The University of Derby Magazine (issue 1)

Blood Swept Lands and Seas of RedHow 888,246 poppies captured the hearts of the world

INSIDE: Derby graduate Paul Cummins, Marketing Derby’s John Forkin and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin

Inspire, Innovate, Impact – The University of Derby Magazine Issue 1 • November 2014

www.derby.ac.uk

2

4 INNOVATE The IISE’s Richard Hall on Derby’s

bright future

7 OPINION Patrick McLoughlin MP: The Magic

Ingredient for Growth

8 OUR ALUMNI

The man behind the poppy

masterpiece

12 OVER TO YOU

Marketing Derby MD John Forkin

16 THE GREAT DEBATE Should we be debating more in

Derby?

18 MY VIEW It’s time to join the Digital Revolution,

says Julie Stone

20 FEATURE

Sport gets serious at Derby

23 5 MINUTES WITH… Chairman of Pennine Healthcare Liz

Fothergill on her career highs and lows

24 SPOTLIGHT ON… Jim Barclay, Scrooge in the

forthcoming ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Derby Theatre

26 INSPIRE From stand-up comic to CEO of

QUAD, we chat to Adam Buss

30 COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

Who, what and why? What’s

happening in the University Colleges

32 STUDENT SUCCESS Derby’s students stand out

34 LOCAL LINK UP

How the University works with and

supports the local community

36 OUT & ABOUT Photo gallery

37 SAVE THE DATE

Key dates for your diary

38 LAST WORD University Vice-Chancellor John Coyne

39 IMPACTcont

ents

Editorial: Rosie Marshalsay, Jeremy Swan, Jenny McNicholas, Adam Mallaby, Sean Kirby, George Allsop and Kirsty Reynolds

Photography: Richards Richards and Sally Edwards

Design: Matt Cartwright and Paul Williams

We’re always on the lookout for interesting people to interview for future issues, so if you’ve got a good story to tell please get in touch – [email protected]

43

The University of Derby Magazine

Editor’s letter

I’m writing this letter having spent a number of weeks with the editorial and design team perfecting what you’re about to read; the first issue of The

University of Derby Magazine .

The idea behind this new magazine is to showcase to you, our ‘key stakeholders’, how far the University of Derby has come over the past few years. And how being named a Top 50 university only reinforces what we’ve known for a while; that we’ve really stepped up our game - just as Derby as a city has stepped up too.

To be successful you need a vision; a common goal shared by all, and at Derby we have ‘Inspire, Innovate and Impact’. These three words have raised the bar here and this is being reflected in the league tables, in staff and student satisfaction surveys, and in the quality, not to mention quantity, of students wanting to come and study here.

We’re lucky to have fantastic partnerships in place with our stakeholders, businesses and organisations across the region. Collaborations that enable us to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and bring wider benefits to industry.

Our alumni are our strongest ambassadors and we’re proud that so many have gone on to enjoy great success

in their careers. This issue features the hugely talented ceramicist Paul Cummins, whose art installation of 888,246 poppies transformed the Tower of London, and Adam Buss, who began his career as a stand-up comic and is now CEO of QUAD.

I’ll admit that pulling together this magazine has been a big undertaking, but it’s also been fantastic to find out more about the people who feature in this issue, and to discover that the support of our University is stronger than ever.

Enjoy the read!

Rosie

Our alumni are our strongest ambassadors

Feedback

It’s important to us that this magazine is something that people look forward to and enjoy reading, so we’d really appreciate your feedback, good or bad. You can send it to [email protected] and as a thank you for providing it we’ll enter you into a prize draw to win two Derby Theatre tickets to see a production of your choice*.

*prize must be taken within three months of the winner being announced

4

Innovation Generation

“There’s a living tradition of engineering excellence in the region just waiting for investment.”Professor Richard Hall

The IISE’s Richard Hall on Derby’s bright future

Writer: Jeremy Swan

45


Professor Richard Hall, Director of the Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE) at the University of Derby, looks to the future and draws inspiration

from the region’s industrial heritage.

Whenever I catch the train from London to Derby I’m reminded of our city’s proud history. Waiting on the platform, passengers stand beside the magnificent St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, which first opened its doors in 1873. Now Grade 1 listed, this stunning example of gothic architecture was commissioned by the Derby-based Midland Railway and built using Derbyshire bricks. It’s a remarkable monument to our industrial heritage and a reminder of Derby’s potential.

It’s easy to take our history for granted, but it’s our track record – our unique selling point – and we should shout about it. We’ve been making trains, cars and engines for years, and we will continue to do so using the latest technology. There’s a living tradition of engineering excellence in the region just waiting for investment.

I believe Derby has a bright future ahead. Last year the city enjoyed the fastest growth in the country according to GVA (gross value added), overseas companies such as Florida Turbine Technology have opened up new offices, and throughout the region there is a definite feel-good factor.

Through our partners Enscite and Derby City Council, IISE is involved in developing a new 250-acre technology park in Derby, which will see the creation of up to 8,000 new jobs. At its heart will be a new £11.5 million Innovation Centre offering business incubation units and a laboratory equipped with advanced digital manufacturing technology.

It’s my hope that as our engineering sector grows the benefits will spill over into other areas. Many of the challenges we face involve various disciplines, and so we plan to form close ties with business, legal experts, scientists, health professionals, and so on.

6

Exciting things are happening, yet we know from the recent economic crisis that growth must be sustainable.

Sustainability, from my perspective, is the biggest global challenge we face today. It influences just about everything we do, and it will become even more important as the pressure on natural resources grows. Companies wanting to remain competitive in the 21st century should take note!

Innovation has an important part to play here. We could, for example, develop lighter components or more efficient production processes. At IISE we’re doing a lot of work around additive layer manufacturing (otherwise known as 3D printing) and this allows us to create innovative components which can be manufactured with minimal waste.

We’re also conducting research around embedded sensors, which allow us to monitor the performance of key components. These sensors generate a huge amount of data, so part of the challenge is around processing and using that information.

Innovation used to be quite risky and expensive. However, in recent years we’ve developed our capacity to model designs through computer simulations. At IISE we’re fortunate to have a virtual reality room where we can prototype new designs without having to go through expensive laboratory tests.

We set up IISE after listening to the needs of local industry, and I want to continue to build good relationships and fruitful partnerships. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in putting together a fantastic team and involving key players such as Rolls-Royce, DMG Mori Seiki and Renishaw. We’re in growth mode and I think we will outgrow our original business plan quite quickly.

Our mission is to support local industry by providing a research and innovation facility. We work with SMEs to help them unlock their innovation potential and we’re supported in this by the larger engineering companies. We hope to demonstrate that sustainability doesn’t have

to mean higher costs. In fact, it can actually save money and provide a good opportunity for marketing.

Through the Time2Innovate programme we can offer ‘Innovation Vouchers’ worth up to £1500 and ‘Innovation Credit’ of £5000 per company. We also work with companies directly and have several Knowledge Transfer Partnerships currently in place, which enable companies to access government funding for strategic projects.

Being part of a university also means that we work with students to give them practical experience of the workplace – real world learning. Our Postgraduate Support Scheme equips Masters students with the skills they need for industry, so that when they graduate they don’t necessarily need to spend 12 to 24 months on a graduate training scheme.

But it’s also important to encourage more young people, especially females, to consider a career in engineering and advanced manufacturing. If we are to continue to grow as an industry we need to think about the workforce of tomorrow, and take steps to ensure that it is better resourced and more diverse.

Derbyshire has a history of creativity and innovation. It was these qualities that made us rich during the Industrial Revolution, and I believe we need to rediscover that mentality. We are making great progress, but I believe some of our biggest successes are still to come.

