cs 1194 e42 issue 9

Magazine | Issue 09Edge Hill University

FocusinJustice

edgehill.ac.uk

p06

E42 Magazine | Issue 09 EDGE HILL UNIVERSITY

Contents03 The Good Shepherd

06 Justice in Focus

08 Creative Edge

12 Face the Music

16 The Silent Killer

20 The Mortgaged Generation

24 The Wealth of Experience

28 A New Chapter

30 The Business of Education

34 No Place Like Home

36 Staff Profile: Leanne O’Leary

37 A Perfect Partnership

38 Exclaim!

39 Staff Profile: Rodge Glass

Published by Edge Hill University

Editor: Mary BerniaDesign: Andy Butler: EHU Creative ServicesCopywriting: Sophie WilcocksonPhotography: Stuart Rayner; Tom Hesketh p12-15Cover Photo: Peter Stevens

If you have any comments, changes to personal details, or wish to add colleagues to the E42 mailing list ,please contact:

[email protected]

E42, Corporate Communications, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QPUNITED KINGDOM

During his tenure as Bishop of Liverpool,James Jones has led the community throughsome of the most significant moments inthe city’s recent history, from the Alder HeyChildren’s Hospital body parts scandal tocampaigning to have Michael Shields’ murderconviction quashed. However, it is for chairingthe Hillsborough Independent Panel, whichfinally uncovered the truth about the 96killed in the tragedy, that he will undoubtedlybe remembered – in Liverpool and beyond.

EDGEHILL.AC.UK E42 Magazine

The GoodShepherd


Your father was a Major in the army. Were you ever tempted to follow him into the military?Never, although I was sent to a military boardingschool where we wore battle dress and marchedto meals. My brother joined the army but, from anearly age, I was clear in my own heart and mindthat God was calling me. When I was 14 or 15, I had a profound spiritual experience. I was somoved that I wanted to dance across the playingfields back to school, but at a boys’ military schoolthat wouldn’t have been a good idea!

You didn’t go straight into the church though,did you?I thought my experience at school was God tellingme to be a priest, but I later realised it was simplya call to be a Christian. I studied Theology atuniversity, before doing a PGCE in Drama andDivinity. I taught for a number of years and wasalso an AV producer for Scripture Union, where Iworked with many famous names, including RoyCastle and Cliff Richard. I’ve had a varied career,but the church was always there at the back ofmy mind.

Could you explain about the HillsboroughIndependent Panel (HIP) and your role on it?The HIP was set up to ensure the maximumpossible disclosure of documents relating to thedisaster, to create a national archive ofHillsborough documentation, produce a reportoutlining how the disclosure adds to publicunderstanding of the event and its aftermath, andliaise with families throughout the task. I wasprivileged to be asked to chair the Panel.

Why was the HIP so important?The families and survivors have only ever wantedjustice. They not only had to endure their loss, butalso people believing a lie about their loss. Aperson has a right to know how and why theirloved one died and that doesn’t go away, evenafter 20 years. The outcome of the HIP was avindication that the families hadn’t campaigned invain, but it was also a watershed moment in thelife of the nation.

In April, Bishop James gave an emotional public lecture about his rolein what he calls the “Hillsborough narrative” to an audience that includedsurvivors and members of the victims’ families.

E42 spoke to him about his life, his time in Liverpool, his upcoming retirement and the legacy of Hillsborough.

The Good Shepherd


How did the HIP affect you personally?It affected me in many ways. In the middle of theprocess, I had to have a triple bypass operation.The first thing I asked the doctor was “will I beable to finish Hillsborough?” It also brought upuncomfortable questions about my faith. Who wasI to ask God for help when 96 people had died;where was God for them and the people that lovedthem? I was also hugely affected by the dignity ofthe families and survivors. Their unswerving beliefthat justice would be done made a deepimpression on me.

In your lecture one of the audience membersdescribed you as a shepherd, offering calm and compassion to everyone regardless of faith.Would you agree?I think it’s an excellent analogy. There isn’t an inchof England that is not covered by a parish. Thepriest or vicar is responsible not just for those whocome to church, but for everyone in the parish, asthe shepherd cares for all the sheep in his field.When I was asked to chair the HIP, I saw it as theproper work of the Bishop of Liverpool. Those

who aspire to be shepherds need to walk withthe sheep.

How do you see the role of the church in the future?I’m tempted to say “God only knows!” but it maybe better to say, “only God knows”. Personally, I see the church as the advocate of the people. Ienjoy using the office of Bishop to act on behalf ofgroups without a voice; you become their voice,not speaking for them but allowing them to speakthrough you. As Hillsborough has shown, ifpeople’s trust has been undermined in the police,press, politicians, even the NHS, who can you turnto? I feel that the church can, and should, providethat role.

Finally, what’s next for you?I am looking forward to retiring to my home inYorkshire and spending more time with my family,especially as my first grandchild will be arriving inthe summer. I will still be involved withHillsborough, however, advising the governmenton the impact of the various processes on thefamilies and survivors. It will be a huge wrench toleave Liverpool and the many people who haveshared their lives with me, but as the city moves

Hillsborough Memorial - Vincent Teeuwen - flickr.com/photos/7901295@N07/5271886085

The families and survivors have only ever wanted justice.They not only had to endure their loss, but also people believinga lie about their loss. “

”


The Bishop of Liverpool’s lecture provided the perfectopportunity to launch a new exhibition of photographscelebrating the hugely successful Justice Tonight band, acollective of acclaimed musicians founded by Mick Jonesfrom The Clash, Pete Wylie and The Farm (featuring bassistand Edge Hill University Media lecturer Carl Hunter) to raiseawareness of the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.

Justice in Focus

The first public exhibition by Preston-bornphotographer Peter Stevens, JUSTICE TONIGHT:The Photographs captures the energy,brotherhood and spirit of protest that the band hascome to symbolise. As well as the band in actionat the Scala and the Strummer of Love Festival inLondon in 2012, the photographs also featuresome of the acts that joined Justice Tonight on thetour, including Paul Simonon of The Clash, PrimalScream and Goldblade.

