http://www.keele.ac.uk Recent news from Keele University en-gb Copyright: (C). Keele University 20 The packed programme will include sessions on "Why Choose a Career in Medicine?", "Entry Requirements and the Interview", "The Student Years", and "Pathways in a Medical Career". In the afternoon there will be interactive sessions including laboratory work and an admissions question and answer workshop.
Speakers will include Dr Kevin West of Leicester University, Professor Peter Dangerfield of Liverpool University, Mr Robert Kirby, Consultant Surgeon & Hospital Dean at Keele, Professor Andrew Hassell, Director of Undergraduate Programmes at Keele and Dr Carol Gray, Director of Student Support at Keele, together with former medical students from Keele University.
The Careers Day is for pupils from years 10 – 12 who would like to find out more about a career in medicine. The cost is £25 per pupil, including packed lunch, refreshments and conference materials. All bookings must be made via schools on the booking form with a maximum of 12 pupils per school. The booking form and programme can be downloaded.
There are 250 places available and, as this is a very popular event, early booking is essential. Pupils must be accompanied by a teacher to comply with the University Child Protection Policy and a teachers’ programme will be available.
Delegates who attended the event in 2011 came from schools in Bolton, Cheshire, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, North Wales, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/soyouwanttobeadoctordayatkeele.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/soyouwanttobeadoctordayatkeele.php Wed, 22 Feb 2012 14:44:00 GMT The new volunteering strategy named ‘Keele Community Connections’, is to be launched as part of National Student Volunteering Week, the 50th Anniversary of the award of Keele’s charter as a University and the tenth year of formal volunteering at Keele. Keele will also join with the NSVC and Volunteering England to become a branch of NSVC – and it is believed Keele is the first university in the country to become a branch of this national organisation.
The initiative will provide high quality volunteering experiences in partnership with a wide range of local and global organisations, thereby contributing to social, environmental, and economic agendas locally, nationally, internationally, and enabling the students at Keele to make a positive and valued contribution in the communities in which they live and work.
Professor Nick Foskett, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: ‘Keele University's mission includes our commitment to contributing positively to social, environmental and economic agenda's locally nationally and internationally. The 'Keele Community Connections Volunteering Strategy' is an innovative, pioneering community based initiative, which will strengthen Keele University's links with it communities for the benefit of individuals and groups within those communities, and Keele's students and alumni.’
Professor Marilyn Andrews, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Education and Student Experience, said: ‘One of the strategic aims of Keele University is to develop an environmentally aware and sustainable outward facing campus community, and therefore we are absolutely thrilled to be launching the new initiative, ‘Keele Community Connections’, which we hope will become a beacon of excellence in volunteering, as well as creating a significant and positive impact within the Keele, local and global communities and on those who participate in volunteering.’
To celebrate the new initiative, all Keele Staff and Students will be invited to a launch event will taking place on Thursday 23rd February, 12.00 to 15.00 in the Chancellor's Building, with a short presentation in the Westminster Theatre which is being introduced by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, Rama Thirunamachandran.
Julia Roberts, Trustee of the local North Staffordshire charity Embrace, said: ‘We are delighted to be partnering with Keele University, Aspire Housing and the North Staffordshire Volunteering Centres as part of this new volunteering strategy initiative ‘Keele Community Connections’. We look forward to welcoming a range of undergraduate, post graduates and Keele alumni to our organisation.
 
For further information please contact Chris Stone, Press and Publicity Officer for Keele University, on Email: c.w.stone@mac.keele.ac.uk Tel: 01782 733700 Ext. 733375.
 - Ends -
Notes to Editor:
Keele Community Connections:-
Keele Community Connections is managed by a stakeholder board which develops volunteering infrastructure as well as governance of the current and future partnership.
 
Keele Community Connections Volunteering Strategy links with the following Strategic Aims of Keele University:
-       To provide the highest quality student experience to a diverse student body.
-       To deliver international excellence and impact in focused areas of research.
-       To contribute positively to the society, economy, culture and health of the communities they serve through their research, education and enterprise.
-       To develop an environmentally aware and sustainable outward-facing campus community.
-       To manage and develop resources effectively to ensure the University’s sustainability and development.
 
Keele University Students Union (KUSU)
For further information regarding KUSU, please contact Sarah Amplett on email: s.amphlett@kusu.keele.ac.uk.
 
Aspire Housing:-
The Aspire Group is a social business that provides housing, training and neighbourhood services. The group is made up of:
Aspire Housing, which provides around 20,000 customers with quality affordable homes and services
Enterprising Futures, the social enterprise arm of the Aspire Group. PM Training and Furniture Mine are part of Enterprising - Futures 
The Realise Foundation, our unique regeneration charity that supports apprenticeships, lifelong learning and environmental improvement
For further information please contact Group Head of Marketing and Communications, Michael Howard on 01782 854717 or 07540 902537 or email mhoward@aspiregroup.org.uk.
Embrace:-
Embrace are a small charity who run a ‘Drop-In’ for destitute female refugees and asylum seekers, and their children, who are experiencing hardship and social isolation as a result of the asylum process in North Staffordshire.
Embrace aims to provide a peaceful and safe space for assisting women to meet, support and social contact, opportunities for education and creativity, a platform for asylum seeking women's voices to be heard, a listening ear and practical support including signposting to other agencies and food provision packs and parcels.
For further information, please contact Julia Roberts on 07989 980 016 or email embracewomen@gmail.com.Follow on twitter.com/womenembrace or facebook.com/embracewomen.
 North Staffordshire Volunteer Centres (NSVC)
 For further information, please contact Jo Phillips, Service Manager - Volunteering and Access
Staffordshire Moorlands Community & Voluntary Services, 9 High Street, Leek, Staffordshire.ST13 5DZ (t) 01538 398240, (f) 01538 381356, email: jophillips@smcvs.co.uk. www.communitiestogether.org.
 
 ]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/keelelaunchespioneeringcommunity-basedvolunteeringstrategy.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/keelelaunchespioneeringcommunity-basedvolunteeringstrategy.php Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:42:00 GMT Political parties have for over 100 years played a central role in the theory and practice of modern democracy, constituting a vital link between the demos and the politicians to whom the exercise of the affairs of the state is temporarily entrusted. There is thus much to be said for Schattschneider’s 1942 dictum that ‘democracy is unthinkable save in terms of … parties’. Yet political parties have always been contested institutions. The media frequently portrays them as at best untrustworthy and at worst corrupt, whilst even nuanced academic analyses assert that they are becoming increasingly redundant. Drawing on his work on contemporary western European party politics, Professor Luther will explore current research into the changing role of political parties, identify the main challenges they face and consider their likely future shape. He will conclude with proposals for the future direction of party research, arguing amongst other things for the adoption of a more-actor-centric approach.