For more information about IISE and how it can support your business, visit www.derby.ac.uk/iise or email [email protected]

“We set up IISE after listening to the needs of local industry, and I want to continue to build good relationships and fruitful partnerships.”

47


I recently delivered my third speech as Secretary of State for Transport to the Conservative Party Conference.

I believe infrastructure is the magic ingredient for growth. We had fallen behind our major international competition, but now we have a plan that will see our transport infrastructure exceed that of our major competitors, and match up to a country which now has the fastest growing economy in the G7.

If we are going to remain a global power we must draw strength from our history to renew our success. I’m proud of what we have achieved as a nation. Just a short time after Scotland chose to stay part of the Union, I want to make sure that the United Kingdom leads in both innovation and manufacturing.

Historically, Britain has always been a leader. Isambard Kingdom Brunel is a great example of British innovation and problem solving. I want to inspire a new generation of Brunels, Stephensons and Telfords. Around us in Derbyshire we can still see evidence of those famous manufacturing Derbyshire trailblazers, Strutt, Arkwright and others. And now we can see the incredible engineering works we have going on around Britain. Just as those industrial pioneers made us the envy of the world, we can now see more companies moving to Britain because they can see the direction we are heading in. A great example of this is that Hitachi, the

inventor of the bullet-train, is moving the headquarters of their global rail business to Britain because they know that we are a country that has the outlook needed to succeed.

All this innovation comes with practical application. We are supporting inventive British businesses, like Derby’s Bombardier, which provides many jobs in Derbyshire, both directly and as part of the supply chain.

But Derby isn’t only concerned with engineering. Britain is a world leader in the creative industries, and institutions like the University of Derby have an important role to play. One in eight albums sold worldwide is by a British act. The last series of 24 was not in New York, but in London. Game of Thrones is made in Northern Ireland. The seventh Star Wars film is not being filmed in Hollywood, but at Pinewood Studios.

Our creative industries are worth more than £70 billion a year to the economy and are playing a huge role in our recovery. They are contributing to the fact that the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire area is the fastest growing economy in Britain outside London. It is at the forefront of the re-balancing agenda with a strong emphasis on manufacturing and engineering. This gives exciting opportunities to local apprentices, students and potential students at the University of Derby.

Patrick McLoughlin MP: The Magic Ingredient for Growth

Opinion

“Britain is a world leader in the creative industries, and institutions like the University of Derby have an important role to play.”

8

Amazing, evocative, humbling and breathtaking are just a handful of the words that have been used to describe ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas Of Red’, the art

installation of 888,246 handmade ceramic poppies at the Tower of London.

The project, which marked the centenary of our WW1 fallen heroes, began in a Derby workshop last year and transformed the Tower of London. Millions of people watched in awe as the poppies encircled the iconic landmark, covering the moat with a vibrant cloak of red.

It would be easy for the man behind this stunning work of art to get swept up in the hype, or become star-struck by its A-list visitors – the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have all planted a poppy - but that’s not his style (and it’s not the first time he’s met the young Royals either!). Born in Chesterfield, Paul Cummins (37) has his roots firmly in Derbyshire. His love of art came at a young age; his mother Glenis fondly recalls the papier-mâché models of cats and dogs that used to adorn the kitchen table but she didn’t think he’d end up in this field of work, or enjoying the success that he has. Paul had different ideas and after completing his studies he became an architectural model maker. When the time came to make a career change he attended an Open Day at the University of Derby and was sold on

Blood

the BA (Hons) Craft degree. Why? “Simple - it was the best in the country at the time. The course confirmed what I wanted to do for the rest of my life; it became my catalyst for change,” explains Paul.

He graduated in 2009 and since then has become one of the most recognised and celebrated ceramic artists of our time, creating large-scale installations for venues including the Duke of Devonshire’s Chatsworth House, Derby Royal Hospital, Blenheim Palace, and Parliament’s Cromwell Green, as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, his most recent project, was completed on Armistice Day (November 11), when the final poppy was planted.

The operation to take down the installation began on November 12, each poppy bought in aid of charity meticulously cleaned and placed in a commemorative box ready for shipping to its new owner – including 50 bound for the University.

When I caught up with Paul prior to November 11, I asked him how he thought he’d feel seeing the final poppy planted before work to take it down began. He remained surprisingly unfazed by the prospect: “None of my work is permanent; my installations have always been transient so I don’t mind. I’ll take a little time to reflect and then I’ll be ready for the next project.

RedSwept Lands and

Seas of

OURALUMNIWriter: Rosie Marshalsay

49


OURALUMNI

• 20,000volunteers,includingateamfromtheUniversityof Derby, came from all over the world to help plant an average of 70,000 poppies each week

•Onephotograph,ofthepoppiescascadingdowntheTower, has received 5 billion Google hits!

• The888,246poppiescoveredanareaof16acres• Theinstallationwascreatedinpartnershipwith

acclaimed British theatre designer Tom Piper

• Paullostafingeronhisrighthandduringthemakingof the poppies

• ThemajorityofthepoppieswerehandcraftedinPaul’sstudio based at Derby’s Pride Park

• ThousandsofthepoppiesaretotourtheUKtoenablemore people to see parts of the artwork

•Millionsofpoundsfromthesaleofthepoppieshavebeen raised for charity

Did you know?

10

“I’m happy that it’s happened and I was fortunate enough to have a great team working with me, but I’ve also been shocked at how many people have come to help plant the poppies, and to see them.

“This has turned into one massive world-wide community project; it’s taken on a life of its own. Apparently every country in the world has got involved in some way – either through volunteering, tweeting, taking or viewing photos, reading about it or speaking about it to others. I thought the country would take it to their heart but not the whole world, it’s quite amazing.”

No one, least of all Paul, could have imagined the impact such a project would have on so many people, and how a piece of art designed to mark a significant part of history, would end up making history itself.

www.paulcumminsceramics.com

OURALUMNI

Paul Cummins


RE-CONNECT

www.derby.ac.uk/alumni

Alumni

Are you a University of Derby Graduate or do you know someone in your network that is?

Keep connected with the University through Aloud, our monthly e-bulletin and network with other inspiring Alumni on LinkedIn.

Keep connected:Search ‘University of Derby Alumni’ on LinkedIn Register with us to receive Aloud www.derby.ac.uk/alumni/registerwithus www.derby.ac.uk/alumni

Follow us on:

ALUMNIYOUR UNIVERSITY FOR LIFE

12

Jenny McNicholas speaks to John Forkin, Managing Director for Marketing Derby and one of the driving forces behind Derby’s continued transformation.

“Although I grew up in Derby I didn’t love the city. I’ve always thought if you live somewhere you either have to love it or leave – which is exactly what I did, I moved to London to study Politics and Government.”

Yet it was the discovery of John’s underlying passion for Derby, and his ambition to help change its fortunes, which led him to return: “When I came back I knew I needed to be part of the regeneration, so I made it my mission to get involved.”

And get involved he did.

In 2005 Derby City Council and Derby Cityscape launched a 15-year master plan to attract £2 billion of investment to modernise the city centre and create 10,000 jobs. John joined Marketing Derby in 2006 and has since been instrumental in helping to drive forward and promote the plan.

John Forkin

“When I came back I knew I needed to be part of the

regeneration, so I made it my mission

to get involved.”

413


14

Derby now has intu Derby (formally Westfield) which attracts around 25 million shoppers each year, QUAD, and most recently the world-class Derby Arena.

