INSIDEUCS Issue 5, Summer 2012 Virtually Anorexic Where’s the harm in pro-anorexia websites? FEATURING Campus developments at UCS Ipswich Leading the way in augmented reality 1 INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 Welcome Contents Message from the Provost News Round Up 2-4 Take 5 4 Hot Topic 5-6 School Feature 7-8 Research and Development 9-10 Cover Story 11-12 UCS Staff 13 UCS Union 14 Events Guide 15 Talk to us Get in touch and tell us what you think of INSIDEUCS. We want to hear your views on the latest issue and find out what you would like to see in the next INSIDEUCS. An online copy can be found at www.ucs.ac.uk or on MyUCS which is accessible by all current UCS staff and students. We hope you enjoy reading the latest issue of INSIDEUCS and look forward to hearing your views. @ inside@ucs.ac.uk UCS remains on the move. As elaborated further in this issue, a critical development over the past few months has been the acquisition of a large stretch of land between the Waterfront Building and the James Hehir Building, providing the opportunity to create one of the most stunning university campuses in the country on the Ipswich Waterfront. Further building developments funded by UCS to address higher education needs across the Learning Network have also been progressed. At the same time, UCS has moved forward its academic position by gaining subscriber status with the Quality Assurance Agency. Inside the academic box, UCS continues to make very strong appointments. The latest is Simon Hallsworth from London Metropolitan University who has been appointed as Head of the School of Applied Social Sciences and Professor of Sociology from June 2012. It is also pleasing that excellent appointments have been made on the support side – such as that of Sarah Tattersall as our new Head of Student Recruitment, who has joined UCS from the Institute of Education. Encouragingly too, our staff continue to make a major impact nationally/ internationally. For example, David Gill, Professor of Archaeological Heritage at UCS, was recently profiled in the Independent on Sunday Happy List of one hundred people who make Britain a much better place to live. Thanks too are due to staff in External Relations and Marketing who have just won a national award for the best re-branding in the education sector. Students are very important at UCS and I am very pleased that Jonathan Wright and Sam Bennett have been re-elected as President and Vice President respectively of UCS Union. We have also appointed a new Chief Executive of UCS Union in Matthew Ensor, who was previously President of the Students’ Union at the University of Kent. I am pleased to report too that the response rate of students to the National Student Survey (NSS) has risen from 64% to 72% this year which is a key indicator of enhanced student engagement. The results of the NSS are awaited this summer, but in the interim it was very positive to officially hear that over 90% of our graduating students are employed within 6 months of degree completion. Great developments, therefore, continue to take place at UCS. Importantly, while we are a twenty-first century university, we also draw on a strong heritage. This is epitomised by the recent unveiling in the reception area of the Waterfront Building of a bust of the Ipswich educated and major patron of education Cardinal Thomas Wolsey. UCS is now fulfilling his splendid educational vision in Suffolk and beyond. Professor Mike Saks Provost and Chief Executive University Campus Suffolk INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 2 News Round Up Professor recognised for making Britain happy Professor David Gill, Professor of Archaeological Heritage and Head of the Division of Humanities at UCS, has been included in the Independent on Sunday’s Happy List 2012 – the fifth annual list celebrating those who make Britain a much, much better place. UCS Ipswich Campus Land acquired to develop Ipswich Campus UCS is delighted to announce the successful purchase of a significant plot of land close to two acres on University Quay. The site is known as Shed 8 as a result of its former use as a warehouse on the dockside. It is currently being used as the Duke Street car park and will remain a car park for the immediate future, while plans for the long term use of the site are finalised. In the short term, it is intended to tidy up the site so that it is visually more appealing – not least by putting in place attractive hoardings. This will link up with the recent paving of the walkway on this part of the quayside by Ipswich Borough Council, which opens up this area fully to students, staff and the public. While planning is at an early stage, it is envisaged that the site will be used to develop the Ipswich Campus in line with the updated Estates Masterplan, which sees academic activity increasingly gravitating towards the Waterfront, and the wider UCS Strategic Plan that looks to create a cohesive, fully functioning university campus in Ipswich. Discussions are already taking place to consider possible developments on the site – with current proposed uses spanning from the relocation of selected academic areas from the northern flank of the campus at UCS Ipswich to the development of a new conference centre and venue. As the use of the site moves forward it will allow UCS to continue to extend the range and quality of educational and cultural opportunities in Suffolk and to drive the local economy. This major land purchase is the next phase in UCS’s long term vision to create one of the most stunning higher education campuses in the UK, based around the Ipswich Waterfront. Professor Mike Saks, UCS Provost, said “This is a major milestone for UCS which secures our position, and provides a potentially glittering future on the Ipswich Waterfront. It will underpin on-going development at UCS and enable us to develop an even better campus environment. This will allow us to grow, achieve our ambitions and offer many more opportunities for the people of Suffolk and regional, national and international partners.” Sport facility plans A bid has recently been submitted to Sport England to establish a sporting arena on the land to the south of the James Hehir Building on the Ipswich Campus. If successful, with joint funding from UCS, the bid would enable a running track and other sports facilities to be developed on the site in the latter part of 2012. This would improve the site which is currently empty and only used occasionally for events such as the Ipswich Beer Festival. It would also provide an excellent sport facility on the Waterfront for students, staff and the wider community. A survey of students, staff and local residents has highlighted widespread support for this development. Pleasingly, in drawing up and overseeing this development UCS has been able to draw on the considerable expertise of Professor Bill Tancred, Director of Sport at UCS. Bill is not only himself a previous Olympic athlete and long term British record holder in the discus, but was also Director of Sports at Sheffield University and a key academic player at Loughborough University. The Independent on Sunday publish the annual list as an antidote to the much publicised rich lists, naming 100 outstanding individuals whose extraordinary efforts to make Britain a more contented, betteradjusted, supportive, and happier place have gone largely unrecognised outside their own circles and communities. Professor Gill’s inclusion derives from his research which has enabled the return of stolen artworks to their rightful owners. Over the last 20 years he has worked on the identification of archaeological objects that have been removed illicitly from countries such as Greece, Italy, and Turkey. Since 2006 some 150 antiquities have been returned from various North American public and private collections as well dealers and auction-houses. The repatriated items have included a marble Aphrodite, bought for £11m by the J Paul Getty Museum that appears to have been stolen from a site in Sicily. This latest recognition for Professor Gill comes after he was honoured this year with two highly prestigious awards for his contribution to raising public awareness and understanding of archaeology, winning the Outstanding Public Service Award from the Archaeological Institute of America and the 2012 Saving Antiquities For Everyone (SAFE) Beacon Award. Professor David Gill 3 INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 News Round Up QAA success In March 2012 UCS put in an application, with the support of the Vice Chancellors at the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex, for subscriber status with the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA). It has since been confirmed in a letter from Anthony McLaren, Chief Executive of the QAA, that this has been granted by the QAA Board. This is a pivotal moment in the development of UCS as it provides recognition of its independent standing, which is important in dealing with external bodies such as the UK Border Agency. The QAA recognition now means that UCS will receive its own institutional audit, rather than this being conducted through one or other of the UCS partner universities. MA Arts Practice and Journalism courses launched UCS is pleased to announce the introduction of two new Masters programmes in the School of Arts and Humanities. The new courses, the MA Arts Practice and MA Journalism, extend the successful portfolio of learning and teaching activities taking place within the School. Both courses have been approved subject to final conditions and are open for applications for those wishing to start their studies this summer. The MA Arts Practice is an exciting course for art and design practitioners working across a range of disciplines in arts orientated professional fields. The course is designed to enable students’ career development, supporting their pursuit of a variety of professional arts practices in self-employment or employment in relevant art, design and/or educational contexts. The launch of the MA Journalism was marked in January 2012 by a lecture from the Director of BBC News, Helen Boaden. She stressed the importance of journalists understanding the significance of digital developments and the need to secure and retain the trust of the audience. She said: “Since those are the two principles underpinning the new MA course here, I am confident it will provide a solid and highly relevant grounding to all who undertake it.” Industry partners already committed to work experience placements include Archant Jasmine Prosser, UCS Great Yarmouth Suffolk (publishers of the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times), BBC Suffolk, and the London-based social network, Mumsnet. com. UCS Ipswich in February. Business collaboration for new diploma Dr Emma Bond, UCS Senior Lecturer in Childhood and Youth Studies, said: “What has been achieved in relation to e-safety in Suffolk to date has been incredible. There is still a long way to go though and we are only just beginning to understand the changing landscape of risk.” Budding hotel managers in Suffolk are a step closer to the career of their dreams thanks to an innovative new partnership between UCS and Suffolk One. Working with industry experts Milsom Hotels and Trebuchet Design, the education partners have developed an Extended Diploma in Hotel Management which allows successful students to progress directly to a specialist degree course at UCS Ipswich within its School of Business, Leadership and Enterprise. Cyberbullying results published Findings from recent research conducted by UCS into the experiences of young people and vulnerable adults in relation to Cyberbullying and Cyberabuse, show that 19% of young people in Suffolk claim to have been cyberbullied. 10% of those surveyed also claim to have personally received some form of homophobic insult, message or action directed against them. Results from the Suffolk Cybersurvey conducted by UCS lecturers Dr Emma Bond and Dr Pelham Carter were released during the e-Safer Suffolk Conference held in conjunction with Suffolk County Council at UCS has been working with Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Police and the Children’s Trust to develop the e-Safer strategy. Jasmine’s royal portfolio UCS fashion and textiles student Jasmine Prosser had her fabric design chosen by Prince Charles’ palace staff for a plaque unveiled by the Prince at UCS Great Yarmouth in March. Students on the FdA Fashion and Textiles course were invited to come up with designs for a cloth to cover the Welsh slate plaque commemorating the royal visit. Second year student Jasmine had her rock and roll themed design ‘Dark Angels’ chosen from those submitted. ‘Dark Angels’ features a black, red and cream abstract background with white outlined roses. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard mine had been chosen. I feel quite privileged” she said. “It will be going into my portfolio with a photo of the Prince pulling it off the plaque.” Jasmine was awarded the title of Norfolk Scholar in 2010 for her outstanding marks on the BTEC National Diploma in Fashion and Textiles at Great Yarmouth College. INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 Dance student steps into national role Demi Milton, a final year BA (Hons) Dance student at UCS, has recently been selected as one of fifteen national student representatives for Dance UK – the national advocacy organisation which supports dancers and their careers. Demi will act as Dance UK’s ‘person on the ground’ at UCS, directly connecting students to Dance UK which believes the student community is a big part of the dance sector. She said: “Being a Dance UK student representative is a fantastic opportunity to broaden my knowledge of what is happening and what is current in the dance world. It gives me a chance to spread the word about dance to UCS.” UCS student to carry Olympic Flame UCS student James Shiplee has been confirmed as one of 8,000 torchbearers to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay this summer which will travel through more than 1,000 cities, towns and villages in the UK. James, a 20 year old FdA Football Development and Coaching Student from Bungay, was chosen from thousands of applicants to take part in this once in a lifetime opportunity. He said: “I knew that i would regret it if I didn’t apply, even though I never expected to be chosen. The Olympics are one of the biggest events in the world and for me they are always watched with great anticipation, so to be able to be a part of it and in a role such as this is a huge honour.” The Olympic Flame will pass through UCS Ipswich while making its way across the UK on a 70-day journey and finally arriving in London on 27 July for the Opening Ceremony. James will set off with the Flame on 5 July along with three other members of the relay in Wrentham, Suffolk. MyUCS goes live The brand new UCS intranet system, MyUCS, was launched in February replacing the intranet element of Wolsey. It is the first port of call for anyone requiring internal UCS information, offering organised access to news, events, information, documents and applications. Course and Module details can be accessed through LearnUCS (Wolsey VLE) from the MyUCS homepage. UCS has also launched a new Online Payments system, which allows payment for tuition fees and other UCS bills to be made quickly and easily online. UCS strike gold in re-brand awards UCS has been awarded Gold at the 2012 Transform Awards, celebrating re-branding, re-positioning and brand transformation. The Awards recognise best practice in corporate, product, regional and national re-brands. UCS took the top spot in the category for Best Re-brand from the Education Sector. UCS worked with London-based design consultancy Radley Yeldar to complete a brand re-design in 2011, developing the brand and identity to position UCS within the evolving higher education marketplace. The brand identity developed was aspirational, illustrating where UCS is moving to rather than where it has come from, and reflecting UCS today and in the future. The two organisations worked together to ensure that the new brand was an evolution of an already well established brand, rather than a complete revolution – developing key messaging statements, alongside a new visual identity. The new identity was also developed to sit comfortably alongside the old, to assist with a smooth and sustainable changeover. Festival of Ideas UCS has announced a proposal to establish a Festival of Ideas in Suffolk in the summer of 2013. Paralleling a similar festival held regularly in Cambridge, this will provide an opportunity to promote the great ideas from the arts to the sciences that provide the inspirational driving force for Suffolk. It is planned to involve, amongst others, schools, colleges, enterprise, councils and the media. A Steering Group has been formed comprising key figures in a range of areas across the county, chaired by Professor Mike Saks, UCS Provost, which will meet regularly to coordinate and publicise the Festival. UCS Bury St Edmunds Take 5 News Round Up 4 We spoke with UCS Bury St Edmunds to find out the latest news on campus. Have there been any recent outstanding student achievements at the Centre? UCS Bury St Edmunds recently ran a 2012 Olympic themed business competition where students were invited to pitch their proposals to a panel of judges. First prize was awarded to Business Management student Ami Duffin for her temporary tattoos concept. One of our BSc (Hons) Applied Computing students also won the award for the ‘Most Promising Second Year Computing Undergraduate’ in the region, presented by the East Anglian branch of the British Computer Society, the Chartered Institute for IT. In what way have students contributed to the cultural life of the county? First year students on a Foundation degree in Music Production took on the challenge of recording the 60-piece Suffolk Sinfonia orchestra in the Apex, Bury St Edmunds for their Live Sound Recording module. What other projects are students undertaking? FdSc Electrical Engineering students have been working on a robotics project as part of their degree which is delivered at UCS Bury St Edmunds and at Sizewell Nuclear Power Station for EDF Energy. The Bury St Edmunds students travelled to Sizewell in March so that both groups could jointly present and peer review their projects. Do you undertake off-campus visits with students as part of their course? Organised visits are an essential element of a number of courses at UCS Bury St Edmunds. For example, BA (Hons) Graphic Communication students were able to broaden their knowledge of the design industry by visiting two London design studios - digital creative agency Lost Boys International and RPM, whose clients include Adidas and Cadbury. What on-campus events have you held recently? Following on from the success of the last Human Library event, students were given the chance to ‘borrow’ a Human Book on topics such as eating disorders and bipolar disease during Health and Wellbeing week in association with Suffolk Libraries. Students were informed by those with first-hand knowledge of these subjects. 5 INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 Hot Topic Appra-cadabra UCS has become one of the first UK higher education institutions to use Aurasma technology to augment its prospectus and plans are afoot to use the technology further in student recruitment and teaching activity. The 2013 UCS undergraduate publication introduces Aurasma technology to students, possibly for the first time. Led by the UCS Marketing and Elevate teams, UCS joined forces with Aurasma, the world’s leading augmented reality platform, to develop a UCS branded version of the Aurasma App. “Once you have installed the application on your mobile device it allows the connection between physical and electronic resources. For instance, a video can be triggered when scanning a building, object, or poster, and with a tap on the screen the person can access a web resource.” Students can now download the UCS Connect App from the App Store or Marketplace and discover augmented content. By holding their device over the images throughout the publication, students can discover interviews with staff and students. The Student Recruitment Team are currently demonstrating the publication at Higher Education Conventions across the country, introducing prospective students to the new technology and sharing information about the range of degrees available. In this instance, the technology is being used to bring to life a publication and move away from the larger, more traditional prospectus which has been used in previous years. The UCS Elevate Team have been early adopters of the Aurasma Technology and have worked alongside the Directorate of External Relations and Marketing to utilise this piece of software in the latest publication to be seen by potential students. Aaron Burrell, UCS Learning Technologist, explains: “Aurasma uses advanced image and pattern recognition technology to identify and understand images and objects in the real world, blending them with rich interactive content such as videos and animations called Auras.” Higher education institutions across the world are beginning to adopt this technology to meet the ever changing needs of students. Students are no longer simply taught in a traditional environment where they go to lectures and take notes; they are also looking for podcasts, vodcasts and other exciting ways to access information from outside the classroom. Martina King, Managing Director of Aurasma, said: “UCS’s modern approach to higher education and focus on innovation perfectly complements Aurasma’s cutting edge technology. Aurasma is changing the way people access educational information – 13% of Aurasma usage is within the sector and this is growing every day. From kindergarten to university, pupils and teachers are using Aurasma to approach education from a completely new angle.” As UCS become increasingly focused on sustainability issues, adopting such technologies provide the additional benefit of allowing smaller publications to be produced as a signpost to students for further information digitally. Nicole Taylor, UCS Marketing Officer, said: “This new App is great as not only does it allow us to create added value within the publication, but it also means that it can be smaller. As we move to producing smaller publications, there is a constant need to introduce innovative ways to link the print with the online material. The introduction of UCS Connect and the Aurasma technology means that students can read through the publication and then be taken directly to the website just by using their phone or tablet.” The use of UCS Connect with the new publication is just the first step in utilising this technology and its capabilities are wide reaching. Moving forward, the technology will be able to open up the campus via interactive campus tours, open days and through www.ucs.ac.uk/seemore INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 6 even more exciting when you explore the idea of student generated work. For instance, a student created poster is a common assessment task. With a small amount of work by the student, and appropriate support, this could significantly enhance the learning experience.” One of the reasons why this technology is so exciting is because from the staff and student perspective this is a low threshold technology, as there are no significant barriers to getting involved. A recommended starting point for staff is to contact the Elevate Team at UCS to discuss their needs. The 2013 publication, designed by Londonbased design consultancy Radley Yeldar, and the new App are an example of how UCS works across the institution and in partnership with external companies to develop innovative and exciting ways of attracting and communicating with students. See More UCS Connect will bring bring the physical and virtual worlds together various other publications and promotional aids. conferences and learning and teaching posters. Nicole said: “We have decided to adopt this technology at a promotional stage to demonstrate to potential students that the technology they experience before they arrive is the same technology they will be able to use on their course.” “The technology overcomes a very common problem. Conference posters are not effective at dissemination when the author is not available to talk through the work. Therefore, the learning experience can be significantly enhanced through the inclusion of video and web links within the context of the poster,” added Andy Ramsden, UCS e-Learning Development Manager. The Elevate Team have been working with staff to explore ways of using this technology to enhance the learning experience. One area of use has been around augmenting Professor Mike Saks, UCS Provost, said: “UCS is a leading edge model for higher education in the future and this use of Aurasma’s technology is a very good example of how we are always looking forward and pushing boundaries to develop new and exciting opportunities for our students. We look forward to introducing UCS Connect to students from across the UK, preparing them for new ways of studying at UCS.” The Aurasma technology will be rolled out across UCS over the coming months. Please contact us if you have ideas or suggestions as to how the institution could further utilise this technology. @ inside@ucs.ac.uk He continued: “This application becomes The UCS Connect App. Avaliable now. Download the UCS Connect app from the App Store or Market Place to your smartphone or tablet. Hear more from Andy Ramsden, e-Learning Development Manager Scan this image using the UCS Connect app For more information on this app and how it works, visit www.ucs.ac.uk/seemore 7 INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 School Feature School of Applied Social Sciences Covering a range of areas from criminology, early childhood studies and education to psychology, social policy, social work and sociology, the School of Applied Social Sciences is looking forward to an exciting time ahead with the announcement of recent additions to its academic team. In April this year, Professor Noel Smith was appointed as Head of Division of Social Work and Social Policy. As well as a background in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, he has great experience in research and will ensure progress across these areas in the School. Professor Simon Hallsworth will take up his role as Head of School of Applied Social Sciences in June. He will bring with him experience from his work in both academia and external circles to guide the School into a new era. He will take over the role from Christine Dobson who has been Acting Head of School during its transitional stage. Christine Dobson, Acting Head of School of Applied Social Sciences She said: “I am extremely pleased that the School has a new Head in Professor Simon Hallsworth, who – together with Dr Erica Joslyn and Professor Noel Smith as Heads of Division – will lead and develop its huge potential. As Acting Head of the School, the most important element for me has been the support of the staff which has been excellent. I look forward to seeing the School go from strength to strength under Simon’s leadership.” Progress has been on-going within the School which recently announced that it has opened a suite of Psychology laboratories for staff and student use in West Building at UCS Ipswich. The laboratories are used to investigate aspects of human behaviour, through an experimental psychology approach. Dr Kulbir Singh Birak and Dr Pelham Carter will be running the laboratory sessions and carrying out research, as well as supervising research by third year Psychology route dissertation students. third year dissertation projects, and also for certain workshops in their psychology modules. Laboratories 3 and 4 are for Cognitive Psychology. They are largely used for research into human spatial learning and the possible cognitive and associative explanations for learning, organisation and the use of spatial information. Much of this research will be performed using desktop based Virtual Environments. This space also allows for small group testing, as well as interviews and focus groups, to take place. In the future, the laboratory space will also be used to house a psychology route specific library of psychometric test materials and examples of dissertations. All laboratories run the experimental software programmes E-Prime and Facegen which allow research into aspects of cognitive behaviour ranging from memory, attention and inhibition to why we are attracted to certain faces more than others and how we identify individuals through their facial characteristics. Dr Erica Joslyn-Beales, Head of Division of Children, Young People and Education, said: “Kulbir Singh Birak and Pelham Carter are interested in a wide range of human behaviour, from why people partake in behaviour deemed socially illicit through to how our diets can influence our behaviour. The aim of the laboratories is to expand on the psychology based research that is being produced by UCS and to allow for high quality staff and student research on a wide range of topics.” Laboratory 1 is for Bio-Psychology and used for research based on bio-psychological and executive cognitive behaviour. The School also launched a MA degree in Childhood and Youth Studies in 2011/12 which provides a valuable postgraduate route for UCS students and others, which will be able to be studied alongside its new MA Learning and Teaching. The laboratory allows for physiological measures such as height, weight, bodytemperature, heart rate and skin conductance levels to be taken whilst participants perform tasks. Dr Joslyn-Beales added: “The new MA Learning and Teaching is designed to provide continuing professional development opportunities for teachers at primary and secondary schools and colleges. These postgraduate courses enable the School to continue to serve the needs of professionals working in education and children and family services.” Laboratory 2 is a space for students to carry out their own research for their In March Dr Sue Hollinrake (Division of Social Work and Social Policy) presented a paper with Dr Will Thomas (Office of Research and Enterprise) at the Asian Conference for Ethics, Religion and Philosophy in Osaka, Japan. The paper drew on research commissioned by INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 8 Introducing... Suffolk County Council into older people’s perspectives on local support services designed to help them retain their independence in living in the community and prevent admission to residential care. Based on in-depth qualitative research, the study highlighted the importance of the caring role of family members, friends, the local community and service providers for supporting older people’s independence. This importance is particularly marked in the context where, arguably, current social policies undervalue the ‘relationship’ side of social work and the role of carers. During the trip, Dr Hollinrake also met with Professor Shirasawa, President of the Japanese Association of Schools of Certified Social Workers. As a result, plans have been developed to offer opportunities for knowledge exchange between UCS and Japanese social work students in order to further their international comparative understanding of social work policy and practice. The School of Applied Social Sciences is looking forward to embarking upon a new and exciting future with plans already being set to take it to the next level. Professor Hallsworth said: “The School already runs an impressive portfolio of courses and in recent years has been developing an impressive research profile. It is not a question therefore of establishing something from nothing, but of helping develop further the teaching and research excellence that already exists. This is an exciting time to be joining UCS and I look forward to working with my new colleagues.” Champion title for UCS lecturer Professor Simon Hallsworth has been appointed to the post of Head of the School of Applied Social Sciences at UCS where he will also be Professor of Sociology. Before moving to UCS, Professor Hallsworth held the post of Chair in Social Research in the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities at London Metropolitan University where he has been very successful in publishing and has generated considerable external research funding. He was also the Director of the University’s Centre for Social and Evaluation Research. He has undertaken work for a range of statutory and non-statutory agencies, such as the Home Office, Youth Justice Board, Transport for London, Metropolitan Police Service and Council for Europe. In this capacity he studied a range of high profile social issues – including the police exercise of stop and search powers, street crime, the illegal taxi trade and urban street gangs. He has also published extensively on the contemporary punitive turn, the politics and practices of crime control and community safety. Professor Hallsworth is an acknowledged expert on urban violence and urban street gangs and in this capacity has advised government, the