Educational conversion for rugby stars Meet UCLan's new creatives ...

Aspire
The magazine from the
University of Central Lancashire
2010
Educational conversion for rugby stars
Meet UCLan’s new creatives
New campus unveiled
iPhone application is UK first
ISSUE

Contents
Aspire 2010
New facilities 3
Building blocks of learning
Research 4
Digging up the past
Landmark in journalism celebrated
Course innovation 8
Powers of persuasion
Calling all adrenaline junkies
UCLanSport 12
Countdown to 2012
Eco-car first to chequered flag
In the news 14
Howzat!
Football pundit scores for charity
International outlook 16
Argentinean adventure
Taste for language
2 Aspire 2010
4 11 12
14 20 28
Career focus 20
Intern enters Public Office
Business is looking up
Student experience 22
Postcard from South Africa
iPhone application is UK first
High achievers 26
Fifty years of fashion celebrated
Nursing a love of study...for free
Meet UCLan’s new creatives
Alumni 31
View from the top
Campus roundup 32
University choir hit high notes
Shining Light
Footballers net fitness reward

Building blocks of learning
Sports centre and forensics facility to boost student experience
The University of Central Lancashire
(UCLan) is creating two multi-million
pound buildings housing state-of-the-art
sports and forensic science facilities.
The £16 million sports centre will be
home to top class sporting facilities and
equipment to aid the development of
UCLan’s sporting elite along with
providing indoor, Olympic quality
training areas in the run up to the
London 2012 Olympics.
A sprung timber sports hall, sunk into
the centre of the plan, will be the main
attraction. It will have more than 300
retractable seats and a viewing gallery
while it will also act as a multi-use space
accommodating regional and national
sporting events, conventions and
exhibitions along with hosting academic
examinations.
The new complex will also be home to
activity studios, squash courts, changing
rooms and multi-functional spaces.
A pre-school for 90 children will also be
created on the site.
Dr Adrian Ibbetson, Academic Director
for Sport, said: “The centre will be a
fantastic development for the University
and will be a top-of-the-range facility
which will serve the health and fitness
needs of students and provide an
excellent competition venue for our
Students’ Union clubs. It will significantly
impact on the student experience in
terms of recreation, health, well-being
and competitive sport.”
And in a separate development extensive
chemistry, analytical and fire research
facilities, designed to accommodate
more than 160 students across four
laboratories, are being created in the
£12.5 million JB Firth building.
It is being named after renowned
pioneer of forensic science James Brierley
Firth, who formed the North West’s first
Forensic Science Laboratory in Preston
and led the way for the creation of a
regionalised forensic science service for
the police.
“As one of the first universities to offer
forensic science courses we look forward
to building on our heritage with the JB
Firth extension project. We're very
excited about the opportunities the new
facilities will bring to our students,”
commented Dr Lee Chatfield, Head of
New facilities
the School of Forensic and Investigative
Sciences. “We are also pleased to pay
tribute to James Firth, who has made
such a mark on both the local area and
the world of forensic science.”
Aspire 2010 3

Research
Digging up the past
Dr Vicki Cummings
Archaeology, School of Forensic
and Investigative Science
Mention archaeology to most people
and their thoughts immediately turn to
famous sights such as Stonehenge and
Avebury stone circle, to name but two.
But for Dr Vicki Cummings, Senior
Lecturer in Archaeology at UCLan, the UK
has so much more to offer in terms of
developing our understanding of the past.
“My main area of interest is prehistoric
archaeology,” said Dr Cummings. “But I
specialise in the Mesolithic (8000 to 4000
BC) and Neolithic periods (4000 to 2500
BC). My focus has been to investigate the
Irish Sea zone as it has such a large
number of well-preserved monuments
and I have visited virtually all of the
chambered tombs in this area.”
The Mesolithic period was characterised
by people hunting and gathering, while
the Neolithic period saw the
introduction of domesticated animals
4 Aspire 2010
and plants, pottery and the first
monument construction. It’s these two
periods that hold such a special interest
for Dr Cummings. “I really do have a
passion for monuments and lithics (stone
tools),” she explains, “and want to
develop more of an understanding of
how people evolved from being huntergatherers
to being farmers. The research
I have been undertaking at various sites
provides me with a great opportunity to
further my knowledge and
understanding of the past.
“I decided to concentrate my efforts in
the Irish Sea zone because there hasn’t
really been that much research done
there previously and there are some
great monuments to examine. A lot of
attention is focused on some of the
well-known sites such as Stonehenge,
which is only one, rather unique and not
very representative site. But there really
is just as much we can learn from other
parts of the UK, so that’s what I decided
to do,” she said.
Dr Cummings’ work is centred mainly
around the Bargrennan group of
monuments in Dumfries and Galloway,
south west Scotland – a group of
chambered tombs, or cairns, found only
in that area. These chambered cairns
were built as burial monuments and
consist of a cairn of stones inside which
a sizeable chamber was constructed.

“I decided to concentrate my efforts in the Irish
Sea zone because there hasn’t really been that
much research done there previously and there
are some great monuments to examine.”
The Bargrennan group are currently
undated, although it is thought that
they were built somewhere in the
Neolithic period.
“During our excavations at Bargrennan
and Cairnderry we were really excited to
find a surprising amount of material,”
said Dr Cummings. “Digs at a number
of monuments in the area uncovered
various interesting finds. A series of
cremation pits were found around one
particular monument, containing bone
and charcoal, whilst some spectacular
grave goods included two early Bronze
Age battleaxes, which are rare objects
and virtually never found in situ. Other
items included an upturned collared urn
and an accessory vessel. These objects, as
well as radiocarbon dates from the pits,
demonstrate that between 1900 and
1500 BC people were using the outside
of the monument for funerary activities.”
Another aspect of Dr Cummings’ work is
a technique known as field walking,
which she undertook during a project
started in Kintyre, Scotland, in 2006. “I
am involved in a project to investigate
the interactions of communities across
the Irish Sea during the late Mesolithic
and Neolithic periods,” she revealed,
“and because Kintyre in Scotland is only
12 miles from Ireland, it seemed the ideal
area to investigate and field walking is
the ideal technique to use.”
Field walking involves collecting stone
tools brought up during the ploughing
of land and it’s an exercise that has paid
Research
rich dividends during the ongoing
project. “We have uncovered a range of
material from the Kintyre fields that
cover a wide date range from the
Mesolithic to the Bronze Age,” said
Dr Cummings. “Good evidence of early
Neolithic activity includes a leaf-shaped
arrowhead and a number of scrapers,
whilst occupation of coastal areas clearly
continued in the later Neolithic and early
Bronze ages. This is demonstrated
through the finding of later scrapers,
knives and a barbed and tanged
arrowhead from this period,” she added.
Although one of the main aims of the
work in Scotland wasn’t achieved,
Dr Cummings is really pleased with the
findings uncovered so far. “We didn’t
actually manage to date the sites at
Cairnderry and Bargrennan, which is
what we set out to do,” she said. “In
archaeology you don’t always get the
results you want, but we did find lots of
good examples of settlement sites from
the Mesolithic through to the Bronze
Age, so we are pleased overall.”
So what’s next for Dr Cummings? “More
research on specific areas, as it really is a
never-ending process. It’s vital that we
keep research projects like this going
because it’s the only way that we can
better our understanding of what
happened in the past. It’s not all about
finding the ‘oldest’ or the ‘richest’ items,
as the media often portray, but
archaeology is the search to understand
the whole of the past. All research
projects contribute to that broader
understanding, with each excavation like
finding another piece of the jigsaw.
The real result will be publications that
students and other scholars can read to
help develop their understanding too.”
Aspire 2010 5

Research
Landmark in
journalism celebrated
A BAFTA-winning journalist has been
reunited with former tutors and
students to help celebrate 50 years of
journalism at UCLan.
Richard Frediani, Head of News at ITV
Granada, studied on UCLan’s
Postgraduate Diploma in Radio and
TV Journalism in 1989.
At a launch event, celebrating the
research produced by undergraduate
students Joe Cawley (history) and
Louise Steggles (journalism), the
Preston-born alumnus declared the
exhibition open by cutting a specially
prepared cake.
“It’s a great honour, as a former
student and proud Prestonian, to
open this exhibition,” said Richard.
“The University is certainly in the
premier league when it comes to
journalism and I was very privileged to
gain a place on the postgraduate
course all those years ago.
“To misquote Reggie Perrin’s boss: ‘I
wouldn’t have got where I am today
without UCLan’. And even now,
without the current course, I wouldn’t
have a source of future talent to
employ on Granada Reports.
“The poly, as it was then, provided me
with an excellent grounding for my
career. And, being in my home town
of Preston, I was able to study and
enjoy the excellent amenities as well.”
Pictured: Mike Ward, Head, School of
Journalism, Media and Communication,
John Swindells, Mayor of Preston with Joe
Cawley, Louise Steggles and Richard Frediani.
6 Aspire 2010
Energy matters
UCLan has announced a £1 million, three-year partnership with
BAE Systems to conduct research into energy management.
The initiative recognises the need to better manage energy in the defence
sector, which will cut emissions, reduce overall cost and secure supply.
Research will focus on the development of intelligent energy management
systems for use in the defence sector, initially on BAE Systems sites across
the UK but with potential for wider use both in the defence industry and
on military bases. Longer term, the research partners aim to extend these
systems to other sectors to enhance the competitiveness of British industry.
Malcolm McVicar, Vice-Chancellor at UCLan, commented: “This is a fantastic
project and we are grateful to BAE Systems for investing this essential
funding. Against the backdrop of climate change there is a pressing need
to undertake intelligent research that identifies how energy systems should
be planned, designed and operated in a sustainable fashion.
“We hope the findings from this initiative will lead to a revolution in
energy and sustainable development and become a demonstration project
of progressive science and applied practice – establishing new agendas for
what is achievable.”
Mathematics research adds up
Three research grants, totalling more than £400,000, have been awarded to the
Computational and Theoretical Physics research group led by Dr Andrei Zvelindovsky.
The funding will boost mathematical research related to the concept of
‘self-organisation’ of nano materials. Dr Zvelindovsky said: “Three grants bring not
only a substantial amount of funding for mathematical research, but enormous
prestige to the University.”
The largest grant is from the EU programme in Nano-Science, and includes
collaboration with the universities of Leiden in Holland, Aachen in Germany, and
Jerusalem and Technion in Israel. The aim of the research is to create new memory
devices with the size and flexibility of a postage stamp.

