Film experts are invited to put forward their ideas for the European Cinema Research Forum's (ECRF) annual conference at Edge Hill University.
Organisers are making a final call for papers for the two-day event, taking place from 16th to 18th July at the Ormskirk campus.
This year's theme is Adaption, Authorship and Ownership and presenters are invited to explore any aspect of these areas in relation to European film and European film cultures. Contributions from the realms of practice and theory are also welcome.
Dr Owen Evans, Senior Lecturer in Film and Television at Edge Hill University and Co-Founding Director of the ECRF, said: "We are an international research forum, supportive of both established and new researchers. The forum actively encourages exchange and development, and the annual conference is always open, friendly and lively with some thought-provoking debates and we welcome all ideas at this stage.
"Each year a different university around the world hosts the conference. Last year's was at McGill University in Canada, the year before at the University of Exeter and before that Binghamton University in the USA. This year I thought it would be great to have it here at Edge Hill University because there is so much expertise within film and so many exciting developments happening on campus that I'm sure it will provide the perfect setting to discuss all things film related."
The ECRF was founded in 2000 to bring together scholars working across Film Studies and Modern Languages.
Dr Evans explained: "Others soon showed enthusiasm for the forum and it engaged in its first international discussions later that year. Other activities followed and the forum held its first conference and seminar series in 2001. Now, in 2012, the ECRF is a very busy international forum of colleagues and friends who actively welcome new participants in the ECRF and its activities. The organisation is based at no one university and is seen to be ‘owned' by all its participants, wherever they might be based. We're always looking for new members so do join us if you have an interest in our activities."
The group also organises visiting film speaker events, video linked conferences, public screenings and talks, web-linked discussions, and a range of research projects and publications.
The closing date for submissions to present at the annual conference is 28th February. Proposals and queries can be emailed to owen.evans@edgehill.ac.uk. For more information about the ECRF visit the website www.ecrf.org.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-02-03 11:43:32";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-02-03";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-02-03 11:44:29";s:3:"url";s:105:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/02/last-call-for-conference-papers-for-european-cinema-research-forum";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";}}i:1;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:12:"New Horizons";s:4:"slug";s:12:"new-horizons";s:7:"summary";s:135:"A breathtaking selection of acrylic and watercolour paintings by two talented Lancashire artists will be shown at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:1938:"A breathtaking selection of acrylic and watercolour paintings by two talented Lancashire artists will be shown at Edge Hill University.
The exhibition on campus opens to the public from 7th to 24th February and is a mix of exotic places, landscapes and new horizons.
Painter and printmaker Charlie Holt, who lives and works in Croston, will show his work that has been inspired by Islamic design.
His art is about journeys and memories of places visited, from Bermuda to the Indian Himalayas and Morocco to Lancashire, exploring imaginary time and space.
He makes reference to beliefs and cultures, legends and myths, epics and sagas.
In his own words he describes it as, ‘On my magic carpet I can travel backwards and forwards in time, looking down on many countries and cultures in an instant'.
David Johnstone is primarily a landscape painter, working in watercolour, ink, collage and acrylic.
The stimulus for the work in this exhibition comes from both his immediate surroundings in Coppull in Lancashire, and from his travels in Canada, Corfu, Turkey and what was then, East Berlin.
The Corfu paintings on show, in water colour, pen and acrylic, are a selection of images inspired by time spent living in Kouramades for two months in 2011.
To visit this exhibition, visit the foyer of the Faculty of Health until 24th February, between 9am and 5pm.
Joan Steele, Edge Hill University's Arts and Culture representative, said: "It is a real pleasure to have these talented artists exhibit their work here at Edge Hill University as they take real inspiration from their travels, which I'm sure will captivate audiences.
"I hope that residents take advantage of this and come and see what we have to offer in the way of arts and culture. It is also fantastic to be able to use the University's facilities as public open spaces."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-02-02 14:29:50";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-02-02";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-02-02 14:30:26";s:3:"url";s:51:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/02/new-horizons";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:18:"ehu:department=fas";s:18:"ehu:department=fas";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:2;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:31:"Designs on a successful career ";s:4:"slug";s:30:"designs-on-a-successful-career";s:7:"summary";s:208:"Edge Hill University prides itself on producing job ready graduates, with all departments continually developing professional relationships with leading individuals and key organisations within their sectors.";s:7:"content";s:3219:"Edge
Hill University prides itself on producing job ready graduates, with all
departments continually developing professional relationships with leading
individuals and key organisations within their sectors.