Lifelong Liverpool FC fan Peter Stevens, who hassnapped the likes of Dolly Parton, Sir PaulMcCartney and Kylie during his 23-year career,said: “I knew the gig at the Scala was going to bespecial so I went along just to shoot whateverhappened. Carl Hunter spotted the photos onlineand contacted me to ask if I would like to exhibitthem at Edge Hill University.


“I was living in London in 1989 so, like manypeople, I watched the Hillsborough disaster unfoldin front of me on TV. It was shocking then, and it’sstill shocking that nearly 25 years later no-one hasbeen prosecuted for letting it happen.

“I feel honoured that my work is helping to raiseawareness of the justice campaign. Unfortunately,I’m never going to be on stage playing Clashsongs with Mick Jones, but I’m proud that myphotographs can contribute to what the JusticeTonight band are trying to do.”

Carl Hunter, who was instrumental in bringing the exhibition to the University, said: “Edge Hill has a long involvement with Hillsborough, primarily through former member of staff Professor Phil Scraton’s research into thedisaster and its aftermath.

“It was great to see the photographs on display forthe first time. It’s always a bit weird to see myself– a man of advancing years – on stage swinging a bass guitar around, but the images bring backvivid memories of the heat, the smell, thearguments, the excitement of those gigs.”

As with everything I’ve done with the Justice Tonight band,the joy of performing is always tinged with sadness.“ ”


Not many students get to work on live TV, make full-lengthfeature films or render their own CGI animations.

Creative Edge


The new teaching and learning building givesMedia, Film, Animation, PR, Advertising andComputing students access to the latest industry-standard facilities, broadening their skills andknowledge and enhancing their employability.

The building features TV and radio studios, digitalediting suites, high-spec computer labs andinnovative teaching spaces, all designed toreplicate the kind of working environmentsstudents will be entering when they graduate.There is also a 250-seater lecture theatre,complete with surround sound to replicate acinema and show students how their film projectswill look and sound on the big screen. Reinforcedlifts will be installed to enable heavy equipmentlike pianos to be moved around the building withrelative ease.

Perched at the very top of the building will be animpressive glass structure known as the ICE Box.This will be home to the Institute for CreativeEnterprise (ICE), which brings together relatedresearch from across the University and will act as the interface between research and the creative industries.

“The new building enables us to significantlyexpand the facilities we can offer students andpractitioners,” says Professor George Talbot, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty ofArts and Sciences. “One of our two new recordingstudios includes a Foley pit for adding sound inpost-production, for example. We also have aspecialist colour grading suite, suitable forproducing feature films, and a render farm toenable CGI animation.

“Very few people have the chance to work withthis type of equipment outside industry, which willmake our students extremely employable.

“Having Computing and Media students located inthe same building also reflects the way creativeindustries work,” George adds. “In the real worldfilmmakers commission original scores, TVproducers employ animation experts, musicianshire people to make videos, advertising agencieswork with software specialists on websites and apps.

“Creative Edge will facilitate those kind ofconnections between students, and give themopportunities to work on projects that draw on a range of disciplines, just as they will whenthey’re working.”

From September 2013, Edge Hill students will be able to do all that andmore with the opening of Creative Edge, the University’s £17 million,state-of-the-art Media and Computing hub.

Creative Edge


The development of Creative Edge has also led toa major new collaboration with Liverpool-basedinternet broadcaster Bay TV. The joint venture willsee the company broadcasting from CreativeEdge, beaming images of Edge Hill’s award-winning campus into homes across the region.

“The collaboration with Bay TV will bring majorbenefits to both parties,” says George. “As well asshowcasing the campus and boosting our industrylinks, it offers exciting opportunities for Edge Hillstudents to work on live TV programmes, and tosecure student placements without leaving thecampus. In return, Bay TV gets access to ourstate-of-the-art recording facilities and can harnessthe skills of our talented staff and students.”

“Creative Edge also gives us increasedopportunities for business engagement,” addsGeorge. “We will be able to offer greater levels ofmedia and IT consultancy, as well as making ourfacilities available for local organisations to hire.”

A new Enterprise Suite will house the EnterpriseProjects Team, which brings Computing studentsand local businesses together to work on IT-related projects, as well as offering incubatorspace for fledgling high-tech companies foundedby Edge Hill graduates.

“We want Creative Edge to be the place whereMedia and Computing students, alumni and localbusinesses can work together in a creative,stimulating environment,” says George. “CreativeEdge will cement Edge Hill’s growing reputation asthe leading provider of education in computingand digital and creative media.”

All Kitted OutThe facilities in Creative Edge eclipse anythingthe University has been able to provide before.Students enrolled on degrees in areas such asAnimation and Digital Special Effects;Computing, Games Programming and WebSystems Development; Media, Film &Television, Advertising, Public Relations, and Music will all have access to resourcesand equipment on a par with those atMediaCityUK, Salford.

• TV studios with broadcast capacity and full production capabilities for news, drama, documentary and experimental work

• Recording studios

• Lighting studio

• Sound-editing suites

• Radio studio

• Animation studios

• Photographic studio

• Multimedia laboratory

• Practice rooms

• Networking and forensics laboratories

• Computer laboratories


There aren’t many universities where you can study technoand grime alongside classical composers and ancientJapanese imperial court music. Or discuss the culturalsignificance of the Eurovision Song Contest or musicaltheatre with the UK’s leading experts on the subjects. Or betaught by a pop veteran with a recent Christmas numberone under his belt.

Face the Music


Edge Hill is carving an interesting niche for itself asone of the most exciting places in highereducation to study, hear, research, perform anddebate music in all its forms – and thedevelopment of Creative Edge is set to boost EdgeHill’s musical credentials even further.

“We have an attractive range of Musicprogrammes and research strengths in PerformingArts, Media and Education,” says ProfessorGeorge Talbot, Dean of the Faculty of Arts andSciences. “There are lots of students and staffworking with music across campus, and we arecurrently looking at ways to build on that andpresent a more cohesive music offering in the future.”

Edge Hill currently has two music degrees: BA(Hons) Media, Music and Sound, which looks atmusic and sound production; and BA (Hons)Music, Sound, Enterprise, which encouragesoriginal composition through the study of a widerange of musical styles. These will becomplemented in 2014 by the introduction of anew undergraduate degree in Musical Theatre.

“As you might expect from a young and vibrantUniversity that prides itself on its industry relevantprogrammes, we don’t offer a ‘traditional’ musicdegree,” says George. “Our music courses reflectdevelopments within the creative and culturalindustries and give students skills that are soughtafter by today’s employers. So our students aremore likely to compose music for computer games or go into sound production than becomeclassical musicians.

“We play to our strengths by offering highlycontemporary, original music programmes thatprepare students for a range of interesting careersin the music industry.”

One of Edge Hill’s major strengths is the quality ofits staff, who come from a range of industrybackgrounds and are actively engaged in theproduction, performance and politics of music.These include acclaimed musician, presenter and author Dr Richard Witts, who oversees Edge Hill’s Music, Sound, Enterprise degree andwill be instrumental in developing Edge Hill’smusical portfolio.


“Our programmes focus on the production of musicrather than the reproduction of it,” says Richard.“They are of music rather than about music. Weare interested in the creative process of composition.Our students need to understand music in itscultural, historical and political context to be able tocreate new music that reflects the here and now. Ithink that’s what makes our programmes distinctive.

“We also have some fantastic facilities here,” addsRichard. “The new Creative Edge building will housetwo recording studios, including state-of-the-artresources for digital composers. We also have theNaxos online music library, which holds over a millionmusic files covering all styles of recorded music.Students can access it 24/7 for relaxation or inspiration.”

Industry links are also very important. Edge Hill isinvolved with Liverpool Sound City, the UK’s largestmetropolitan arts festival and international conferencefor the music, creative and digital industries. As wellas staff contributing to industry debates and panelevents, a team from Edge Hill recently won the UKStudent Music Awards, launched by LiverpoolSound City to nurture new talent and help youngpeople forge a career in the music industry.

Film and TV lecturer and bass guitarist with The Farm,Carl Hunter, who has previously performed at andcontributed to the event, was instrumental incoaching the winning team to success.

“The students had to come up with an idea thatwould benefit the music industry,” says Carl. “Theythen had to pitch their concept to a panel of industryexperts. They were one of two Edge Hill teams tomake the finals, which is pretty impressive for anational award. It’s a great thing for the students tohave on their CV and has helped them make somereally valuable industry contacts.”

The winning team – Music, Media and Soundstudents Daniel Cain and Charlie Denton plus Filmand TV Production student Sean Stoakes –developed a local gig-finding app called‘FanBase’. They were supported by staff from boththe Media and Computing departments – an example of collaborative working that will soon be the norm once the two departments areco-located in the new Creative Edge building.

For Carl Hunter the possibilities presented by thenew building are endless. “We could do somereally exciting things that no-one else has tried,”he says. “I’m currently working on an idea for anEdge Hill record label based in Creative Edge.Students would be involved in all aspects ofspotting, signing and promoting new artists as wellas managing the business side of the enterprise. Itwould provide practical, real-world industryexperience for students studying Business,Marketing, PR, Advertising and Computing, as wellas those on music courses.

“Something like that would really give us the edgeover the competition and would make Edge Hill amagnet for people who love music.”

“We have a lot of big ideas for music at Edge Hill,”adds George Talbot. “We’re already building upour reputation as a place to see live bands. Wehave a regular Indie music night, Cantina, and theArts Centre is increasingly recognised as one ofthe best places to see folk music in the region.

“Our aspiration is for Edge Hill to be known for its vibrant student music scene, and for providingunique, contemporary, industry-focused musicdegrees that reflect the way music is performed,produced and consumed both now and in the future.”


Malaria kills more than a million people across theworld every year. Half of the world’s population –about 3.3 billion – are at risk of malaria, with theyoungest inhabitants of the poorest countries mostvulnerable to infection. Despite the best efforts ofscientists, there is currently no vaccine, and themosquitos that spread this devastating disease arebecoming increasingly immune to insecticides.

The Silent Killer


“My research focuses on how and why mosquitoesbecome resistant to insecticides, and also theeffectiveness of vector control tools, such as bednets, on mosquito populations,” says Clare, whojoined Edge Hill this year after 10 years at theLiverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

“I’m interested in the molecular basis ofresistance; which of the mosquitoes’ genes aremutating to resist chemical insecticides. Oncewe’ve identified those genes, the aim is to create agenetic profile which can then be used to informnew products, develop tools to track and combatresistance and, hopefully, contribute to globalpublic health programmes.”

As part of her research, Clare has travelled toFrench Guyana, one of the countries most affectedby malaria, to monitor, at first hand, resistantpopulations of mosquitoes. “Working in a lab inBritain, you’re pretty far removed from the realitiesof diseases like malaria and dengue. When yousee the conditions for yourself – the mosquitobreeding grounds, the poverty, the effect of thedisease on communities – it really focuses themind. You can see the potential impact of yourwork and it makes you more determined.”

Dr Clare Strode, an expert in the molecular biology of mosquitoes, ishoping her research into insecticide resistance can help in the global fightagainst malaria and other insect-borne diseases.

The Silent Killer


As well as the female Anopheles gambiaemosquito, which passes the parasite responsiblefor the disease through saliva when it bites, Clareis also researching the Aedes aegypi mosquito,which spreads dengue fever, another potentiallyfatal disease prevalent in developing countries. Inthe future she hopes to expand her research toinclude other insects, such as the triatomid bugwhich transmits chagas disease, also known asSouth American Sleeping Sickness.

Clare’s research requires specialist equipment,such as DNA analysis facilities, the very latestmicroscopes and insectaries to breed and monitormosquitoes. Edge Hill’s current investment inBiology ensures these resources are available,providing staff and students with one of the best-equipped labs in the UK.

“These cutting edge facilities will enable me tosecure essential funding to continue my malariaresearch,” says Clare.

“Through its investment in technology, theUniversity is demonstrating commitment not justto enhancing Biology teaching and research andimproving the student experience, but also tofinding solutions to some of the world’s mostpressing challenges.”

Investment in BiosciencesEdge Hill University is investing more than £4 million in new accommodation and state-of-the-art facilities for Biology studentsand researchers.

A new Biosciences building will feature high-spec teaching spaces and dedicatedlaboratories, with brand new resourcesincluding DNA analysis equipment, a scanningelectron microscope and several insectaries.

“Practical experience of molecular biology isvital for a range of careers, and essential forfurther study,” says Paul Ashton, Head of theBiology Department. “Today’s Biologygraduates need to be technically skilled inareas such as microscopy, DNA technologyand microbiology.

“Our new facilities will give students theopportunity to work with the latest equipment,broaden their knowledge and develop skillsthat are highly prized by employers.”

Investment in Biology also supports two newdegree programmes for September 2013– BSc (Hons) Human Biology and BSc (Hons) Ecology – to complement EdgeHill’s successful BSc (Hons) Biology course.

Three new members of staff have also beenrecruited to strengthen the Biology team inrecent months. As well as mosquito expert DrClare Strode, the Department has welcomedmicrobiologist Angela Ryan-Kewley and Dr Anne Oxborough who specialises in spider diversity.

“Our new staff bring significant new expertiseinto the department,” says Paul. “They willhave a major impact on the breadth and depthof our teaching as well as opening up excitingnew areas of research within the University.”

Photos - The Humanitarian and D

evelopment Partnership Team

in the C

entral African R

epublic - flickr.com/photos/hdptcar


Record youth unemployment, cuts in education andtraining, reductions in state benefits – it could beargued that the consequences of the Global FinancialCrisis (GFC) are being most keenly felt by those whodid least to cause it.

The Mortgaged Generation

Young people growing up in the aftermath of the GFC arecarrying a heavy burden in terms of changing education andemployment opportunities, access to state support networksand the resulting impact on their physical and mental healthand wellbeing.

According to research by Peter Kelly, Professor of Childhoodand Youth Studies at Edge Hill University, the impact of theGFC is also starting to affect young people’s identity.

In his inaugural lecture, Growing Up after the GFC: What is to Become of Young People, Identity, Democracy and Enterprise?, Professor Kelly suggests that the GFC andthe subsequent austerity measures imposed across the globehave severe and far-reaching consequences for the way youngpeople see themselves and their place in society.

“In modern democracies, so much of our identity is connectedto our education, career, relationships, consumption, housingand, often, parenting,” says Peter, who joined Edge Hill thisyear from Deakin University in Australia. “The Global FinancialCrisis (GFC) is having a major impact on young people’sopportunities to engage with these traditional markers ofadulthood, so their whole identity and sense of purpose withintheir environment is being eroded.

“The stories young people have always been told about what they need to do to transition from school to highereducation or training to work to adulthood – those stories are changing.”


“The price of thisfinancial crisis is being borne by people whoabsolutely did not cause it.”

Mervyn KingHead of the Bank of England

Occupy Wallstreet - David Shankbone - flickr.com/photos/shankbone/6268466732


“Young people no longer feel that they’re investingin their own future, but mortgaging their hopes andaspirations before they even start.”

The government claims that austerity measuresare the only possible response to the GFC – theChancellor, George Osborne, is on record assaying “there is no Plan B” – but does it really have to be that way? Peter would argue otherwise.

“The aftermath of the GFC has been imagined,and sold to us, as about sovereign debt crises,rising state debt levels and austerity,” says Peter.“Apparently, you can’t increase taxation or takemore from the rich so making cuts in publicspending is the only way to deal with the problem.

“There are other options, alternative ways ofdealing with the GFC, so I’m interested in why ithas been imagined in this way, why the peoplesetting the policies think that’s the only option,and what the consequences are for young peoplein the future.”

Against this backdrop, it’s easy to see whygrassroots protest groups, such as the OccupyMovement and the Spanish Indignados, haveenjoyed a rise in popularity among young people.Occupy’s slogan, We are the 99%, has come toembody the sense of inequality felt by youngpeople in a post-GFC world: the 99% are payingfor the mistakes of the top earning 1%.

“Young people feel there is little chance for theirconcerns to be heard and met through thetraditional institutions of the liberal democracies,”says Peter, “and they’ve started to find alternativeways to voice their anxiety, uncertainty and angerabout their experiences.

“We are the 99% represents a new kind of identity,based on social networking, which attempts to re-imagine what it means to be a person who isconnected to others, and who together mightfashion and test out new forms of connection andcollective identity and action, to replace the onesstolen by the GFC.”

Andre RobertsSenior Lecturer, Business School

“The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) shows thatbusiness, as we know it, has failed. The concept ofbusiness for profit alone is not sustainable, andyoung people, more than most, are paying the price.

Youth unemployment across Europe is at an all-timehigh: 21% of 18-24 year olds in Britain areunemployed, while in Spain it stands at nearly 50%and Greece has recently hit 60%. A generation isbeing lost to the GFC and, without a radical changein how we perceive and do business across theworld, it’s hard to see how things can improve.

In my role, lecturing and working on responsiblebusiness and social enterprise, I talk about thenotion of ‘beautiful business’; organisations whosepurpose is not just to make a profit but whoseoutputs also support people and communities.

We can promote this idea by highlighting betterbusiness role models. People like Nobel PeacePrize winner Mohammad Yunus, whosedevelopment of microfinance loans has helped poorpeople across the world set up small businesses intheir communities.

Anyone can start a small social enterprise, getinvolved on a local level, start sowing the seeds ofchange. Hopefully, generations to come willbenefit from the wisdom that starts with today’syoung people.”