A forward-thinking initiative at UCLan
is enabling undergraduate students to
produce research of national and
international standing that not only
enhances their overall student
experience but also provides a signpost
to future career opportunities.
Led by UCLan research staff, students
have been drawn from subjects across
the arts, sciences, health and business to
work on 39 (up from 31 last year)
different research projects for a period
of up to 10 weeks.
And at a recent academic poster
presentation, the students unveiled
their research findings on a wide range
of subjects.
Presenting the prizes for the best poster
presentations was Professor Patrick
McGhee, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Academic), who said: “This initiative
has been an outstanding success for
the University.
“The programme has seen a growing
number of both research staff and
undergraduate students snap up the
opportunities available, helping the
University to establish a thriving research
community across all academic areas.
Research
Undergraduates taste research future
“Every project was superb in terms of
depth, diversity and clarity but to
identify the overall winners we wanted
to pinpoint individuals who had gone
the extra mile and demonstrated an
excellent ability to verbally
communicate their findings.”
On this basis second year Pharmacy
student Brendan Frazer was awarded
a prize for his study entitled: ‘Catalytic
synthesis of pharmaceutically important
amides’. Brendan shared joint first prize
with Laura Buckley for her project:
‘Update of methods of suicide used by
the elderly in England and Wales’.
Laura’s work has already been published
in two journals. “I’ve really enjoyed the
whole experience and I would love to
study for a PhD,” she explained.
“Being able to impact the quality of
people’s lives is hugely rewarding.”
Alumni 2010 7

Course innovation
Powers of persuasion
UCLan students can now rediscover the lost art of rhetoric
Undergraduate students studying on
the BA (Hons) English Language and
Linguistics programme can now choose
a module that could help them become
both articulate citizens and critical
consumers of modern media
communications – including politicians’
speeches.
‘Introduction to Rhetoric’ is taught by
Dr Johan Siebers who also leads UCLan’s
MA in Rhetoric - the only such course in
the country.
“The subject has a long history,”
explained Dr Siebers. “Although it’s
sometimes become synonymous with
empty phrase-making, rhetoric, – the art
of using language persuasively – played a
central role in the Western educational
system for centuries, but lost favour in
Britain at the end of the Victorian era.
The basic principles of giving a good
speech, or really any communication,
haven’t changed since they were
formulated by Aristotle and Quintilian
two thousand years ago.”
8 Aspire 2010
In his Rhetoric (fourth century BC),
Aristotle identified the three key
elements of persuasion: ethos (the
speaker’s personality and values); logos
(the quality of the arguments used); and
pathos (appealing to the emotions
associated with a specific topic).
The subject has, however, remained
widely taught in the United States,
where the spectacular success of Barack
Obama has helped to put rhetoric firmly
back on the map.
“When it comes to giving an articulate
and memorable speech, modern
politicians could learn a lot from classical
rhetoric,” added Dr Siebers. “Although
memorising a speech isn’t a problem for
politicians with access to teleprompters,
these ancient principles are just as
relevant today, as is rhetoric itself. As a
culture of eloquence – which means not
only saying what needs to be said and
saying it well, but also being able to put
yourself in your audience’s shoes –
rhetoric is a cornerstone of democracy.
“As Barack Obama has shown, rhetoric is
as important today as it was two
thousand years ago. The success of the
UK party leaders over the coming
months and at the next general election
will largely depend on their powers of
persuasion.”
Introduction to Rhetoric provides an
overview of rhetorical theory and
technique. It considers how rhetoric has
developed from the practice of public
speaking to an interpretive, and
practical, framework for the analysis and
production of communication and
expression, and it considers the relation
between rhetoric and ideas of science,
civilisation and humanity. The module
also provides the opportunity to practice
rhetorical skills.
The ten golden
rules of political
rhetoric
1. Make your speech tell a story with
a beginning, middle and end.
2. Appeal to reason, but above all
shared emotions and values.
3. Take a strong stance on issues
that matter to your audience.
4. Make it personal: refer to I and
you, we and they.
5. Make your style vivid and varied.
6. Use rhetorical devices, but don’t
overdo them.
7. Use carefully crafted soundbites
for your take-home message.
8. Be dramatic: vary intonation,
use pauses and questions,
talk into applause.
9. Use body language to reinforce
your message.
10. Make your words match your
actions (and vice versa).

Calling all adrenaline junkies
From September 2010 a pioneering new course to be run exclusively from UCLan’s
Burnley Campus will equip students with the skills and knowledge required to
manage and run their own adventure sports company.
The new BA (Hons) in Adventure Sports Leadership follows specific academic and
vocational guidelines to develop personal performance, instructional ability,
leadership and entrepreneurship. Confirmed activities include mountain biking,
kayaking, mountain walking, climbing and snow sports utilising local facilities.
Primarily designed for local students, the course will provide a high quality
university education alongside work experience and employment opportunities
provided by the Adrenaline Gateway strategy.
UCLan’s Burnley campus is working alongside organisations including the
Rossendale Regeneration Board, KDCL and EDC Consultants to reinvent the local
area, providing local employment and regeneration.
Martin Brown, Director of UCLan’s Burnley Campus, said: “Transport infrastructure,
combined with outstanding natural geography, existing facilities such as Ski
Rossendale and regeneration areas all make ideal locations for sports designed to
make your heart beat a little faster.”
UCLan already has an enviable track record in outdoor and adventure sports and is
rapidly becoming one of the top providers of sports education courses. Facilities
include Llangollen’s Tyn Dwr Hall where future Adventure Sport Leadership
students will be able to utilise facilities including mountain-biking, climbing,
kayaking and canoeing.
Dr Adrian Ibbetson, Academic Director for Sport at UCLan, said: “The British
adventure sport industry is dominated by small businesses and sole traders, therefore
managers must be multi-skilled at both the practical instructional and managerial
skills needed to run a business. We’ve designed this course specifically to meet these
needs, with the long-term goal that UCLan alumni will lead the field in the sector.”
By 2020 it is expected that Pennine Lancashire will be transformed with over one
million more visitors a year coming to the area, spending an additional £15 million
and creating at least 600 full time jobs.
Course innovation
Alfresco
dining with
a difference
Around 200 students left the
classroom for the park recently to
experience a lesson with a difference.
The students, from courses as diverse
as Architecture, Architectural
Technology, Graphic Design,
Ceramics, Interior Design, and Textile
Innovations were given a brief to
design and construct alfresco dining
shelters around a theme, using
materials found from around the
park. Ideas ranged from a Bedouin
tent to a shelter shaped like a slice of
birthday cake.
Fiona Leinster-Evans, Project Officer
for Architecture, said: “It’s important
for our students to come out of the
classroom and into the local area for
their first Architecture project. It’s an
exciting new course that will create a
focus for development in the Preston
area and across the region.”
Aspire 2010 9

Course innovation
Cop that!
Reward for pioneering course to get more bobbies on the beat
A unique investigation into new ways to
join the police force has won an award
for UCLan and Lancashire Constabulary.
The University, together with the
Constabulary, has pioneered a brand new
Foundation Degree in Policing. Designed
to be the ideal qualification for budding
Special Constables, the foundation
degree provides its graduates with a
unique insight into the career they want
and has been awarded the ‘North West
Training Award for Partnership &
Collaboration’ in the National Training
Awards run by UK Skills.
10 Aspire 2010
It was hoped that after the two year
course, the constabulary would have a
pool of highly qualified people to pick
from. And they weren’t disappointed.
41 students joined the programme in
2007 and two years on, 36 have been
awarded the foundation degree.
Normally only 10 percent of job
applicants are successfully recruited.
However, the Constabulary has been able
to offer jobs to almost a third of the
students. 10 students have become
constables, with a further eight accepting
other policing roles. Furthermore,
11 graduates have continued their
learning and are now studying a BSc
qualification as a top-up degree .
UCLan’s John Thompson, Course Leader
for the Foundation Degree in Policing,
said: “Students from the first cohort have
not only provided 15000 hours as special
constables during their studies, but 10
are now regular officers patrolling the
streets of Lancashire. Others await
vacancies as Police Community Support
Officers fulfilling the University’s mission
to embed employability into learning.
It is particularly gratifying to receive the
award so soon into the life of the course
and after only one graduation. We
expect to go from strength to strength.”