This
career-focused approach includes courses such as the BA (Hons) Design for
Performance, enabling students to grow practically, theoretically and
analytically and become design professionals ready to engage with, and respond
to, a range of future vocational opportunities.
It is for this reason that third-year student Josefine Larsen decided to leave her native Denmark to study at Edge Hill. "I decided to apply for this course because it covered everything I was interested in and I knew it would help me achieve my dreams," she comments.
Josefine continues, "We have a great working space here and lots of technical support. Students have access to sewing machines, a full costume wardrobe, all the latest software, a scene dock, a variety of workrooms and two professional theatres to rehearse and perform in."
Throughout their studies all Edge Hill's Performing Arts students work together, no matter what their creative discipline, which is something fellow third-year student Ian Jones feels is vital to their success. "The collaboration between subject areas is a very important part of the course. Throughout your learning journey this process provides a constant exploration into what you can achieve within your work, whilst also focusing your mind on areas you want to develop further when you leave university."
Josefine and Ian have also recently benefitted from undertaking work placements, both agreeing that this is another invaluable opportunity to get to know their industry beyond the classroom. "I worked as an assistant designer for a site-specific performance in Liverpool called For the Best," explains Ian. "It was performed by professional actors and incorporated artwork, performance installation, film and sound. Since returning to the classroom my overall understanding of the ‘creating' process has increased hugely."
Josefine headed back to Copenhagen to work with the renowned Steffen Aarfing, assisting with the designs for his latest play The Funeral, which will premier in Göteborg, Sweden, later this year. "This placement gave me real confidence in my own abilities" says Josefine, "I undertook research for the designer, built a model box of the theatre and broke down the script. I also got to see how professionals work and it made me think about what I want to do with my future."
Now armed with a wide range of knowledge combined with practical experience both Ian and Josefine are really excited about what the future holds. "I'm currently in the process of setting up a theatre company with two of my peers," reveals Ian. Meanwhile, Josefine is planning on returning to Denmark to assist professional scenographers while also designing for theatrical performances.
For more information about the BA (Hons) Design for Performance, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/design-for-performance
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-02-02 13:38:42";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-02-02";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-02-02 13:41:57";s:3:"url";s:69:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/02/designs-on-a-successful-career";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:home=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:home=performingarts";s:33:"ehu:subject=design-visual-theatre";s:33:"ehu:subject=design-visual-theatre";}}i:3;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:53:"Dr Mark Devennney reimagines the ‘Suicide Bomber’";s:4:"slug";s:47:"dr-mark-devennney-reimagines-the-suicide-bomber";s:7:"summary";s:158:"When we look at the actions of the ‘suicide bomber’ we have to look at the value they place on their own life and the body, according to Dr Mark Devenney.";s:7:"content";s:1197:"When we look at the actions of the ‘suicide bomber' we have to look at the value they place on their own life and the body, according to Dr Mark Devenney.
The author and academic dismissed a number of arguments and predictable clichés of this controversial figure being driven by religious or political beliefs in his thought-provoking talk, Reimagining the Suicide Bomber.
In this interview here he explains why he believes the actions of the suicide bomber are more in response to their own social conditions.
Dr Devenney's talk was the third in a series of guest lectures on the topic (In)Security, Surveillance and the State to explore the politics of ‘insecurity' by examining some of the most controversial events in today's society. The programme has been organised by the University's Department of Social Sciences and supported by the Power, Conflict and Justice Research Group and the Faculty of Arts & Sciences.
For details of future events, news, videos and podcasts log on to www.edgehill.ac.uk/insecuritylectures.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-02-01 16:56:19";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-02-01";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-02-01 16:58:09";s:3:"url";s:86:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/02/dr-mark-devennney-reimagines-the-suicide-bomber";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";}}i:4;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:41:"Research on how teachers cope with change";s:4:"slug";s:41:"research-on-how-teachers-cope-with-change";s:7:"summary";s:190:"Primary teachers who have had to adjust to teaching modern languages in the curriculum have told of how they coped with the changes in a research project carried out by Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:3598:"Primary teachers who have had to adjust to teaching modern languages in the curriculum have told of how they coped with the changes in a research project carried out by Edge Hill University.
Academics Clare Woolhouse, Paul Bartle, Elaine Hunt and Denis Balmer have worked in collaboration to explore the implications of the government's introduction of foreign languages becoming a compulsory requirement for all pupils aged seven to 11 years.
