiding lights…Walking around the deHavilland Campus thereare signs of the historicaerodrome that once occupied theland: the openness and even thename are reminiscent of the legacythat will always remain akin with theUniversity of Hertfordshire. Afterall, the campus (which opened in2003) was named after Geoffreyde Havilland – founder of the deHavilland Aircraft Company inHatfield which produced the firstpassenger jet.As an alumus with memoriesof living and studying at the deHavilland Campus I was intriguedto find out more about theUniversity’s Heritage Lottery FundGrant which is helping raise fundsto bring a piece of history back to the campus.The £37,000 grant received in 2009 is being used forthe de Havilland Aerodrome Reminiscence Projectwhich aims to preserve the history of the de Havillandcampus by repairing and re-siting the last remainingpre-World War 2 beacon (those lights that helpedpilots find their way back to base before the use ofradars). The project also aims to raise a total of £50,000towards the cause.So why do this now and not place the Beacon inan aviation museum for example? The Beacon willbe a public monument to the contribution Hatfieldand its people have given to Britain’s aviation industry- presenting a focal point for the achievements ofthe community. The Beacon also provides a uniqueopportunity for the University to give something backto the people of Hatfield. The University’s ProfessorOwen Davies, who is leading the project, says that“We have had a fantastic response to the project andit has already brought a lot of local people togetherand begun the process of giving residents, students,local businesses and former employees a sharedappreciation of the heritage of the area.”Alongside the grant, the University has managedto raise funds from the generosity of local Hatfieldcompanies including Porsche, David Lloyd andthe Galleria. So how will this money be used? TheUniversity will be launching an exhibition in conjunctionwith the Digswell Arts Trust which will showcase themulti-media work of local schoolchildren and students,and will focus not only on the history of the site, but itspresent and future. Or - if you are more the outdoorstype - perhaps you would be interested in taking awalk along the forthcoming heritage trail? Either way,the diversity of planned projects will ensure the legacyof the aerodrome is securely embedded in both theUniversity and the local community.Who knows, maybe next time you visit the deHavilland site you will have a chance to see a pre-WW2 beacon proudly standing in the grounds it wasconstructed on?If you are interested in being involved in the project orwould like to contribute to the fund to bring the Beaconback home, please email uh.heritage@herts.ac.uk orcall +44 (0)1707 285887. f3031

futuresUH PRESSJANEHOUSHAMHow Hatfield survivedthe Black Death and otherHertfordshire storiesWelcome to the section of Futures devoted to the activities of Universityof Hertfordshire Press, the University’s publishing company. We publishbooks in a number of different subject areas. This issue’s focus is onHistory, including our imprint, Hertfordshire Publications, devoted tothe history of Hertfordshire.Most of us wouldprobably have arather romanticidea of a ‘desertedvillage’, imaginingthe medieval equivalent of aghost town, perhaps with sometumbledown cottages and apicturesque church ruin. In somecases, such as the deserted villageof Layston near Buntingford, in thenorth of Hertfordshire, the churchhas survived, but in many otherinstances there is very little leftto see, unless there are ancientscars in the landscape visible onlyfrom the air. There are dozens ofdeserted villages and hamlets inHertfordshire, as elsewhere in GreatBritain, and the explanation of howthey came to be abandoned isfascinating. Until relatively recently,many historians doubted theexistence of all but a few desertedvillages and could not agree on thereasons for their desertion. It wasonly after a group of respectedhistorians, including the great WG Hoskins (author of The Makingof the English Landscape), wenton a field trip in 1948 to look atdeserted villages in Leicestershirethat the phenomenon began togain credibility more widely. Alsojoining the field trip was anotherhistorian, Maurice Beresford, whowent on to write the seminal bookon this subject, The Lost Villages ofEngland. Beresford also pioneeredthe use of aerial photography