Employability initiative turns new page
Staff and students from across the
University joined with authors and
influential figures from the publishing
industry to help launch a new
initiative that could help uncover the
next JK Rowling.
UCLan Publishing has been created to
hone the talents of budding writers of
the future and give them the
opportunity to produce books,
participate in top level author events and
work with publishers, authors, librarians
and booksellers.
Debbie Williams, UCLan Publishing
Manager, said: “We are very excited to
launch UCLan Publishing which will see
both undergraduates and postgraduate
students working in tandem on a wide
range of ‘real life’ projects. The initiative
will also involve students from many
areas including Photography and PR.”
The launch of the UCLan Publishing Unit
coincided with the unveiling of two
brand new postgraduate programmes -
MA Writing for Children and MA
Publishing – the only courses of their
type in the North of England.
Debbie continued: “Some very exciting
projects are planned for this year
including the production of a Lancashire
cookery book in collaboration with
Heathcotes and the Lancashire Evening
Post. The centre is also looking to
produce a book containing letters, stories
and pictures written by local school
children, to a school in Africa. As part of
the project it is hoped that UCLan
students will be able to visit the UCLan
Maasai Mara Centre in Kimana, Kenya.
“We’re also planning a Children's Book
Festival in June on the theme of
crossover fiction and plan to set up a
Lancashire branch of the Federation of
Children's Book Groups.”
Course innovation
“I think this initiative is brilliant. It’s an ideal
platform for students to link their passion
for writing with a knowledge of the
commercial side of the publishing business.”
Children’s and adult author, Adele Geras
At the launch of the centre Helen Day,
Course Leader on the MA Writing for
Children programme, baked and
decorated a pink fairy castle cake to
resemble the cake in special guest Adele
Geras’ book.
Children’s and adult author Adele, who
has written more than 90 books in her
career, attended the launch. She said:
“I think this initiative is brilliant. It’s an
ideal platform for students to link their
passion for writing with a knowledge of
the commercial side of the publishing
business. I know that the combination of
passionate staff and creative students
will make this venture a great success.”
Aspire 2010 11

UCLanSport
Countdown
to 2012
University to deliver gold
standard of coaching excellence
UCLan has won a major contract
which could have a crucial influence
on Britain’s medal haul at the 2012
Olympics.
Up against universities from across the
country, UCLanSport won a
competitive bid that will see it take
the national lead in delivering the
Government-inspired UK Coaching
Certificate (UKCC) for five key sports.
The UK Coaching Certificate ensures
that sports are delivering the best
available, athlete-centred coaching
and in due course reap the rewards of
sporting success, both in performance
and recreational enjoyment of sport.
Developed by sport, for sport, the
UKCC is creating a UK-wide coaching
infrastructure dedicated to the
development of coaches to the highest
level of quality and safety, ensuring
that the UK becomes recognised as a
world leader in coach development.
Nigel Garratt, The Outdoors Division
Leader from the School of Sport,
Tourism and the Outdoors said: “This
is a major coup for us. We’ll be rolling
out the certificate at the top level
(level four) for elite coaches within
the sports of basketball, hockey,
rugby league, squash and table
tennis. These are world-class Olympic
sports and as the countdown begins
to 2012 (and the Rugby League World
Cup in 2013) we’re all looking
forward to playing our part.”
12 Aspire 2010
Eco-car first to chequered flag
Motor sports students win national competition
An eco-friendly car created and driven
by motor sport students at UCLan has
won a national competition.
The group of 38 BSc(Hons) Motor
Sports Engineering students were
celebrating after beating off stiff
competition in the Class 1A machine to
win the sustainability section of the
Formula Student event.
They spent 10 months designing and
building the sustainable 250cc car,
which is run on bio fuels and has been
designed for minimum environmental
impact. The car was then put to the test
against universities from across the
world in a race around the famous
Silverstone circuit recently.
Matt Nixon, Project Manager of the
group, said: “It was fantastic to win
because it’s a great reward for the
amount of effort we’ve all put in.
The project was the ultimate in seeing
a task through from the ideas stage,
the creation of the designs and the
building of the car.”
Super agent
Liam Humberstone, Senior Lecturer in
Motor Sports Engineering, said: “This is
the first time we’ve entered a car in the
sustainability section of the Formula
Student competition and we’re
delighted to have won the award. We
give the students a blank piece of paper
and this year they’ve managed to design
and build three cars over a 10 month
period at a cost of around £15,000.
Some teams are spending £40,000 per
car but because we have our own
workshop facilities we can manufacture
parts which would otherwise be very
expensive to produce.”
He added: “The students have gained
some fantastic work experience and
this makes them extremely popular
with employers. Over 60 percent of our
graduates take up positions within the
motor sports industry while others
build their careers within general
engineering. The aerospace industry is
one sector where our students’ talents
are particularly in demand and this year
we have several graduates who have
landed positions at BAE Systems.”
Former sports journalism student Luisa Gottardo has joined Power Goldberg Sports
Management in London. Luisa, who also took part in the BBC TV programme
Superagents in which she came runner-up, has been offered a full-time role and is
now completing her training to become a fully-fledged sports agent.

Educational conversion for rugby stars
Six first team players from Wigan Warriors RLFC, including captain Sean O’Loughlin,
will complete a strength and conditioning degree course at UCLan as part of the
University’s relationship with the Super League club.
Sean O’Loughlin, Pat Richards, Cameron Phelps, Sam and Joel Tomkins and reserve
team player Stuart Howarth will all study part-time at UCLan for the degree. Warriors
coaching staff Mick Turner and Mick Forshaw are already in the second year of
studying the BSc(Hons) Strength and Conditioning and BA(Hons) Sports Coaching
degrees at the University.
UCLan's Division Leader of Sports Coaching and Development and the relationship
manager with Wigan, Bryan Jones, commented: “The players will benefit from formal
education at the University and I am sure it will be invaluable in improving the
players’ understanding of their own training and competition.”
As part of the strength and conditioning degree the players’ understanding of their
training will improve by studying anatomy and physiology, technique analysis and the
principles and psychology of training.
UCLan’s partnership with Wigan as the “official university of Wigan Warriors” has
also benefited current sports students. Third year sports coaching student Russ
MacFarlane is on placement at the club working closely with coach Brian Noble and
UCLan has also offered sports science support to the first, reserve and academy teams.
The sponsorship deal also means that Wigan Warriors have access to UCLan’s
renowned sport science and performance analysis resources.
Top of the league
UCLan Sport
UCLan’s Students’ Union sports clubs have been celebrating after seeing their teams come top of the student leagues
and gain promotion to the top tier of BUCS (British Universities and College Sports).
The top teams in rugby union, football, golf, and netball have been promoted and the women’s basketball
team clinched a last minute 46-43 victory over Leeds Metropolitan University in the Northern Cup Conference.
Kelly Burdett, Students’ Union Activities and Participation Officer, said: "This year we have seen
an increase in the commitment and retention of our sporting enthusiasts. Students have
joined and stayed and I think this factor has contributed to our excellent performances."
Dr Adrian Ibbetson, UCLan’s Academic Director for Sport, said UCLan’s excellent
facilities were a key factor in the sports clubs’ success. “It helps to have great facilities
and at Preston Sports Arena we have some of the best in the UK. We have built on the
progress we made last year, both individually and collectively our athletes are helping UCLan to establish a
reputation as a rising star in student sport.”
The growth in the quality of UCLan’s sporting facilities has enabled the University to gain the prestigious
status of being accepted as a potential venue and training camp for the 2012 Olympics.
Dr Ibbetson concluded: “We were delighted that the London Organisation Committee for the Olympic
Games accepted our bid which could ultimately put Preston and UCLan on the world sporting map.
These are certainly exciting times.”
Aspire 2010 13

In the news
Drive to help
disadvantaged
students
Over 30 companies from the North
West and beyond have clubbed
together to raise over £6,000 for
charity at UCLan’s first golf day.
The budding golfers teed off in aid
of the NSPCC and UCLan’s Harris
Bursary Fund which enables some of
Lancashire’s brightest but financially
disadvantaged students to attend
the University.
A team from UCLan was the first
onto the fairway led by the
University Chancellor and Patron of
the Harris Bursary Fund Sir Richard
Evans CBE. Sir Richard explained the
ethos behind the Fund: “Bright and
capable students ought to have
access to educational opportunities
regardless of their social or economic
background, and the Harris Bursary
Fund has become an invaluable
source of support to these students.
Initiatives like this golf day help us to
ensure that Lancashire’s students can
reach their educational potential.”
14 Aspire 2010
Howzat!
Indian cricket legend honoured by University
The University’s Degree and Award Ceremonies represent the climax to every
academic year. Nearly 5,000 graduates receive deserved recognition for all their
hard work from the University, family and friends.
During each ceremony the University confers Honorary Fellowships on
distinguished citizens who have made significant contributions to their field or
who have strong links with the region. Recently, the University awarded an
Honorary Fellowship to former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly for his
contribution to the world of cricket. Acknowledged as India’s most successful
cricket captain, Sourav led the Indian side in 49 test matches which included
21 test wins.
During a media call before the ceremony at UCLan’s Preston Sports Arena,
Sourav swapped cricket whites for honorary gowns but still managed to bat with
an assurance that characterised his test career.
Canoe coaching on crest of a wave
UCLan’s School of Sport, Tourism and The Outdoors has been recognised for its
high level canoe coaching by becoming one of only a dozen Canoe Wales
approved centres in North Wales.
Along with the team at Pro-active Adventure at Tyn Dwr Hall, UCLan’s outdoor
centre in Llangollen, North Wales, The Outdoors division of the School met the
standards set by the British Canoe Union to ensure coaches hold current
qualifications and that all equipment used is of a high standard.
The Outdoors Division Leader Nigel Garratt, said: “Canoe Wales operates this
approval scheme on behalf of the British Canoe Union. It means they have
recognised our high level of coaching, resources, facilities and access to
appropriate waters.”

Football pundit scores
for charity
Hundreds of people turned out to hear a football legend
recount tales of his illustrious career both on and off the
football pitch.
BBC Match of the Day and Radio Five Live pundit Mark Lawrenson took part in
a lively question and answer session at UCLan. The event was staged to help raise
funds for the Harris Bursary Fund, the University’s own charity which helps
talented local students from disadvantaged backgrounds better themselves
through education.
Mark, from Preston, was made an Honorary Fellow at UCLan in 2003.
In the news
New campus
unveiled in
Cumbria
UCLan has unveiled its new
£5 million Westlakes campus which
aims to support a new generation
of students interested in following
a career path within the
nuclear/renewable energy industry.
Forming the heart of the campus is
the new Samuel Lindow building.
Developed from the original
Westlakes Research Institute, it has
been extensively upgraded to
include facilities for a new wet
laboratory, a lecture theatre with
3D capability and high performance
computing facilities. The building
will also house a dedicated business
incubator and support centre,
including desk space and facilities
to support business start-ups.
The newly refurbished facility
accommodates a wide range of
higher education courses including
certificates, foundation and
honours degrees, masters and PhD
courses all of which are being
delivered locally and flexibly with
opportunities for those in
employment as well as full time
students.
Areas of research include
environmental sciences, sustainable
development, epidemiology and
genetics.
Aspire 2010 15

International outlook
Argentinean adventure
When it comes to University life
salsa dancing isn’t the first thing
that comes to mind.
But for one UCLan student daily dance
lessons were just part of an amazing
cultural trip to Argentina. And it was all
thanks to UCLan’s Student Travel Bursary.
Second year student Rosa Lynch spent
two weeks improving her Spanish
language skills in the capital city of
Buenos Aires after applying for funding
to the popular scheme.
The 20-year-old, who hails from London
Colney, said: “It was the best experience I
could have ever imagined. I improved my
language skills massively, made some
new friends, really got a feel for the
country and found out what makes
Argentinean people tick.”
Rosa, who is a BSc(Hons) Police and
Criminal Investigation undergraduate,
spent a successful three months learning
the very basics of Spanish in Costa Rica.
But as part of her University experience
she began studying Spanish as an
elective. After learning more basic
language skills she decided she wanted
to experience life in a Spanish speaking
16 Aspire 2010
It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy a
cultural trip of a lifetime which really
helps with your studies and enriches the
student experience.”
country. She researched the venture
thoroughly and decided to apply for a
£1,500 UCLan Travel Bursary, then in its
first year of operation.
She said: “I was so thankful to be given
the cash and be linked to a school out
there. I lived with a family but they spoke
a colloquial style of Spanish so it was
difficult to get by at first as they didn’t
speak a word of English. There was also a
Portuguese student staying in the house
but we both picked it up really quickly
and enjoyed conversing with them.”
Rosa attended school every day and
worked on vocabulary and reading. But,
as part of the daily routine, a one-on-one
salsa lesson, lasting two hours, was
included. “It was very surreal having
dancing lessons as part of the day but
you soon realise it’s a really popular
pastime. Walking around the city people
did seem very businesslike but you soon
come to notice they are passionate about
lots of things including parties and
football.”
The University’s travel initiative proved so
popular last year that funding has now
been doubled. This year 207 students
applied for the money. The successful
candidates will be heading to far flung
locations such as Australia, Zambia,
Nepal and the United States of America.
Rosa, who hopes to make Chile or
Venezuela her next port of call, added:
“I would recommend every eligible
student to apply. It’s a fantastic
opportunity to enjoy a cultural trip of a
lifetime which really helps with your
studies and enriches the student
experience.”

Travelling abroad?
Below are some useful tips
from UCLan’s Worldwise
Learning Centre to help
you on your way.
◗ As a general rule learn a few local
phrases and always try the local
delicacies.
◗ When travelling by train in France,
don't forget to punch your ticket
‘composter votre billet’ in the
machines on the platforms before
boarding.
◗ In China don't expect the food to
taste the same as it does in your
home country. Authentic Chinese
food is very different from its
westernised counterpart. Prepare
your mind and stomach to eat things
you never knew existed.
◗ In China it’s not customary to tip.
◗ In Japan always wear clean socks!
You will be expected to take your
shoes off quite often, eg when
entering a house, certain offices and
sometimes when visiting the
bathroom.
◗ It is very unusual to find vegetarians
in Japan, so don't expect vegetarian
or vegan food to be available.
◗ In Poland it is impolite to shake
hands while wearing your gloves,
no matter how cold it is.
◗ In Germany, always expect public
transport to be on time.
◗ In Germany never cross the road
when the light is red. You could be
fined and will probably have to listen
to criticism from other pedestrians.
◗ Timekeeping in Italy is quite relaxed
so don’t panic if the person you are
meeting is late – half an hour is
acceptable.
◗ In Greece never say no when you are
offered food as this could offend the
person offering.
◗ Many Russians consider it bad form
not to finish a bottle of vodka once it
has been opened, no matter how
few people there are left to finish it.
◗ In Spain, meals are very important
and can last a long time so if you are
meeting for a business lunch, don’t
make any plans for your afternoon.
International outlook
Travel Bursary facts
◗ To be eligible, students must
be UK residents and
following full or part-time
programmes that form part
of a degree award.
◗ Funding is available for
UCLan students to experience
an overseas work placement,
study period or assignment.
◗ The Travel Bursary aims to
allow students to add a truly
international aspect to
their CV.
◗ £200,000 was available for
2009/10 applicants.
Pictures on this page, from top left:
Rosa standing next to a statue of the
Argentinean footballing legend Diego
Maradona at the Boca Junior's stadium
La Bombonera.
Rosa outside La Bombonera stadium.
The Argentineans' passion for football shines
through in La Boca, Buenos Aires; the streets
are lined with blue and gold buildings and
statues.
Rosa with a bear representing Argentina, the
heart of which is a portrait of the famous
tango singer Carlos Gardel. The bear was
part of the 'United Buddy Bears' global tour;
an art exhibition promoting peace, love,
tolerance and international understanding.
Argentinean soldiers marching through Plaza
San Martin in Buenos Aires to welcome the
Ambassador of Israel.
Left: A cafe in La Boca with statues of Carlos
Gardel, the most prominent figure in the
history of tango, Eva Peron, and Diego
Maradona.
Aspire 2010 17

International outlook
Vietnam
venture
UCLan and Hanoi
University have opened
an office dedicated to
teaching UCLan courses
and showcasing the
University in the
Vietnamese capital.
The presence in Hanoi builds on
UCLan’s strong international
network, which includes offices in
China, India, Pakistan and Cyprus.
These offices promote UCLan’s
brand and attract international
students to study at UCLan in
Preston as well as on UCLan
courses delivered through
partners across the world.
Malcolm McVicar, Vice-Chancellor
of UCLan, said: “Expanding
UCLan’s international reach to
Vietnam will allow our worldleading
research and education
programmes to gain exposure in
a rapidly growing economy.”
18 Aspire 2010
Taste for language
All things European were celebrated by local youngsters when they arrived at
UCLan for a day dedicated to the continent.
More than 200 school and college pupils from across the North West entered into
the spirit of the event at UCLan’s European Day of Languages. The children learnt
and sampled different lifestyles from across the world, including culture,
languages and job opportunities abroad.
Silke Engelbart, Subject Leader for German from the School of Languages and
International Studies, said: "It was a fantastic opportunity to show these young
people how interesting foreign languages are and what can be achieved by
learning another language.
“We’ve been running this event for a number of years and it’s always extremely
popular. We offered a wide range of taster sessions, including Polish, Spanish and
French, while from further afield Arabic, Japanese and Chinese.”
Thanks to UCLan’s international students, the pupils sampled internation cuisine,
music and culture. A new section this year included a presentation by final year
students, who shared their experience of having studied abroad in countries
including Mexico, China and Japan.

