November 2011 - University of Worcester
November 2011 - University of Worcester
November 2011 - University of Worcester
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NEWSTalented illustrator making waves inthe world <strong>of</strong> children’s booksA talented student at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> is making a name forherself in the world <strong>of</strong> illustration.work illustrating Robert Arley’s book BigBig Secret, for <strong>Worcester</strong>-based publisher,SevernPix.Just a year after being commissioned toillustrate her first book, Marisa Lewis hasnow had her work published in a secondbook and also in promotional material foran operatic show.The 21-year-old, who studied for a BA inIllustration at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>and is now studying for her Masters inCreative Digital Media, was commissionedto illustrate The Leopard Boy, writtenby Julia Johnson, and published byFrances Lincoln Publishers. She is alsothe illustrator <strong>of</strong> advertising posters andleaflets for <strong>Worcester</strong> Gilbert & SullivanOperatic Society’s show, Princess Ida.The commissions came following Marisa’sNairobi visitThe <strong>University</strong>’s ongoing relationshipwith nurses in Nairobi is going fromstrength to strength.Until starting at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><strong>Worcester</strong>, Marisa, <strong>of</strong> Warndon Villages,<strong>Worcester</strong>, did not realise that her love <strong>of</strong>drawing and illustration could turn into acareer.“I dabbled in illustration at home, but didn’tever think I could do it pr<strong>of</strong>essionally,” shesays. “However, I managed to use my creditsgained from doing web design courses withthe Open <strong>University</strong> to secure an interviewat the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, and the restis history.”Thanks to her tutor Piet Grobler, SeniorLecturer and Course Leader in Illustrationat the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, who put herin touch with his publishers, Marisa wasable to undertake the work as part <strong>of</strong> herfinal-year Independent Study, and hasn’tlooked back since.“It was great,” she said. “It took severalmonths to complete the work, starting withthe cover and working my way through theother illustrations. I tended to have morethan one illustration ‘on the go’ at the sametime. It was an excellent opportunity.”In 2010 two members <strong>of</strong> staff fromthe <strong>University</strong>’s Institute <strong>of</strong> Health& Society, Judith Davies and RuthPearce, visited Nairobi Hospital. Thepurpose <strong>of</strong> the visit was to sign a‘Memorandum <strong>of</strong> Understanding’ toexplore the development <strong>of</strong> Continuing Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Development for qualified nurses inNairobi Hospital.Volunteers headto the hillslecturer at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> isA helping to create an emotive survey <strong>of</strong>Malvern, finding out how local people react toand think about the town centre and its facilities.Using award-winning new research methods,Andy Stevenson is helping Malvern Hills DistrictCouncil (MHDC) to map its new Route to the Hills.The Emotisurvey | Malvern project builds onprevious research projects undertaken by the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> in central <strong>Worcester</strong>with the City Council’s Landscape Architectand Town Planning teams. As part <strong>of</strong> themethods used it kits volunteers out with thelatest digital video camera, sound recordingequipment and geographical positioningsystem (GPS) and then asks them to walk a setroute at the same time voicing their thoughtsabout the areas they are walking through.The research phase is being carried out overthe next few weeks with volunteers from arange <strong>of</strong> different groups including peoplewith disabilities, young people and walkers.Andy Stevenson, Senior Lecturer in Design at the<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, will then help to analysethe findings and present an online interactiveresource to the Route to the Hills Board. Thefindings will be used to help the project to addresslocal issues and improve the public realm.He said: “It’s been great meeting all the differentpeople involved and there’s already been somefascinating comments made about Malvern, itshistory, architecture, public realm and accessibilityfor visitors and residents with disabilities.”MHDC is one <strong>of</strong> six partner organisations onthe Route to the Hills. The others are MalvernCivic Society, Malvern Town Council, HighStreet Malvern, Great Malvern Priory ParochialChurch Council and Malvern Hills Conservators.To find out more about the Emotisurvey visit theRoute to the Hills page on the council’s web pagewww.malvernhills.gov.uk/routetothehillsIn June this year, 8 qualified nurses visited <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, <strong>Worcester</strong>shire AcuteNHS Trust and Herefordshire Acute NHS Trust to explore nursing practice.Following the report from that visit Rose Omutanyi, Principal <strong>of</strong> the Cicely McDonnellSchool <strong>of</strong> Nursing at Nairobi Hospital, and Janet Mathiu, Director <strong>of</strong> Nursing NairobiHospital, visited the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> in October to identify educational andresearch opportunities and to develop an action plan for future development, includingboth staff and student exchanges.Speaking about the partnership, Valerie Gorton from the Institute <strong>of</strong> Health & Societysaid: “We see a bright future ahead for developments with Kenya at this time and in thefuture.”14 / NOVEMBER <strong>2011</strong> / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk