AGES AND STAGES PROJECT GETS MAJOR FUNDING

An interdisciplinary research team led by Professor Miriam Bernard, of the Centre for Social Gerontology, is one of only 12 projects to secure funding under the final phase of the 'New Dynamics of Ageing' Programme funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Developed in close collaboration with the New Vic Theatre, and supported by a range of organisations, the award totals £372,513, plus a linked studentship of £51,510.  The project, entitled 'Ages and Stages: The Place of Theatre in Representations and Recollections of Ageing', will begin in October and run until the end of July 2012.

The project will employ a mixed method approach organised around three interrelated and complementary strands:

Strand 1 explores historical representations of ageing through detailed literary and cultural analyses of materials held in the New Victoria Theatre Archive.

Strand 2 focuses on recollections and contemporary representations of ageing through qualitative interview work with four groups of people who are now old and were: (i) sources for the Vic's ground-breaking social documentaries; (ii) volunteers with the theatre; (iii) audience members throughout their lives; (iv) actors and others who made their lives in the area and continue to be part of the local community.

Material drawn from Strands 1 and 2 will then be used in Strand 3 to work with the Youth Theatre and older people to create a 'new' social documentary performance and exhibition, and evaluate the associated educational materials and activities which will also be produced.

Research team members are from the Research Institutes for Life Course Studies and Humanities and comprise: Mim Bernard (PI), Ms Jill Rezzano (Head of Education at the New Vic Theatre), Dr Lucy Munro (Senior Lecturer in English), Professor David Amigoni (Professor of Victorian Literature) and Professor Michael Murray (Professor of Social and Health Psychology). A Research Associate, PhD student and administrator will also be appointed to the team.

DISTINGUISHED LECTURER AT KEELE

The Research Institute for Science & Technology in Medicine was pleased to welcome Professor Kannan Krishnan, from the University of Washington, USA this week. Professor Krishnan came to Keele as part of his Distinguished Lecturer Series supported by the IEEE, the world leading technology advancement association, and was hosted by the Keele biomagnetics group, led by Professor Jon Dobson. His seminar, held in the Medical School, was entitled "Biomedical nanomagnetics: A spin through new possiblities". Professor Krishnan has been Campbell Chair Professor of Materials Science and Adjunct Professor of Physics at Washington since 2001 and has a range of international awards for his cross-disciplinary research and work in the public understanding of science. He first gave an overview of state-of-the-art nanotechnology, size-dependent magnetic behavior and the emerging field of biomedical nanomagnetics. He then explored his group's current work in these areas highlighting the fundamental principles behind research in the context of several emerging technological and clinical opportunities.

The seminar was part of Keele's 3ME Initiative to develop Modelling Methods for Medical Engineering, bringing together members of the Research Institutes of Science & Technology in Medicine and Environment, Physical Sciences and Mathematics. Now in its second year, the 3ME Initiative has a second "Sandpit", pilot project fund and research retreat organised, with a range of further seminars, fellowships and international visitors planned. For details contact Miss Paula Marsh on 554253.

FIRST EPSAM FEST

The Research Institute for the Environment, Physical Sciences and Applied Mathematics (EPSAM) held its first "EPSAM Fest" last week. The aim of the full-day meeting was to strengthen the bonds within this multi-disciplinary institute, with the long-term objective of fostering collaborative research projects and funding applications. But for many it was simply a pleasant way of learning about some of the exciting research that is going on within the Institute and which did so well in the RAE 2008.

Over 70 people took part in the event, including some overseas members. The meeting was opened by the EPSAM Director, Professor Graham Williams, and closed by the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Professor Pat Bailey. The morning session featured overviews from each of the research clusters within EPSAM, and was attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Rama Thirunamachandran, and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise, Professor Peter Jones.

The afternoon session featured a selection of science highlights from each of the clusters, ranging from the fabrication of medical drugs, the rising sea level and the sensation of sweetness, to dating ancient glass, finding planets around other stars and uncovering the volcanological heritage of Northern Britain. One particularly bold scientist performed a live experiment involving a large blow-torch, demonstrating her EU-funded research into the damage to turbines inflicted by thermo-acoustic waves.

DREAM COMES TRUE FOR AWARD WINNING KEELE CHEF

Keele Hall's award-winning head chef Allan Jones travelled to London for the "dream come true" session with the Hell's Kitchen star, Marco Pierre White.