Metropolitan Police and more recently the Association of Chief Police Officers. He has also published in the developing area of Eco Crime with a particular focus on animal abuse. His views on crime and the response to it are regularly sought and his work was recently profiled in the Guardian. Professor Noel Smith – Head of Division of Social Work and Social Policy Noel Smith will lead the Division of Social Work and Social Policy in the School of Applied Social Sciences, where he will be Professor of Social Policy. Professor Smith joins UCS from Loughborough University where he was the Director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy – a leading national research centre renowned for providing evidence about UK poverty, social welfare and service delivery to government departments and charities. He trained as a social worker and his research has included child poverty, child referral procedures and disability. He is an international authority on minimum income standards and an expert in poverty research, policy analysis and service evaluation. UCS would like to extend its congratulations to Dr Helen Arnold, Lecturer in Criminology, who recently became the county ladies table tennis champion at the Cambridgeshire Table Tennis Association Annual Championships – the second time in three years that she has won this particular singles title. Enjoying a double celebration, Helen also lifted the trophy to claim the county mixed doubles title with partner Matthew Knott. Professor Simon Hallsworth- Head of School Professor Smith joins UCS during a period of unprecedented reform of the welfare state. As a result of the political and economic changes of recent years, along with the national reform of social work, social policy and public services are facing change on a scale not seen since the 1940’s. He believes that great change generates new opportunities and challenges, and that there has probably never been a more important time to be working in the applied social sciences. Dr Helen Arnold He will be working with colleagues to respond to these opportunities and challenges through UCS’s social work programme, the future development of new teaching programmes, cutting-edge research and critical analysis, and engaging with those responsible for planning and delivering welfare services in practice. 9 INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 Research and Development Research and Enterprise Graduate School Since the establishment of the Graduate School, UCS has received 34 enquiries from potential applicants. Several of these have progressed to full applications and four successful interviews took place in March. It is anticipated that the first cohort of postgraduate research students will enrol at the beginning of the academic year 2012/13. Recently, UCS has advertised its first postgraduate research studentships which attracted 27 applications across various disciplines and drew attention to our provision nationally. Interviews for the PhD studentships are in process. Research Funding Dr Emma Bond and Allison Boggis from the School of Applied Social Sciences are involved in examining the use of new media technologies in relation to vulnerable adults. The ‘Vulnerable Adults – Understanding Online Participation and Protection’ study is an East of England initiative with UCS working closely with Cambridgeshire County Council, Suffolk County Council and Get Safe Online to examine how vulnerable adults use the internet and other associated technologies in order to develop guidance around safe internet use. This research will supply recommendations for promoting responsible behaviours online and managing risk for local authorities, care providers and service users. Meanwhile, Professor Brendon Noble and Dr Val Mann from the School of Science, Technology and Health have been awarded funding from the Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance, in partnership with Suffolk Sport, to pilot a county wide programme of activities and establish the benefits (physical and emotional) that can be gained by those affected by dementia from engaging with a programme of physical activity, including novel whole body vibration. This is a pilot project, with the aim of seeking more funds for a larger project in the future. Conferences and Seminars In December Professor Mike Saks,UCS Provost, presented a well-received seminar paper in the University of Essex Sociology Seminar series entitled ‘Slaying the Minotaur: Reflections on the Sociology of Professions’. His keynote address at the Linnaeus University in Sweden to the Swedish Network of Professions in October on ‘Defining a Profession: The Role of Knowledge and Expertise’ has been published in the Nordic journal Professions and Professionalism. Mark Edwards from the School of Arts and Humanities has recently had his photographic work prestigiously exhibited by the V & A Museum in London. He has also held a solo exhibition at the Holburne Museum in Bath entitled ‘The View from Here: New Landscape Photographs by Mark Edwards’. This work was commissioned as a contemporary response to the tradition of British landscape painting and accompanied the museum’s exhibition, ‘Gainsborough’s Landscapes: Themes and Variations’. In March the Division of Social Work and Social Policy in the School of Applied Social Sciences hosted a highly successful conference entitled ‘Innovations in Social Work Practice Learning’, focusing on the changing role of qualified social workers who take on the responsibility of the practice education of social work students. Keynote speakers included Professor Mark Doel, Professor Emeritus in the Centre for Health and Social Care Research at Sheffield Hallam University, and Cheryl Wall from Skills for Care. In May UCS hosted a high profile Patients Association conference, entitled ‘Patients in Care’. This national conference, convened through the School of Nursing and Midwifery, had many prestigious speakers including representatives from professional bodies, users and carers – as well as Angela Rippon, Vice President of the Patients Association and television presenter. Leadership and Enterprise The NHS Leadership Academy, under the stewardship of Dr Penny Cavenagh, has come to the end of a very successful academic year. Funding is in place for another year of leadership development and training activities across Norfolk and Suffolk in the NHS. In this respect, UCS and the NHS are developing new courses and organisational development interventions that reflect the challenges that leaders in the NHS are facing. In the School of Business, Leadership and Enterprise two start-up businesses have been welcomed to the Business Incubator at the Ipswich Campus, which is designed to accelerate the successful development of entrepreneurial companies through business resource support. These are Young Voice Physiological benefits for boys that dance Research into the impact of dance on physiological health and wellbeing in young people has found that participating in dance workshops significantly reduces pressure and tension among young boys. The Go Dance Research project conducted by UCS and commissioned by East Youth Dance – a consortium of dance organisations and providers – examined how dance might positively impact the lives of boys and girls in pursuing healthy lives. The findings indicated that boys perceptions of pressure and tension as an indicator of intrinsic motivation reduced as a result, with male participants and their school teachers relating their focus in other curricular subjects to their participation in these workshops. The study has been undertaken as part of a region-wide project devised for the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad which features programmes and projects that form the largest cultural celebration in the history of the modern Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Principal investigator Elsa Urmston, UCS Lecturer in Dance, said: “This creative dance project has shown that exposure to dance projects and opportunities to perform dance has the potential to change people’s attitudes and behaviours about dance and exercise for health.” INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 10 Academic Development (a website and social network marketing business) and School4Apps (an Apple Apps production and