“We wouldn’t have even dreamt about the Arena five years ago, but the city council pushed ahead with it. It could have been any other city, but it wasn’t. It was Derby. We’re not hosting the Olympic Games or the Commonwealth Games, but here we built something that’s truly world class.

“Developments such as this have created jobs, improved Derby, and made us a more confident, innovative and iconic city. We have a great deal of potential and a coalition of people who are interested in changing it for the better – and it’s a place that can be molded.

“I’m passionate about urban regeneration and understand totally how cities need to adapt and change. Innovation has been in Derby’s DNA for over 300 years. Our key economic strength is the high-tech employers that we have in Derby, the big names that everyone has heard like Rolls-Royce (which has its world headquarters here) to Bombardier, and right down to SMEs.”

It’s clear from talking to John that he also sees the University as being fundamental to the city; an institution that has made a significant contribution to Derby’s success and one that will continue to do so.

“The University has a huge role to play; it’s already brought an awful lot of people into the area since it gained its status in 1992 and has contributed significantly to the economy. You only have to go back 20 years or so when there wasn’t a University – which is totally unthinkable now.

“It’s more important now than ever for graduates to be employable, which is why I would highly recommend the University of Derby. The majority of graduates leave there armed with skills ready for the world of work, which stem from the significant investment it makes in facilities. For example, its ties with Derby Manufacturing University Technical College, the new Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering and Derby Theatre – all contributing to the wider Derby offering.”

John’s passion and enthusiasm have taken him many places and it’s on these travels that he has some of his more ‘ambitious’ ideas. He recalls a trip to London back in 2007 that resulted in him setting up the Derby City Embassy there.

“I was strolling through Trafalgar Square when I noticed a big flag pole that read ‘Texas Embassy’, so I put my head around the door and found it was a bar. That’s when the idea popped into my head – why doesn’t Derby have an embassy in London? A ‘base’ in the capital that we can use to promote our businesses and make people aware of the investment opportunities to be had in Derby.

“When I found no other city had an embassy in London I thought ‘right we’re going to be the first!’ It isn’t a building with a person in it, it’s a virtual embassy that moves around, but even to this day – five years on, we’re running Embassy events in Downing Street, Monaco, Cannes and Birmingham. For us it’s a brand that we hold, no one else has dared to copy it.

“We’ve even been awarded the title of ‘Best Investment Promotion Agency Events’ by the Financial Times’ FDi Magazine for the Derby City Embassy events that we host – making us number one in the world.”

Managing Director of Marketing Derby isn’t typically a job you would ‘accidentally’ fall into, but for John this is exactly what happened.

“My career has been a total accident, I didn’t know what I wanted to do; my attitude to my career has been opportunity led. If there’s a thread that runs through my career it’s regeneration – changing places and communities. I don’t actually think of my job as marketing, it’s a part of changing the city – marketing is just one tool we use in order to do that. It’s been liberating not to have a career plan; my attitude is very much ‘grow your own’.

“I hope in the coming years the city continues to flourish in the same way it has in the past ten years but we can’t get complacent, the job’s not done.”

www.marketingderby.co.uk

John’s Career Changing Tips

►Only do a job you really enjoy and feel passionate about. If you wake up three days running and don’t want to go to work, change your job.

►If you’re alienated from what you do, you aren’t going to be any good. If you love playing the guitar, play the guitar, don’t play the piano.

►Don’t sit around and wait for inspiration. You have to figure out what you are about – identify where your passions lie and then draw upon and find your inspiration from within.

INVESTTO GROW

www.derby.ac.uk/investtogrow

The Invest to Grow programme is designed to support established private sector businesses to innovate, grow and create jobs.

· Grants or loans - according to the needs of the business - are available for around 30% of the cost of investment to help create long term sustainable job growth. The business has to find around 70% of the project cost.

· Minimum award size is £15k, so the minimum project cost is likely to be £50k. Maximum award size is £1m.

· £16m of Regional Growth Fund monies are available to businesses in the East Midlands through this programme.

· The programme is aimed at growth sectors such as Transport Equipment Manufacturing, Medicine/Bio-science, Construction, Food & Drink Manufacturing, Logistics, Low Carbon and Creative Industries.

· The Invest to Grow programme is now inviting companies to contact the team to find out more.

W: www.derby.ac.uk/investtogrowT: 01332 597907E: [email protected]

Contact us:

16

Encouraging a culture of debate in Derby could improve research and knowledge, but is the city ready to embrace intellectual interchange and leave vested interests at

the door?

There’s something ironic in having a debate about debating but it’s a hot topic. Just look at the effect of the recent Scottish Referendum on which everyone had an opinion.

BBC Radio 2’s Dermot O’Leary and Mark Chadwick from rock band, The Levellers, joined in the debate recently* saying that the Scottish Referendum was easy for the public to get involved in because it was black and white – you either voted yes or no.

Debate like this provokes argument and people get passionate about it because they become aware of the environment around them and look at how the changes will impact them – people have a reason to stick their head around the door and have their say. It was a national debate though, and therein lies the problem – what about local debate? Is everyone just too busy getting on with their own lives?

Dennis Hayes, Professor of Education at the University of Derby, believes that it’s a big challenge to get debate going in Derby: “It’s hard because people tend to not be interested in anything other than their narrow professional area. Nobody has a wider interest, so the debate gets lost. There’s a reluctance to join in and it could be something simple like not being able to travel, or having the time. It’s all about a cultural change. Derby was at the centre of the English Enlightenment so it’s trying to create that tradition again.”

The English Enlightenment was a cultural movement of intellectuals in the 17th Century, emphasising reason and individualism rather than tradition. Key thinkers in Derby at the time; Joseph Wright and Erasmus Darwin, for example, sought the empowerment of people through knowledge. The Enlightenment was a way of revolutionising human thought, avoiding ignorance and building a network.

John Forkin, Managing Director of Marketing Derby, agrees with Dennis that there needs to be a cultural shift: “Sometimes people are afraid of debate. There’s a cultural bubble we need to burst through. We’re all very British – we like to agree with each other and then afterwards we bitch. I imagine if you’re seeking intellectual stimulation with real tough debate, it’s just not a very British way. If you want the debate in your local area, you have to create a bit of fuss.”

If you look at the current amount of debate in Derby, you can see that it’s happening. Dennis runs the East Midlands Salon in town where a number of people from the community, including teachers and even poets, come together to share ideas.

Debating in Derby

“Sometimes people are afraid of debate. There’s a cultural bubble we need to burst through. We’re all very British.”John Forkin

Writer: Adam Mallaby

417


John also promotes it, urging that “Derby has debate already. We run something called Lunar 21 and twice a year there is a session. There’s a hunger for it, so we created it. The events are always full; it’s about the right quality of people who turn up. If it’s good, people will come.”

However, Dennis still argues that there’s a “debate deficit and it is everywhere you go. But in Derby, people don’t tend to go out to things like they do in London, for example, and even so, going to a debate is an unusual thing to do these days.” So rather than localising debate, is London the answer to bringing it back into the 21st Century?

It isn’t the answer for John who disagrees with Dennis, saying that: “You can’t compare Derby to London. Public intercourse is naturally going to happen in London because we’re a centralised economy – our media, political and financial capital is London. What you find in other countries, like the USA, is that their capitals are split across the country so debate happens locally.”

Whether debate happens locally or nationally, it’s always a good thing to have. Dennis agrees that “there’s an awareness that it needs to take place but too often it is therapeutic chatting and self-expression. Instead, people should be examining an issue through argument – it needs to go back and forth and not be static like it is all too often when you’re just presented with traditional

ideas. There needs to be a distinction that we’re not criticising your idea, we’re having a debate about it.”