The policy had huge implications for the teaching profession who felt ‘daunted' by this new prospect, which has been investigated in detail in the project Language learning, culture capital and teacher identity: teachers negotiating the introduction of French into the primary curriculum. In the study, they explore primary educators' perceptions and experiences, and the potential impact of this for creating a new form of professional identity.
Clare explains: "Most primary school teachers in England have been trained and educated in a ‘generalist' tradition that focuses on English literacy, numeracy, science and information technology, with opportunities to specialise in curriculum areas such as humanities, physical education, art and so on. However, in recent years education policy has indicated a desire to develop modern languages learning in primary schools. Therefore, we felt it would be timely to investigate how primary teachers with varying levels of language proficiency might feel about being required to teach this. Half-way through our study, the newly-elected coalition government made the policy a ‘non-compulsory' requirement but a lot of schools had already started to implement it. Therefore, the initiative had already affected their confidence and perceived abilities, which is something we explored in great detail in our study."
To conduct their research, the group interviewed a number of teachers who felt that the changes challenged their security and questioned their competence and identities.
Elaine, who is based at Bishop Rawstorne Academy and whose role was to support teachers implementing the policy, said: "From the outset, the proposals were met with a mixture of trepidation and enthusiasm. Languages are seen as a specialism but the benefits of studying them are widely accepted. It was all a question of confidence-building .One of the biggest issues for the teachers centred on pronunciation; they just wanted to do the best they could. Once they embraced the changes and knew there was support available, it was fantastic to see how much they grew in confidence."
The research, which has just been published in The Language Learning Journal, focuses on tensions between self-identify, classroom practice and national policy.
Denis said: "What surprised me during the research is how flexible teachers are in their capacity to learn new things. They are very robust and the way they dealt with the initial panic and used their skills to turn a negative into a positive and make it work really impressed me."
Paul, who helped to build an online resource for teachers to use with Denis, added: "We developed online materials for teachers to use so that they could fit learning around their busy schedules. It was a very beneficial tool and we had a lot of good feedback.
"I think this project has taught us as higher education providers about the challenges teachers face when they're asked to do something new. This is something we can build more of an awareness of and refer to when developing new ideas for the future."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-02-01 10:52:21";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-02-01";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-02-01 10:53:08";s:3:"url";s:80:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/02/research-on-how-teachers-cope-with-change";s:4:"tags";a:5:{s:8:"Research";s:8:"Research";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";}}i:5;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:53:"Interrogating the Muslim built environments of Europe";s:4:"slug";s:53:"interrogating-the-muslim-built-environments-of-europe";s:7:"summary";s:282:"Throughout the years since the 9/11 attacks which shocked the world, tutors from Edge Hill University’s Natural, Geographical and Applied Science (NGAS) Department have continued to play an active part in understanding and researching about the role of Muslims in the world today.";s:7:"content";s:4615:"Throughout
the years since the 9/11 attacks which shocked the world, tutors from Edge Hill
University's Natural, Geographical and Applied Science (NGAS) Department have
continued to play an active part in understanding and researching about the
role of Muslims in the world today.
As
part of this, Edge Hill has recently worked with the University of Huddersfield
and Vrije University in Holland to organise an international workshop titled ‘Local and Global perspectives of Ethnic and
Religious conflicts: Interrogating the Muslim Built Environments of Europe', with
the aim of evaluating the changing attitudes to religious and ethnic
understandings and conflicts within the Muslim community, as well as the host
communities in Western Europe and beyond.
Dr Tasleem Shakur, Edge Hill's Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and editor-in-chief of both the Global Built Environment Review (GBER) and South Asian Cultural Studies (SACS), Edge Hill's internationally-referred journals, explains, "Five years after the attacks in New York, and a year after the 2006 London bombings, GBER organised a workshop in Birmingham about ghettoised perceptions of English Muslims which culminated into a special issue of GBER, volume 6 number 2.This latest event, co-sponsored by both GBER and SACS, was organised as a sequel to this with an emphasis on investigating the gaps in academic literature which focuses on the Muslim built environment of Europe, and also which links to local and global perspectives of ethnic and religious conflicts."
The international workshop was held at the Oldham Campus of the University of Huddersfield and attendees included a number of European academics, staff and students from a range of universities as well as members of the public. During the event they explored themes such as Integration versus Segregation Discourse; Diaspora, Loyalties and the Emerging Identities; Fundamentalism and Radicalism; and Representations of Muslims in Media and Fiction. The keynote address, presented by Dr Shakur, was titled Representations of south Asian diasporic Muslims through fiction/films and sports participation in the UK. Those in attendance provided very positive feedback and demonstrated the value of holding events such as this.