Occupy Wallstreet - Michael Fleshman - flickr.com/photos/fleshmanpix/6986482341


Victor Merriman Professor of Performing Arts

“Performance practices reveal social changes,their subject matter and format reflecting thesociety from which they emerge and into whichthey play. Just as the socio-cultural dynamics oflate 17th Century England produced the RestorationComedy of Manners, so the Global Financial Crisis(GFC) and subsequent austerity project hasconsequences for publics and performers today.

In 2013, politics plays out as UK plc, a long-runningseries of public dramas on 24-hour news media. Inthis show, prudent protagonists and fecklessantagonists clash in conflicts to which people’sreal experiences of Austerity Britain are, at best, adistant backdrop. Scripts in which, for instance,decent hard-working people struggle whilescroungers and parasites thrive, are aggressivelycirculated. Based on everything from deliberatedeception to dubious statistics, their overridingpurpose is to promote an idea of ‘Austerity as aGood Thing’ in the public mind.

Against this backdrop, current 3rd year Dramastudents created Scapegoats: Pathways to Poverty,to articulate, in the best British tradition, dissentingviews. Scapegoats explores the contradictionsbetween this generation’s real experiences of life inAusterity Britain, and the shameless use of UK plc,by Government and media to distort perceptionsof how – and why – so many people arecondemned to poverty.

The GFC and its grim aftermath renews artists’historical role of ethical witness; by turning statementsinto questions, they enable democracy itself anddemonstrate that alternatives are always available.”

Andy SmithProfessor of Sport and Physical Activity

“After last year’s ‘Summer of Sport’, whichshowcased Britain’s elite sportspeople andpromised to ‘inspire a generation’, you might thinkthat sport in the UK is in pretty good shape. Inreality, behind the Olympic and Paralympicsuccess, is a grassroots sports infrastructure thatis being slowly dismantled by austerity measures.This has far-reaching implications not only for elitesport, but also for the health, wellbeing and socialinclusion of a generation of young people.

Since 2010, there has been a significant reductionin funding for school sports including investment inSchool Sport Partnerships, which increased therange and quantity of sports and physical activitiesavailable in schools. This has now been replacedby the School Games within a policy climate inschools which prioritises competitive sport andwhich benefits only a minority of young people.

Even more significantly, the austerity measures arealso having a disproportionately negative effect onthose from lower socio-economic groups and isfurther widening social inequalities in sportsparticipation and other health-related behaviours.

Community sport participation is also significantlyat risk as funding is withdrawn across the publicsector. As sports provision is not a statutoryobligation for local authorities, many sportsdevelopment units are either closing or beingsignificantly reduced.

With school sport often narrowly defined aroundcompetition and increasingly marginalised on thelocal government agenda, fostering a love of sportin young people and encouraging lifelong physicalactivity may be increasingly difficult in the future.


Volunteering has not only changed the life of Children’sNursing student Tom Holt – it has made a difference tothousands of children across Britain.

The Wealthof Experience


Tom Holt first became aware of volunteering at school when he tookpart in a mentoring scheme, offering advice and guidance to youngerchildren. Seven years on, he has helped more than 3,000 young peopleas a volunteer.

The Wealthof Experience

Tom’s outstanding commitment to helping otherswas given national recognition in February whenhe was named UK Student Volunteer of the Year2013. He collected his award – plus a £1,000donation to a charity of his choice – at a ceremonyin the Houses of Parliament.

Tom dedicates four hours a week to ChildLine as atelephone counsellor, plus a further four hours toan Action for Children mentoring scheme inKnowsley. He is also a Beaver, Cub and Scoutleader, working with more than 50 children a weekaged between six and 15. As if this isn’t enough,he regularly takes part in CHICKS respite weekendsin Cornwall for disadvantaged youngsters.

“Winning UK Student Volunteer of the Year wasabsolutely fantastic – I really wasn’t expecting it,”says Tom. “The award reflects what I’ve achievedand I hope it will inspire other people to put anhour or two aside a week to volunteer.”

Tom is often asked what motivates him to give upso much of his time. “I just enjoy every second ofit,” he says. “I’m hugely passionate about gettinginvolved. No matter how badly I feel a session hasgone, I look at the children’s smiling faces andthink of the difference I’m making.”

As well as contributing to his personal growth,Tom believes volunteering has played a crucial rolein his career aspirations.

“It’s true that your CV looks much stronger ifyou’ve volunteered,” said Tom. “Obviously, thisisn’t why I do volunteering, but it is a valuablebonus. Also, when you have a job interview youcan talk about yourself and your experiences.Volunteering gives you self-confidence as well as agreat range of transferable skills. It shows you areorganised, you can take responsibility, anddemonstrates leadership.”

Alongside his volunteering activities, Tom is anactive blogger and has had an article published inthe international online magazine the HuffingtonPost about winning his award.

“I blog about volunteering, but also aboutchildren’s nursing, because there are very few menin this area of the profession,” says Tom.

“It’s partly a traditional thing but I also think guysfeel children’s nursing isn’t masculine, that they’llbe ridiculed, even if they do it at a voluntary level.But there’s a real need. I’ve heard employers saythat one male nurse on a children’s ward totallychanges the dynamic.”


“Volunteering should besomething you enjoy,something challenging but something fun. There’s avolunteering opportunity outthere for everyone. Do whatyou like, but like what you do.”

Looking ahead, Tom intends to pursue a career inchildren’s nursing when he graduates. His tutor atEdge Hill, Monica Patel, believes volunteering willnot only help Tom to perform well at interview, butalso in his career.

“Any experience of caring for children, outside theNHS and in their normal environments, helps tobroaden knowledge and understanding of theneeds of all children in their own communities,”says Monica.

“Through volunteering, Tom is developing cultural,spiritual, legal, ethical, economic and politicalknowledge, all of which will improve hisunderstanding of the specific needs of childrenwho need nursing care.

