WHOLE EARTH EXHIBITION – UK LAUNCH AT KEELE

Keele is the venue for the official UK launch of a new display of the ground breaking, internationally acclaimed touring exhibition, Hard Rain. The original exhibition has been expanded to include 'Whole Earth? - Aligning human systems and natural systems'.

Set outdoors, adjacent to the Claus Moser Building, students, staff and visitors will see powerful photography and words illustrating both our global problems and the solutions available to us – 'if there is the political will to invest in sustainable technologies and development strategies around the world.'

In 2006 environmental photographer, Mark Edwards, launched an exhibition of photographs, in collaboration with Bob Dylan, entitled Hard Rain. It explored the state of the planet with each line of Dylan's song, Hard Rain, being illustrated by an image. The new display, Whole Earth? presents solutions to the problems highlighted in Hard Rain, but governments need grass-roots support  if they are to scale up these solutions and move towards sustainable development.
 
The official opening of the exhibition will take place on Thursday, 9 February at 3pm, with Jonathon Porritt, who will be installed as our new Chancellor at a ceremony earlier in the day, and creator Mark Edwards, which will be followed by Mark's inspirational talk, Hard Rain: Whole Earth? at 4pm in the Westminster Theatre. All are welcome. Admission is free.

HEA CHANGE PROGRAMME

A team from Keele is taking part in the Higher Education Academy Change Academy, exploring programme-level approaches to improve assessment and feedback.

The aim of the project is to use, evaluate and disseminate the potential of the  TESTA project methodology and tools (www.testa.ac.uk) to supplement the existing programme review and development process (CARD) as part of an on-going institutional focus on developing and diversifying assessment practices.
 
The team - Dr Nicky Edelstyn and Dr Martin Rowley, School of Psychology, Matthew Street, Learning and Professional Development Centre, pictured, and Caroline Farnell-Smith, from the Quality Office, - will review and audit a programme using the TESTA process. They will explore the effectiveness and usability of the approach, or elements of it, for wider adoption and adaption into current practices of programme review and development.  The team will report on whether the TESTA process could be a useful tool to support the University's teaching and learning strategy which identifies assessment and feedback processes that enhance and deepen learning as one of its core aims. For further information please contact:  m.j.street@phil.keele.ac.uk.

ENGLAND CALL-UP FOR KEELE STUDENT

First year student Sam Brougham has been selected for the junior commonwealth fencing team, representing England, in Jersey next month. Sam is currently ranked 7th in Great Britain Under 20's in fencing and has shown that students can juggle a full time degree and excel at their sport.

Sam's Fencing honours to date include; Yorkshire U17 (2007, 2008, 2009), Yorkshire men's (2009, 2010, 2011), GB U17 (2008, 2009), GB U20 (2010, 2011, 2012) and England U20 (2012).

KEELE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Keele student volunteers made a big impact when they took part in a tree planting scheme at Silverdale. It was one of the Keele Makes A Difference Days set up by VE @ Keele to encourage students to take part in one off volunteering events.

Thirteen students took part in the tree and hedge planting activity, run in conjunction with Groundwork, a charity that manages the site, at Silverdale Country Park. The Ranger, Andrew Hunt, talked to the students about the site and the future development of the park.  Over 100 trees were planted on the day and it was a great success, with students asking if more trips to Silverdale could be planned so that they could continue to help in the development of the area.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Outreach and Widening Participation today hosted their annual Holocaust Memorial Day conference with over 180 students from 12 local schools in attendance. The students enjoyed taking part in History and Human Rights workshops, facilitated by Keele Student Ambassadors and also learnt about 'Scientists of the Holocaust' in a lecture delivered by Dr Jane Essex.

The students heard testimony from Holocaust survivor, Joan Salter, as part of the visit, organised in conjunction with the Holocaust Educational Trust. Joan's talk was followed by a question and answer session, to enable pupils to better understand the nature of the Holocaust and to explore its lessons in more depth. 

This year's theme for Holocaust Memorial Day was 'Speak Up, Speak Out', encouraging people to actively oppose racism and prejudice. Hearing in person from a Holocaust survivor gives young people the opportunity to learn more about the Holocaust and what can happen if racism is allowed to gain a foothold in society.

STUDY ABROAD PHOTO COMPETITION

The Study Abroad office this week hosted its annual Photo Competition in Keele Hall.

Out of almost 100 submissions, the three guest judges, John McCarthy (Director of Marketing and Communications), Karen Clarke (Director of Finance & IT) and John Easom (Alumni Officer), selected nine finalists to be displayed at the event.

Returning Keele exchange students and this semester's new International arrivals were invited to attend to vote for their favourite entry. The winner of the top prize of £100 was awarded to Matthew Thompson, who studied at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia. The Study Abroad team were pleased to welcome their highest number of guests yet, with a total of over 160 attendees. The event gave guests an insight into other students' Study Abroad experiences throughout the world and enabled new arrivals at Keele to meet students who had studied at their institution.

The picture shows Matthew receiving his prize from Dr Annette Kratz, Head of Keele International.

APPOINTED TO NATIONAL ADVISORY BODY

Ms Carol Rhodes, Patient and Public Involvement Co-ordinator, and Dr Pam Carter, Research Fellow (User Involvement), Arthritis Research UK National Primary Care Centre, Primary Care Sciences, have been appointed as members of INVOLVE.

There were over 150 applications from across the country for 15 membership vacancies.

INVOLVE is a national advisory body that supports greater public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research that is  part of the National Institute of Health Research.

Carol works to support PPI at Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre and an article about her role is due to be published in a forthcoming INVOLVE newsletter.

Pam, pictured above, is based at the Centre and advises on PPI as part of the West Midlands Research Design Service as well as conducting academic work in this field.

NEXT WEEK

30 January: Poet Jane Weir will give a reading of her work on Monday in The Chancellor's Building at 7 pm. Tickets cost £5 (£2.50 concessions).

KEELE WORLD FESTIVAL

31 Jan: Marshall Scholar Speaker Anna Jo Bordurtha Smith will speak on "Childhood Obesity and Public Health: US and UK Perspectives" 1.30pm Clinical Education Centre

1 Feb: Enrol for language conversation classes here.- for details see here.

2 Feb: "Working with International Students" for staff. 2pm in K2 Students' Union

2 Feb: Dr Richard Waller "Arctic Permafrost and the Impacts of Climate Change"
For full details see here.

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Fifty years ago –

The Charter of Incorporation to the University of Keele was granted on 26 January 1962.

Forty-five years ago -

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Arthur Michael Ramsey, has been awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Literature by the University. 20 January 1967.

ARTHRITIS RESEARCH UK GALA BALL

The Keele fundraising branch of the Arthritis Research UK has organised its first Gala Ball on Saturday, 10 March in Keele Hall.

A table of 10 at this prestigious black tie event costs £450, with individual tickets costing £50.

To book, please contact Sara Muller on 01782 734842 / email s.muller@cphc. keele.ac.uk

KEELE LECTURES ON MODERN TURKEY 
 
An Agreement has been signed between SPIRE and the Center for Strategic Research (SAM) of Turkey to organise a series of six lectures a year by visiting speakers, "Lectures on Modern Turkey".  The agreement was signed at Keele this week by Professor Bulent Gokay (Head of SPIRE) and Professor Aras (Director of SAM).

According to this agreement, SAM is going to provide £6,000 a year for SPIRE to host this series at Keele, starting next month.The Center for Strategic Research is an international affairs and diplomacy think-tank and research institution in Ankara-Turkey, funded by Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.