One crucial element that neither participant in this debate acknowledged is the need for debate to extend cross generationally – there’s an un-tapped world still emerging out there in younger generations across social media that doesn’t seem to have been taken advantage of.

Take the planned TV leader debates for the general election next year. This year the debates will include questions provided using social media for maximum audience engagement. The Guardian, the Telegraph and YouTube also have a separate proposal to engage younger audiences by doing online debates.

More than half of people under the age of 44 get their news from the web and as Alan Rusbridger, Editor of The Guardian, recently said**: “The digital world has become an increasingly vital tool and forum for debate and it’s imperative that people understand and embrace the opportunities afforded to them by it.”

So, why don’t we look digitally to engage wider audiences locally and nationally? Though, I guess that’s another debate…

www.eastmidlandssalon.org.ukwww.marketingderby.co.uk

“It’s all about a cultural change. Derby was at the centre of the English Enlightenment so it’s trying to create that tradition again.”

Dennis Hayes

* www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04jmh70 ** www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/13/general-election-2015-tv-debates

18

The internet has sparked a digital revolution that will have far-reaching implications, not least in education. We should be prepared to adapt to a rapidly changing world, says

Julie Stone, Director of University of Derby Online Learning (UDOL).

Universities have been regarded as guardians of learning ever since the first institution opened its doors to students in ninth-century Morocco. Down through the centuries, university faculties and libraries have fostered innovation and academic enquiry within their walls. They have often been at the forefront of human development as a result.

But the rules of the game have changed. Since the development of the World Wide Web, individuals have become more connected and can access more information than at any other time in history. With over 2.9 billion internet users – just over 40% of the total population – and a user growth rate of 7.9%* in the last year, the digital revolution is growing.

Knowledge has been placed at our fingertips, and this has led to a change in consumer behaviour, with many aspects of our lives now being carried out online. This opens up exciting new opportunities in education. Around the world, people with internet access will have access to the tools they need to learn new skills and broaden their understanding.

We can’t afford to ignore this phenomenon in academia. The digital revolution poses a challenge to our traditional role as the sole curators of knowledge, yet I believe it should be embraced rather than resisted. In a teaching environment this means the role of academics will shift from imparting knowledge to providing guidance on how information is gathered, understood and processed.

Technology enables us to improve how we engage with students, conduct research and provide feedback. We can develop social learning through online platforms and encourage students to learn digital skills which will benefit them in the workplace.

Companies embracing new technology will be able to develop a competitive advantage, as business processes can be made much more efficient. But in order to fully realise this we should ensure that employees have the appropriate skills. Smart companies may already have drawn up their own digital skills strategy, and will be aligning their IT strategy with their staff development programmes.

Employees of the future may not necessarily assume they have to physically ‘attend’ the workplace, but will expect to create their own workspace from which they can virtually connect to the office. We have already seen the rise of coffee-shop working, and this trend will likely continue. Our children are the true digital natives. From a very early age they interact with technology, and they see it as a natural part of everyday life. They will bring these skills and expectations to their future careers.

Some people question whether technology is reducing our capacity to engage with others, but I think it has actually allowed us to become even more social because, all of a sudden, we can connect with more people from a diverse range of backgrounds at the touch of a button or swipe of the screen.

In my view, the digital revolution represents the most important innovation in education since Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. His invention brought books to a mass audience and paved the way for the European Renaissance. What might we accomplish today?

*according to www.internetlivestats.com; accessed 6 October 2014.

Vive La (Digital) Révolution!

Writer: Jeremy Swan

www.derby.ac.uk/onlineWE’RE READY WHEN YOU AREWhether you’re starting out, moving up or starting again

READY tO gAiNcOmpEtitivEADvANtAgE?

gain competitive advantage by upskilling your employees with industry relevant qualifications and vital digital skills to develop a workforce for the future. Online learning degree courses enable your staff to improve their performance and contribution by gaining qualifications alongside their career. We offer a range of part-time online distance learning programmes, at undergraduate and postgraduate level, across subject areas including:

Business and Management Health, Psychology and Counselling Accounting and Finance Computing and IT Environmental Health or Management Professional Engineering

visit our website to find out more.

20

Whether you’re an Olympic hopeful or just in it for fun and fitness, sport is a big part of any university’s life. Sean Kirby spoke to those behind the recent

huge investment in the University of Derby’s Sports Strategy.

If a Government ‘get fit’ scheme more than doubled participation in sports, the public would probably never hear the last of it – but determined strategists at the University of Derby have managed just that.

The £10.8million sports centre currently being built at the front of the University’s main Kedleston Road site in Derby is only the most obvious example that it’s serious about sport. Plenty more has been going on behind the scenes.

Ollie Shearer, the University’s Sports Development Manager, explains: “Sport is not an optional ‘add on’ for Derby. We recognise that there are a lot of benefits for staff and students who are engaged in sports.

“Fitter staff will feel better, experience less stress and fewer sick days, and it can help in bonding with colleagues. The same is true of students but, additionally, team sports are a great way for students to meet and form friendships with people when they first come to the University.

“In the last five years our Sports Strategy has seen regular participation in sports grow from approximately 1,000 students and 80 staff to around 2,500 students and 185 staff, and this figure is continuing to grow.

We’re not building a sports centre in the hopes of growing numbers who’ll use it, the interest is already there and we need the extra capacity.”

That interest has been fuelled by earlier major investments in sports facilities, including a:• £750,000all-weatherpitch(openedin2009)• £700,000TeamDerbyfitnesscentre(partofthelarger

£3.3m Kirtley Centre refurbishment)• £1.4millionsportshallrefurbishmentatHarpurHill,

near the Buxton Campus

In 2011 the University secured £176,929 in Sport England funding to encourage more students to take part in sport, an initiative which saw it exceed its participation targets. In June this year (2014), Sport England awarded the University a further £140,684 for its new bid to encourage people to take part in swimming and cycling in the future.

421

“We’re not building a sports centre in the hopes

of growing numbers who’ll use it, the interest is already there and we need

the extra capacity.”

Ollie Shearer


22

Donna Kellogg, Olympic and Commonwealth Games’ British badminton star, has been a Performance Sports Officer at the University since 2011, helping promote her racket sport. Her input was crucial in Derby being invited to enter a team in the new National Badminton League (NBL), launched this year (2014); the University’s first foray into professional sports competition.

Team Derby’s badminton squad is captained by Rajiv Ouseph – ranked Number One in the UK for men’s singles, and a European and Commonwealth silver medalist – and former world champion and Athens Olympics’ Silver medallist Gail Emms, who was coaxed out of retirement to play for Derby. The NBL’s broadcast partner is Sky Sports.

Former Badminton Junior International and European Junior Under-19s medalist James Boxall, Olympic volleyball player Gerard Van Zwieten, and Derby Trailblazers’ basketball Head Coach Jamie Mawdsley join Donna at the University in promoting junior programmes for their sports; as part of the ground-breaking Derbyshire Institute of Sport initiative in which the University is a partner. This kind of activity has seen the University building ever stronger partnerships with professional sports organisations such as Derby County Football Club, Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derbyshire Sport and Nuffield Health; amongst others.

These efforts haven’t gone unnoticed in the outside world. Derby received a British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) ‘Most Improved University’ award for 2011/12 and is now within touching distance of its target of achieving a ‘Top 50’ place in the BUCS league table, having recently risen to 58th place.

Paul Ruane, Head of Estates Development at the University, said: “What’s not always understood is how all this activity at the University benefits sport in the community, the county and beyond.

“Staff and students have to be our priority but schools, community amateur teams and the players of our professional sports partners regularly use our facilities.