"Following the workshop many people have remarked about how the workshop provided them with lots of new information, with the student community in particular finding it very absorbing as it offered a new angle to the subjects they are studying" comments Dr Shakur, adding "Organising events such as this can be time consuming and expensive and so working closely with the Universities of Huddersfield and Vrije in Amsterdam really helps. As well as this, involving other institutions, especially those from other countries, helps to widen our knowledge and increase our networks, which in turn brings great benefits to the students we teach."
Dr Shakur also believes that the subject matter of this workshop was also of great benefit to Edge Hill University students, "The outcome of workshops of this nature really does help our own students to update their knowledge and understanding of these emerging topics. By taking part they are able to develop their own awareness and demonstrate an appreciation of important global subjects beyond their textbooks."
In terms of findings, the scholars presenting at the conference did suggest that both racism and Islamophobia do exist and are potentially on the increase, possibly due to the current economic difficulties, highlighting further that the deliberations of this workshop are still of much importance. As such, it is expected that the papers presented during the event will appear in a forthcoming issue of either of GBER or SACS, possibly forming a special issue.
Following the success of these events, discussions are now taking place between the three universities about a future global-scale event based around the theme of the Global Muslim Built Environment. "This is particularly pertinent after the recent ‘Arab Spring', as well as other internal conflicts and democratisation processes we've seen elsewhere, so ideally we would like to hold the event in the Middle East," revealed Dr Shakur.
For more information about Edge Hill's Global Built Environment Review and South Asian Cultural Studies, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/gber and www.edgehill.ac.uk/sacs
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 12:44:54";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-31";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 12:45:59";s:3:"url";s:92:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/interrogating-the-muslim-built-environments-of-europe";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:19:"ehu:department=ngas";s:19:"ehu:department=ngas";s:13:"ehu:home=ngas";s:13:"ehu:home=ngas";s:51:"ehu:subject=geography-geology-environmental-science";s:51:"ehu:subject=geography-geology-environmental-science";}}i:6;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:42:"New Year celebrations for Chinese students";s:4:"slug";s:42:"new-year-celebrations-for-chinese-students";s:7:"summary";s:111:"International students saw in the Chinese New Year at Edge Hill University with an event to mark the tradition.";s:7:"content";s:2546:"International students saw in the Chinese New Year at Edge Hill University with an event to mark the tradition.
The most important Chinese festival took place on Monday 23rd January and students from the Chinese Society wanted to make sure they welcomed in the year of the dragon with a day to remember.
The society celebrated with a show of a traditional Chinese performance, a prize draw, Chinese snacks such as spring rolls and jaio-zi dumplings, a variety of green tea and decorating the venue with red lanterns and New Year scrolls.
Dichen Cui, a member of the Chinese Society at Edge Hill said: “The Chinese New Year is the greatest traditional festival in China. We celebrated this event with a number of activities, such as writing people’s names in Chinese characters using calligraphy and by also taking the opportunity to introduce not only Chinese traditional culture but also the economic and social development in China. We really enjoyed promoting communication and cooperation with the other international and local students and sharing the joy of the festival with others.
“We are lucky to study in the UK. It is a desirable chance for us not only to study, but to also experience a different culture. We cherish the chance and enjoy life in Edge Hill University. All the teachers and students have been kind and helpful to us and we have made many new friends here.”
The Chinese New Year originated through the ancient Shang Dynasty, from the people's sacrifice to gods and ancestors at the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. Unlike the British New Year, it does not fall on the same day of each year due to China following the lunisolar calendar, which is based on the moon phases and the time of the solar year.
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Robert Healiss";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 12:11:36";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-31";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 16:22:26";s:3:"url";s:81:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/new-year-celebrations-for-chinese-students";s:4:"tags";a:1:{s:28:"ehu:department=international";s:28:"ehu:department=international";}}i:7;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:45:"Applications success for Edge Hill University";s:4:"slug";s:45:"applications-success-for-edge-hill-university";s:7:"summary";s:93:"Edge Hill University is bucking the national trend by attracting more applications than ever.";s:7:"content";s:3503:"Edge Hill University is bucking the national trend by attracting more applications than ever.
Following the UCAS deadline of 15 January this year, the University recorded an applications increase of 13.0%* from the same point in 2011, despite a reported sector-wide decline of 8.7%.