Kurt Richard Luther is Professor of Comparative Politics and Convenor of the Keele European Parties Research Unit. He studied Politics and Languages in the UK and in Germany and wrote his PhD on the development of federal thought and practice in western Europe. His subsequent research topics include the role of political parties in federal states, causes of party system change, the politics of party elites in Europe's deeply divided 'consociational' democracies, right-wing radical parties, party strategy and the organizational adaptation of political parties to European integration. His co-edited books include Political Parties in the New Europe: Political and Analytical Challenges (Oxford University Press, 2005) and The Europeanization of National Political Parties: Power and Organizational Adaptation (Routledge, 2007). An international expert on Austrian politics, he was in 2008 appointed Visiting Professor at the University of Vienna and in 2009 awarded the Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Arts by the Federal President of Austria.
Keele's programme of Inaugural Lectures are given by newly established professors within the University and aim to give an illuminating account of the speaker's own subject specialism. The lectures, which start at 6 pm in the Westminster Theatre, are chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett. Admission is free; no ticket is required.
The other lectures in the series are:
Tuesday, 20 March, 2012, Professor Robert Ladrech, Politics, "Political Parties and the European Project"; Tuesday, 17 April, 2012, Professor Robin Jeffries, Astrophysics, "A star is born"; Tuesday, 8 May, 2012, Professor Carole Thornley, Management, "Why are the low-paid always with us?"; Monday, 11 June,  2012, Professor Andy Hassell, Medicine, "The patient with arthritis, the medical student and the rheumatologist: influencing tomorrow's doctors".]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/politicalpartieswhoneedsthem.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/politicalpartieswhoneedsthem.php Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:16:00 GMT Each professor will receive around £1.5m of funding to conduct research into conditions that affect millions of patients across the UK.
Professor Nadine Foster, from Keele University, is to receive funding for her research programme, which will ensure GPs and physiotherapists offer treatments and services that help people with musculoskeletal pain and disability, so they can cope with and reduce pain.
Professor Foster said: “Support from the NIHR for this five year research programme will ensure the delivery of high quality evidence to support treatments and primary care services for patients with common painful conditions including back pain, shoulder pain and knee pain.
“My research, led from the Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre at Keele University, involves randomised clinical trials testing the clinical and cost effectiveness of different treatments as well as new services that can be translated into improved patient care. In addition, the award will enhance primary care research capacity and research leadership in ways that will benefit general practice, physiotherapy and musculoskeletal services more broadly.”
Health minister Anne Milton said:
"The professors will be given the opportunity to develop their research programmes, but most importantly they won't stop treating NHS patients. This will help make sure that new ideas make the leap from the bench to the bedside.
"We want to see medical research advance, and to do that it is essential that we nurture the very best researchers to the benefit of NHS patients.”
Promoting and fostering the kind of research that the new NIHR research professors will carry out is one of the Government’s top priorities, and through the Health and Social Care Bill the role that research plays in the health service will continue to be strengthened.
The professors were selected by an international panel of independent experts. The second round of the competition is also opening today, and the next group of NIHR professors will be appointed later in the year.
Professor Dame Sally Davies, Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Advisor at the Department of Health said:
“Each one of these professors already has an impressive track record, and I look forward to working with them in the future and seeing them flourish. They will provide much needed research leadership in their chosen field, and help us build more capacity and capability within the NIHR in very important areas.
“Our original intention was to appoint only five new research professors, but the international expert panel found the quality of applications so high that they advised eight awards should be made.”
Notes to editors
For media enquiries only, please contact the Department of Health press office on 020 7210 5221.
A full list of the new NIHR professors, as well as details of their research and contact details is available on request. Alternatively, please click here: http://www.nihr.ac.uk/faculty/Pages/ResearchProfessorships.aspx
Today’s announcement coincides with the start of a new competition for the second round of NIHR Research Professorship competition. These awards are open to health researchers and methodologists with an outstanding record of clinical and applied health research and its effective translation for improved health. For more information please click on the following link: www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk/researchprofessor
On the 5th December 2011 the Prime Minister launched a new Strategy for UK Life Sciences which aims to continue the country’s record of world-leading innovation in life sciences. In the strategy, the Government describes how it aims to provide a better environment for life sciences, to improve the lives of patients and contribute to economic growth. The strategy highlights the important contribution NIHR research makes to innovation in life sciences, and sets out a number of key actions where NIHR is leading.
About the NIHR
The National Institute for Health Research provides the framework through which the research staff and research infrastructure of the NHS in England is positioned, maintained and managed as a national research facility.  The NIHR provides the NHS with the support and infrastructure it needs to conduct first-class research funded by the Government and its partners alongside high-quality patient care, education and training.  Its aim is to support outstanding individuals (both leaders and collaborators), working in world class facilities (both NHS and university), conducting leading edge research focused on the needs of patients. http://www.nihr.ac.uk/The original of this email was scanned for viruses by the Government Secure Intranet virus scanning service supplied by Cable&Wireless Worldwide in partnership with MessageLabs. (CCTM Certificate Number 2009/09/0052.) On leaving the GSi this email was certified virus free.Communications via the GSi may be automatically logged, monitored and/or recorded for legal purposes.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/keeleprofessorawardedprestigiousnihrprofessorship.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/keeleprofessorawardedprestigiousnihrprofessorship.php Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:19:00 GMT The final year PhD student who is studying Chemistry (applied to Forensic Entomology), says the award is ‘the opportunity of a lifetime’ that will allow her to take her research to the USA.
Once her thesis has been submitted, she will travel to the USA for six to eight weeks, starting in Indiana where she will gain invaluable hands on entomological experience with a renowned forensic entomologist, Dr Neal Haskell, collecting samples and applying her current research in a field based environment.
Hannah says: “Forensic entomology is much more appreciated and recognised in the USA, so being able to work along side a practicing entomologist will give me a lot of insight, which I can hopefully bring back to the UK.”
She will then move to Massachusetts to work with the co-inventor of a new analytical instrument, Direct Analysis in Real Time.  This ion source (coupled to a Mass Spectrometer) is being widely used in the USA, especially in the area of toxicology but there are only three instruments in the UK.  Her time spent with Robert (Chip) Cody will give her a wealth of knowledge about the instrument, as well as looking at its potential to be applied for the analysis of entomology samples.  Her final confirmed visit will be to Oregon to carry out a short project at the US Fish and Wildlife Service Forensic Laboratory, where a senior scientist is keen to work with her on the analysis of the gut contents of larvae feeding on drug contaminated meat, using the technique of DART-MS.  She hopes to round off her trip by presenting her findings to the FBI - but this has yet to be confirmed. 
The Winston Churchill Trust was established in 1965 in memory of Sir Winston Churchill. They award annual grants to British citizens, (resident in the UK), to travel overseas, enabling them to study areas of interest in order to gain knowledge for the benefit of their profession, community and the UK as a whole.
On her return, Hannah – who left school without ‘A’ levels - plans to promote forensic entomology, DART-MS and the Winston Churchill Trust that gave her the opportunity.  She also hopes to give talks at local schools to promote science at higher education. 
For further details on the trust and for information on how to apply for next years fellowships, visit www.wcmt.org.uk]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/keelestudentawardedwinstonchurchilltravellingfellowship.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/keelestudentawardedwinstonchurchilltravellingfellowship.php Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:04:00 GMT She is a hugely successful poet, playwright, translator (from Welsh) and is President of Ty Newydd, the writers´ centre in North Wales, which she co-founded in 1990. Her poetry is studied for GCSE and A Level by students throughout Britain. Born and raised in Cardiff, she now lives with her husband (an architect) in Ceredigion. She was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for poetry in 2010.