education business). More companies are expected to join them in the Business Incubator, which operates alongside the increasingly successful Atrium Studios in the School of Arts and Humanities. Library receives valuable donations Tony Stockman, Chairman of Framlingham Technology Centre has recently agreed to be a UCS Entrepreneur-in-Residence and will be available to assist start-ups in the Business Incubator and student entrepreneurs in the Germinator. Tony has built several successful companies in Suffolk and will be lending his support to Dr Steve Barnes, UCS Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship, in driving forward UCS’s objective in fostering enterprise. Negotiations with the Suffolk Record Office have led to the long term loan of a number of items relating to local and modern history. And finally, congratulations to Dr Penny Cavenagh, Director of the Office of Research and Enterprise, on recently becoming Visiting Professor at the University of East Anglia. @ researchoffice@ucs.ac.uk The Library at UCS Ipswich has recently received two valuable donations of resources that will particularly benefit staff and students in the history area. Separately from this, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Library in London is being closed and significant parts of the collection have been offered to UCS Ipswich. The collection covers the history and politics of the twentieth century and includes many rare and out of print titles. The Suffolk Record Office materials are already on the shelves and are available to users. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office books are currently being added to stock. Childhood Remixed The first edition of an online peer reviewed journal was launched in February following support from a number of Schools. Each contributor to Childhood Remixed gave a brief presentation of their submission during the launch event. The topic areas covered included ‘The Sexualisation of Childhood’, ‘Children’s Involvement in Decisions about their Health and Wellbeing’, ‘National Identity in Childhood’, ‘Christmas’, ‘Researching with Disabled Children’, ‘The Social Positioning of Children’ and ‘The Provision of Play in Early Years and After School Clubs’. UCS Academy The UCS Academy is becoming increasingly popular and attracting larger audiences. The Academy’s open lecture programme provides a platform for high quality inaugural and guest lectures from renowned speakers, showcasing academic excellence and debate on a wide range of topics. Recent guest presenters have included Professor Blake Morrison, the internationally renowned author and poet, who led a lively discussion around the current status of the printed book in his talk ‘The Future of Reading’. Dr Mary Archer, Chair of Delectores ut alicab is eatectatis et veni the Cambridge University Hospitals NHSipic te consequia que exerum volorest, aut eos Foundation Trust and trustee of the Stem Cell si aut dolupta debitat ea dita essecusam, Foundation, also recently presented ‘‘The omniend ellique quistoadit, volupta Science of Goodquia Health’ examine how ectecti dunt, voloreror ma comnimin science can improve our chances ofreperum good fugia volo qui odit, evelibeaquam healthcorerum in advancing years. iur sandam que rem laceatem id quibus, quistrumqui cum fugia nonemol oresecati Maths for nursing and berspel laborat velland iciisinum ilitius ciatem healthcare The Learning Development Centre at UCS Ipswich has developed a regional and national profile. David Bowers, our Head of Learning Development, was recently elected as Secretary and national Steering Group member of the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education. He is also the Coordinator of the Eastern England regional hub of sigma – the national centre for excellence in cross-university mathematics and statistics support that is hosted at UCS. Skills in maths and statistics are fundamental to success on most university courses, but lacking confidence in numeracy can also be a barrier to many students achieving their full potential. This is recognised at UCS, where the Learning Development Centre provides a regular schedule of daily drop-in advice sessions and workshops in maths, statistics and wider study skills - open to all students. A one-day sigma conference held in the UCS Waterfront Building focused on how best to teach and assess the essential calculation skills needed by student nurses and midwives. The event attracted around 60 speakers and delegates from universities and health trusts around the country, including many with a national profile in this field. Peer Assisted Learning Following acceptance by the Academic Board in January of a paper summarising the UCS position on peer assisted learning (PAL) and peer mentoring, the Learning Development Centre will again be supporting Schools, Divisions and Network Centres in introducing, implementing and enhancing PAL provision next academic year. Course leaders interested in finding out how PAL can enhance the student experience are welcome to contact David Bowers. @ d.bowers@ucs.ac.uk. 11 INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 Cover Story Suicidal Social Support Young people with eating disorders are visiting proeating disorder websites for tips and tricks. Dr Emma Bond, Senior Lecturer in the School of Applied Social Sciences, examines how these sites are being used to obtain information on maintaining their condition, advice on how to hide their illness from family and healthcare professionals and, most alarmingly, how to further their weight loss. “Nothing tastes as good as thin feels” is a popular tagline on pro-eating disorder websites. There are increasing concerns over the number and availability of these Pro-Anorexia (known as Pro-Ana) and Pro-Bulimia (Pro-Mia) websites on the internet, yet little is known about why people use them, what they use them for and the role that they play in maintaining the disordered eating or to the phenomena of them. Defined as being made up of individuals who adopt an anti-recovery stance in regard to eating disorders, the Pro-Ana/Mia movement is attracting considerable attention from healthcare professionals and media discourse. However, as the Eating Disorders Association (Beat- the UK’s leading charity supporting people affected by eating disorders) point out, media coverage of pro-eating disorder websites can be problematic, as attempts to educate young people about the risks can accidently publicise the existence of the websites and glamorise the disease. Very different from the websites that provide factual information in relation to eating disorders and promote behaviours which will aid recovery, these websites are frequently run by individuals with an eating disorder themselves. The sites offer information and advice on maintaining disordered eating through extreme diet regimes, exercise rituals, non-prescription medication such as slimming pills and laxatives and INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 images of very thin celebrities or other site users for ‘Thinspiration’. Many sites also have religious or spiritual characteristics with Ana creeds, promises, poems and art. According to Mind in the UK, 1 in 100 women aged between 15 and 30 in the UK suffer from anorexia and recent reports show some girls as young as five years of age have weight concerns and think about going on a diet. The Royal College of Psychiatrists suggest that anorexia nervosa is most likely to strike during the mid-teenage years and that it affects approximately 1 in 150 fifteen year old females, and 1 in 1,000 fifteen year old males. children felt that they could not talk to anyone about their disordered eating. Children and young people are leading media saturated lives and according to Ofcom children in the UK spend on average 11.4 hours per week online. We also know that young people use new media technologies for risk management or risk-taking behaviours to achieve identity as individuals and as members of cultural groups in both offline and online environments. These websites are increasingly being used by young people for social and emotional support, especially as many young people with an eating disorder frequently feel isolated from family and friends. “some girls as young as five years of age have weight concerns and think