These impressive figures place Edge Hill University within the top six of UK universities and top in the north-west for increased applications to study in the academic year 2012/2013.
Commenting on these figures, the University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr John Cater, said: "These figures are very pleasing and demonstrate strong demand across the full range of our degree programmes. Despite the continually changing nature of the higher education sector, the things that are important to Edge Hill remain constant: providing a high quality teaching and learning experience; and raising our profile nationally and internationally. Our increase in applications is testimony to the hard work that we put into achieving these goals."
The past 12 months have been one of the most successful in the University’s history, ranking top in the north-west and fourth out of English public universities for graduate employability, second in England for students’ personal development in the 2011 National Student Survey and being shortlisted for the prestigious Times Higher UK University of the Year.
The University is one of the most financially secure institutions in higher education, reporting a fifth consecutive surplus of £13.8m this year and providing the capacity for continual investment in the student experience and teaching and learning facilities. Following the opening of the £13.5m Student Hub last year, work is about to commence on expansion plans worth £55m, which includes an Olympic-standard community sports complex and further on-campus student accommodation, creating around 200 jobs in the West Lancashire area.
*Refers to Honours degrees
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Mary Bernia";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 10:58:33";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-31";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 12:04:08";s:3:"url";s:84:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/applications-success-for-edge-hill-university";s:4:"tags";a:1:{s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:8;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:41:"Dance students take a scientific approach";s:4:"slug";s:41:"dance-students-take-a-scientific-approach";s:7:"summary";s:245:"Although it is essential for all students to maintain their health and wellbeing during their studies, for those studying subjects such as Dance it is even more important to attain the correct physical and mental balance to aid academic success.";s:7:"content";s:2101:"
Although
it is essential for all students to maintain their health and wellbeing during
their studies, for those studying subjects such as Dance it is even more
important to attain the correct physical and mental balance to aid academic
success.
As
Dance students undertake a mixture of technical training, creative development
and theoretical lessons, Edge Hill University's Performing Arts department
recently held a dedicated ‘Dance Science Focus Week', where Dance Science
experts met with all year groups to showcase this new, but fast growing, area
of research and study which aims to enhance dance training and optimise dancer
performance.
During the event Imogen Walker, Dance Science Researcher at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, focused on promoting psychological wellbeing in the dance studio. She discussed some of the main theories around this subject alongside existing dance research, highlighting the practical strategies available to maintain and promote wellbeing in a dance context.
As well as this, dancer Karen Wood, PhD student and teacher at the University of Manchester and teacher at The Lowry's Centre for Advanced Training Programme (CAT), explained posture and alignment using anatomical principles, enabling students to look at common muscular imbalances and alignment faults in a practical context and discover how to recognise the individual needs of a dancer.
In an additional session students then explored what it takes to maintain fitness and wellbeing in the dance industry today. Stimulated by research conducted in both dance and sports science, they studied aspects of endurance, strength and flexibility. They also investigated the role of nutrition and how, as dancers, they can utilise this knowledge to devise their own successful training schedule as well as maintain their overall wellbeing and state of mind.
For further information about studying Dance at Edge Hill University, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/performingarts/courses/ba-hons-dance
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 10:18:37";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-31";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 10:22:30";s:3:"url";s:80:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/dance-students-take-a-scientific-approach";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:home=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:home=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";}}i:9;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:34:"Short Story Prize 2012 is launched";s:4:"slug";s:34:"short-story-prize-2012-is-launched";s:7:"summary";s:100:"Published authors are being urged to enter the prestigious 2012 Edge Hill Prize for the Short Story.";s:7:"content";s:2295:"Published authors are being urged to enter the prestigious 2012 Edge Hill Prize for the Short Story.
The award, now in its sixth year, is organised by Edge Hill University and recognises excellence in a published single author short story collection.
It is unique as it is the only such award for a whole collection from a British/Irish author in the UK.
The 2011 winner was Graham Mort, also known as one of contemporary poetry's finest practitioners. His collection Touch, which was praised for its deep sensitivity to both the natural world and to human relationships. Graham will serve as a judge in 2012, alongside writer and critic Suzi Feay.
There is also a Readers' Choice category, which last year went to Tom Vowler, assistant editor of the literary journal Short FICTION, for his first short story collection The Method and Other Stories. This year, for the first time, the Reader's Choice prize will be judged by creative writing students at the university.