Worldwise Learning Centre maps way forward
Samba drumming and a Japanese sword
presentation heralded the launch of
UCLan’s new Worldwise Learning Centre,
an initiative to promote understanding
of world cultures and languages both at
the University and across the North West.
Sir Francis Kennedy, former Chancellor of
UCLan, unveiled the official plaque to an
audience of UCLan students and staff,
representatives from international
embassies, international organisations
and senior officers from local businesses
and public services.
Together with UCLan's Worldwise
International Cultures and Languages
Portal, the Centre represents a new drive
to support ‘internationalisation for all’
across the University, including students,
staff and external stakeholders.
“In the last six years the progress made
by the University to embrace languages
and internationalisation has been
tremendous,” said Sir Francis.
“Education and the knowledge of a
foreign language are key factors in
cultural integration. This new centre will
“In the last six years the progress made by the
University to embrace languages and
internationalisation has been tremendous.”
act as a focal point to help deliver that
goal both in the University, Preston and
across the North West.”
A preview of Worldwise events also took
place including a Chinese calligraphy
corner from the Confucius Institute,
briefing sessions on international
business relations and an interactive
Worldwise quiz.
Valeriy Smolienko, Languages 2012
Coordinator at the School of Languages
and International Studies, added: “We’re
thrilled to be launching the centre,
which will give students and the local
community the opportunity and
resource to learn more about the wider
world, explore new cultures and learn
new languages.”
International outlook
Aspire 2010 19

Career focus
Intern enters
Public Office
Preston MP, Mark Hendrick, has
taken part in UCLan’s Internship
Scheme, offering a graduate an
eight week work experience
placement, based at his Preston
Constituency office.
The scheme offers graduates real
work experience and the chance to
improve their CV. UCLan was
successful in gaining funding from
the Economic Challenge Investment
fund to provide paid placements for
over 200 graduates.
The successful intern, Laura Crabb,
a BA(Hons) Public Relations student,
said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my
internship. The experience has
enabled me to put the skills and
knowledge gained from my degree
into a working environment.”
Mr Hendrick added: “It is
encouraging to see that UCLan has
devised a programme which is
helping graduates to gain real work
experience. I was more than happy
to take part. It is important to give
graduates an opportunity to kick
start their careers.”
Steve Bell, Project Manager,
Knowledge Transfer Services at
UCLan said: “The Graduate Internship
programme is a great opportunity for
graduates to work with local
businesses. They can benefit from the
experience of working alongside
skilled people with good industrial
expertise and knowledge.”
20 Aspire 2010
Business is looking up
Self-employment is a real career option for graduates today. And if you’ve
always wanted to follow in the footsteps of entrepreneurs like Sir Alan Sugar
then UCLan is certainly the place to be.
According to the latest Higher Education – Business and Community Interaction
Survey (HEBCIS) UCLan is the top University in the North West and among the
top five across England for producing student start-up businesses.
The study recognised that businesses set up by UCLan students contribute more
than £17 million to the local economy.
The research, produced in partnership with the Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills and Higher Education Funding Council for England,
recognised UCLan graduates as leaders in enterprise. Over the past year, 126
student businesses have been set-up; more than six times greater than UCLan’s
nearest regional competitor.
The survey also revealed that UCLan is the most business-friendly university in
the North West, providing more enterprise support than any other university in
the region and ranks in the top 10 nationally in 10 other categories .
Bede Mullen, Director of UCLan’s Knowledge Transfer Service, commented:
“Supporting new business start-ups in the North West is vital to driving growth
in the region. As such, we’re delighted that UCLan is playing such a crucial role
in the development of the regional economy by providing new and established
businesses with the support they need to develop and grow.”
UCLan ranks second nationally for the number of student start-up businesses
that it supports, which totals more than 300 companies. Many of these firms
are housed within the UCLan’s cutting-edge business incubator, the Media
Factory, a full-service office facility that offers young entrepreneurs mentoring,
advice clinics, networking opportunities and many other services.

‘Cabbin Frenzy’ was the inspiring title
behind a mobile computer game
thought up by UCLan and Lancaster
University students who competed
together in the recent ‘Mobile Bullets’
mobile games design competition.
Two teams of students competed to
produce the best marketable
entertainment application for the Apple
iPhone. The main aim of the competition
was to give the students the chance to
produce a game that will be taken to
market by the organising companies.
Peter Melling, Director of Globigames
and Black Bull studios, based in Preston,
said: “This is a competition with no
losers. We, the businesses, get a game
we can market and sell while helping to
develop talent within the region. The
students get this great experience and
something to showcase when they are
applying for jobs.
The students, within their two teams,
worked on the game development for
three months, with mentoring and
advice from representatives of the
supporting organisations and sponsors.
Both teams were required to give a 30
minute pitch on their game concept,
mechanics, proposed marketing strategy
and a demonstration of their game to a
judging panel made up of local industry
experts. Following the pitch the teams
took part in a Dragon’s Den style grilling
from the judging panel to fully assess the
standard of the games.
Career focus
Games developers press employability buttons
David Verwer, from Shiny Development
and joint organiser of the project, was
very pleased with the outcome of the
competition: “I have been so impressed
with the quality of the games that have
come out of this competition. The
industry can look forward to a highly
talented next generation of games
developers.”
The students were highly enthusiastic
about the experience. Daniel Startin,
group leader of the winning team Big
Blue Square, said: “As a designer your
imagination is flying high but working
with a programmer means you have to
be more realistic in your designs. This has
been a real teamwork experience and is
already influencing my ideas as I go into
the final year of my course.”
Alumni 2010 21

Student experience
Postcard from South Africa
Second year BSc(Hons) Astrophysics
students have taken part in a trip of
a lifetime through a four-week
astronomy field trip to the southern
skies of South Africa.
During their stay the three students,
Clare Wilde, Kelly Hambleton and Daniel
Holdsworth wrote a regular column for
the Lancashire Evening Post reporting on
their never-to-be-forgotten experiences.
Here are some of the highlights.
2 June 2009, Cape Town/Sutherland,
Northern Cape.
Seeing the South African skies for the
first time was breathtaking. The clarity of
the Milky Way and the sheer number of
stars made us feel a more significant part
of the Galaxy. It was amazing to be able
to see other galaxies with the naked eye,
22 Aspire 2010
and Omega Centauri, the remnant of a
galaxy that had been swallowed by our
own billions of years ago.
On arriving in Cape Town we
encountered a friendly and welcoming
environment where people showed a
refreshing outlook and attitude. The city
demonstrated an exciting and
multicultural ambiance.
Exploring the Cape Town area we
discovered a vast variety of wildlife; it
was surreal to see baboons scampering
across the road! The visit to the penguin
colony was particularly enchanting as it
was breeding season and there were
chicks everywhere. And on seeing
ostriches close at hand we truly knew we
were in South Africa.
9 June 2009, Sutherland, Northern Cape.
From the impressive sight of SALT
(Southern African Large Telescope) to the
enchanting children of Sutherland High
School, this second week has been
awe-inspiring.
The main purpose of our trip to
Sutherland was to observe the southern
skies. We used high-powered telescopes
to look at the chemical composition of
red dwarf stars and the varying amount
of light they emit. Achieving our first
spectrum was a highlight of the
observations, putting the theory we
learnt at UCLan into practice.
The immense size of SALT can only really
be understood by viewing it in person;
it is unlike anything we have ever seen
before. It’s not only the size, but also the

precision of each of the individual
components that make it truly
spectacular.
Sutherland is the coldest town in South
Africa, situated in the Karoo desert at an
altitude of 1,800 metres. The town itself
is a huge contrast to the advanced
technological standards of the
observatory. In some areas the conditions
are extremely poor with few amenities.
The impact of SALT has encouraged a
large increase in local business ventures
and reduced the unemployment rate,
even though it still stands at 70 percent.
Visiting South Africa has given us
invaluable experience with telescopes
and astronomy. It has also opened our
minds to the need to redress the lack of
opportunities and the huge differences
in living conditions, not only for South
Africa but across the world.
17 June 2009, Sutherland, Northern
Cape/Cape Town, Western Cape.
Our trip to Robben Island was both
moving and thought provoking. Seeing
the harsh living conditions that Nelson
Mandela, and those who served time
with him, endured for so long was
beyond belief.
The final night’s observing in Sutherland
was the most successful and exhilarating
night of them all. We achieved a full 12
hours of observations, after which we
watched the sun rise over the Karoo
mountains. Prior to this we hiked down
the Ouberg Pass, which looks out over
the Karoo desert. This was a perfect
ending to our time in Sutherland.
At Table View beach we dipped our toes
into the cold winter Atlantic Ocean,
much to the amusement of the locals!
Later in the evening we assisted at an
open evening held in the SAAO
auditorium and McLean telescope, as
part of a series of special events for the
International Year of Astronomy.
We completed our outreach work with
a visit to a local school and science centre
on National Youth Day. The children
were enthralled by what they could see
and asked us highly advanced questions
for their age, which both impressed us
and tested our knowledge. Seeing the
southern skies both through large
telescopes and with young children were
two very different, yet profound
experiences.
22 June 2009, Eastern Cape,
Province/Cape Town, Western Cape.
The final week of our field trip has not
only involved data analysis but saw us
venturing out into the Eastern Cape.
Retrieving the key information contained
within our raw astronomical data was
Student experience
highly rewarding. This, combined with
seeing wild elephants for the first time,
gave us a perfect final week.
Our journey to the Eastern Cape took
us through the pristine forest of
Tsitsikamma National Park where we
spent a night in a log cabin in Storms
River Mouth rest camp. Here the sky was
so clear, due to the lack of light
pollution, meaning that the Milky Way
and the two nearest galaxies were
astoundingly bright.
We return to the UK today having
encountered many aspects of South
African culture. Not only have we gained
invaluable experience in working with
large telescopes but have also seen life in
South Africa. From learning about the
preservation of native wildlife to
understanding the hardships of many
South African people, we have made an
unforgettable and momentous journey.
Aspire 2010 23