Recent books include At the Source, a collection of prose, and A Recipe for Water, both Carcanet Press. A new poetry collection, Ice Music, is due in 2012.
The reading will take place in the Chancellor's Building on the Keele University campus in Staffordshire and starts at 7pm. Tickets are £5 (concessions £2.50).]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/nationalpoetforwalestoreadatkeele.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/nationalpoetforwalestoreadatkeele.php Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:07:00 GMT He will be the University’s fourth Chancellor and succeeds Professor Sir David Weatherall, who has retired after nine years. His installation as Chancellor is the first official event in Keele’s 50th Anniversary year.
Jonathon Porritt said:"I am hugely honoured to have been asked to become the next Chancellor of Keele University.  I have enjoyed many contacts with the University over the last 15 years, and have been very impressed at the commitment shown by the Vice-Chancellor and many other members of staff in demonstrating real leadership on sustainability issues. 
 “Now is a very interesting time to be getting involved in the Higher Education sector and it’s important that my role as Chancellor at Keele is not just about challenging the university, but about challenging the sector as a whole, particular in regards to sustainability.
“Universities are not just big businesses that should be making their estate more sustainable, but are in the unique position of being able to educate future generations and drive research into the sustainability and environmental agenda.
“Universities are meant to be the thought leaders of society and if they don’t lead the way, there is a risk that less independent voices fill the vacuum with their own agenda on the subject of sustainability, rather than insight based on robust research.
“With the financial future set to remain bleak for some time, this is a gritty and challenging context that we are faced with, but it is essential that universities like Keele stay focused and thrive through these difficult times.”
Professor Nick Foskett, Vice-Chancellor of Keele University, said: “We welcome Jonathon Porritt as our new Chancellor. He is an internationally renowned environmentalist, author and commentator on sustainability who will be an inspiration to our students and staff alike.
“Jonathon is hugely respected globally for his work on sustainable development, I know his influence and guidance will cross all disciplines at Keele.
“Our students are encouraged to challenge convention and with Jonathon we will have a Chancellor who is not only widely respected for his views but is prepared to be outspoken on issues about which he is passionate.
“The challenging context of HE at present is ensuring that all universities look closely at their plans for the future. At Keele we feel confident that the high quality of our education and research will enable us to fulfil our strategy of being one of the UK’s leading campus-based university communities and as our Chancellor, Jonathon Porritt will advise, support and motivate us in the difficult  and uncertain times ahead.”
Rosie Weatherley, President of Keele University’s Student Union, adds: “Jonathon Porritt's distinguished career and strong advocacy of environmental and sustainability issues mean that he is a fantastic asset to the University.  Keele students have for generations stood up for what they believe to be right and Jonathon’s uncompromising commitment to this idea makes him a worthy new figurehead for the institution and a great ambassador for Keele. We welcome him to our community and believe that his integrity and values will make him an inspiring role model for our students.”
Jonathon Porritt is the Co-Founder of Forum for the Future.  Established in 1996, Forum for the Future is now the UK’s leading sustainable development charity, with 70 staff and over 100 partner organisations, including some of the world’s leading companies.
In addition, he is Co-Director of The Prince of Wales's Business and Sustainability Programme which runs seminars for senior executives around the world.  He is a Non-Executive Director of Wessex Water, and of Willmott Dixon Holdings.  He is a Trustee of the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy, and is involved in the work of many NGOs and charities as Patron, Chair or Special Adviser.
He was formerly Director of Friends of the Earth (1984-90); co-chair of the Green Party (1980-83) of which he is still a member; chairman of UNED-UK (1993-96); chairman of Sustainability South West, the South West Round Table for Sustainable Development (1999-2001); a Trustee of WWF UK (1991-2005), a member of the Board of the South West Regional Development Agency (1999-2008).
He stood down as Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission in July 2009 after nine years providing high-level advice to Government Ministers. Jonathon received a CBE in January 2000 for services to environmental protection.
His latest books are Capitalism As If The World Matters (Earthscan, revised 2007), Globalism & Regionalism (Black Dog 2008) and Living Within Our Means (Forum for the Future 2009).
Installation of Jonathon Porritt, CBE as Chancellor of Keele University February 2012 - Images by Keele University
]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/keele-new-chancellor.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/keele-new-chancellor.php Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:50:00 GMT Some of the world’s most debilitating and pernicious diseases are the result of parasitic infection caused by the activity of blood-feeding insects. Malaria is the most important of these diseases but Leishmaniasis is also of global significance but is described by the WHO as a Neglected Tropical Disease with “no visibility or concept on how to handle the disease”. Sand flies can spread Leishmaniasis from animals to humans and between humans when a female sand fly takes a blood meal from an infected host.  These insects are common throughout the tropics and subtropics and around 50 species are important as disease vectors.
Therapeutic drugs are available but they are expensive, unpleasant and not always effective and thus in the absence of human vaccines, prevention of infection is dependent on controlling the insect vector. Vector control can involve habitat management but it is largely dependent on the widespread use of expensive insecticides and their overuse can lead to resistance and unwanted environmental consequences. Alternative or complimentary strategies for sand fly control are urgently required.
Research on the Old and New World vectors of Leishmaniasis has pointed towards the exploitation of the chemical communication of male and female sand flies as a strategy to enhance or replace current vector control methodology. Using synthetic versions of male sex pheromones has offered the possibility of using lure-and-kill traps that are highly specific for the females of the species of sand fly targeted.
Professor Hamilton completed a PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Old Dominion University/ Eastern Virginia Medical School, USA 1989. He did Postdoctoral Research at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine before joining Keele University in 1995.
Keele's programme of Inaugural Lectures are given by newly established professors within the University and aim to give an illuminating account of the speaker's own subject specialism. The lectures, which start at 6 pm in the Westminster Theatre, are chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett. Admission is free; no ticket is required.
The other lectures in the series are:
Monday, 27 February, 2012, Professor Richard Luther, Politics, "Political Parties: who needs them?"; Tuesday, 20 March, 2012, Professor Robert Ladrech, Politics, "Political Parties and the European Project"; Tuesday, 17 April, 2012, Professor Robin Jeffries, Astrophysics, "A star is born"; Tuesday, 8 May, 2012, Professor Carole Thornley, Management, "Why are the low-paid always with us?"; Monday, 11 June,  2012, Professor Andy Hassell, Medicine, "The patient with arthritis, the medical student and the rheumatologist: influencing tomorrow's doctors".]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/sexpheromonesofmaleinsectsanddiseasecontrol.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/sexpheromonesofmaleinsectsanddiseasecontrol.php Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:04:00 GMT 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.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/wholeearthexhibition-uklaunchatkeele.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/wholeearthexhibition-uklaunchatkeele.php Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:59:00 GMT Three-day Secondary Teaching Taster Courses are available at Keele University.