“Tom also has to use various communication skills to meet the needs of children in the differentvolunteering activities,” adds Monica, “and this will develop his confidence to cope with theunique situations he will face when in nursing and NHS practice.”

Volunteering at Edge HillEmployers are interested in transferable skills(such as communication, time-managementand organisational) as well as the skills youneed to do a particular job. Voluntary work cangive you the edge in both.

Edge Hill supports student volunteers in anumber of ways. The Careers Service runsregular volunteering fairs to connect studentswith local organisations, advertisesvolunteering opportunities through its onlinevacancy service and even has its ownVolunteer of the Year awards to recognisestudents’ achievements.

Edge Hill was also the first university in theNorth West to offer Volunteering andCitizenship Scholarships, worth up to £2,000,to prospective and current students who giveup time to help others, regularly fundraise orwork on community projects.

YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS

YOU

Volunteers

“”

For more information visit:

edgehill.ac.uk/careers/Volunteering/


Edge Hill is the only university in the country tohave been selected by the Department forEducation (DfE) to provide training for ReadingSupport – an innovative intervention programme to help primary schools improve the reading oftheir lowest attaining pupils – and early resultssuggest the programme will be enormouslysuccessful.

“We are starting to get data back from teachingstaff who have done a first run-through and havebeen able to test the children on entry and exit,”explains Val Chamberlain, Edge Hill’s Head ofReading Support.

“The results are extremely encouraging becausethey show what progress has been achieved bychildren in Years 2-4 after only 10 to 12 weeks.”

Reading Support builds on the strengths of EveryChild Counts, the University's numeracyprogramme that has provided highly effectiveintervention support to over 30,000 children whohave difficulties with mathematics, in more than2,000 primary schools in England.

“The Reading Support programme usesapproaches that combine systematic syntheticphonics, along with developing children’scomprehension and love of reading,” says Val. “Wewant to encourage children to develop the skill toread as well as the will to read – to get pleasurefrom reading.”

Equally importantly, the programme represents anintegrated professional development opportunityfor teachers and teaching assistants. “We reallyfocus on building in professional development, soall our sessions involve reflection and discussion,”says Val. “It’s an ongoing commitment to helpteaching staff develop their skills, rather than aone-off training exercise.”

Reading Support comprises two new interventionprogrammes developed at Edge Hill University.

“Project X CODE is a lighter touch intervention,based on an adventure book series published byOxford University Press,” explains Val. “We trainteaching assistants to deliver it to small groups ofchildren in Years 2-4 who need a helping hand todevelop phonic skills and a love of reading.

“Phonics Counts is an intensive intervention forchildren in Years 1-3, who really struggle to readand need specialist, one-to-one intervention.”

Among schools across the country to havebenefited from the Project X CODE intervention isHalsnead Primary School in Knowsley, whereheadteacher, Anita Abdous, is very impressed bythe outcomes for both her children and staff.

“We have done X CODE with two groups ofchildren in Year 2 and they have been respondingbrilliantly,” says Anita. “The children who aren’tpart of the group desperately want to be. In class,the X CODE children are reading more actively andyou can see that they really want to read.

Thousands of children across the country are developing theskill – and the will – to read, thanks to a pioneering governmentinitiative being managed by Edge Hill University.

A New Chapter


“This is an effective intervention and one that weare going to continue with,” she adds.

“The confidence the DfE has placed in us issomething we feel really pleased about,” says Val.“It’s based on our reputation – backed by data – tosuccessfully deliver projects on a national level,and is due recognition of the world-class specialistskills we have developed at Edge Hill.

“We now plan to grow and expand our readinginterventions and will be actively developing linkswith local authorities across the country in2013/14.”


Edge Hill has always worked with employers to developindustry-relevant programmes and provide work-basedlearning opportunities for its students. Now, a dedicatedEmployer Engagement team aims to increase the numberof university links with external organisations and improvethe employment prospects for generations of future EdgeHill graduates.

The Business of Education


Why did we team up with Edge Hill University?Because it offered the flexibility we were looking for.After talking to other providers, Edge Hill Universityoffered bespoke accreditation linked to what ouremployees are already doing in the workplace and the portfolio approach makes the Foundation Degreevery manageable.

“

”Chris Whittle, Head of Training, Viridor.


The scheme came to an end last year but, inrecognition of the considerable achievement ofhitting these ambitious targets, the University wasrecently awarded a further £500,000 to continuewith its work-based training activities.

“We already enjoy successful partnerships with anumber of public and private sector organisationsand have an excellent reputation for trainingpractitioners in Education, Health and SocialCare,” says Professor Bill Bruce, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). “We are now lookingto build on this solid base with a particularemphasis on forging stronger relationships withthe private sector.”

As a result of the CoFEE funding, the Universityhas established a new seven-strong EmployerEngagement (EE) team to develop strategicpartnerships with businesses, identify workforcetraining and development opportunities and raisethe profile of Edge Hill among the regionalbusiness community.

Lisa Knight, (pictured above), who heads up thenew team, says: “We work closely with businessesto understand their training requirements, thendevelop a tailored programme that will deliverexactly what they need. Clients can choose from a range of ‘off the shelf’ short courses, accredited

training programmes or Masters programmes, orwe can develop a completely bespoke product tomeet their needs.”

Several companies are already seeing the benefitsof working with the University. Recycling,renewable energy and waste managementcompany, Viridor, worked with the Faculty ofEducation to develop a bespoke foundationdegree programme for its workforce; while acollaboration between the Faculty of Health andSocial Care and service provider Care UK hasresulted in an innovative e-learning programmeproviding essential training for employees across50 sites.

As well as training programmes, the University isalso developing high-level apprenticeships,consultancy services and has established severalKnowledge Transfer Partnerships in the area ofComputing. The CoFEE grant includes £225,000 instudent bursaries as an added incentive forbusinesses to look to Edge Hill for their trainingand development needs.