Student experience
Heated arguments in courtroom drama
A group of A-Level law students from Runshaw College arrived at UCLan recently
to show off their legal skills to some of Lancashire’s leading lawyers.
The six teams of students took part in the final of the Leyland college’s mock trial
competition, a contest which tested the pupils’ ability to participate in a simulated
criminal trial including witness handling and cross-examination against a
background of complex legal issues.
As well as gaining a taste of the unique courtroom atmosphere, the competitors
were able to put theory into practice and experience the excitement of a legal
hearing. The whole event was also recorded on video so that the students could
subsequently analyse their performances.
iPhone application is UK first
UCLan has become the first UK University to launch its own iPhone application.
The service provides new and returning students with the latest information from the Students’ Union, entertainment
listings and maps of the University campus and Preston City Centre. The application builds on UCLan’s established reputation
for offering innovative remote and off-site services to its 35,000 students and staff members.
Director of Learning and Information Services Michael Ahern said: “The new iPhone application illustrates our commitment
to provide information and services to our students in a way that is convenient for them. Students today lead very busy lives
– balancing study, part-time work and social activities. The iPhone application demonstrates how UCLan is increasingly able
to support its students in a way that recognises their busy lifestyles, and ensures they are able to get the most from the
latest advancements in technology.”
The application makes use of many existing UCLan services. These include fast
webmail access, a comprehensive library catalogue, staff directory, a list of
campus facilities and the option for students to top up their printing
accounts. Students can also use the facility to book a meeting room
in any of the University libraries.
Further plans to enhance the application include making use of the iPhone’s
location functionality to improve the search of services across campus and the
development of an innovative news service. The application can be downloaded free from
the Apple application store and is compatible with both the iPhone and iPod touch.
24 Aspire 2010
Eastern Fashion
in East Lancs
UCLan’s fashion students studying
on the BA(Hons) Eastern Fashion
Design have joined together with
the local Burnley community to
explore the concept of ‘handmade
in Burnley’.
A series of workshop at the
Burnley Campus, saw the students
producing hand-made items
including silk scarves using
traditional techniques such as
geometric floral designs.
Khadija Vallimulla, a 40-year-old,
self taught fashion designer from
Blackburn, commented: “I think
the courses are a brilliant idea and
a unique opportunity for Asian
women to come out of their
homes and share their ideas,
inspirations and talents.”

I am a Senior Lecturer in Occupational
Psychology, mainly teaching workplace
psychology subjects to second and third
year undergraduate students as well as
those studying at Masters Level. I also
go into companies and organisations on
a consultancy basis to advise in areas
like stress and anger management.
07:30
Monday morning and another week in
the life of a psychology lecturer at
UCLan. I always arrive at work very early
(7.30am), not because I am so excited to
get started (though that too!) but in
order to beat the traffic. Once I arrive,
the computer gets switched on before I
even take off my coat. Then, it’s time to
manage my email, which includes
printing documents (for example, journal
manuscripts that are sent to me to
review), or sending ‘hard’ stuff out in
response to email requests (such as books
in my role as Book Reviews Editor for a
management journal). Anything that
involves electronic work, such as sending
out lecture notes to students or
responding to student queries, I have
probably dealt with remotely at home
the evening before.
09:00
It’s my first lecture of the week, Stress
and Wellbeing in the Workplace. I just
have time to check my Powerpoint slides
and any other materials I need before
making my way to the classroom. This
third year module is a nice small group
of about 20, enabling me to do lots of
interactive groupwork rather than just
stand and lecture. On other occasions I
can be lecturing up to 300 students so I
like the opportunity to interact with
small groups when I can.
11:00
Finish the session, back to ‘base’. I start
preparing lecture material for
forthcoming lectures – this usually means
updating material and making sure all
handouts, case studies and exercises are to
hand. Lectures I prepare include sessions
on group decision-making, training,
leadership and personality testing.
A day in the life
A day in the life of Sandi Mann, School of Psychology
14:00
Somehow I have managed to grab a
sandwich before a project meeting with
one of my third year students. He is not
sure what topic to pursue and we discuss
some of the areas where I’m currently
research active, such as workplace
boredom (which is not at all boring to
study!), stress, anger and gossip. We
decide that a good starting place for him
would be to look at where he can get
access to participants in any study he will
undertake; his mum works in the NHS
and he decides to ask her about her job
and whether he could gain access to
carry out some research.
14:30
I put a ‘radio interview in progress’ sign
on my door and speak to thousands of
Lancashire listeners via an interview on
BBC Radio Lancashire (about anger). I do
lots of media interviews as I strongly
believe in the value of getting psychology
out to the general public. Some
interviews (eg national radio) require a
studio setting but UCLan is great because
we have studio facilities in the School of
Journalism, Media & Communication.
15:00
I respond to more emails. A lot of
students ask me about a piece of
coursework they’ve just been given. It’s an
essay on emotions and they have three
weeks to write it. I gave a lecture on the
topic and they have guidance notes to
help with their own reading (including
journal articles and where to find them).
Many still have questions which is fine,
after all, that is what I’m here for.
16:00
It’s been a varied day. I’m ready to scoot
off for the hour-long journey home. This
is where my second work shift begins
once I’ve collected the kids from school.
Aspire 2010 25

High achievers
Raquel pictured with Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Professor Patrick McGhee
Midwifery graduate
claims prestigious prize
Raquel Warren is celebrating after
being named the UCLan Student of
the Year.
The Blackpool-based student was the
Vice-Chancellor’s choice for the
prestigious award which recognises
outstanding academic achievement.
The BA(Hons) Midwifery graduate,
who obtained a first class degree,
was nominated for the prize after
achieving consistent grades within
the first class category for every one
of her modules with an average
mark of 79 percent.
During her course she also achieved
all the Nursing and Midwifery
Council (NMC) competencies and
clinical practice for Registration on
the Midwifery part of the
Professional Register which made her
success even more outstanding.
26 Aspire 2010
Memorable recognition from familiar face
A pharmacy student from UCLan was delighted to receive an academic award,
especially when the prize giver was his former supermarket boss.
Mature student Zaheer Akbar was rewarded for his efforts with the Lloyds Prize
for Best Student in year two Pharmacy Practice. When he arrived to pick up his
certificate and prize of £100, Zaheer was surprised to see his former Sainsbury’s
manager handing out the award.
The successful student said: “I used to be the stock control manager for
Sainsbury’s in Lancaster before I decided I wanted a change of job to pursue my
dream career. The store manager at that time was Des Devlin so when he walked
in as the area manager for Lloyds Pharmacy it was a great surprise.
“I was absolutely delighted to hear I’d won this award. I didn’t know anything
about it until I was told the performance in my assignments and exams had
merited the prize.”
Zaheer, who wants to work in hospital or community pharmacy when he’s
completed the degree, added: “The course is absolutely fantastic and I love every
aspect of it.”
Fellow student Arlene O'Connell received the McNeil Products Pharmacy Practice
Prize from Professor Tony D’Emanuele, Head, School of Pharmacy and
Pharmaceutical Science, for her achievements throughout the year.
Fifty years of fashion celebrated
The University’s award-winning fashion team has strengthened its international links
with two establishments in India.
To celebrate the partnerships with Design and Innovation Academy and Manav Rachna
International University, both in Delhi, UCLan’s International Fashion Institute created the
East meets West Fashion Show. It also launched the celebrations of 50 years of fashion at
UCLan and the publication of a new Fashion Journal entitled Future in Progress.