The courses are designed for  people who are considering teaching as a possible career and/or are close to making a decision to apply for Initial Teacher Education - whether for a PGCE at a University/College of Higher Education/SCITT or through the Graduate Teacher Programme (Employment-based route), offered by a Designated Recommending Body.
The Courses are intended to enable participants to made an appropriately informed decision as to whether teaching is, or is not, a career that they wish to pursue.
The Structure of Course -
    Day One Keele-based    Day Two Placement in a Keele Partnership School    Day Three Keele-based
The courses are predominantly for Secondary Postgraduate Teaching in Shortage/Priority subjects.  Information and Communication Technology, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages and Science – We will also consider applications in the other subjects that we offer at Keele.  These are English, Geography, History and Social Science including (Psychology)
In addition, the Courses are intended to encourage participants from Minority Ethnic and other under-represented groups and applications are particularly welcomed.There is a cost of £25.00 per applicant. 
For further information and dates of forthcoming Taster Courses, please contact:
Tracy Di-PiazzaPGCE OfficeSchool of Public Policy And Professional PracticeChancellors BuildingKeeleStaffordshireST5 5BG
E-mail: t.di-piazza@appsoc.keele.ac.uk
Tel: 01782 734064]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/secondaryteachingtastercoursesatkeele.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2012/secondaryteachingtastercoursesatkeele.php Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:46:00 GMT Jane Weir is an Anglo- Italian poet, brought up in Manchester , who also practices as a textile designer. Her poetry is widely read and acclaimed. The Way I Dressed During The Revolution was short listed for The Glenn Dimplex New Writers Award, and her innovative poetic  biography, Walking the Block (2008), on the life, work and practices of the Modernist handblock printers Phyllis Barron and Dorothy Larcher was highly commended in the Literature category of the British Book Design Awards.
Spine (2012), the sequel to Walking The Block, examines the impact of the First World War on both women's creative imaginations, through surface print, pattern and dye. Jane also writes on print, fashion, design and the uses of feminist auto/biography. Her war poem 'Poppies' is taught in the GCSE curriculum.
Readings take place in the Chancellor's Building at Keele University at 7pm. Tickets cost £5 (£2.50 concessions).]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keeleuniversitypoetrylive.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keeleuniversitypoetrylive.php Tue, 17 Jan 2012 11:14:00 GMT Stargazing LIVE returns for a second three-night series on BBC Two which is set to encourage everyone - from the complete beginner to the enthusiastic amateur - to make the most of the night sky.
Professor Brian Cox and Dara O Briain will broadcast live from the control room of the Jodrell Bank Observatory, interacting live with the audience and calling on a starry collection of the country's finest astronomical minds to explore the majestic wonders of the skies above Britain.
In their own unique style, the pair will tackle some of the most intriguing questions in astronomy, such as Why Does The Moon Cause The Tides?, How Do We Know Where Black Holes Are When They Are Impossible To See? and What Will We Actually Say If We Ever Make Contact With An Alien Race?
BBC2 Stargazing Live 2012 activities at Keele Observatory:
"Viewing the sky through telescopes at Keele Observatory" - free event -no reservation required - free parking in evening:
Tuesday   17 January, 11-am-2pm, 6-11pmWednesday 18 January, 11-am-2pm, 6-11pmThursday  19 January, 11-am-2pm, 6-11pmhttp://www.astro.keele.ac.uk/Observatory]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keeleobservatory-stargazinglive.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keeleobservatory-stargazinglive.php Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:57:00 GMT Fifth year students graduating in July 2012 will be awarded the Keele MBChB, wearing a new Keele hood with two colours to reflect the fact that students gain two degrees – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.   Previously medical students at Keele have graduated with a Manchester degree.
The GMC has visited and scrutinised progress throughout the course’s development and reports, available on their website, have been excellent. This has been a great achievement for the School and their associated NHS partners, both staff and students, who have developed the course, completed the lengthy documentation and attended to support and give feedback at the GMC visits over the past five years.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/anewkeeledegreembchb.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/anewkeeledegreembchb.php Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:52:00 GMT Recent advances in osteoarthritis have suggested a more proactive view of the condition by debunking traditional notions that it is simply “wear and tear”, “just your age”, and inevitably progressive. In this lecture, Professor Peat will draw on the experiences of observational studies undertaken in the past decade - involving local practitioners, patients and members of the public - to examine how patient observation in the community can contribute to better primary care for osteoarthritis.
George Peat joined the Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre at Keele in 1999 as a full-time postdoctoral research fellow. He trained as a physiotherapist, qualifying in 1991 from Queen Margaret College, obtained his Masters in Public Health in 1992, and undertook his basic grade rotations in Edinburgh. In 1993 he moved to Manchester where he joined the internationally-renowned specialist multidisciplinary team at Manchester & Salford Pain Centre. His role combined clinical responsibilities in pain management with research on chronic low back pain, supervised by Professors Chris Main and Malcolm Jayson, and leading in 1998 to the award of D.Phil in Rheumatology from the University of Manchester.
Since joining Keele he has combined his interests in epidemiology and musculoskeletal pain in programmes of long-term observational research on osteoarthritis in the population and in primary care, leading a team of researchers collaborating with local clinicians, and securing over £3.5 million in external research income, including prestigious 5-year programme grants from the Medical Research Council, National Institute for Health Research, and Arthritis Research UK.
Keele's programme of Inaugural Lectures are given by newly established professors within the University and aim to give an illuminating account of the speaker's own subject specialism. The lectures, which start at 6 pm in the Westminster Theatre, are chaired by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett. Admission is free; no ticket is required.
The other lectures in the series are:
Tuesday, 7 February, 2012, Professor Gordon Hamilton, Life Sciences, "Sex pheromones of male insects and disease control"; Monday, 27 February, 2012, Professor Richard Luther, Politics, "Political Parties: who needs them?"; Tuesday, 20 March, 2012, Professor Robert Ladrech, Politics, "Political Parties and the European Project"; Tuesday, 17 April, 2012, Professor Robin Jeffries, Astrophysics, "A star is born"; Tuesday, 8 May, 2012, Professor Carole Thornley, Management, "Why are the low-paid always with us?"; Monday, 11 June,  2012, Professor Andy Hassell, Medicine, "The patient with arthritis, the medical student and the rheumatologist: influencing tomorrow's doctors".]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/osteoarthritispatientobservationinthecommunity.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/osteoarthritispatientobservationinthecommunity.php Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:11:00 GMT The researchers are looking for local children who are near to their third or fourth birthday.  Taking part in this research would involve a researcher visiting a home on two occasions, both for approximately 45 minutes. During each visit the child would watch an episode of Postman Pat, complete a short puzzle and answer some simple questions about what they had just watched. While the child is doing this the researcher would ask the parent to fill in a questionnaire about their child’s  general behaviour and TV watching habits.
Overall the researchers are looking for 60 young children and their parents to help with this research.  Findings of this study will provide greater insight into how different types of television affect the behaviour of young children.  These findings will be shared with parents, early years professionals, academics and the general public.  If you take part you will be sent a summary of the findings.