“For example, both Derby County Football Club’s first team and its under-18s have come to the University to use our idXA scanner, a hi-tech X-ray which checks body muscle and tissue composition, to check they

were in top shape. In the run up to London 2012 many of our students also visited local schools and colleges to do sports coaching with pupils.”

Despite all this activity, Ollie says the University at this stage considers itself to be “keeping up” with its neighbouring universities, not surpassing or trying to emulate them.

He said: “We’re not trying to be another Loughborough University, or anyone else, we want our sports offer to be done the Derby way. Our ethos is very much ‘sport for all’, not just an elite of high performers, and creating good partnerships with other sports providers.

“If an organisation out there already has an excellent swimming pool or cycling facility, why would we want to build our own? Far better if we create a link there and work with them, as we have done from the start over Derby’s new cycling velodrome at Pride Park.”

Paul adds: “We’re always looking to the future. Our sports centre, which is due to open in mid-2015, has been built with an eye to the high demand we’re already experiencing for basketball, badminton and volleyball facilities. The Derby velodrome connection feeds into our ambitions for cycling at the University and shows the importance we place on our existing partnerships, as we develop further.”

For more information about sports activities at the University of Derby visit www.teamderby.com

“Our ethos is very much ‘sport for all’, not just an elite of high performers, and creating good partnerships with other sports providers.”

423

Liz Fothergill is Chairman of Derby-based Pennine Healthcare, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of disposable medical instruments. Under her guidance, Pennine

Healthcare has grown from a small company with only ten employees to a successful enterprise with 380 employees producing 200,000 products each day, and exporting to 70 countries worldwide.

What’s your top tip for being successful in business?Surround yourself with skilled, motivated and enquiring people with a ‘can do’ attitude.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?Many people have inspired me over the years, particularly the pioneers of education and opportunity for women. More recently during my 14 years on the University of Derby Governing Council I’ve met some truly inspirational leaders who have, totally unwittingly, pushed me on to my next level of achievement and motivated me to get out of my comfort zone.

What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced in your career?As ever in life the toughest challenges are when one’s mental attitude is very low. My nearest ‘rock bottom’ moment came when the company had a massive bad debt and I had a close personal bereavement in the same month! But challenges make you stronger.

What’s been the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?Don’t think you have to lead by doing everything yourself, delegate and identify your rising stars; they will love the empowerment.

What advice would you give your 18-year old self?Be more confident, have faith in your abilities and don’t think everyone else is better than you.

If you were starting your career again would you do anything differently?I would have been more ambitious at an earlier age, perhaps been slightly less risk averse and set some goals.

What’s been the highlight of your career?Our Pennine Export Conferences, where our passionate distributors from round the globe come to the UK for training and to celebrate their successes. The Pennine products they sell in their countries are made in Derby by the wonderful team I’ve been privileged to lead for so many years. The sense of pride and achievement doesn’t get much better.

It was also amazing to have the recognition of contribution to the industry with the award of a CBE in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?I love being involved with many organisations across the region and I’m currently a Trustee at Derwent Stepping Stones and the YMCA, Governor at the new University Technical College, President of the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce and a few more! A professional board member perhaps, but it’s fantastic to see the achievements of so many voluntary organisations in improving the life of our community.

In my spare time I like walking, opera and reading, hence my latest job as Chairman of the Derby Book Festival to be held in June 2015!

And finally, as a child what did you want to be when you ‘grew up’?I wanted to be a public health inspector, random I know!

www.penninehealthcare.co.uk

If you’d like to be the focus of 5 minutes with... get in touch: [email protected]


24

01332 59 39 39 | derbytheatre.co.ukDerby Theatre is part of

A CHRISTMASCAROL

FRI 5 DECEMBER 2014 SUN 4 JANUARY 2015

By Charles Dickens, adapted by Neil Duffield

Your family Christmas all wrapped up at Derby Theatre

20% off tickets to see A Christmas Carol on either: Fri 5 Dec at 7.15pm, Sat 6 Dec at 2.15pm or 7.15pm or Thu 11 Dec at 7.15pm. To take advantage of this offer, simply quote CAROL3 by calling the Box Office on 01332 593939 or at www.derbytheatre.co.uk

CC Advert_Layout 1 20/10/2014 16:20 Page 1Interview: Jenny McNicholas

425

Having previously played the whole Trojan Army in a production, taking on the role of Scrooge in Derby Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ didn’t faze the multi-talented performer Jim Barclay.

Stand-up comedian, actor and voice-over artist are just a handful of talents on Jim’s versatile CV. So when he landed the role of Scrooge, which has previously been played by Jim Carrey, Michael Caine and Albert Finney among others, he took it in his stride.

What was it about the role of Scrooge that made you want to audition?When I went for the role it just leapt off the page to me. What interested me most was its contemporary resonance. The idea that a society is judged by the way it treats its most unfortunate members. Scrooge starts treating everybody with liberally sprinkled contempt and goes through a cathartic experience.

What was the hardest part playing Scrooge?The hardest thing about playing Scrooge is making people care for what starts off being a really horrible person. My instinct is to make him so horrible they are intrigued and are taken on the journey with him.

What is it about A Christmas Carol that made you want to play such a pivotal role? A Christmas Carol is an old time classic and I was eager to add this to my list of achievements. Whilst it may be a huge role I feel excited and ready for the challenge. Professional playwright Neil Duffield has managed to adapt Charles Dickens’ treasured novel whilst retaining the magic of this iconic and popular festive story.

Are you looking forward to performing at Derby Theatre?I’ve never performed at Derby Theatre before, but I was told by many people that it was a lovely place to play. It’s going from strength to strength and I’m delighted to be able to contribute to that.

How would you sum up the production of A Christmas Carol?A heart-warming, festive production for the whole family.

Derby Theatre is a learning theatre, encouraging students, people in the community and emerging artists to learn, feel inspired and get involved – what do you think to this?The learning theatre model is very interesting. Drama

schools are increasingly difficult to get into because of financial pressures. The way Derby works may hopefully readdress this and the learning model is an inspirational way for more people to engage, and work, with the venue.

How did you begin your career? Acting, but when The Comedy Store started in 1979 I found I enjoyed stand-up. It was a different scene back then and you got quite a long way quickly, I even ended up doing a series on Channel 4.

What would you say are the highlights of your acting career?It’s difficult to pin-point one, but my highlights would be performing in Yes, Prime Minister, King Lear, Treasure Island, Holby City, Doctors, New Tricks and 55 Degrees North.

Do you have a preference - stand-up comedy or acting?I feel comedy is easier than a collaborative exercise like A Christmas Carol. If you are up there on your own and it goes pear-shaped, the only thing you are mucking up is yourself. In a play you have obligations to your fellow performers so you have to stick to your lines.

What did you learn from comedy?What you do learn from comedy when you go back to acting is how to listen to the audience more carefully as to how the show is going down. That’s especially important in Christmas shows where the 10.15am reaction is very different from 7pm reaction and you have to adapt to that.

I’m very much looking forward to the production starting, and would like to wish everyone a lovely Christmas – despite being Scrooge!


26

INSPIREADAM Buss, DERBy QuAD

427


Jeremy Swan speaks to Adam Buss, Chief Executive of Derby QUAD, about careers, stand-up comedy, and his cultural vision for the city.

Unpredictable twists and turns seem to characterise Adam Buss’s career, yet running through it all is an unbridled passion for the arts and a desire to make a difference in society.

Since completing a Film and Theatre degree at the University of Derby in 2001, Adam has worked as a stand-up comedian, Head of Media, Marketing Manager, and is now the Chief Executive of QUAD. He’s a firm believer in seizing opportunities and this goes some way to explaining his colourful CV.