Sara’s ‘Fresh Start’ to aid
community cohesion
A former nursing student who decided to switch her career direction has
graduated from the University with flying colours.
Sara Ali gained a first class degree in Active Citizenship and Volunteer
Development having been helped by UCLan’s Fresh Start scheme which gives
specialist advice to students wishing to change courses.
Sara explained: “After realising that studying for a nursing diploma was the
wrong career choice for me I chose to enrol on the BA (Hons) in Active Citizenship
and Volunteer Development which complemented previous voluntary and youth
work experience I had undertaken.”
Throughout the process, Sara sought advice from the Fresh Start scheme, which is
dedicated to giving guidance to students considering a change of career
direction. Those who feel they have taken the wrong course, or who have been
affected by personal or financial issues, can come to Fresh Start for advice on
getting back into their studies.
“The Fresh Start team were really helpful because they advised me to think about
my future career and how it could relate to previous work experience within the
voluntary sector. They helped me to make the right choice and point me in a
career direction which I have already found to be extremely rewarding.”
During her course Sara was given the opportunity to participate in an international
leadership conference at Stanford University in the USA which involved delivering
leadership activities to American students. After returning from the States, Sara
delivered a similar leadership conference in the UK to British students.
“I am passionate about working in the community, and with marginalised groups,
and having gained a first class degree I am now studying for a Masters in
Community Leadership which is being taught at UCLan’s new campus in Burnley.”
High achievers
Nursing a love
of study...for free
First class graduate gains
pioneering UCLan scholarship
High-flying undergraduates at
UCLan can now study postgraduate
courses for free.
The Gilbertson Excellence
Scholarship, worth up to £3,390
(the cost of a standard
postgraduate programme at UCLan)
is available to all UK and EU
students who achieved a first class
honours degree at UCLan.
One student taking advantage of
the scheme is Lorraine Bellis who
achieved a first class in the BSc
Community Specialist Practitioner
programme.
The scholarship funding has
enabled Lorraine to progress onto
UCLan’s MSc Advanced Practice in
Health and Social Care.
Speaking about her scholarship,
Lorraine said: “I was absolutely
amazed when I found out but very
pleased too.
“The BSc changed the way I
thought and I learnt so much,
I loved it! I had a great mentor in
practice and on completion of the
course I realised I had to move
forward due to everything I had
learned and jumped at the chance
to study on the MSc.”
Aspire 2010 27

High achievers
Meet UCLan’s new creatives
A funky caterpillar, images of
two cultures merged into one
and more than 110 pairs of
electric blue tights were
among the eye-catching
pieces on display at this year’s
Arts Festival.
The impressive collection, displayed
across campus, is the major exhibition
for UCLan’s final year students studying
creative subjects.
Fine art, fashion, graphic design,
journalism, product design,
photography, ceramics, illustration,
games design, textiles, animation,
advertising, interior design, film
production and fashion promotion were
some of the subjects involved.
Ryan Parry, a BSc(Hons) Product Design
student, created a novel approach to
persuading youngsters to grow green
fingers from an early age. He created a
Caterpod, a set of innovative hydroponic
vegetable growth orbs characterised as a
caterpillar to enable children to grow
their own plants.
28 Aspire 2010
“Art, design and performing arts courses
at the University rank amongst the best
in the UK and our students continue to
gain prestigious national awards
including our success at the recent
London Graduate Fashion Show.”
He said: “Ideally I would like to promote
my product in conjunction with schemes
like the Government’s five-a-day and
Change4Life campaigns because they
look appealing to kids and do a great
job at encouraging organic fruit and
vegetable growth.”
Natanya Wallwork-Blyth created an
innovative installation made solely of
bright blue Primark tights. The work
spanned approximately 10 metres in
width and created a plant-like structure
meant to demonstrate organic growth
and the economic efficiency of
re-useable materials.
The BA(Hons) Fine Art student
commented: “I have thoroughly
enjoyed my degree and my final project
was truly the icing on the cake. I
enrolled at UCLan as a passionate
painter, but the degree structure
allowed me to branch out into ceramics,
sculpture and installations. ”
Striking paintings representing the
perceptions of British Muslims in today’s

society were created by BA(Hons) Fine
Art student Nazmin Abdullah. One piece
of her work saw a delicate female figure
in a prayer stance while wrapped in a
Union Jack hijab.
“I wanted to focus on cultural identity
because I was brought up in England
although I’m a Muslim,” she said. “I
decided the most identifiable symbols to
use were the Union Jack and the hijab
so I could then juxtapose the two to
create the strongest images possible.”
BA(Hons) Fine Art student Ruth Orrell
based her project around her family’s
history of whippet racing. The 30-yearold
full-time mum presented a sculpture
consisting of life-size racing greyhounds
made of a wire structure, with a paper
mache shell to demonstrate the strong
relationship that exists between humans
and animals.
Ruth, who is keen to produce further
sculptures to expand the set, said: “I am
extremely pleased with the results of my
final project. I hope to get a studio locally
and run art workshops for primary school
children and my degree has provided me
with a great grounding for this.”
Road safety was the poignant message
shining through in a floral tribute
created by mature student Jane Souyave.
The local student created a 30mph sign
from flowers which represented the
colours of traffic lights.
“Floral tributes are the most popular gift
left at the scene of a road tragedy,” the
Masters student said. “What I did is
create something which people can
High achievers
The Degree Shows are a great opportunity
to see excellent, original work in a vast
range of creative disciplines.”
relate to in terms of the look of a speed
sign but at the same time realise the
flowers will die, just like the people
involved in the accidents.”
Professor John Joughin, Dean of the
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social
Sciences, said: "Art, design and
performing arts courses at the University
rank amongst the best in the UK and
our students continue to gain
prestigious national awards including
our success at the recent London
Graduate Fashion Show. The Degree
Shows are a great opportunity to see
excellent, original work in a vast range
of creative disciplines.”
Aspire 2010 29

High achievers
Gone in 60 seconds
UCLan student scoops national award at Virgin Shorts competition
A budding film maker from the UCLan
has beaten off competition from
thousands of entrants nationwide to win
a major award.
Michael Mann, a second year BA(Hons)
Film Production and Media Production
Technology student, took top prize in the
best film on a mobile phone category of
the Virgin Media Shorts competition.
The 20-year-old produced and directed
Rush 60, a minute long film inspired by a
real life event.
He said: “The story involved me making
my way from Manchester to UCLan in
Preston. When I turned up at my halls of
residence I realised my door keys were
still in Manchester. I wasn’t happy to say
the least. When I saw the competition
advertised I thought this experience
would make a good subject for a short
video and it’s turned out to be a
winning idea.”
30 Aspire 2010
Michael has previously entered a similar
competition for a film created on his
mobile but was unsuccessful. This time
around, with some minor assistance from
his girlfriend with filming, he succeeded.
The undergraduate, who comes from
Glossop, said: “I was so happy when a
lecturer came into my experimental film
class and announced to the whole
group that I’d won the award. When
you enter competitions you always hope
you’ll be chosen as the best but it
doesn’t often happen. I’m really thrilled
because I just love making films and
have done since college.”
Michael, who wants to become an editor
when he graduates, received his prize at
a star-studded awards ceremony in
London along with celebrities such as
actor and writer Noel Clarke and Johnny
Vaughan.
To view Michael’s winning work visit
http://www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/winners/
Michael Mann (in the middle) receiving his Virgin
Shorts award at the official ceremony.

View from the top
Ben Briggs graduated from UCLan in
2003 with a BA(Hons) in Journalism and
English Literature and, just six years
later, he has worked his way up the
competitive ladder and been appointed
as the new editor of Lancashire Business
View magazine – quite an
accomplishment for anyone, especially
a 27-year-old.
Aged 21 and a fresh-faced graduate,
Ben took up an administrative role at the
Farmers Guardian, Preston. His big break
arrived when somebody called in sick one
day and he was given a chance to shine.
Ben was sent to the Lake District for a
National Trust launch and subsequently
proved himself; he could be trusted with
more than data-inputting! The big
cheeses thought ‘doesn’t he have a
journalism degree? Maybe this guy can
actually write too!’ Ben said: “The best
piece of advice I could ever give to a
graduate is to take every opportunity
that arises. You never know when you
will get your big break.”
After two and a half years honing his
skills with the Farmers Guardian, Ben was
ready for some tough, hard-nosed
reporting and applied for a job with the
Lancashire Telegraph. “Being a daily
paper it taught me the skill of spotting
stories where you might not expect
them,” he explained. “And it made me a
vastly better news writer and reporter.”
This was it, he definitely had the taste
for the industry and now he was
working for the local newspaper he’d
grown up reading. Ben decided to take
his shorthand, National Council for
Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and
National Certificate Exams (NCE) so he
could become a fully qualified senior
reporter and was quickly promoted to
the post of business reporter and later
business editor. The onset of the global
credit crunch allowed Ben to
demonstrate his clout as a hard-hitting
business editor and it wasn’t long before
Alumni
“The best piece of advice I could ever give to a
graduate is to take every opportunity that arises.
You never know when you will get your big break.”
his talent was spotted by the acting
editor of Lancashire Business View
Magazine. Ben saw the recession as an
opportune moment and his smart
reporting on the worst of the credit
crunch caught the attention of the
county’s leading business magazine,
Lancashire Business View.
In July 2009, Ben became the editor of
the glossy magazine and has achieved
great success with his first few issues. Ben
believes his biggest success has been to
earn the respect of senior journalists who
have helped him along the way.
If you decide to enrol at UCLan and
want to follow in Ben’s footsteps here is
his advice for you: “If you want to
become a journalist make sure you have
as many skills under your belt as possible.
If you’re in print journalism passing your
NCTJ, NCE and shorthand exams are
vital. You should also learn as many
multimedia skills as possible such as
knowing how to produce pod casts and
videos for the web. Media is changing at
such a fast pace and you need to stay
ahead of the game.”
Aspire 2010 31