Details of the study are on our website:http://www.keele.ac.uk/psychology/people/lamontalexandra/childrenandtv/]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/howdoestelevisionaffectchildren.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/howdoestelevisionaffectchildren.php Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:00 GMT The exhibition will contain paintings in various media including watercolour, oils and pastels. The works will be for sale, giving visitors the opportunity to purchase original work by some of the leading artists in Staffordshire.
The society is recognised as one of the premier provincial art societies in the country and noted for the high quality of the members' work.  Many of the members exhibit widely both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
The society was formed in 1933 and throughout its history the membership has included many of the foremost artistically talented people in Staffordshire.
 ]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/staffordshiresocietyofartists.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/staffordshiresocietyofartists.php Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:20:00 GMT A wide variety of awards are available for study at both Masters and Doctoral level, including Research Council studentships, Graduate Teaching Assistantships, full and part studentships, bursaries and fee waivers.
In the Humanities, these awards also include a number of AHRC studentships – the result of Keele’s successful AHRC Block Grant Partnership with the University of Salford. These will include AHRC Doctoral Studentships in History and English, and AHRC Masters Studentships in Music, History and Creative Writing.
For more information and details of how to apply, see: http://www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/choosingaresearchdegree/studentships/]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/fundingopportunitiesforkeelehumanitiesandsocialsciencespostgraduates.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/fundingopportunitiesforkeelehumanitiesandsocialsciencespostgraduates.php Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:20:00 GMT Dr Andrew Rutherford, from the Keele School of Psychology, has been conducting research into the possible damage caused by heading footballs for several years and suggests that a more likely risk for head injuries is clashes with other players that occur when competing for the ball, rather than from contact with the ball.
Failing to take into account head-to-head or elbow-to-head clashes could skew the results and incorrectly place blame for any brain injuries on heading footballs alone, when in fact contact with other players may play a much bigger role.
Dr Rutherford comments: “There have long been suggestions that heading the ball in football could have detrimental effects on the brain. However, a number of studies in this area ignore the fact that footballers who head the ball frequently also compete to head the ball, and most head trauma observed in football is associated with head-to-head, or elbow-to-head contacts arising from this competition. These injuries are much more likely to be causing damage than heading a football alone.
“What’s more, while the head injury rate in football is significant, it also should be appreciated that it is far less than is observed in other contact sports, especially rugby.”
Dr Rutherford believes that research in this area would benefit greatly if longitudinal studies were carried out, where the same groups of footballers and controls were studied over a number of years, so the actual number of headers and head injuries sustained could be recorded accurately rather than relying on unreliable retrospective estimates obtained from the footballers and controls.
Notes to Editors
Keele has been at the forefront in developing a student centred educational environment and is rated in the top 10 in England in both the recent National Student Survey (NSS) and in the Employment statistics.
The British Psychological Society is the representative body for psychology and psychologists in the UK. BPS is responsible for the development, promotion and application of psychology for the public good.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keeleresearchintoheadingfootballs.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keeleresearchintoheadingfootballs.php Thu, 08 Dec 2011 10:14:00 GMT Sir David has served Keele with distinction as Chancellor since 2002. He succeeded Lord Moser to become only the third Chancellor of the University and has made a considerable and significant contribution to Keele.
During his time as Chancellor, Sir David saw thousands of young people graduate from the University, including the first graduates from the Medical School, and has been an examplar and role model for our students, staff and graduates. He has also awarded honorary degrees to prominent scientists, community leaders, and key figures from the arts and politics
Professor Sir David Weatherall is one of the outstanding British clinician scientists of his generation. He is an accomplished pioneering researcher in molecular genetics, haematology, pathology and clinical medicine. He was Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Oxford, 1992-2000, and is now Emeritus Regius Professor. He was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by Keele in 1993. In 1989 Sir David founded the Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine at Oxford University to foster research in molecular and cell biology with direct application to the study of human disease. Sir David is also co-author of the Oxford Text Book of Medicine.
Jonathon Porritt, the eminent writer, broadcaster and commentator on sustainable development, is Keele's new Chancellor. He will be the University’s fourth Chancellor and his installation as Chancellor will take place on Thursday, 9 February 2012 – the first official event in Keele’s 50th Anniversary year.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keelehonoursretiringchancellor.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keelehonoursretiringchancellor.php Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:39:00 GMT The research, conducted by Richard Stephens and Claudia Umland from Keele’s School of Psychology and published in the prestigious US medical periodical The Journal of Pain, sheds new light on swearing as a response to pain. The new research replicated Dr Stephens’ 2009 findings showing that people can withstand an ice-cold water challenge for longer by repeatedly swearing compared with reciting a neutral word.
However, the new research additionally took into account how often people swear in everyday situations. It was found that people swearing just a few times a day doubled the amount of time they could withstand the ice water challenge in the swearing condition of the experiment. On the other hand, people who admitted to the highest levels of everyday swearing (the maximum was 60 swear words per day), did not show any benefit in withstanding the ice water in the swearing condition of the experiment compared with the neutral word.
It is believed that swearing helps most people better tolerate pain by provoking an emotional response in the speaker – possibly aggression or anger – leading to “stress-induced analgesia”. This natural form of pain relief is part of the body’s “fight or flight” response, along with the well-known surge in adrenalin. However, it seems that people who curse more often get used to profanity (a psychologist would say they become “habituated” to swearing) such that they do not get the same level of emotional response and, consequently, they do not get the same pain relieving effect.
Dr Richard Stephens, a senior lecturer in Psychology at Keele University, said: “Swearing is a very emotive form of language and our findings suggest that over-use of swear words can water down their emotional effect. Used in moderation, swearing can be an effective and readily available short-term pain reliever if, for example, you are in a situation where there is no access to medical care or painkillers. However, if you’re used to swearing all the time, our research suggests you won’t get the same effect.
“Normal language is associated with the cortex (the outer layer) of the left side of the brain, but swearing seems to activate deeper parts of the brain more associated with emotions. We are just scratching the surface of how swearing can influence our emotions and how it can have impact in different situations. In the context of pain swearing appears to serve as a simple form of emotional self-management. Whether swearing has beneficial effects in other contexts is something we would like to explore in the future.”
While the study gives strong evidence for the effect swearing has on pain tolerance, it is not clear how the effect works within the body.  Dr Stephens continues: “Our research suggests that swearing is a useful part of language that can help us express strong emotions or react to high pressure situations. However, it would be wise only to swear in moderation as over-use of swearing seems to water down this effect”
Ends
Keele has been at the forefront in developing a student centred educational environment and is rated in the top 10 in England in both the recent National Student Survey (NSS) and in the Employment statistics.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/swearingreducespainbutnotifyoudoiteveryday.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/swearingreducespainbutnotifyoudoiteveryday.php Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:15:00 GMT Led by Dr. Dana Rosenfeld, of Keele University’s School of Sociology and Criminology, Keele’s Centre for Social Gerontology and the Research Institute for Social Sciences, the multi-method interdisciplinary project, entitled ‘Experiencing and Managing HIV in Later Life’, will examine this group’s perceived stigma; mental health social support and quality of life; and experience and management of personal, medical and social dimensions of HIV.