about going on a diet” The illness has many complex negative effects on the physical health, psychological wellbeing and social interaction both of the person with the eating disorder and on family members and friendships. A survey of 600 young people with eating disorders carried out by Beat UK found that 92 % of Although Pro-Ana sites are different from other social networking sites like Facebook, conversations in virtual environments may 12 potentially have distinct positive implications in relation to wellbeing, peer networks, social support and identify formation. Thus whilst there are clearly risks and dangers, there may also be hidden benefits linked to social support that can be used in the construction of positive virtual environments by prorecovery organisations such as Beat. The EU Kids online report (2011) published by the London School of Economics (LSE) highlighted that 21% of 11-16 year olds have been exposed to one or more types of potentially harmful user generated content on websites: hate (12%), pro-anorexia (10%); self-harm (7%), drug-taking (7%) and/ or suicide (5%), yet little is known though about the sites themselves and the nature and extent of the risk or harm they present to young people. The ‘‘Virtually Anorexic – where’s the harm?’ study we are leading at UCS aims to address these issues and improve knowledge and understanding of young people’s use of pro-eating disorder websites and online communities. UCS awarded research funding UCS will lead the latest research into pro-eating disorder websites in partnership with Beat and Childnet International. The in-depth online research study investigating the phenomena is being funded by the Nominet Trust and is currently being carried out by Dr Emma Bond in the School of Applied Social Sciences at UCS. The six month study will examine how young people use the sites for tips and advice, support and other information, as well as an ‘embodied’ social space. The research will consider perceptions of risk from a variety of perspectives and notions of self-identity in relation to Pro-Ana online environments The team at Beat spoke of their delight to be involved in this important research. “We are concerned at the proliferation of pro-ana sites, and this research will help to quantify the risks that they pose.” The research findings will be also be used to raise awareness of the potential risks associated with pro-Ana/Mia sites and online environments for vulnerable young people through wide-ranging dissemination and discussion with academics, policymakers and practitioners. The project partners: Who are they? Beat - www.b-eat.co.uk This organisation provides helplines, online support and a network of UK-wide self-help groups to help adults and young people in the UK beat their eating disorders. (All images used have been carefully selected in conjunction with guidelines provided by Beat.) Childnet International - www.childnet-int.org This body is a UK charity working towards making the internet safer for children. Nominet Trust - www.nominettrust.org.uk Since 2008, this charity has invested over £5 million benefiting more than 170 projects led by a wide range of organisations. 13 INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 UCS Staff Hellos Rob Massara – Professor of Academic Research and Management Professor Rob Massara joins UCS from the University of Essex where he held the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor. He has had some 20 years of experience as a senior manager in higher education. His role at UCS involves providing support in the development of UCS’s research and enterprise profile and working with the Provost, Heads of School and other senior colleagues on a range of issues concerned with academic performance and future development. Before taking up an academic appointment, his industrial experience in the UK was formed with Marconi-Elliot Microelectronics and GEC Semiconductors. His first academic role was as a Lecturer in Electronic Engineering at the University of Keele before joining the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering (ESE) at the University of Essex as a Lecturer and then as Head of Department. Prior to this, he had established the University Research Centre for very-large-scale integration (VLSI) Systems Design and, within ESE, the Design Automation Laboratory. His research interests centred on the application of computer-aided design in electronic engineering, particularly in the role of CAD and numerical optimisation techniques in the design of analogue and digital integrated circuits. This work culminated in the development of CAD environments for the design of analogue and digital systems for full-custom VLSI chip realisation, activities that involved sustained and very active collaboration with industry – notably BT, Ericsson, and Fujitsu. Oonagh Kearney – Lecturer in Film Oonagh Kearney joined UCS in January 2012, teaching modules in experimental, avant-garde film and practical video production. She has worked extensively in the professional theatre arts and the film industry in a variety of roles for over ten years. Her introduction to the world of film began with casting Ken Loach’s feature film ‘The Wind That Shakes the Barley’ which went on to win the Palm d’Or at the 2006 International Cannes Film Festival. Since then Oonagh has cast five other feature films. Her most recent film ‘Wonder House’ was funded by the Irish Arts Council and premiered at the Jameson International Dublin Film Festival in February 2012. Her short films have screened at over fifty international film festivals, been included on various DVD compilations and won numerous awards. Sarah Tattersall – Head of Student Recruitment Sarah Tattersall joins UCS from the Institute of Education in London where she worked as Head of Recruitment and Admissions for several years. Sarah has also previously worked for London Metropolitan University in the Marketing team and as Head of Admissions for a University of London Medical School. Sarah holds a degree in Politics and History from Keele University. Sarah’s role is to develop UCS’s UK, European and International Recruitment Strategy and to manage the team undertaking outreach and recruitment work. She works closely with colleagues across UCS, in particular those in the Admissions Department and Infozone. Sarah Waller – Research and Enterprise Manager Sarah Waller brings with her over a decade of experience of business to academic collaborative projects, which have supported local and regional innovation and growth in the East of England. During her time at the University of Bedfordshire, Sarah worked closely with academic colleagues to successfully deliver three EU funded projects with a total value of over £1m. Latterly, Sarah has worked with organisations such as the BBC, Channel 4 and London 2012 to enable access to facilities and academic expertise and has been co-director of professional theatre seasons at the University of Bedfordshire Theatre. Sarah’s current role is to work with academics across UCS to develop collaborative projects with business, public and third sector organisations and to support the development of academic conferences. Goodbyes UCS would like to pass on best wishes to the following people after recently leaving their posts: Emma-Jayne Fryatt, Charlotte Whiffin, Sarah Goodwin, Catherine Theodosius, Dominic Fitzgerald, Priya Raithatha, Jane Webb-Williams, Sarah Steward, Geoffrey Wooten, Sudeh Riahi, Megan Brewer, Geraldine Kelly, Paula Timmons, John Green and Joshua Griffin. Staff Suggestions In light of the current economic climate and reductions in Higher Education funding, you might have an improving efficiency or improving quality idea which would save costs or income generate for UCS. Tell us about your idea by completing the online Staff Suggestion Scheme form on MyUCS. INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 14 UCS Union The t en d i s re P UCS Union President Jonathan Wright talks to InsideUCS about the latest topics trending on campus. It’s time for Universities to come clean. That’s what students are demanding from their institutions up and down the country and that’s why ‘Come Clean’ is the name that the National Union of Students (NUS) has given to their latest campaign. As we all stand on the eve of a new fee regime