KEELE HALL FOUNTAIN RESTORED

A major project to restore the fountain in the gardens of Keele Hall has been completed.

The fountain at the heart of the Italian Gardens, which was built in 1840 and last restored in the late 1980's, has undergone a complete rebuild to restore it to its former glory.
Work included refurbishment of the existing stonework, pool and up-stand and the complete replacement of the controls, pumps, water supply pipe and treatment equipment.

At a ceremony to mark the completion of the restoration the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett, thanked the project team for their hard work and Keele Alumni, who raised over £2,000 during  the 2010 Autumn telethon campaign as a contribution towards the cost of the work.

PREVENTING DOMESTIC ABUSE

Keele, in collaboration with the universities of Manchester and Bath, hosted an event last week which focused on the prevention of domestic abuse, bringing together over forty delegates from local and national organisations in the areas of domestic abuse research, policy and practice. Presentations focused on working with children and young people in reducing their risk of becoming involved in domestic abuse as adolescents and adults.

The event included a presentation on the first stage of the ESRC 'From Boys to Men' research study. This study, led by Dr Claire Fox (Keele), pictured, Professor David Gadd (Manchester) and Professor Ian Butler (Bath), explores why some boys grow up to be domestic abuse perpetrators when others do not and how we can change the attitudes and feelings that give rise to abusive tendencies among adolescents. The first presentation of the study's findings focused on the emerging results from an evaluation of 'Relationships without Fear', a school-based intervention programme on healthy relationships and domestic abuse prevention, delivered by Arch North Staffs. The event has received external attention with Dr Fox giving an interview on BBC Radio Stoke.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Thirty-five members of staff who have undertaken development programmes in the past year received certificates from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett, at a ceremony in Keele Hall. The programmes concerned were Research Supervisor Training and Development; National Vocational Qualifications at level 2 in business and administration, at level 3 in customers service, business and administration, and management; and the Institute of Leadership and Management level 3 award in First Line Management and level 2 award in Team Leading. A further 41 members of staff were unable to attend. The Vice-Chancellor stressed the importance to both individuals and the University of undertaking development activities, and congratulated the staff present on their achievements.

THE FUTURE OF MEDIUM-SIZED CITIES

Dr Philip Catney, pictured, Dr Mark Featherstone, Professor Graham Allan and Professor Chris Phillipson (all Research Institute for Social Sciences) held a two day ESRC seminar last week on the theme of 'The Future for Medium-Sized Cities'.

The seminar brought together academics and PhD students from all over the world to discuss the conceptual and practical issues involved in regenerating post-industrial cities. A keynote address was given by Professor Justin Hollander (Tufts University), who presented research that forms the basis of his recent book 'Sunburnt Cities: The Great Recession, Depopulation and Urban Planning in the American Sunbelt' (2011).

Other speakers included Professor Maria Cerreta (University of Naples) on achieving sustainable regeneration in Italy, Professor Thomas Panagopoulos (University of Algarve) on a positive approach to shrinking cities, and Keele's Dr Mark Featherstone on hyper-urbanism in China. Other papers examined the UK experience of regeneration and the conceptual issues involved with developing a research programme on medium-sized cities.

AGES AND STAGES TEAM VISITS CANADIAN PARTNERS

Professor Miriam Bernard and Dr Lucy Munro, members of Keele's 'Ages and Stages' research team, have returned from a visit to their partner project at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. The 'Ages and Stages' project, funded under the multi-research council New Dynamics of Ageing Programme, is researching the role that Stoke-on-Trent's Victoria Theatre (now the New Vic Theatre) has played in the lives of older people living and working in the Potteries during the last forty years. The Canadian project is working with the 'GeriActors and Friends' intergenerational theatre company to explore how older adults' participation in theatrical productions can enhance individual health outcomes. 

The teams held a series of research discussions about their projects and drew up plans for collaborative presentations and publications. Mim and Lucy also joined in the 3rd annual FEST (Festival of Edmonton Seniors Theatre), part of Edmonton's annual 'Creative Age Festival'; attended a showcase of presentations and an evening celebration with performances from four different theatre groups, including the 'GeriActors and Friends'. They also participated in Storytelling and Comedy Improvisation workshops and met with the 'GeriActors and Friends' company. Mim and Lucy were interviewed about their visit and the 'Ages and Stages' project for a documentary film being made about the whole 'Creative Age' Festival.