Approved for funding of £211,316 over two years by the Medical Research Council’s Lifelong Health and Wellbeing (LLHW) Cross-Council Programme and the Economic and Social Research Council, a team representing social science, medicine, psychology, epidemiology, and the HIV community, will come together to examine the relationships between these older persons’ personal, social and medical history and their social support, mental health, and quality of life. The research findings will inform suggested interventions designed to improve the social support, mental health, and quality of life of older people living with HIV.
It is estimated that by 2015, half of the people living with HIV in the West will be aged 50+. This rapidly ageing population is much more diverse than was the population of earlier years, with an increasingly high proportion of Black African and heterosexual persons. This population is further divided into those living with HIV for many years and those infected and/or diagnosed in later life.
Research has shown that older people living with HIV generally experience higher rates of mortality, illness and depression and that, unlike the uninfected, their depression rates do not decrease with age. This is probably due to their smaller and more fragile social support networks. But despite growing academic and medical concern with this ageing and increasingly diverse population, little is known about its members’ quality of life, mental health and social support needs, and about how their different histories and circumstances shape how they experience and manage HIV in later life.
To do this, the team will interview 10-15 stakeholders (including clinicians, policy makers and HIV activists), then interview 90 people living with HIV aged 50+ and gather mental health survey data from a further 140. To capture the diversity of the ageing HIV/AIDS population, the sample will include men who have sex with men, and Black and white heterosexual men and women. These will be recruited through HIV clinics in two London hositals: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital (the biggest HIV clinic in Europe) and Homerton University Hospital.
In addition to Dr. Rosenfeld, the team includes Professor Jane Anderson, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; Dr. Damien Ridge, Westminster University; Dr. Jose Catalan and Dr. David Asboe, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital; Valerie Delpech, Health Protection Agency; and Dr. Genevieve Von Lob, Keele University. The team will be guided at all stages of research by a diverse advisory board led by Simon Collins of iBase, an HIV-treatment activist organisation, and will share its findings with the academic, clinical, and HIV communities. This will include and end-of-project conference in London.
The LLHW Funding Partners are: Arts and Humanities Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Medical Research Council, Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorates, National Institute for Health Research /The Department of Health, The Health and Social Care Research & Development of the Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland), and Wales Office of Research and Development for Health and Social Care, Welsh Assembly Government.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/livingwithhivinlateryears.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/livingwithhivinlateryears.php Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:05:00 GMT The initiative has been launched by KUSBP to support ambitious companies that have been trading for 12 months or less and want to expand and create jobs.
As part of the package, businesses will be offered a wide range of advice on subjects such as managing growth, marketing, sales, funding and leadership to help them grow.  Contemporary office accommodation with a low starting rent, access to the facilities on the Keele University Campus and opportunities to network are also included.
Business owners that meet KUSBP’s criteria will be asked to apply online and if successful, can join the programme from February 2012.
“We want to help innovative and successful new business ventures that need extra support and guidance to take them to the next stage and ensure future success,” said Lucy Delaney who is leading the programme at KUSBP.
“Every business is different, so the programme is designed to be flexible to meet individual needs. Support will be offered in a variety of different formats including workshops, seminars, one-to-one guidance, business mentors, and networking both in the Park and within the wider business community.
“There are lots of businesses in our region that are in the early stages of trading and keen to expand, so we are expecting a lot of interest. Places are limited however, so we will be asking applicants to present a business plan including financial details and information that demonstrates their potential for growth.”
Business plans will be assessed by a steering group including representatives from KUSBP, Professor Mark Ormerod, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at Keele University, and David Webster, Chief Executive of The Hanley Economic Building Society.
David Webster added: “Entrepreneurial young graduates and companies will play a major role in future economic growth, so initiatives such as this are vital. Being able to draw on experience from existing businesses and tap into the extensive knowledge base at both KUSBP and Keele University, will ensure that ambitious start ups will have the best chance of success.”
Companies that join the scheme will be located at KUSBP’s new Nova Centre and business plans will be reviewed every three to six months.
Entrepreneurs who would like further information on the programme should contact Lucy Delany on 01782 734603 or email lucy.delaney@kusbp.com
-ends-
Notes to editor:
About Keele University Science and Business Park (KUSBP)
Established in 1987, KUSBP is one of the country’s leading centres for business development. It provides flexible office space, bespoke laboratories and design-and build-opportunities for companies across sectors including medical, technology, healthcare and engineering.
As well as providing workspace, KUSBP offers its tenants a wide range of support services, including facilities management and strategic business advice on topics such as funding, bid-writing, human resources and public relations.
With 38 acres of development land available, KUSBP has significant potential for growth and has plans for a new hotel and further innovation centres in the pipeline. Its vision is to support innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship by providing ‘lifetime’ support to new and growing businesses.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/risingbusinessstarsofferedthechancetoshine.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/risingbusinessstarsofferedthechancetoshine.php Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:51:00 GMT The commission, to be funded by alumni and other donations, is for an outdoor sculpture that would be the centrepiece of a major redevelopment of Union Square, situated at the heart of the Staffordshire campus.
Union Square is the focal point of university life for students, staff, local residents and visitors.  It is adjacent to shops, cafes and bars and close to the library and chapel.  The area incorporates areas of grass and mature trees providing a multi-functional space. The commission is for a major piece of sculpture that will be substantial in scale and a striking feature at the centre of the Square.   The successful commission will represent the character and founding philosophy of the University and reflect its ambitions for itself and its future graduates. The aim would be to encapsulate the breadth and concept of Keele’s dual honours courses, the interdisciplinary nature of the University, and other elements of its ethos, which are about sustainability, internationalisation and personal endeavour and achievement.
As a major long term investment, and a distinctive landmark on the campus,  the sculpture will be one that students identify with as being part of their experience of Keele and a piece that engages the interest of visitors. A call for the submission of design concepts was made this week (18 Nov), with closing date of 5 January 2012. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to develop their proposal in the following weeks and attend a meeting at Keele give a presentation.  Installation of the winning proposal will take place in October and the statue will be unveiled in November as a finale to the year of celebration.
The University already has a small number of sculptures that have been commissioned or donated throughout its fifty years and this new commission will be part of the art collection, as well as contributing to the environment in which it is placed.
Submissions should be sent to:
John McCarthy Director of Marketing& Communications Keele University Staffordshire ST5 5BG t: 01782 734942
 ]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keele50thanniversarysculpturecommission.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keele50thanniversarysculpturecommission.php Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:35:00 GMT The lecture, "Wealth Management in an Era Of Ongoing Financial Crises" - delivered by a veteran of the financial services industry in the United States - will address the challenges faced by today's wealth managers in an environment characterised by debt-burdened nations and individuals, anaemic economic growth and undermined by widespread public distrust and anger towards financial institutions as a result of acknowledged social inequities and well-publicized fraudulent practices within the industry.
Mark Hill has been an active member of the US investment community for many years, serving as a board member of the San Diego Financial Planning Association, Treasurer of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and President of the Collaborative Family Law Group of San Diego. Mark is a widely-recognised speaker on the financial aspects of divorce and a Regional Director of the Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts. He began his career in the financial services industry as a financial consultant with stock brokers E.F. Hutton. Prior to co-founding Pacific Wealth Management in 1998, he held a variety of investment advisory positions with global financial services companies, including serving as a portfolio manager for Smith Barney.