“The work of the Employee Engagement teamsupports a number of the University’s strategicpriorities,” says Robert Smedley, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Education, who overseesthe work of the team.

As part of the Higher Education Funding Council’s Co-Funded Employer Engagement scheme (CoFEE), Edge Hillhad secured funding for the equivalent of 720 full-timeplaces for employee-supported students – one of the largestallocations awarded in the UK.

The Business of Education


“Building mutually beneficial partnerships will notonly open up new opportunities for staff to engagein collaborative research and knowledge exchangeactivities, but also improve student employabilitythrough work placements and graduate recruitment.”

Raising awareness of the University’s expertiseand capacity as a training and developmentpartner is a key part of the team’s work. Edge Hillhas hosted two successful partnership dinnersand a Technology Expo, designed to showcase theUniversity’s expertise in areas as diverse as socialmedia, digital media, big data, cloud computing,animation and sports rehabilitation.

“There was already a lot of engagement activityhappening across campus before the team wasestablished,” says Lisa. “My role has been to startto pull it together into a coherent offering, supportthose who are working with industry and sharebest practice across the University.

“I’m sure the positive impact onteaching, research and studentemployability will be felt for years to come.”


The practical skills required to nurse a very poorlychild around the clock – with all the unexpectedcrises it can bring – can test even the mostconfident parents, but most families would stillrather have their child with them at home, despitetheir multiple medical needs.

A new project in the Faculty of Health and SocialCare is underlining Edge Hill’s growing reputationfor expertise in end of life care. Better at Home isset to help parents of terminally ill children provideclinical and nursing care in their own home, whichmeans more stability for the whole family.

Brenda Roberts, Head of Children and YoungPeople’s Health, was pivotal in winning fundingfrom the WellChild charity to create a Better atHome simulation suite within the University’sClinical Skills and Simulation Centre – the only one of its kind in the country.

Designed as a small flat, it is at the heart of theproject and is a place where parents, siblings andthe extended family care team will build theirconfidence and learn the clinical and care skillstheir child’s condition demands.

“The flat is based on the average property and hasthe standard dimensions you would find in anyhome that has been adapted to meet the careneeds of a terminally ill child,” explains DavidCobb, Head of Professional Standards, who isoverseeing the development of the new suite.

“So, for example, the door widths and plug heightsaccurately reflect what people have at home. Thesuite also has cameras so that we can monitorparents during training and give them detailedfeedback and support.

“It’s a really pioneering facility and so important forfamilies,” adds David. “Parents can learn how touse a hoist or a ventilator in hospital but when theyget home and try to move it across a carpet, that’scompletely different. The Better at Home suite islike a halfway house between the safety of hospitaland the unknown quantity of being at home onyour own.”

Brenda explains: “Better at Home is all aboutgiving parents the skills and confidence they needto nurse their child at home and then to provideongoing support 24 hours a day.

“Some specialist training can make a big differenceto families and prevent unnecessary admissions to A&E which can be stressful for the child and the parents.

End of life care for children is a complex and emotionallycharged issue. Hospitals and hospices are the traditionaloptions for parents but now, thanks to a groundbreakingproject at Edge Hill, more terminally ill children will be ableto be cared for in their own home.

No Place Like Home


“If a parent knows how to clear a blockedtracheotomy at 2am they can avoid a 999 call andkeep their child with them. Being able to cope athome potentially gives parents more choicesabout end of life care, which is really important.”

The Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre is moreusually used to train students and nursingprofessionals and includes a functioning hospitalward. The Better at Home suite takes this modelfurther, providing hands-on training for familiesbacked up with comprehensive online tools, aswell as support from a WellChild Nurse, funded as part of the project.

The suite, which is due to be completed by theSeptember 2013, will also provide a valuableresource for Edge Hill students when not in use bythe Better at Home team.

“As well as being a potential lifesaver for parents,the Better at Home suite will benefit a variety ofstudents,” says David. “Social Workers and MentalHealth nurses could use it to replicate home visits,paramedics could practice treating people trappedbehind furniture or fittings, or midwives could useit to simulate home births. It has a lot of potentialfor real-world teaching, which is vital for increasingour students’ employability.”


Staff ProfileLeanne O’LearySenior Lecturer – Law

I worked as a solicitor in New Zealand beforecoming to the UK. I’m originally from Aucklandand when I finished my law degree and arts degreein Japanese, there was the expectation that Iwould go travelling. The ‘overseas experience’ ispart of NZ culture, and with the ancestral links andlonger working holiday visas, a lot of young NewZealanders come to the UK. I stayed working as asolicitor in NZ for a couple of years before hoppingon the plane to London. My friends and familythought I would be home within six months butthey were wrong. Thirteen years later, I am still here.

I came up north to watch a rugby match. When I arrived I spent a month in London but finding ajob was difficult. I had a distant relative living nearHuddersfield who invited me up one weekend towatch a rugby league match at Old Trafford. I had a great weekend and ended up stayinglonger than I had planned. Eventually I found a job in Manchester.

My first job was working on the Shipman Inquiry.My NZ legal qualifications were not immediatelyrecognised when I came to the UK so I couldn’tpractise as a solicitor. However, legal skills aretransferable and I obtained work as a paralegal onthe Shipman Inquiry in Manchester. The ShipmanInquiry was a public inquiry which looked into theactivities of Harold Shipman, a former doctor in Hyde.

Working on the Shipman Inquiry provided aninteresting contrast to my former job. In NewZealand I had worked in commercial law. TheInquiry with its criminal law focus provided aninteresting legal contrast and was also a greatintroduction to the legal profession in this country.Part of my role was to investigate the deaths ofShipman’s patients. I was provided with a deathcertificate and required to investigate whetherShipman had killed the patient. I met a lot ofpeople who had been affected by Shipman’s

actions; it was a very humbling experience.