Campus roundup
High achievers
More than 15 students from across the North
West were recognised by UCLan for their
academic achievements over the course of the
last academic year.
North West based college students from UCLan’s sector
leading partnership initiative were awarded the
prestigious Tim Curtis and Partnership Award at a
lavish ceremony.
The event, which is now in its 23rd year, took place at the
city’s Harris Park. Guest of honour Sally Naden, UCLan
journalism alumna and BBC Radio Lancashire presenter,
handed over the certificates and prizes to the winners
while their family and friends looked on.
The winning recipients, a mix of full and part-time
students, demonstrated outstanding progress in their
academic studies.
The awards provide a lasting tribute to Tim Curtis, a
former Deputy Director of the University, who was
instrumental in establishing UCLan’s Partnership College
Network and who believed in ‘taking learning to the
learners’.
Alan Roff, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, said: “Tim Curtis
initiated academic opportunities for thousands of
students to reach their full potential. The awards are a
fantastic occasion to celebrate the success of our partner
college students while honouring the memory of a man
whose academic legacy survives to this day."
Each year approximately 4,500 higher education students
are based in the partner colleges. Once they have
reached their awards in college, a selection choose to
continue their studies at UCLan either to top-up their
course or to study for a higher qualification.
32 Aspire 2010
University choir hit high notes
UCLan’s Chamber Choir, comprising 26 students from the
University’s BA(Hons) Music Theatre, are singing from the
rooftops after claiming a top musical award.
The talented students scooped the title of Good
Housekeeping Choir of the Year 2009, overcoming stiff
competition from other choirs located across the UK.
Choir Director Mark Goggins said: “It’s a fantastic
achievement for the choir especially as 10 new members
only joined at the start of term. All the hard work has
definitely paid off.
“It was really exciting for us all when they announced the
decision, it felt like our X Factor moment and it was
completely exhilarating. The standard of the competition
was so high but we had every confidence in our ability
and it’s a great boost for everybody involved.”
UCLan climbs green league
UCLan’s impressive green credentials have once again
been confirmed via the People and Planet’s Green
League, which measures the environmental management
and performance amongst universities across the UK.
UCLan was placed in fourth place out of 126 institutions
overall with the award of ‘First – Solid Environmental
Performance’. The University has improved its position in
the influential table by one place compared with last
year’s table and is reward for the steps taken over the
past 12 months.
Paul Morris, UCLan’s Director of Facilities Management,
said: “This year we have increased recycling by 20
percent, continued to install micro generation to trial
new technologies and been awarded the Carbon Trust
Standard for our carbon reduction achievements.”

Shining Light
Solar trackers are first in UK
UCLan is the shining light of UK higher education
institutions with its latest installation.
Students, staff and visitors in the centre of campus have been
unable to miss the two solar tracker devices, which were
recently installed outside UCLan’s Allen building.
UCLan is the first UK University to install the devices, which
are the size of a double garage door on top of a mast.
To produce electricity the panels track the motion of the sun
across the sky. ensuring the maximum amount of sunlight
strikes them over the course of a day.
Len Lewis, Executive Director of Operations at UCLan, said:
“The trackers are a valuable addition to the renewable
energy programme at the University. Being readily accessible
and visually exciting, they are attracting a lot more attention
from students, staff and members of the public than roof
mounted systems, and help demonstrate how these
technologies can be integrated in an urban setting.”
The trackers are 40 percent more efficient than standard
solar panels and can gather electricity even when it is cloudy.
Campus roundup
Scary movies no
match for lavender
Smelling lavender before watching a scary movie might
calm the nerves - but only if you are a woman, a study from
UCLan has found. The opposite is true for men, who should
avoid the smell altogether unless they crave a more
unsettling experience.
The study, led by Belinda Hornby, Senior Psychology
Technician at UCLan, involved giving volunteers either oral
capsules containing lavender or a placebo. Their
physiological responses to neutral, scary and light-hearted
film clips were then observed. The study clearly showed that
women who took lavender had an increased heart rate
variation - an indicator of a more relaxed state - during all
three films. But men displayed more symptoms of stress -
including sweaty palms - during the scary film if they
had taken a capsule containing lavender.
"Lavender odour is commonly used to
alleviate mild anxiety; but there have
been few reliable investigations of its
efficacy to date because double-blind
studies are
difficult to
conduct with
odours," explained
Belinda. "Therefore,
we decided to allow
volunteers to ingest
rather than inhale
lavender as it would be
impossible to provide a
placebo if people could smell
what they were taking."
Footballers net fitness reward
By graduate intern, David Quinn
Burnley FC youth team have turned to UCLan’s sports scientists in a bid to
perfect their fitness levels. And at a specially organised fitness assessment
day, organised by Dr Chris Edmundson from the Centre for Applied Sport
and Exercise Sciences (CASES), the whole youth squad took part in a series
of laboratory tests to measure strength, fitness and balance.
Terry Pashley, Youth Team Head Coach at Burnley FC, said: “We’re delighted
to be working with the University on this fitness programme. It’s a great
opportunity to bring our youth team squad into a different environment
where they’ve been put through their paces by leading experts in the field.
The facilities here are top notch and each member of the squad has gained
a great deal from the variety of fitness tests undertaken.”
Aspire 2010 33

A day in the life
A day in the life of Bill McCoid,
School of Journalism Media & Communication
34 Aspire 2010
08:00
I am the Course Leader in Screenwriting
for Film and Television but I don’t have
any lectures today so it’s a chance to get
things done. Drop my daughter, Annie, at
school and then drive in from Southport.
08:45
Walk in with Sarah Evans our new
Screenwriting Lecturer. We are
overhauling the course and Sarah is
doing a great job of convincing our
second year students the virtues of being
able to write for radio.
09:00
In the office and a quick catch up on my
emails.
10:00
Need to have a meeting regarding our
new MA in Scriptwriting. The validation
documents have to be in soon and there
are a few issues to be addressed.
10:30
Re-schedule a visit to Granada TV with
our third year screenwriters for early
December.
11:00
Today we have a visit from a children’s
writer Lucy Danielle Raby. She is with our
students for a two day intensive
workshop. Yesterday, she told them all
about her career and what she thinks
they need to do to become professional
writers. Today she is holding an ideas
workshop with them all day. It’s an
intensive affair and all involved seem to
be enjoying themselves. Lucy has also
given me a CD packed full of scripts
which I can put on our shared web space,
when I get the time.
12:00
I share the same office area as the
photographers so I ask if they can take a
photo of Lucy in action with our
students. By the end of the day Darren
Elliot has taken the photos, cropped
them and left a CD on my desk.
13:00
I phone a very well known writer and it
looks like he is willing to come here to
do a talk, possibly in May when we are
having our very own film festival.
14:30
Sarah talks about her plans to bring in an
experienced radio producer and writer
for a guest lecture. I think it sounds
great. I need to get hold of some DVDs
of Alan Bennett monologues. They are a
good vehicle for our students.
15:30
I am currently promoting Car Park, a
feature length film which I wrote and
directed. I phone the UCLan press office
and 30 minutes later I’ve been invited on
tomorrow’s BBC Radio Lancashire
breakfast show. I am naturally a behindthe-scenes
person but a film can die of
obscurity so at the moment I am talking
and sending out press releases. The radio
people also want me to come up with a
list of movies with weepy endings.
17:30
Get home and my eldest daughter,
Lorna, has been chosen for the school
football team. I’m made up. Plus they
seem quite excited that dad will be on
the radio. Tomorrow I’ll be up at 5.00am
to make the radio interview but I’m
actually quite enjoying it.

Flying through the stars
UCLan professor joins star gazing legends for
astronomy celebration
A UCLan astronomer has joined a host of famous star gazers to
celebrate the International Year of Astronomy.
Professor Brad Gibson, Chairman of Theoretical Astrophysics at
UCLan’s Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, was approached alongside
Patrick Moore, Stephen Hawking and Brian May to take part in
the Royal Albert Hall’s Explorers of the Universe exhibition.
More than 40 of the UK’s major astronomy experts were
approached for the photography exhibition which highlights
those at the forefront of astrophysics research. Galactic
archaeologist Brad was captured by photographer Max
Alexander ‘flying’. The 44 portraits will soon be touring the
country at various venues.
Professor Gibson said: “It’s a fantastic honour for me to be
involved in this project, especially to be named in the same
breath as world greats of the industry like Patrick Moore and
Stephen Hawking.
“The exhibition is a fun way of raising the awareness of
astronomy and appeals to all ages. My students have also
benefitted because I took down a group of them to the
celebration reception where they met some of the big names.”
Alumni 2010 35

Aspire 2010
University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE
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