Raised in Hastings, Sussex, he got his first taste of working life getting up at 6am on weekends to clean caravans in a nearby holiday park. “My parents instilled a very strong work ethic in me,” he explains, “so I had to work as soon as I was able to. I worked in a fairground once, operating the rides. You never know, it might come in useful one day.”

Adam has been involved with QUAD since its inception in 2008 and has aimed to remain true to the original vision since his appointment as Chief Executive in March 2014.

“Everyone here believes in the power of the arts to change people’s lives for the better,” he says as we sit down to a cup of tea in the QUAD’s café bar. “We’ve deliberately tried to set up the organisation with a flat structure, so that anyone can bring ideas forward. One of our best loved groups, KnitsQuad, was set up by our admin officer, Hannah.”

Aside from knitting groups, QUAD also features three cinema screens, a category ‘A’ contemporary art gallery and hosts regular and one-off events including live music, book clubs and guest talks. It’s a hive that’s buzzing with activity.

One recent exhibition showcased local football memorabilia, much of it from the history of Derby County Football Club, alongside contemporary art pieces. Not a combination you would often see, but for Adam it was a great experience to bring the two worlds together.

“Someone once told me that art’s greatest role is telling the story of society, and a lot of what we do has its focus on Derby. Art is all about bringing people together and

28

the people of Derby are our core audience. They are our priority and we want to tell their story and celebrate their diversity.”

This emphasis on the local has not blunted Adam’s ambition, however.

“We wanted this to be a place that’s rooted in Derby but speaking to the world,” he says with a determined note in his voice, “you don’t have to be in London, New York or Paris to make exciting or interesting things happen. There are brilliant things about Derby that don’t happen anywhere else.”

Two such events are the Derby Film Festival and FORMAT International Photography Festival, both of which Adam is involved in organising. FORMAT especially is helping to put Derby on the map. It’s the UK’s largest photography festival, attracts visitors from around the world and is organised in partnership with the University of Derby.

Adam’s energy and enthusiasm are clearly big factors in his success, but he looks back at the challenges he’s faced as some of the defining moments in his career.

“The times when I’ve learned the most,” he reflects, “were the times when I’ve been the most scared. Most people are reluctant to put themselves in situations like that, but the more you do it the more you’ll learn. I have a simple mantra – ‘Don’t be afraid to be afraid’ which has helped me greatly in my own personal development.

“I’d also say getting a mentor is really important. I didn’t get one until about three years ago and I wish I’d had one sooner. It’s really helpful to be able to discuss ideas, hopes and fears in a neutral environment.”

How do you get a mentor? Adam chuckles. “You just ask!”

Adam’s turning points

What was your biggest career break? It has to be when I was elected as a Sabbatical Officer for the University of Derby Students’ Union. The role came with a huge responsibility and that was a steep learning curve, but it led to great opportunities to develop personally and professionally. If I had lost that election would my career have taken a different direction? I don’t know.

Who has been your biggest inspiration? My family are brilliant but I couldn’t single one of them out, but the other person who always comes to mind was my first drama teacher, Mrs Marchant. She believed in me and opened up my eyes to all sort of possibilities. I think it’s important for young people to find someone who believes in them and who they can believe in too. It’s a crucial stage in anyone’s development.

What skills do you prize in new staff? The ability to innovate and be creative is important, and that is something we encourage right through the team. I also look for an ethos that matches our own values such as inclusivity, diversity and commitment to customer service – people expect good service, and rightly so.

Remember any good jokes from the comedy circuit? Nope! I didn’t really tell jokes to be honest, that was my biggest problem. I always had a vague idea what I was going to talk about, and then I would just ramble. It worked about 70% of the time…

CV – ADAM BUSS

2014 Chief Executive, QUAD2013 Director, Derby Film Festival2010 Director of Audience Engagement, QUAD2009 Marketing Director, FORMAT International

Photography Festival2006 Marketing Officer, QUAD2004 Press Officer, Derby Playhouse2002 Head of Media, Making Waves Communications,

London2001 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year finalist

alongside Jimmy Carr, John Bishop and Miles Jupp.

www.derbyquad.co.uk

www.derby.ac.uk/postgraduate

Postgraduate

Connect with uswww.facebook.com/derbyuni

www.twitter.com/DerbyUni

Contact usT: +44 (0)1332 591167

E: [email protected]

your career prospects with a postgraduate or professional course at the University of Derby

Be inspired by Derby • Be inspired by our students • Be inspired by our staff

Improve

30

Research from the University is helping rugby players recover more effectively after matches. Professor Nick Draper and PhD student Angus Lindsay devised a non-

invasive method of assessing the physical impact of games on players. The results revealed many players suffered injuries similar to car crash victims, but were able to recover remarkably quickly.

Working with researchers and players in New Zealand, they measured chemical traces in urine and saliva samples provided by the players before and after matches. The data can then be used to assist coaches to manage players’ recovery in between games. Professor Draper explained how it works: “Our research measured several bio-chemicals in the urine and saliva to gain a global view of how players responded to the physical stress of an individual game. For instance, when a player damages a muscle, a bio-chemical marker of this damage can be traced in the urine using high-performance liquid chromatography.” The results are part of an ongoing collaboration between the University of Derby and the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. Over the past two years, teams from both universities have worked closely with Canterbury rugby players and researchers at New Zealand Rugby Union and Canterbury Health Laboratories.

Rugby Research Kicks Blood Cells Into Touch

Highlights

Award winning radiography students

Professor Malcolm Todd

Derby Fésté

431


News Round-up• Academicfreedomcampaignerand

Education Professor, Dennis Hayes, has been chosen to appear in the latest edition of The Europa World of Learning, the prestigious reference guide. Professor Hayes is one of only six international experts asked to write an introductory essay on current education topics. His essay on academic freedom argues that freedom of speech is a foundational freedom on which all other freedoms rest.

• AcademicsfromtheCollege of Health & Social Care have reason to be proud after three radiography students were nominated by the University’s clinical partners, Royal Derby Hospital, Nottingham University Hospital and University Hospitals Leicester, to receive an award for demonstrating outstanding patient care in the workplace.

• Anumberofjournalism and media students are gaining an insight into life as a freelance reporter thanks to a partnership between the College of Art, the College of Law, Humanities & Social Science, and the Derby Telegraph. They recently covered Derby Festé – capturing the exciting performances and public responses on film which was then streamed on www.derbytelegraph.co.uk.

• DédaDanceStudiois‘home’tostudentson the new BA (Hons) Dance degree, taught by specialist choreographers Alice Vale, Co-Creator and Artistic Director of Adaire to Dance, and Liz Foster, who’s performed and taught at The Royal Opera House and National Ballet. The degree, developed by the University and Déda, has attracted talented dancers from across the UK and caught the attention of the Winter Walker Theatre Company who are working with students to produce a piece of theatre.

• PostgraduatestudentsontheUniversity’s new MSc Innovative Engineering course have been offered paid work placements after the College of Engineering agreed partnerships with 36 regional manufacturing and engineering firms. After gaining valuable industry experience, the students will

work on research projects with their placement company at the Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE). The course is one of two new HEFCE-supported engineering programmes recently launched by the University and designed to address the UK’s vital engineering skills gap.

•Lord Falconer of Thoroton, former Lord Chancellor under Tony Blair, recently delivered a lecture exploring the state of the British Constitution in the wake of the Scottish referendum. Speaking to a packed-out lecture theatre, Lord Falconer gave his expert view on what a ‘Yes’ vote would have meant to the UK and how our constitution has come under the spotlight since the vote.