whichbrought many more abandonedsites to light.At first deserted villages werethought to have been anexclusively medievalphenomenon, brought about bythe terrible onslaught of famineand plague, but a new bookpublished by UH Press, DesertedVillages Revisited, suggests that inAboveIllustration of theBlack Death fromthe ToggenburgBible (1411)fact it is part of the normal ebband flow of society for settlementsto shrink as well as grow at allperiods. Sometimes villages andhamlets also move location, aswas the case with the old villageof Stevenage which relocatedcloser to the Great North Roadsome time between the Saxonand Medieval periods in order tomake the most of the passingtrade. Stevenage also absorbedthe Saxon villages of Boxbury,Wollenwick and Chells, the lattersurviving only as the name of adistrict in Stevenage New Town(founded in 1946).Other settlements simplywithered away, finally reaching acritical point when therewere no longer enoughresidents to keep a placegoing as a community: inmedieval times ploughingwas a sharedresponsibility, so if therewere no longer enoughpeople to plough thefields, that could soundthe death knell for a villageor hamlet and force thelast few families to relocate. Theclosing down of the alehouse orchapel could also be the finalstraw. Later, a villagecould perish if the lord ofthe manor enclosed theland around it so that hissheep could graze, thusforcing the inhabitants out.From the thirteenthcentury onwards, Britain’sgrowing population wasforced to cultivate marginalland and it was increasinglydifficult for everyone to beadequately fed. By about 1300,many villages were struggling.Add to already difficultcircumstances a sequence ofterrible harvests thanks to freakweather conditions, plusdevastating outbreaks of ‘murrain’in sheep and cattle (thought tohave been either anthrax or footand mouth disease) and the stagewas set for famine in the early partof the century. Large areas of landin Hertfordshire fell fallow,including the greater part ofHatfield parish. When the BlackDeath reached epidemic levels in1348, death rates hitunprecedented levels. Exactfigures for deaths in Hertfordshireare not known although mosthistorians estimate that, nationally,mortality rates were aroundone-third of the population (a StAlban’s monk recorded that theplague had ‘halved all flesh’).Further reading...If you’re interested in the early history of Hertfordshire, checkout The Origins of Hertfordshire (due out in September 2010,£16.99, by Tom Williamson of University of East Anglia. Thisbook looks at how the landscape of the countyinfluenced the development of its settlements fromlate prehistoric times to the thirteenth century.Hertfordshire is unusual in having no single dominant city. ACounty of Small Towns has chapters on Hertford and Ware, StAlbans, Hitchin, Watford, Ashwell, Barnet and Berkhamsted plusessays on wider aspects of Hertfordshire’s urbanhistory, £16.99.To discover more about how Europe’s peasantscoped in the wake of the plague, read Agricultureand Rural Society after the Black Death (£18.99),which includes essays on issues such as depopulation andsocial conflict. Detailed studies of British regions look at theuse of land, the organisation of trade and the cohesion ofvillage society, amongst other issues.Ironically, the Black Deathactually relieved some of thepressure on land and, becausethere were fewer of them left,labourers could command higherwages and even start to demandsome rights. But the continuedpresence of plague into thefifteenth century caused furtherpopulation decline; a spate ofdeserted villages date fromthat century.In the end, Hatfield may havebeen saved from completeobliteration by the fact that theland it lay on was second-rateand had not already beenfarmed for centuries: villages inthe fertile north-east of thecounty had already sufferedover-population and theexhaustion of the land andwere much more prone todesertion. In those areas, theBlack Death often finished offUH Press has published acomprehensive history ofHertfordshire’s great parks. There are twobooks: Medieval Parks of Hertfordshire byAnne Rowe and Parks in Hertfordshiresince 1500 by Hugh Prince. Betweenthem, these volumes give a detailedhistory from the eleventh century to thepresent day.DesertedVillagesRevisited, editedby ChristopherDyer andRichard Jones,is out now,price £14.99.ailing settlements but, happily forus, Hatfield survived.Deserted villages continue toexert a sense of melancholy andmystery even if the reality is oftenless evocative. It has becomemuch easier to search forevidence of deserted villagessince the advent of Google Earthand Google Maps: you can scourthe fields for traces of vanishedbuildings and tracks from thecomfort of your desk.Archaeological investigationsof deserted villages are alsoespecially valuable becausethey are free from the evidenceof later periods. Why not goonline now and see if youcan find one no one hasspotted before?For more information on allUH Press books visitwww.herts.ac.uk/uhpress. f3233