Pictured are (from left to right): Sherry Ann Chapman (Faculty of Extension, University of Alberta); Sally Chivers (Trent University); Janet Fast (PI)(Dept of Human Ecology, University of Alberta); Lucy Munro; David Barnet (Dept of Drama, University of Alberta); and Mim Bernard. For further information about both projects see:
http://www.keele.ac.uk/research/lcs/csg/agesandstages
http://www.rapp.ualberta.ca/en/Research/Contributions.aspx

RESEARCH WITH LIVING BEINGS

Health scientists, social scientists, lawyers, and ethicists came together at Keele to discuss issues surrounding research with embryos and non-human primates. The 'Research with Living Beings' conference was organised by Professor Marie Fox (Law) and Dr Marie-Andrée Jacob (Law), pictured, and funded by the Wellcome Trust, the AHRC Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality, and the Centre for Law Ethics and Society.
 
The conference was organised to coincide with a visit to the Law School by Professor of Women's and Gender Studies Charis Thompson (University of California at Berkeley), funded by the AHRC Centre for Law, Gender and Sexuality. It was opened by Keele's Chancellor, Professor Sir David Weatherall, who chaired the influential report on The use of non-human primates in research (2006).

The impetus for the 'Research with Living Beings' conference was the fact that opportunities for open, face-to-face engagement between primate and embryo research scientists, and other scholars are very rare. Hopefully the conference is only the first of a series of multidisciplinary encounters to discuss scientific, social, legal and ethical developments in relation to this field of research.

EXAMINING THE EXTREME RIGHT

Dr Elisabeth Carter and Dr Philip Catney (SPIRE / Keele European Parties Research Unit) last week hosted a workshop at Keele on the theme of 'The Extreme Right in the Local Arena'. Academics and practitioners came together to consider the complex reasons for why parties of the extreme right have broken through at the local electoral level (in Britain and across Western Europe), to discuss why these breakthroughs have often been concentrated in very specific areas, and to examine why these parties have sometimes been able to sustain the gains they have made in these areas, but have sometimes not.

The impetus for the workshop came from the fact that while considerable attention has been devoted to the breakthrough and electoral success of extreme right parties at the national level, the local level has been largely neglected in existing research. The workshop had a scoping role: it sought to explore avenues for future academic research, as well as opportunities to engage with policy-makers and the wider community to better understand the dynamics of right-wing extremism in the local context. The event was funded by the HEFCE SEA-Change programme, which aims to help universities develop their capacity for policy impact.

COAST TO COAST FUNDRAISER

Karen Bostock, Sue Moore (both HR) and Dave Beeston cycled coast to coast last week, covering 143 miles over three days to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

On the first day they cycled from Whitehaven to Penrith (58 miles), the second day took in the scenery and hills, including Hartside Summit (1,900 feet high), cycling 30 miles from Penrith to Allenheads and the final day was from Allenheads to the finish point of Tynemouth (55 miles).

Thanks go to all those who have donated so far and if you still wish to contribute the link is: www.justgiving.com/suemoore1971.

KEELE STUDENT HELPS CONGO PROJECT

Postgraduate student Matthew Barber has embarked on a three week trip to Lubumbashi in DR Congo to help with development of a children's centre in the south east of the country. Centre Kimbilio is run by The Congo Children's Trust and supported by a Christian group, called CMS.
 
In conjunction with Centre Kimbilio, CMS and Keele, Matthew is looking to establish a project that will enable the centre to receive a permanent, sustainable electricity supply.  The aim is to develop a collaborative project between the Centre Kimbilio, CMS and Keele Sustainability Hub to improve the situation. Keele have provided support, equipment and advice to help Matthew carry out an initial site survey. For more information on Matthew's project and the new hub see: www.keele.ac.uk/keelehub/

FAIRTRADE STATUS RENEWED

Keele University celebrated its recently renewed Fairtrade status with a 'Declaration Event' in Keele Hall.