The lecture takes place in the Chancellor's Building, room CBA0.06, on the Keele campus.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keelemanagementschoolannualdistinguishedlecture.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keelemanagementschoolannualdistinguishedlecture.php Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:31:00 GMT The November issue of the Journal (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01620134/105/11) includes papers of presentations made at the Ninth Keele Meeting on Aluminium in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada. This is the Eighth Keele Meeting issue of JIB and it was guest edited by Christopher Exley (c.exley@chem.keele.ac.uk) from The Birchall Centre at Keele University, Staffordshire, UK.
The papers cover the full range of the natural sciences though with special emphasis upon the inorganic chemistry of aluminium’s interface with living systems including humans. There is a special emphasis upon the latter, human exposure to aluminium, in this selection of papers including research detailing the influence of aluminium at the molecular, cellular, organ and whole body level. The subjects of aluminium’s potential role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and cancer, specifically breast cancer, are re-visited, while there are also papers which highlight a potential role for aluminium adjuvants in vaccine-related adverse effects.
Once again the Keele Meeting issue of JIB delivers an intriguing flavour of aluminium’s impact upon all living systems and raises new and exciting issues concerning a potential role in human disease.
For further information on the Keele Meetings on Aluminium please go to;  http://www.keele.ac.uk/chemistry/research/aluminium/]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/aluminiumsinterfacewithlivingsystems.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/aluminiumsinterfacewithlivingsystems.php Wed, 23 Nov 2011 11:16:00 GMT CRC is a mandatory government scheme launched in April 2010 to improve energy efficiency and cut emissions in large public and private sector organisations. Keele University was the only high education institution to get top marks in the table which ranks participants in terms of their early action to manage their energy.
Keele has a strong record of addressing and responding to the environmental and sustainable agenda. It was amongst the first universities to be awarded Carbon Trust Standard and has since developed a year-on-year commitment to reducing CO2 levels.
Professor Nick Foskett, Vice-Chancellor at Keele University, explains: “Developing a university that is environmentally aware, and has a sustainable campus community, is one of Keele University’s key priorities, so we’re thrilled to be at the top of the CRC league table.
“I’d like to thank all those involved in helping Keele to become one of the most environmentally sustainable universities in the UK and internationally.
“Nevertheless, it’s worth remembering that our commitment to being a truly sustainable organisation is far from complete. The next five years will be a real test for the institution and we have extensive plans in place to continue building on this success, including plans to introduce renewables on campus.”
In the past year alone, Keele University has saved over 1.5 thousand tonnes of CO2, increased its recycling to 34% and introduced a sustainable catering policy, which aims to increase the sales of Fairtrade goods, reduce food waste per student, increase the purchase of seasonal vegetables and reduce water and energy usage. All new build and refurbishment projects have also been designed to achieve BREEAM ‘very good’ status, including a new day nursery and the development of a multi-million pound sustainability hub which launched this autumn.
Providing information and a full programme of projects for the community and students alike, the Sustainability Hub is a focus for Keele’s extensive academic and research focus on environment and sustainability.
The Hub houses meeting facilities, a lecture theatre, exhibition space, study areas and a fair trade coffee lounge where members of the public can drop in to find out more information. It is also a living example of sustainability in action, with solar PV, solar thermal, ground source heat pumps, biomass heating and rainwater recycling, all contributing to make the building as green as possible.
The project aims to be an inspiring place for people of all ages to learn, with resources and outreach activities to help children, homeowners and businesses. It is already involved in four key projects at the university, including a group of Keele students who are working towards making their student accommodation sustainable, an outreach initiative called ‘Grey Matters’ which engages the older community in a series of lectures and interactive workshops on sustainable living and the development of a ‘green’ children’s centre in the Congo.
For more information visit www.keele.ac.uk
Ends
Keele has been at the forefront in developing a student centred educational environment and is rated in the top 10 in England in both the recent National Student Survey (NSS) and in the Employment statistics.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keeletopsfirstevercrcleaguetable.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/keeletopsfirstevercrcleaguetable.php Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:36:00 GMT He will be the University’s fourth Chancellor and succeeds Professor Sir David Weatherall, who has retired after nine years. Jonathon Porritt’s installation as Chancellor will take place on Thursday, 9 February – the first official event in Keele’s 50th Anniversary year.
Jonathon Porritt said:  "I am hugely honoured to have been asked to become the next Chancellor of Keele University.  I have enjoyed many contacts with the University over the last 15 years, and have been very impressed at the commitment shown by the Vice-Chancellor and many other members of staff in demonstrating real leadership on sustainability issues.  But to be Chancellor of Keele is obviously about the whole University, not just one aspect - however important that may be!  And this is the challenge that I’m really looking forward to.”
Keele University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nick Foskett, said: “We are delighted that Jonathon Porritt has agreed to become Chancellor of Keele University at a time of unprecedented change within the Higher Education sector.
“Jonathon is a highly respected environmentalist and author, not only within this country but around the world. We believe he is the ideal choice for an institution that places sustainability research, education and practice as one of its core aims in the next 10 years.
“Through our interdisciplinary curriculum we encourage our students to challenge convention and with Jonathon we will have a Chancellor who is hugely respected by his peer group, and the wider community, but is prepared to be outspoken on issues about which he is passionate. We believe he will inspire our students and help them to become ambassadors for social responsibility and sustainability.”
Jonathon Porritt is the Co-Founder of Forum for the Future.  Established in 1996, Forum for the Future is now the UK’s leading sustainable development charity, with 70 staff and over 100 partner organisations, including some of the world’s leading companies.
In addition, he is Co-Director of The Prince of Wales's Business and Sustainability Programme which runs seminars for senior executives around the world.  He is a Non-Executive Director of Wessex Water, and of Willmott Dixon Holdings.  He is a Trustee of the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy, and is involved in the work of many NGOs and charities as Patron, Chair or Special Adviser.
He was formerly Director of Friends of the Earth (1984-90); co-chair of the Green Party (1980-83) of which he is still a member; chairman of UNED-UK (1993-96); chairman of Sustainability South West, the South West Round Table for Sustainable Development (1999-2001); a Trustee of WWF UK (1991-2005), a member of the Board of the South West Regional Development Agency (1999-2008).
He stood down as Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission in July 2009 after nine years providing high-level advice to Government Ministers. Jonathon received a CBE in January 2000 for services to environmental protection.
His latest books are Capitalism As If The World Matters (Earthscan, revised 2007), Globalism & Regionalism (Black Dog 2008) and Living Within Our Means (Forum for the Future 2009).]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/chancellor2011.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/chancellor2011.php Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:52:00 GMT Four students, who are all studying for a BSc in Environment and Sustainability, are working closely with their tutors to establish a ‘sustainable student house’, which they plan to develop over the academic year.
They moved into the 1960s bungalow, which had an original gas boiler, old appliances, little or no insulation and single glazed windows, in September.  The university has allowed the students to  turn the house into an exemplar project for the campus community.  As the students try to reduce their energy use  and purchasing costs, they will be ‘living what they are learning’ in their academic course, exploring ideas for living more sustainable lifestyles and passing on their knowledge to other students on campus.