The experience was part of Allan's prize for winning The University Caterers Organisation's (TUCO) competition to find the best chef from universities across the country. Allan, who has been head chef at The Terrace restaurant for the past three years, also won the Taste of Staffordshire Master Chef of the Year competition last month.

Following a tour of the development kitchens at Unilever Headquarters, Allan was joined by Michelin Star Chef Simon Hurlstone and introduced to the rest of the team.  They discussed the menu and timings and began the preparation of the meal, which included wild mushroom soup, rib-eye beef and rhubarb crumble and ginger ice cream, which would be served to 33 guests, all heads of business and included two Michelin Star chefs.

An hour into the preparation Marco Pierre White made his entrance into the kitchen and showed the team how it was done with a master class demonstration. He then continued to coach all the chefs, providing useful guidance.

Allan's reward included a first class day in London and in the evening the grand finale to the whole experience was dining at Marco's at Stamford Bridge.

AHRC END-OF-AWARD CONFERENCE

"Diasporic Encounters, Sacred Journeys: Gendered Migrants, Sociality and the Religious Imagination", an AHRC end-of-Award Conference organised by Professor Pnina Werbner at Keele this week, explored international migration from South East Asia and selective South Asian countries, with special emphasis on those working in the field of care and domestic work. The conference aim was to explore the role of religion and sociality in the diasporic context, with particular regard to gender and sexuality.

The conference marked the conclusion of a major AHRC research project within the framework of the Diaspora Programme, directed by Professor Werbner and Dr Mark Johnson (Hull), focusing on the Filipino diaspora ('In the Footsteps of Jesus and the Prophet: Sociality, Caring and the Religious Imagination'). The aim of the project has been to move beyond victimising narratives of female domestic labour, to consider sociality and the religious imagination in the daily lives of overseas Filipinos in the Middle East. The conference was also supported by a British Academy award of £7,500.

WORKING TOGETHER, EMBRACING THE BIG PICTURE

Fifty-eight secondary science, technology and mathematics teachers and more than 30 contributors attended a conference last week at the Keele-based Science Learning Centre West Midlands that gave them an exciting and informative opportunity to explore the challenges presented by the new KS3 Curriculum in the context of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), to share good practice and network with colleagues and to look at a range of resources available for STEM teachers.

The keynote address at the STEM Conference : KS3 Subjects Working Together, Embracing the Big Picture, was delivered by Jenifer Burden, the Director of the National STEM Centre, who recognised the importance of the work of teachers, clearly put the current thinking and initiatives in this area into context and invited teachers to contribute to the work of the National STEM Centre and take advantage of this excellent new facility.

Teachers were able to choose from a diverse selection of workshops, which ranged from the iconic British 'Bloodhound' land speed record project through to STEM Careers. Keele was well represented by Dr Ian Stimpson, outlining the Seismometers for Schools project, Lucy Gallagher promoting Science for Sustainability, Michelle Bourne describing the offer from the Earth Science Education Unit, the Guy Hilton Research Centre providing information on its work and Charlotte Greenwood, Science Faculty Coordinator from the Widening Participation team.

MOLECULE HUNTING IN BOLLINGTON

Could you tell caffeine from paracetamol or distinguish between shampoo and hair dye?  That's what participants in the Bollington Molecules Hunt were asked to do in the latest make-it-molecular activity organised by Keele scientists.

Fifteen different models of molecules were displayed in the windows of shops, pubs and restaurants throughout Bollington. The challenge was to find and identify all the molecules during the three weeks of the Bollington Festival.

The winner of the Molecules Hunt was ten year old Daniel Grout who described the Molecules Hunt as "brilliantly FANTASTIC!!!"  Keele's Dr Tess Phillips visited Bollington Cross Primary School to present Daniel with a molecules model set prize at an assembly in front of the whole school.
 
For more information about Keele's make-it-molecular activities go to www.keele.ac.uk/makeitmolecular

HOMECOMING FOR KEELE ALUMNI

The Alumni Office and Students Union combined to present Keele Homecoming last weekend when 450 Keele alumni, with friends and families, visited the sunny campus and enjoyed a programme with a forever: keele theme.

The event began with "An Afternoon in the Outback", with music from Chuck Micaleff and alumnus Jim Nield. This was followed by "An Evening on K2", featuring Blood Red Sky (U2 tribute), a great live band with two Keele alumni, Mark Davenport and Stuart Lynch, among its members.