The Fairtrade Foundation praised Keele for its efforts and reported: 'Congratulations on developing such a wide range for Fairtrade items'  and 'We are delighted to renew Keele University's Fairtrade Status and thank you for your continuing work and support. Keele University is clearly committed to Fairtrade, and this shows in you r success in upholding and surpassing the five goals.'

KEELE KEY FUND AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The Keele Key Fund Disbursement Committee has announced grant awards totalling nearly £5,000 to three projects.

They projects are:

The Keele Concert Society Schools Programme, which will provide 20 schools with interactive voice and dance workshops; The Potteries Landscape, Life and Language Project, which will seek to make Keele's special collections and archives available to a wider audience, and "Grey Matters", part of the Active Ageing work of Keele in encouraging older people in nearby communities to visit and use the facilities at Keele and take part in a number of activities such as Sustainable Living and  The Changing Planet.

For more information and an application form please contact Robin Cross, Keele Fundraising Officer: r.i.cross@kfm.keele. ac.uk.

HOUSE OF LORDS SELECT COMMITTEE EVIDENCE

Professor Peter Styles, Professor of Applied and Environmental Geophysics/ Applied and Environmental Geophysics Research Group, School of Physical and Geographical Sciences, pictured above, gave evidence at The House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology Inquiry on Nuclear Research and Development Capabilities.

SPIRE LECTURER INVITED SPEAKER AT EURO CONFERENCE

Naveed Sheikh, School of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy (SPIRE), pictured below, was invited to speak at a European Science Foundation Research Conference on Religion, Gender, and Human Rights in Linkoping, Sweden.

His presentation was entitled 'Impotency, Masculinity and Militancy: Viagra vs. Virility in the Al-Qaida Literature' and was much applauded in the course of subsequent discussions.

The conference drew participants from Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East.

KEELELINK PIONEERING NEW PARTNERSHIPS

Keelelink continues to pioneer new partnerships to raise the aspirations of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

This time it was an event for a small group of students from a Pupil Referral Unit in Telford - the first time the division has been able to engage with students excluded from mainstream education.

The day included an introduction into topics such as Student Life, Higher Education and Finance, as well as a guided tour of the campus.

This was rounded off by a late lunch, with academics Dr Nafsika Alexiadou and Dr Farzana Shain on hand to answer specific questions and give informal advice.

The event was a great success both for the attendees, who now have their aims set on university, and the wider Keelelink partnership, as the Pupil Referral Unit is keen to become a Keelelink member and engage in more of our outreach projects.

GEARING UP FOR SUMMER

CFM is gearing up for another busy summer this year with a number of prominent events confirmed over the vacation period.

The university transforms over this time into a significant venue for weddings, conferences, sporting events and exhibitions.

The Chancellor's complex was the chosen venue for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development event.

Around 300 guests attended Europe's largest HR development professional body's conference, which included a number of seminars and took advantage of Keele's event management service, which provided event support for the conference.

HEALTH AND WELLBEING FUNDRAISERS

The School of Health and Rehabilitation raised £208 for charity during the University's Health and Wellbeing Week by offering a diverse programme of activities.

These included massages by students and one member of staff for a nominal fee, which will be donated to the students' nominated charities. Money was also raised with the sale of cakes, a body ball class, the opportunity to test lung capacities, have blood pressure measured and a demonstration of diagnostic ultra sound.

Many thanks go to the staff and students involved.

PROMOTING COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP IN NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE

Keele Management School, in collaboration with New Vic Borderlines, Kindle Partnerships and the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, is organising an event on 14 July to promote an experiential approach to leadership that builds upon the cultural capabilities of our local communities.

The event, starting at 10am, aims to identify opportunities for improving local lives and developing competitive advantage through leadership innovation in communities.

"Delegates will debate the potential for creating value through European collaboration in leadership" said Professor Mihaela Kelemen, pictured above. 

"We will be joined by Professor Dirk Bunzel, of Oulu University in Finland, who has already developed similar approaches in other European countries with great success."

For further information should contact Pat Leadbeater p.a.leadbeater@casu. keele.ac.uk.