that the coalition government insists will place students “at the heart of the system”, universities are preparing to meet the demands of students who will be paying more than double the amount of tuition fees previously charged and will no doubt have double the level of expectations as a result. At UCS Union, we are working with this institution to make sure that those demands can be met. UCS Union is Your Union, and we regularly meet with students to find out what it is you want from your experience in higher education and then try and do something about it. For instance, UCS Union knows from speaking to students that you’re not always able to afford some of the things that are required of you as part of your course. This can range from text books and printing to travel and equipment and, in some students’ cases, has risen to over a thousand pounds in a single year. So UCS Union has asked for UCS to be more up front about the costs of studying here and to explore ways in which they can help subsidise these costs, by either including them in the tuition fees or by providing some kind of means tested funding to those who need it most. UCS has already responded and is preparing to outline these costs on their website so that new and prospective students are aware of the cost implications. As the drive from the NUS for better access to higher education through increased financial support continues, so does that of UCS Union. Thanks to pressure from the government to try and make up for their own mistakes in voting for cuts to tuition fees, students who will already be expected to pay an increased amount of fees, will also have to face financial support from the university that offers less cash in your pocket. Knowing how vital the current money bursary of up to £1,000 is to the students who are eligible to receive it, UCS Union is campaigning to get this financial support back for you. Whilst current students are not affected by the new fees, the support against the changes has been overwhelming and UCS Union will continue to ensure that students are being treated fairly and getting the best. @ su.president@ucs.ac.uk Representing YOU! As a result of the UCS Union elections in March, the following students will join the UCS Union Exec Committee for the next academic year. Congratulations to: Nathan Kempster – Schools Officer for Applied Social Science Jodie Robertson – Schools Officer for Arts and Humanities Lucy Parker – Schools Officer for Business Leadership and Enterprise Antony Finnis – Campus Officer for Great Yarmouth Work for your Union UCS Union are recruiting student staff to work in Kai, Theta, the Campus Shop and Promotions for the whole of the academic year 2012/13. To apply, email su.admin@ucs.ac.uk All profits made by UCS Union outlets are put back into sports, societies, advice and other Union activities that support all students. 15 INSIDEUCS Issue 5 Summer 2012 Events Guide Summer Calendar Photo: Tom Owens, UCS student UCS EVENTS RSA SUFFOLK AT UCS UCS ACADEMY LECTURE SERIES The RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) is a registered charity that is committed to finding innovative practical solutions to today’s social challenges. The UCS Academy provides a high quality public lecture programme from world-renowned speakers, showcasing academic excellence both inside and outside of UCS. For further information on these conferences, please email s.pickering@ucs.ac.uk. To reserve a place at one of the lectures below, please email theucsacademy@ucs.ac.uk. Outer Mongolia or Bust! Harnessing the Power of your Network Professor Mike Saks presents ‘Regulating the Professions: Zoos, Circuses or Safari Parks’ Where: UCS Ipswich, Waterfront Building When: 16 May 2012, 5.00pm – 7.30pm Learn how networks really work in discussion with Judith Perle, author of The Network Effect. Learn an interesting fact of life from a telephone directory, find out what chain letters can teach us and find out why lumpy porridge is so good for you. Leadership Angles Where: UCS Ipswich, Waterfront Building When: September 2012 (Date TBC) Wendi Pasco-McGregor, an expert in global leadership development, will share the results and stories from the last six months of the Leadership Angles project. This project is designed to identify and understand aspects of leadership in Suffolk and Norfolk, including those which sit outside more traditional corporate models. Where: UCS Ipswich, Waterfront Building, Auditorium When: 6 June 2012, 5.30pm – 7.30pm Using metaphors from the animal kingdom to understand different regulatory approaches – such as zoos, circuses and safari parks – this inaugural lecture considers a range of models of professional regulation and how professions might best be managed in society in future. Professor Brendon Noble presents ‘The Regeneration Game’ Where: UCS Ipswich, Waterfront Building, Auditorium When: 4 July 2012, 5.30pm – 7.30pm This inaugural lecture covers the field of skeletal health and regenerative medicine. The influence of the detailed sub-cellular, molecular activities of cells on distant body parts will be discussed in the context of regenerative therapies. ARTS AND HUMANITIES EXHIBITIONS The School of Arts and Humanities host a range of events at UCS Ipswich in the Waterfront Gallery, Foyer and West Building Atrium. For further information on any of the events below or to find out about other upcoming exhibitions, please email h.whiting@ucs.ac.uk. Floodtide Where: UCS Ipswich, Waterfront Gallery When: 9 May -– 18 May 2012 An organic, collaborative project between Ipswich High School for Girls, composer Dr John Eacott, UCS and Northgate High School. The partnership is inspired by John Eacott’s musical sonification of the tidal flow of the River Orwell. See a live performance of this work, as well as hear the composer speak about this groundbreaking piece, and the innovative work it has inspired. Invitation 2012 Where: UCS Ipswich, Waterfront Gallery / Foyer When: 8 June -– 18 June 2012 An alumni exhibition which showcases and celebrates the wealth of creative talent that has emerged from the School of Art and Design. STAFF DEVELOPMENT UCS staff development opportunities are free to all staff and further information is available on MyUCS. PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT Powerful and Inspiring Presentations TEACHING AND LEARNING Introducing Periodic Reviews To book a place on any course please contact Rik Bond, Training Co-ordinator, on 01473 338325 or email r.bond@ucs.ac.uk. Where: UCS Ipswich, Waterfront Building, W414 When: 17 May 2012, 9.30am – 11.30am Where: UCS Ipswich, Library Building, L107 When: 21 / 28 May 2012, 10.00am – 3.00pm This session will provide delegates with the tools to present a powerful and inspiring presentation. On completion delegates will have had the opportunity to consider how to gain and hold an audience’s attention, how to present technical information without getting bogged down, and the power of body language, gestures and eye contact. From the academic year 2011/12, the UCS revalidation process will be replaced for the most part by Periodic Review. This change is intended to emphasize the evaluative nature of the Quality Enhancement process and will involve a significant change in the way course teams will need to prepare for their event. This all day event is being provided primarily for those course teams who will be preparing for Periodic Review in 2011/12. RESEARCH AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY Knowledge Transfer Partnerships Where: UCS Ipswich, Waterfront Building, W413 When: 16 May 2012, 2.00pm – 4.00pm Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) form part of Europe’s leading programme helping businesses to improve their competitiveness and productivity through better use of knowledge, technology and skills. Along with gaining an understanding of the mechanics of a KTP, significant time will be given to an interactive session looking at ideas and considering potential partnerships relevant to the delegates’ interest in the UCS context. TEACHING AND LEARNING New Library Services Where: UCS Ipswich, Library Building, L107 When: 21 / 28 May 2012, 12.00pm – 12.45pm Get the most out of the new Library catalogue, find out how the new online audio-visual streaming service works and learn about Library developments.