futuresPROFILESWhere are they now?Product designer? Solicitor? IT specialist? Let us know what you’vebeen up to since posing for photos in your mortar board and gown...UHArts and GalleriesProgrammeAutumn 2010 HighlightsfuturesARTS & GALLERIESNew releases fromUHR and InfuseNickiCombarro(nee Smith)Year Graduated:1996 Coursestudied: BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy CurrentEmployer: BodybalancePhysiotherapy and Sports InjuryClinic Ltd Area: HertfordshireI qualified in 1996 in the firstcohort of Physiotherapists fromthe University and have maintainedprofessional links with the Universityever since. My initial employmentwas with the NHS where for fiveyears I focused on musculoskeletalphysiotherapy, includingoutpatient clinics, orthopaedicwards, specialist burns and handrehabilitation unit and hydrotherapy.After completing my MSc in SportsInjuries in 2002 I left the NHS andwent to work for the MOD at RAFHalton for three years as a civilianphysiotherapist.In 1999 BodybalancePhysiotherapy and Sports InjuryClinic was established. With themove to the Hertfordshire SportsVillage facilities in August 2003and the more recent expansioninto the Sports Performance andDevelopment Centre, the clinic hascontinued to grow and offeringservices to the students, staff andwider community.I am also a ConsultantPhysiotherapist for the EnglishInstitute of Sport treating EliteInternational athletes within the EastRegion. Over the past eight years Ihave been fortunate enough to bepart of a variety of major sportingevents including the CommonwealthGames, Manchester 2002 andMelboure 2006, World UniversityGames in South Korea 2003 andTurkey 2005 and in SeptemberI am flying out to New Delhi aspart of Team England for theCommonwealth Games 2010.Dan GreenYearGraduated:2007 Coursestudied:BSc (Hons)Sports Studies with BusinessCurrent Employer: HolidayComparisons/University ofHertfordshire Business SchoolArea: HertfordshireI was employed by the Universitystraight after I had finished mystudies, and currently workwithin the Business School.Using entrepreneurial skills Igained while studying, workingand travelling, I am about tolaunch my own company HolidayComparisons online. The businessis the result of months of websitedevelopment and liaison withtop UK tour operators includingVirgin, Thomson, Thomas Cook,Expedia and over one hundredothers. Essentially this is the UK’slargest database of holidays andlets the user find any holiday withone simple search based on thecustomer-preferred criteria. Thesite is due to be launched officiallyat the end of July, and I am nowdeveloping a series of online shortfilms to promote the businessthrough viral networks.www.holidaycomparisons.com?Where areyou now?Write in and let usknow what you’vebeen up to sincegraduation! Email your profile to:alumni@herts.ac.uk or write to usat: Development and Alumni,University of Hertfordshire,Hatfield, Herts AL10 9AB.Please remember to include agood quality photo! fIzzy HussainYear Graduated:2008 Coursestudied: MAMarketingCurrentEmployer: ForumHertfordshire/University ofHertfordshire Students’ UnionArea: HertfordshireMy Master’s degree at the Universityof Hertfordshire was in marketing– somewhat daunting at thetime, as I’d switched from a legalbackground. I like to think thata combination of some fantastictutors, being a little cheeky (myclassmates remember this fondly...I hope) and doing something that Iwas passionate about helped shapethe direction of my career.On graduation I worked for the(University) Business School’sGraduate Consulting Unit - apioneering consultancy unit. Isubsequently went over to theStudents’ Union in time for thelaunch of the Forum – a £38 millionentertainments venue open tostudents and the public. If youhaven’t attended an event at theForum, the best way of describingthe venue is