I re-qualified as a solicitor and moved intoemployment law. After the Inquiry, I worked for anumber of law firms, including Eversheds LLP. I alsodecided to do a PhD. I had always been interested insport and it intrigued me that employment law did notappear to apply to professional sport in the way itapplied to other industries. My thesis considered theregulation of Super League. After completing it, Idecided that the academic world provided anexcellent opportunity to combine an interest in sportwith my legal skills and knowledge.

Edge Hill enables me to develop teaching skillsand a research path. I teach Legal Methods and


Over the last three years the University hasstrengthened its links with China and, as a result, anew Confucius Institute (CI) has been establishedat Edge Hill.

Confucius Institutes are non-profit public institutionssupported by the Ministry of Education in China.They aim to promote Chinese language and culture,support local Chinese teaching, and facilitatecultural exchanges. There are about 400distributed through about 100 countries worldwide.

A unique aspect of the CI programme at Edge Hillis that trainee teachers will have the option to learnMandarin Chinese and visit China. For some thiswill lead to a teaching qualification in Chinese.Others will benefit by first-hand experience of thenew global superpower.

This status means that the University will be able tohelp meet the demand for international experiencein the skills market, therefore increasingemployability opportunities for its students.

Robert Smedley, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean ofthe Faculty of Education, said: “We are delightedto launch the Confucius Institute in our EducationFaculty. To be given this honour reflects theexcellent links the University has already made in China.”

“The work we are doing to strengthen educationallinks with China is important for a number ofreasons. For starters, we will be preparing youngpeople for the global new economy as identified ina recent report, The Global Skills Gap. This reportstresses that if the UK is to compete in the globaleconomy we need to broaden the horizons ofyoung people.”

“Michael Gove, the Education Secretary, supportsthe teaching of foreign languages to primaryschool children from the age of seven. Mandarinhas been identified as one of the chosenlanguages. Currently there is a shortage ofMandarin Chinese speaking teachers so our newproject will be meeting this demand. We will beoffering our students great opportunities todevelop their skills and undertake placements inChina. This enhances their job prospects andprovides more Mandarin speaking teachers inBritish schools.”

The University has been awarded a start-up fund of$150,000 which will be used to teach the languageand provide facilities for Chinese instructors, aswell as establishing information resources onChina’s education and culture, and funds forexchange placement opportunities for students.

As part of the agreement, Edge Hill University willpartner with Chongqing Normal University to carryout the work over the next five years.

Edge Hill University has forged a prestigious new partnershipwith a Chinese university to deliver teacher training.

A Perfect Partnership


Find out more by visiting edgehill.ac.uk/news/story/exclaim-2013/

Exclaim!Students from the University’s Faculty of Arts and Sciencestook over The Lowry, the prestigious theatre located at thehome of BBC North, MediaCityUK, for one night as theyshowcased a collection of their best creative work in frontof an audience of industry insiders, family and friends.


Staff ProfileRodge GlassSenior Lecturer – Creative Writing

I grew up directly under the flight path nearManchester Airport. The ground would shakeevery time a plane flew over and I was constantlylooking up at the sky wondering where they weregoing. It’s hard to feel isolated from the rest of theplanet when people are constantly floating over yourhead to other places. I don’t know whether thishas influenced my writing, but escape and longingare definitely key themes throughout my work.

I’d describe myself as having no faith but a lotof questions. I went to several different faith schoolsincluding an Orthodox Jewish Primary School anda Monk-sponsored Catholic College. It was quitean intense religious education but it raised morequestions for me than it answered. My first twonovels, No Fireworks and Hope For Newborns, dealdirectly with issues of faith and religious escape,but ultimately they’re more about the dividing linesbetween religion and community than about god.

I always wanted to write but didn’t think it wasa viable career for someone who wasn’t in the‘elite’.While I was studying at Strathclyde University,

there was a brilliant writer-in residence there calledRobert Alan Jamieson. I took him a couple of my earlystories and he said they weren’t completely terrible,which I took as the greatest compliment.He inspired me to think of myself as a writer.

You don’t have to go anywhere to be a tourist. Youcan be a tourist in your own town, in a relationship, inyour own life. My latest book, LoveSexTravelMusik, isa collection of short stories about the challenges oftrying to engage with the place you’re in, whetherthat’s a physical place or somewhere in your ownhead. Each story takes the revolution in cheap airtravel as a starting point to explore why people wantto escape, their expectations, satisfactions anddisappointments, and the difference between being atraveller and a tourist.

I think experimentation is good for a writer. To date,I have written novels, short stories, biography and agraphic novel. At core, I consider myself a novelist butI’ve learnt a lot from each experience and each one givesme new energy and informs my future writing. If younever try new things you get stale and, before you knowit, you’re making Be Here Now, writing poor imitationsof your best work and becoming your own tribute act.

Happy faces and ducks were my first impressionsof Edge Hill. It’s a lovely campus with a really vibrantand welcoming atmosphere and the Creative Writingdepartment is really big and diverse. In my previousuniversity, Creative Writing counted for a quarter ofanother degree so the opportunity to teach it as asingle honours course is very exciting.

I’m interested in issues that are very contemporary,so sometimes things change while I’m still writingabout them. While I was writing Bring Me The HeadOf Ryan Giggs, the scandal broke about his personallife, which added a new dimension to the book. I’mcurrently writing a political comedy, called Once AGreat Leader, about a female British prime minsterwho suffers a media downfall after a political gaffe.Guess who died when I was 25,000 words in? Thebook was never about Thatcher but her death makesit a very interesting time to be writing about the legacyof a female British Prime Minister.

Award-winning author Rodge Glass joined Edge Hill

Photos -

ManchesterLiverpool

Birmingham

London

Open Days

Sat 17th August 2013 10am - 3pm

Sat 12th October 2013 10am - 3pm

Sat 16th November 2013 10am - 3pm

Sat 21st June 2014 10am - 3pm

w edgehill.ac.uk

t twitter.com/edgehill

f facebook.com/edgehilluniversity

Edge Hill UniversitySt Helens Road, Ormskirk,Lancashire,L39 4QP United Kingdom

cs 1194 e42 issue 9

Documents