So far the group has begun in the garden, building raised beds to grow their own vegetables, establishing a composter and collecting their vegetable waste, and setting up a laundry line.  They are also exploring ways of saving resources and money through cooking and shopping together where possible. Double glazing has been installed, which is expected to save  £130 on energy costs , reflective radiator panels have been put up, recycling bins are in place and the students have  labelled every household appliance to help calculate how much energy they are using.  It is hoped that they might even be able to get  a new, more efficient boiler installed, whilst plans to harvest their own rain water for the garden are underway.
One of the students, Scott Reid, 21, explains: “Students aren’t aware of the amount of energy they use, as most of the time they’re not even the ones paying the bills, so there’s no incentive for them to be greener. But when they move off campus, or leave university, it suddenly becomes a big culture shock.  It’s therefore important that students learn how much money can be saved and the different ways to save energy, before they live off campus or own and rent their own homes.
“Living sustainably as a student isn’t easy, as we’re finding out! Yet, there are lots of things that students can do to reduce their carbon footprint. We hope that our project will not only help other students learn how they can make changes to be more sustainable, but will also assist the university in its research into sustainable living.
“We’re particularly keen to compare our carbon footprint at the end of the year to similar houses on campus and see the difference.”
As part of the project, the students have opened up their house for other students on campus to come and visit during the day and people interested in the students’ progress will be able to follow their blog and Twitter page - @livegreenkeele.  
Dr Sherilyn MacGregor, joint course director, BSc in Environment and Sustainability comments: “Students face many barriers to living sustainably, including campus infrastructure and lack of money and time, so this project is about exploring these issues and finding ways around them. The sustainable student house is completely the students own idea and will be run by them independently with some financial support from the university, and guidance from us and  from their other tutors. They will experience first-hand the challenges of sustainable living and we believe that their experience will have a more effective impact on the wider university community as they interact with their peers and pass on their learning to others. ‘
Dr Zoe Robinson, the other joint course director, explains: “Using a range of methods, we will monitor their progress and assess the effects of their project on student and staff perceptions of sustainability.  We hope to share the findings of this ‘living experiment’ widely in order to promote it as a model for others interested in embedding sustainability more deeply within university life and we hope that next year the students can pass the house onto another group of willing students to develop and grow year-on-year, and maybe expand the idea to other properties on the University campus.”
Professor Nick Foskett, Vice-Chancellor at Keele University, adds: “The sustainable student house is an important project, not just for the university but for the student body as a whole. Developing a university that is environmentally aware, and has a sustainable outward-facing campus community, is paramount for us here at Keele and we are committed to embedding sustainability into our educational programmes, as well as offering opportunities for students to study sustainability outside their main degree subjects.
“It’s encouraging to see these students take the initiative and lead on a project that will resonate with their peers, as well as providing valuable insight for the university in the future. We will support them throughout project and I look forward to seeing their progress.”
The student house is just one of many sustainability projects being conducted at Keele University at the moment following the launch of a multi-million pound Sustainability Hub, which will provide a focus for the academic institution’s widespread activities around the sustainability agenda. 
Ends
Keele has been at the forefront in developing a student centred educational environment and is rated in the top 10 in England in both the recent National Student Survey (NSS) and in the Employment statistics.For media information please contact Joanna Barnsley on 0121 713 3527 or Kate Dawson on 0121 7133878 or email joanna.barnsley@mccann.com or kate.dawson@mccann.com]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/studentsgogreenatkeele.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/studentsgogreenatkeele.php Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:58:00 GMT Project ‘Grey Matters’ at Keele is a new outreach initiative at Keele aimed primarily towards the ‘ageing’ (55+) local community. The project provides a meeting facility and access to education programmes for the ‘older’ community, where they can engage in various educational activities and be actively involved in the Keele Campus Community.
Domonique Birks, Business Development Manager for Active Ageing at Keele, said: “The older generation have a lot to offer in terms of experience in sustainability and a key feature of the project is intergenerational exchange of experience and knowledge.
“Grey Matters will give members a social space where they can meet and exchange ideas and share their skills in such things as  card making, gardening, photography, anything that an individual can bring to the group.”
The open day starts at 9.30 am, includes a number of presentations and gives attendees the opportunity to become a member of the group.
Events and activities involving students, staff and Grey Matters members are planned around the following strands:
The Gardening Club – a series of talks, invited speakers from the student and academic community, local community and the group itself to share tips, experiences and skills on growing food, composting, etc. Physical, outdoor activities will based in the new sustainability hub courtyard, campus grounds and gardens and allotment developments on campus.
Sustainable Living – a series of invited talks from the academic and local community on how to reduce waste, energy use and energy bills.
The Changing Planet – a series of talks, slide shows and activities on subjects ranging from biodiversity and pollution, to new technology and space.
The interdisciplinary project is based at Keele’s new Sustainability Hub and brings together expertise from across the University. The project is managed by the Active Ageing team within the Institute of Life Course Studies and members of the School of Physical and Geographical Sciences within the Faculty of Natural Sciences.
For more information about the project and the open day on the 24th November contact Domonique  Birks on 01782 733830]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/greymattersatkeele.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/greymattersatkeele.php Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:51:00 GMT She will be using the funding award for her PhD programme. It will enable her to attend the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to receive training in advanced epidemiological analysis and to undertake a training project on heart failure polypharmacy supported by the Health Services Research Unit.
Since joining Keele in 2002 she has maintained an honorary contract with the University Hospital of North Staffordshire and currently spends clinical time in a nurse-led congestive heart failure clinic. Through the time spent in the heart failure clinic she has developed a keen research interest in comorbidity and polypharmacy as experienced by patients. With the supervision and support of Dr Umesh Kadam (Senior Clinical Epidemiologist) at the Health Services Research Unit at Keele, she has developed a research protocol for a PhD study on the topic of comorbidity in Heart Failure patients. 
Recently at the UHNS, a Health Foundation SHINE grant has provided the funding for a heart failure admission prevention and early supported discharge clinic to provide comprehensive care on an outpatient basis avoiding the need for inpatient admission. This innovative practice includes rapid assessment for patients who are acutely decompensating, daily specialist nurse reviews and pro-active drug titration to optimise pharmacological therapy.
The titration of heart failure drugs however is often complicated by increasing age and high levels of comorbidity and polypharmacy inherent in this group. The training project, underpinned by the academic training component and supported by the Florence Nightingale Scholarship, will provide new knowledge relating to the impact of multiple drug regimens on optimal prescribing and drug titration for heart failure patients and provide me with the necessary experience and skills to embark on a PhD focusing on the clinical course of heart failure in older populations. The findings will facilitate the local specialist review of clinic patients in order to improve practice and ultimately, the patient experience of care.]]> http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/prestigiousflorencenightingalescholarshipforkeelelecturer.php http://www.keele.ac.uk/pressreleases/2011/prestigiousflorencenightingalescholarshipforkeelelecturer.php Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:44:00 GMT