a bit like watching anepisode of Glee – you’re not surewhere it came from but it’s prettydarn amazing. I primarily focus onthe public side of the marketing,which ranges on a day-to-daybasis from the promotions for anupcoming gig (Black Eyed Peas,Blondie, Florence and the Machinethe list is pretty endless), writing outa sponsorship bid or general PR –to working with design agencies,developing links with communitygroups and local businesses andeven jumping the A1 roundaboutbarrier to put up an event banner(very occasionally and with cautionof course).www.forumhertfotrdshire.co.ukMarketing@forumhertfordshire.co.ukImage: Persepolis,Courtesy of BFIFriday 10 September –Saturday 16 October(Visual Arts) Kiss Kiss Kill Kill:The Graphic Art and ForgottenSpy Films of Cold War EuropeSunday 10 October7.30pm(Music) de Havilland PhilharmonicWednesday 13 October– Saturday 20 November(Visual Arts) Taking Time: Craftand the Slow RevolutionTuesday 16 October6.00pm(Film) SuspiraSaturday 30 October7.30pm(Theatre) CrocosmiaTuesday 2 November7.00pm(Film) Bad Film Club: Troll 2Sunday 7 November3.30pm(Music) Stories from the Ballet:A Children’s Classical ConcertSunday 21 November1.00pm, 3.00pm(Children’s Theatre)The Butterfly Ball: A Poemon Six LegsTuesday 30 November7.00pm(Film) PersepolisFriday 3 December6.00pm(Theatre) Farm BoyWednesday 8 –Thursday 23 December(Visual Arts)Open Exhibition 2010Thursday 23 December7.30pm(Music) Hertfordshire CountyYouth OrchestraOur venuesThe Weston Auditoriumde Havilland CampusHatfieldHerts AL10 9EUPhone lines open:Mon to Fri 9.00am – 4.00pmVisit the Box Office:Mon to Fri 9.00am – 4.00pm(during term-time)Art and Design GalleryCollege Lane CampusHatfieldHerts AL10 9ABOpen:Mon to Fri 9.30am – 5.30pmSat 9.30am – 3.30pmMargaret Harvey Gallery7 Hatfield RoadSt AlbansHerts AL1 3RROpen:Wed to Sat 12.30pm – 5.30pmwww.herts.ac.uk/artsandgalleriesUHR, the University of Hertfordshire’sprofessional record label, has a growingreputation for pairing fantastic composerswith talented musicians to produce newand interesting recorded works. Infuse, adivision of UHR, is a record label designedto infuse students into the professionalmusic industry through working withpeople already in the business.Build up your collection of UHR andInfuse works with these fabulous newalbum releases…UH Brass Ensemble -Fanfares, Fancies and Fugues(Feat. UH Graduation Music)Alison Wells and Ian Mitchell -Moments and DaysDave Delarre – Blue BeginningsAvailable from:www.uhrecordings.co.ukUH Recordings Ltd. is awholly owned subsidiaryof the University ofHertfordshire CompanyReg. No 058466433431

If undelivered, please return toDevelopment and Alumni OfficeUniversity of Hertfordshire,Hatfield, AL10 9AB, EnglandMore Arts and Galleries Eventsat The University of HertfordshireVisual ArtsKiss Kiss Kill Kill: The GraphicArt and Forgotten Spy Films ofCold War EuropeFriday 10 September – Saturday16 October 2010Centred on the spectacular kitschgraphic design produced during theheyday the European Spy Film(1964-1968), Kiss Kiss Kill Killcurated by Richard Rhys Daviesputs a collection of newly restoredposters on pubic display for thefirst time.Gallery opening hours:Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm.Saturday, 9.30am – 3.30pmPrice: FREEVenue: Art and Design GalleryFilmVertigoTuesday 8 November, 7.00pmHitchcock’s classic tale ofobsession and voyeurism ispresented on a gloriouslyenrapturing grand scale. Thenightmarish tale of spellbindingspectatorship sees retired detectiveScottie (James Stewart) enrapturedby a seemingly possessed loverMadeleine (Kim Novak) who,unbeknownst to him, is part of adevious plot of lust and deception.Ticket price: £4 full price/£3 concessionSuitable For: 15+Venue: The Weston AuditoriumBox Office: 01707 281127Children’s TheatreThe Butterfly Ball: A Poemon Six LegsSunday 21 NovemberWorkshop: 12.00pm – 12.45pm,First Performance: 1.00pm –2.00pm, Second Performance:3.00pm – 4.00pmA dance-music theatre piece forchildren and their grown-ups aboutthe little world in the grass. TheButterfly Ball is a heart-warmingstory in miniature about love,friendship, reaching for the moonand dancing leaf to leaf.Ticket price: £8 full price/£6 childrenSuitable For: 4+Venue: The Weston AuditoriumDiscounts for all alumni!More information:www.herts.ac.ukartsandgalleriesThe University of HertfordshireArts and Galleries Autumn Programme 2010Image: Vertigo, Courtesy of BFI