UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC PLAN - STAFF CONSULTATION

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett, held the first of two open meetings with staff to discuss the review of the University's Strategic Plan 2010-15, being undertaken in response to the changing external environment of higher education.

The Vice- Chancellor's presentation provided an overview of the review process and summarised proposals made so far in relation to the structure, format and content of the Strategic Plan, including proposals to include a statement of Vision, to revise the Mission Statement and to expand upon the shared Values of the University.  Staff had the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback on the proposals and discuss directly with the Vice-Chancellor their views on the University's future direction.
 
The second open meeting will be held on Thursday, 17 February at 1.10pm in the Westminster Theatre, and will be simultaneously streamed via video link to Lecture Theatre 1 in the UG Medical School on the Hospital campus.  All staff are encouraged to attend and be part of the consultation process.  Those who are unable to attend but would like to contribute to the consultation are invited to provide their comments on the Strategic Plan via an online survey.

The online survey together with a copy of the Vice- Chancellor's presentation to staff can be found at http://www.keele.ac.uk/strategicplansurvey.  Responses to the survey, which ends on 28 February, will be fed directly into the review.

UK BIOBANK ETHICS AND GOVERNANCE COUNCIL APPOINTMENT

Dr Sheelagh McGuinness, PEAK/ School of Law, has been appointed as a lay-member of the UK Biobank Ethics and Governance Council. Sheelagh's appointment will be effective from 1 March, for a four year term.

The UK Biobank Ethics and Governance Council is an independent committee established by the Welcome Trust and the Medical Research Council. The other appointees are Professor Kate Hunt, from the University of Glasgow, and Professor Søren Holm, from the University of Manchester.

Head of School, Dr Andrew Francis, said, "Many congratulations to Sheelagh. This prestigious appointment is a deserved recognition of the excellence of Sheelagh's work across law and ethics."

MARSHALL SCHOLAR TALK

The Research Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine this week hosted a visit by Steven Robinette, a Marshall Scholar supported by the National Institutes for Health, USA, who is currently studying at Imperial College London.

Steven's stimulating talk, entitled "Translating Metabolomics: Turning Chemical Data into Biological Knowledge in the 'Omics Era", focused on data analysis methods. The questions which followed revealed many links with ongoing research in ISTM and he also had meetings to discuss research with several ISTM members, to promote collaboration between Keele and Imperial College.

Steven is pictured second from the right, in the breath analysis laboratory of Professor David Smith, FRS, and meeting with members of the research groups led by Professor Simon Davies and Professor Gordon Ferns.

KEELE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Keele International Festival events this week include: guest speaker Jude Carroll, from Oxford Brookes University, who will give a half day workshop on Internationalisation of the Curriculum on Wednesday 16 February, from 1:00pm, in room CBA1.098; also on Wednesday, the Barnes Halls of Residence 'International Dress Day' and the Holly Cross/The Oaks/Lindsay Halls of Residence international night from 7:00pm. Friday 18th sees the CEC 'International Awareness Day' taking place, including 'Work the World' presentations, which is open to all staff and students.

Further details about the festival and how to be involved can be found at www.keele.ac.uk/internationalfestival/

GREEN WEEK 2011 AT KEELE

Professor Pat Bailey, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Environment and Sustainability), pictured, was among those who tried out the eco-driving simulator installed in the Chancellor's Building as part of Green Week 2011 at Keele.

The simulator is used to teach good practice and economical driving techniques that can cut fuel consumption.There was also a pedal powered smoothie bar for people to try out.

The week, which aimed to raise awareness of environmental issues for staff and students,  also presented an opportunity to highlight some of the key sustainability activities at the University.

AUTISM SEMINAR AT KEELE

In response to requests from Local Authority partners, Making Research Count Keele arranged a seminar on Autism.  The key issue for many social work practitioners was the need to develop appropriate and effective services.

This challenging area of practice was addressed by Dr Dougal Hare, from The University of Manchester, who discussed his current research in a presentation titled 'Autism: a better life'. In a concluding presentation the impact of research on practice was clearly demonstrated  by Dr Ewan  Perry , a Clinical Psychologist,  who discused his  work with people with Autism/Aspergers and gave examples of effective interventions based on current understanding.
 
The event attracted a lot of interest and the positive feedback from the many delegates confirmed the value of research dissemination in informing and shaping practice.

HANDS ON PHYSICS FOR YOUNG MUSICIANS

More than 100 young musicians took part in an exciting 'hands on' physics event at Stafford Performing Arts Centre staged by Keele PGCE Science students, linking the physics of sound production with the knowledge and enthusiasm for playing a musical instrument.

Led by John Perry, of Keele's PGCE Science Team, Richard Hewitt, Jonathan Davenport and Katie Felton gave the performing arts students the chance to explore concepts linking their practical understanding of making music with the science of sound waves, dynamics, string tension, tube lengths and more.

Twenty-five lucky students went home having made their own flute, perfectly in tune and playable.

PRESTIGIOUS ESO STUDENTSHIP

Keele Astrophysics PhD student, Masha Lakicevic, has won a prestigious studentship at the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Worth approximately 100,000 euros, the studentship enables her to spend two years at ESO's headquarters near Munich, Germany.

Masha, pictured above, arrived at Keele in October 2010 from her home country Serbia, to study supernova remnants in the Magellanic Clouds.

Her supervisor, Dr Jacco van Loon, who was also an ESO student, said: "I am delighted for Masha to have the opportunity to perform research at the heart of European astronomy. This award is a great success for her, and further enhances the international profile of the Keele Astrophysics Group."

SELECT COMMITTEE WITNESS

Calum Paton, Professor of Health Policy/ Public Policy and Professional Practice, has been invited to be a witness to the House of Commons Select Committee on Health regarding the 'new' NHS reforms.

He has been asked to give evidence to the Committee next month for its follow-up inquiry into NHS commissioning in light of the Health and Social Care Bill. He will be on a panel which will give evidence on 'What system management powers will there be?'

SECURITY OF LIBERAL GOVERNANCE

Dr Luis Lobo-Guerrero, School of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy, this week gave a talk about his work on insurance and the security of liberal governance at the Institute for Science, Innovation and Society of the Said Business School, Oxford University.

During his presentation Dr Lobo-Guerrero pictured above, claimed there is an urgent need to re-politicise the processes through which insurance transforms uncertainty into risk. Ever since a rationality of risk management has colonised most of governance in advanced liberal economies, and considering the prominent role various forms of private and public insurance play in making that rationality possible, it is time to open up the role of insurance to public scrutiny. Public accountability on the constitution of 'risks' is an urgent necessity for the development of contemporary liberal democracies.

PAY-AS-YOU-GO JUSTICE

Professor Barry Godfrey, Research Institute for Social Sciences, has been awarded £22,800 for a PhD scholarship for a project entitled "Pay-as-you-go justice?: Out of court disposals and the future of the Magistracy", funded by the Magistrates Association and supervised by Professor Godfrey, Dr Helen Wells and Dr Mary Corcoran, all from the Centre for Social Policy.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Twenty-nine years ago -

Mr William Waldegrave, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education, visited the University on 15 February 1982 as part of a series of visits to commemorate the 30th anniversary of education at Keele. Mr Waldegrave conducted a staff-student seminar on Government and education, chaired by Professor John Eggleston. 15 February 1982.