•Calling young writers! Have you got what it takes to be the next JK Rowling? The University is working with Writing East Midlands to set up a Young Writers Summer School for Derbyshire secondary school students next year. Professional writers, University lecturers and students will be running workshops and sharing writing tips. For more information visit www.writingeastmidlands.co.uk.

• Derbystudentsweregiventhechanceto rub shoulders with local and national entrepreneurs at the launch of the Derby University Network of Entrepreneurs (DUNE) at the iPro Stadium earlier this month. The event provided a great space for successful entrepreneurs to share their insights with students, while learning about the support the University can offer their business.

• CongratulationstoProfessor Malcolm Todd, Dean of College of Law, Humanities & Social Sciences, who was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) at a gala dinner held at Liverpool Cathedral last month. Professor Todd was awarded £10,000 to spend on learning activities in recognition of his work on improving the student learning experience and the transition from school to university. Congratulations also to Dr Ian Turner, senior lecturer in Forensic Biology at Derby, who was awarded an NTF for his interactive teaching, which he calls ‘lecture theatre pantomime’ – oh yes it is!Déda Dance Studio

Award winning radiography students

32

Derby student scoops National Diversity Award

Dyslexia sufferer and mother-of-two Sarah Chapman, received 372 endorsements for her inspiring work, and fought off competition from 21,000

nominations to win ‘Positive Role Model Award for Disability’ at the 2014 National Diversity Awards held in September.

Over the last ten years Sarah has retaken her GCSEs, completed an Adult Learning Course, an NVQ level 2 in Managing Voluntary & Community Organisations, and an Access to Higher Education Diploma. Now studying Education at the University of Derby, her self-confidence and achievements have sky-rocketed: “I really started to like this me! The confidence I gained inspired me to take my personal learning to the next level.”

This year alone, Sarah has initiated a dyslexia awareness event at the University, which was attended by over 400 people, including Dyslexia Association patron and fashion guru Sir Paul Smith; launched ‘Young Dyslexics’ – a national schools’ dyslexia awareness initiative, and produced and directed a video for students at the University of Derby to encourage them to volunteer and take part in fundraising activities to boost their employability.

www.youngdyslexics.co.uk

STUDENT SUCCESS

Sarah Chapman and Sir Paul Smith

433


Student Artwork on show at London’s Somerset House

University of Derby MA Fine Art student, Mark Whithorn, has just won the prestigious Prudential Award for Young Artist at the 2014 National Open Art Competition,

where his final year artwork is being showcased at Somerset House, London.

Mark also garnered national acclaim by winning the coveted British Institution Award at the 2014 Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition, for his stunning vintage photographic collages. He brushed off 20,000 entries and was awarded £1,000 for promoting fine arts

in the UK.

Drawing inspiration from his late grandfather, Mark uses antique photographs from the late 1800s and early 1900s and prints beautiful bouquets of flowers, or butterflies, on top of them: “The bouquet represents my grandfather who passed away but by using the photograph, his memory is still there. My work is concentrated on the past memories and loss.”

The success doesn’t just stop there. Mark’s creativity and passion has also

secured him a private collection at The Courts Garden Gallery in Holt, and his first solo exhibition has opened at Artsmith Live in Derby. His collection at Somerset House will also move on to Pallant House Gallery, Chichester later this year.

www.markwhithorn.com

Business student Jack has Olympic hopes

Meet Jack Burnell – the 2016 Olympic swim hopeful who competed for Great Britain’s open water swimming team at the European Championships this year.

Jack trains up to nine times a week while studying part-time for his Higher National Diploma in Business and Management at the University of Derby.

Jack’s greatest achievement happened last year when he swam at the World Championships, taking 15th place – a feat never achieved by any swimmer in the top 16 under the age of 23. He was 20 at the time.

2014 has been a year for scooping more medals as Jack finished 6th for Team GB at the European Championships in Berlin, just one second behind the winner and, a week before that, clinched Gold in the 19-24 age group at the National 3k Championships in Sheffield.

His determination doesn’t just stop at swimming. As Director of sports clothing company Novus Athletic, he has dreams of being the leading supplier of personalised sports clothing, having already produced t-shirts for British Gas’ Swim Britain events: “I wanted to bring fashion back to sport – to innovate and make it more appealing so that people are proud of what they are wearing.”

Jack’s next stop is 2015’s FINA World Championships in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, where he hopes to make the top ten and automatically qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

www.facebook.com/novusathletictwitter.com/NovusAthletic

34

Local Link-up The East Midlands is a fantastic part of the country and, as an

integral part of the community, the University of Derby is always on the lookout for ways to support it. Here are just some of the ways we’re active in the community.

435


Community Fund

We recently launched our new Community Fund which will award £10,000 to community projects over the next year. Groups across Derbyshire and the

surrounding towns will be able to apply for a one-off grant to help them make an impact in their local community.

The new initiative follows last year’s successful pilot scheme in Swadlincote and Ilkeston, which supported local projects including The Cantelupe Centre, based in the heart of Ilkeston, which offers morning and evening childcare to give parents a helping hand, as well as holiday, breakfast and supper clubs. Ilkeston’s Enthusiasm Trust also received help to continue their support for vulnerable young people by offering a range of mentoring sessions. Another group to receive funding was P3, The Social Inclusion Charity, which supports housing services and hostel accommodation for vulnerable people in the area.

There will be four rounds of funding in 2014/15, with £2,500 available in each. The deadline for applications for the next round of funding is Monday 19th January. Funding is available for groups or individuals based either in Derbyshire or in Burton, Leek, Macclesfield, Mansfield or Uttoxeter.

For more information please visit: www.derby.ac.uk/communityfund or email [email protected].

Sports

We’re serious about sport and raising awareness of fitness, activity and sporting opportunities in the local community. Team Derby acts as our

focal point for sports delivery at the University involving students, staff and members of the public.

The University, in partnership with Sporting Futures, recently announced it would be launching a new half marathon for Derby. The race is planned for October 2015 and will start and finish outside the Kedleston Road University campus. Students will be offered the opportunity to gain valuable experience in event management by helping out with the planning, co-ordinating and delivery.

We also sponsored this year’s Buxton Adventure Festival to help promote healthy and active lifestyles across the region. Local people took part in a range of exciting activities including an alpine skills workshop, forest school sessions and the University’s Thunderdome extravaganza.

Derby County Football Club and Derbyshire Cricket Club

The University is also proud to sponsor local sports teams including Derby County Football Club and Derbyshire County Cricket Club.

We recently agreed a new partnership deal with DCFC which saw the club’s training facility being renamed as ‘the Derby County Training Centre in partnership with the University of Derby’. The University agreed to provide education to Academy staff and players, and has also launched a new BA (Hons) Sport Management degree. The course, which is the first of its kind in the UK, will be delivered alongside the club and will offer students an excellent basis for a career in sport, events or business management.

As well as being Derbyshire County Cricket Club’s main shirt sponsor for the LV County Championship, the University has teamed up with the Cricket Derbyshire Academy to help attract and develop young Derbyshire talent.

Academics Dr Ruth Larsen and Dr Ian Whitehead, are also working with DCCC on its ‘Proud to be Derbyshire Heritage Project’, which will create a pictorial history celebrating 140 years of the club’s history.

Family Fun Day

The University’s free Family Fun Day was a big success this year, with over 3000 visitors taking part in fun-filled activities at our Kedleston Road campus. The event

has proved to be hugely popular since it was first launched in 2012 and this year’s Family Fun Day was bigger and better than ever!