The first Homecoming in 2008 attracted around 350 alumni and as the event grows in popularity the range of activities will also grow to give former students a warm welcome back.

SECRET LIFE OF THE AIRPORT

Dr Peter Adey, School Physical and Geographical Sciences and iLPJ, recently contributed to a three part BBC documentary series The Secret Life of the Airport, narrated by Philip Glenister. Aired on BBC Four this Monday, the series seeks to uncover the hidden life of our transit spaces, sketching out their relation to politics, consumerism, power and national identity. The next programme is scheduled for 9 pm on Monday.

OPEN DAY SUCCESS

A total of 800 prospective undergraduate students attended the first of the University's open days last weekend for those considering where to apply for 2010.

All areas of the campus were open for visitors to view and academic schools hosted a range of talks and tours to showcase the degree programmes on offer.

Student guides were on hand to take tours and Residential Managers and Resident Tutors showed the visitors the halls of residence and talked about living on campus.

The day also incorporated an opportunity for third year students and graduates to find out about postgraduate study opportunities. Colleagues from the three Faculties, the KPA and Postgraduate Admissions office were all on hand to give information and advice about the PGT programmes at Keele.

260 potential applicants visited the School of Medicine during the Open Day (40 more than last year). 

They spoke to current students and members of staff and heard presentations about the curriculum and about admissions.

Visitors were able to look around the whole school, including labs, anatomy resource room and IT suite.

JOINING POSTDOCTORAL ASSESSOR COLLEGE

Professor Andrew Dobson, School of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy (SPIRE) and the Research Institute for Law, Politics and Justice (iLPJ), has been asked to join the Economic and Social Research Council's Postdoctoral Assessor College.

He has also been invited onto Natural England's Science Advisory Committee.

The Committee meets four times per year, and advises Natural England on technical issues related to Natural England's policy brief, which is to protect the natural environment.  Professor Dobson is one of a small number of social scientists on the committee.

OBE FOR EMERITUS PROFESSOR

Emeritus Professor Frank Burchill was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service.

Professor Burchill joined Keele in 1967 as a lecturer in Adult Education and was promoted to Professor of Industrial Relations in 1988. He retired in 2002.

Professor Burchill acted as an arbitrator and mediator for ACAS from its inception in 1974.

NOTHING BARE ABOUT DATA

Dr Luis Lobo-Guerrero (iLPJ and SPIRE) gave a keynote address last week at the 'European Datawars: Fighting Terrorism through Data' conference, funded by the ESRC and the Dutch Research Council, at the University of Amsterdam.

Speaking about Risk and the Biopolitics of Security, Lobo-Guerrero argued that "there is nothing bare about data" since all forms of data already arise out of complex biopolitical processes and negotiations.

Security strategies developed in the context of the war on terror should therefore be analysed critically in relation to the ethical dimensions that all kinds of data collection, data mining and data analytics raise.

VISITING PROFESSOR OF POLITICS

Dr Richard Luther, Convenor of the Keele European Parties Research Unit and a specialist on various aspects of Austrian politics, has been appointed Visiting Professor of Politics at the University of Vienna.

Politics staff at the universities of Keele and Vienna have an established record of co-operation. Dr Luther has in recent years given a number of guest lectures in Vienna and collaborated with colleagues there on various research and publication projects. In March 2009, Vienna's Professor Sylvia Kritzinger visited Keele as part of an ERASMUS-funded teaching exchange programme.

Dr Luther is currently on an extended visit to Vienna, where he is researching into Austrian political party organisation.

GUIDELINES FOR SENTENCING

Professor Martin Wasik, School of Law, this week took part in two themed workshops in Guangzhou and Beijing, China, in collaboration with the College of Criminal Law Science at Beijing University.

The workshops focused on the global trend towards abolition of the death penalty. The meetings were timely since in a number of recent official statements the Chinese authorities have recognised for the first time the importance of various international standards on forms of criminal punishment.

The visit was funded by the EU and organised by the Death Penalty Project of the Great Britain China Centre and funded by the European Union. Professor Wasik spoke on the construction of guidelines for sentencing in serious criminal cases, drawing upon his experience as chairman of the Sentencing Advisory Panel from 1999-2007.