The action-packed programme included live music from Derby graduates, an outdoor climbing wall and craft activities. Families could also enjoy a BBQ, try their hand at new sports and find refreshment in the University bar.

We were joined by DCFC’s Rammie and DCCC’s Freddie the Falcon, and there was even a ‘Science of Star Wars’ talk with a fancy dress competition.

The Family Fun Day takes place every year in early May. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event!

36

PoppiesA team of volunteers from the University had the privilege of spending the day in London planting poppies as part of the ‘Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red’ art installation. Needless to say everyone felt extremely proud to be part of something Paul Cummins, a University of Derby graduate, had created.

BusinessPete Meakin, Creative Producer at Derby Live, DCFC’s Commercial Director Lisa Biesty, Neil Perrott, Director at Katapult, University Resident Entrepreneur Brett Butcher, and Bob Betts, Chair of Marketing Derby, supported new Derby Business School students at a business and networking event, held at the QUAD as part of their induction week.

ThunderdomeAndy Turner, Team GB Ice Climbing Manager and teacher at the University’s Oaklands Manor Outdoor Pursuits Centre, created an ice climbing course 20 metres above the Dome floor in Buxton recently. The ‘Thunderdome’ featured giant wooden cubes designed to mimic the ice for climbers who use a technique known as dry tooling.

‘Marketing Selfie’Members of the University’s Marketing & Communications team take a ‘selfie’ before the start of the Safe & Sound charity dinner, held at the iPro in September. Based in Derby, the charity works to raise awareness and speak on behalf of victims, helping vulnerable children and young people right across the UK. The event raised over £8,000 for Safe & Sound.

Lord FalconerThe Rt Hon Lord Falconer stands on the University’s steps after giving a lecture to 135 students on the British Constitution in the light of Scotland’s decision to say no to independence on 18 September.

Snap shots from the University and beyond…

Poppies

Thunderdome

Business

‘Marketing Selfie’

Lord Falconer

437


CONCERTRussell Watson & ChoirDerby Cathedral 1 December 2014, 7.30pm

UK best-selling classical tenorTickets: www.derbycathedral.org

Cara DillonGuildhall Theatre22 February 2015

Music from the award winning Irish Folk singerTickets: £19.75 www.derbylive.co.uk

Sinfonia VivaDerby Cathedral18 March 2015

Music from Beethoven and MozartTickets: £20 www.derbylive.co.uk

TALKPsychology of Snow WhiteUniversity of Derby3 December 2014, 4-6pm

Maggie Gale explores the psychology behind the fairy taleTickets: www.derby.ac.uk/snowwhite

Only Fools & BoycieGuildhall Theatre14 February 2015

An evening with Only Fools and Horses actor John ChallisTickets: £15.25 www.derbylive.co.uk

EXHIBITIONBanks Mill Open Studios & Artisan FairBanks Mill and The Enterprise Centre, Derby28-30 November 2014

Browse, buy and commission art from some of Derbyshire’s finest artistswww.evolvederby.co.uk/openstudios

Artist Caroline Lowe – FragmentsBanks Mill Studios, Derby5 December 2014–7 January 2015

Art exhibition exploring how we see, interpret and judge the surfacewww.evolvederby.co.uk

EVENTChristmas Arts & Crafts FairMarket Place, Derby3–21 December

Christmas market with tasty food and seasonal gifts www.derbylive.co.uk

Graduation CeremoniesDerby Arena14-16 January 2015

University of Derby graduates awarded their degrees in the brand-new Derby Arenawww.derby.ac.uk/graduation

FORMATQUAD13 March–12 April 2015

The UK’s top international photography festivalwww.formatfestival.com

COMEDYAndy Parsons Guildhall Theatre6 May 2015

BBC Mock The Week star Andy Parsons comes to Derby on his latest tourTickets: £15 www.derbylive.co.uk

Ross NobleDerby Theatre20 January 2015

Ross Noble visits Derby on his Tangentleman tourTickets: £25.50 www.derbytheatre.co.uk

THEATREA Christmas CarolDerby Theatre5 December 2014–4 January 2015

Charles Dickens’ much-loved Christmas classicTickets: £11-£24 www.derbytheatre.co.uk

Hansel & Gretel

Derby Theatre9-28 December 2014

Magical storytelling for the whole familyTickets: £10 www.derbytheatre.co.uk

Solace of the RoadDerby Theatre27 February–14 March 2015

Derby Theatre presents a witty and touching play for anyone who is, or has ever been, a teenagerTickets: £9.50-£25.50 www.derbytheatre.co.uk

Henry IV, Part iiGuildhall Theatre3-7 March 2015

Derby Shakespeare Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s comic and bawdy presentation of England in turmoilTickets: £12 www.derbylive.co.uk

Save the date

38

Last Word

The huge privilege I enjoy in leading a

university is the enormous variety of activity and diversity of people that form part of my working week. I call it the ‘working week’ but as I am fond of telling people, “you can’t call what I do working!”.

I’m pursuing my passion; and in doing so I share in the great richness of our community

that this magazine has illustrated. Passion is evident in abundance in our University and it makes every day a mini journey of discovery. My pride in what we do is immense and will never leave me.

We recently took the perhaps unusual step of launching a direction of travel for our future development that was distilled into just three words: Inspire, Innovate and Impact. Not for us a myriad of technical targets, numbers, milestones and fine words. Instead we want to encourage the examination of what we do through the

triple lens provided by those three concepts. If we can genuinely inspire, if what we do is innovative, and if our actions make a real difference through impact then, all other things being equal, we shall prosper. And it is our intention to prosper – the best times for the University of Derby are still ahead of us!

It’s therefore easy to understand why it’s been so uplifting to find such resonance with our mission in the features of this magazine. It’s clearly all about the people! Our alumni are great ambassadors, and our city is such a vibrant and exciting environment for our kind of university – with advocates of substance and enthusiasm. These are the essential ingredients for the contemporary university and we are proud to be rooted in our geography and working with and for our local community. As each institution seeks to find its own distinctive space in the evolving university sector I believe that we have made a great start. We must be relevant to and valued by the key stakeholders in the very important work that we do – and the University of Derby takes that responsibility seriously.

Professor John Coyne, Vice-Chancellor

TOP

UK University50

A new £10.8mSports Centre

£150minvested in facilities in the last ten years

22,124 3,000Total student population

1,700international students

Employer to over

people

We support 2,100 additional jobs in the

region and beyond

wealth created through direct and indirect employment £127.2mcontributed to the

economy each year £262m

88.13% of our waste was recycled last year

11.4% of our waste turned into energy

Energy consumption 20.38% lower than last year

(HESA, 2014)

(HESA, 2014)(Guardian League Table, 2015)

University success

Economic impact1

Environment

The Economic Impact statistics have been calculated by JMAS using internal figures and data from Universities UK.

IMPACT

The Blood Swept Lands and Seas of RedBy Anonymous (Unknown Soldier)

The blood swept lands and seas of red,Where angels dare to tread.As I put my hand to reach,As God cried a tear of pain as the angels fell,Again and again.

As the tears of mine fell to the groundTo sleep with the flowers of redAs any be dead My children see and work through fields of myOwn with corn and wheat,Blessed by love so far from pain of my restingFields so far from my love. It be time to put my hand up and end this painOf living hell, to see the people around meFall someone angel as the mist falls aroundAnd the rain so thick with black thunder I hearOver the clouds, to sleep forever and kissThe flower of my people gone before timeTo sleep and cry no more I put my hand up and see the land of red,This is my time to go over,I may not come backSo sleep, kiss the boys for me.

www.derby.ac.uk

Documents

The University of Derby Magazine (issue 1)