Other previous winners and shortlisted authors include Jeremy Dyson, Robert Shearman, Helen Simpson, Neil Gaiman, Chris Beckett, Colm Toibin and Claire Keegan.
Prize co-ordinator Dr Ailsa Cox, Reader in Creative Writing and English at Edge Hill University, said: "In the six years since it was founded, the Edge Hill Prize has become an important accolade for short story writers in the UK. I'm looking forward, once more, to a range of entries from new names and established figures, all of them exploring the diversity and accessibility of this great literary form."
The prize has three categories:
Publishers are invited to submit collections for consideration up to the closing date of 1st March. Collections must be published during 2011. For more information, please contact Ailsa Cox on 01695 584121 or email carys.bray@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-30 14:30:02";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-30";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-30 14:30:48";s:3:"url";s:73:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/short-story-prize-2012-is-launched";s:4:"tags";a:6:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:11:"Short Story";s:11:"Short Story";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:28:"ehu:subject=creative-writing";s:28:"ehu:subject=creative-writing";s:19:"ehu:subject=english";s:19:"ehu:subject=english";}}i:10;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:40:"Athletes step up their pace for Olympics";s:4:"slug";s:40:"athletes-step-up-their-pace-for-olympics";s:7:"summary";s:151:"Athletes competing in the 2012 Olympics are gearing up for training at Edge Hill University after a successful visit to sample the sporting facilities.";s:7:"content";s:1787:"Athletes competing in the 2012 Olympics are gearing up for training at Edge Hill University after a successful visit to sample the sporting facilities.
Edge Hill University is one of only three universities in the north-west that has been chosen to deliver the pre games training camps for a number of Pacific Island National Olympic Committees.
Teams training at Edge Hill University include American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau.
Representatives recently visited the campus where they were shown the running track, therapy clinic, sports hall, gym, Student Hub and accommodation on site. They were suitably impressed and are now preparing for their arrival to the UK in the summer.
Dr Tony Charlton, Associate Head of Sports Development and Sports Studies at the University, said: "It was great to welcome Oceania's National Olympic Committees' representatives here on campus, who travelled together to England for the last time before London 2012.
"The Olympic representatives from the Pacific Islands had a great opportunity to get to know the facilities their athletes would be using in the run up to London 2012. They were also able to talk about their desired sporting successes and legacy for their nations from London 2012. It's fantastic that we've been chosen as a training camp for some of the world's talented athletes as it will be a great opportunity to get students, staff and the local community involved in the experience."
Oceania's Olympic Visit Official Video - London 2012 & North West Pre Games Training Camps - can be viewed here www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pu8AFiu2qU&feature=youtu.be.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-27 16:41:00";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-27";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-27 16:41:38";s:3:"url";s:79:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/athletes-step-up-their-pace-for-olympics";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:8:"Olympics";s:8:"Olympics";s:5:"Sport";s:5:"Sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:11;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:53:"Building friendships can help students perform better";s:4:"slug";s:53:"building-friendships-can-help-students-perform-better";s:7:"summary";s:124:"Psychology tutors at Edge Hill University are using their research to help their students bond to improve academic progress.";s:7:"content";s:3601:"Psychology tutors at Edge Hill University are using their research to help their students bond to improve academic progress.
Dr Debbie Pope, Programme Leader for the University's Psychology degree programme, has been looking at emotional intelligence and the effects on learning in both children and adults.
Her study, The influence of emotional intelligence on academic progress and achievement in UK university students, investigates the emotional intelligence levels of individuals and why some students perform better than others.
She explained: "Previous research has found relationships between higher levels of emotional intelligence and academic success in both adolescents and adults. My results showed that there were no differences in overall emotional intelligence levels in those students who graduated compared to those who failed. However, more specific emotional intelligence competencies such as building bonds, networking and building/maintaining relationships, empathy, adaptability such as flexibility in handling change, conscientiousness and organisational awareness, for example, understanding the relationships in one's own group or organisation, were related to retention, progression and academic performance."
A total of 135 full-time first year undergraduate psychology students took part in the study and completed questionnaires to assess four main areas of emotional intelligence - self-awareness, social awareness, self-management and relationship management. This information was compared to retention figures and final average percentage marks.
Dr Pope said: "The research indicates that overall measures of emotional intelligence do not predict academic performance. However, the measurement of individual key competencies is a better predictor of progression. In particular, students who have good social awareness skills are more able to access social support and integrate socially, and therefore experience less stress and are less likely to withdraw from their studies. Therefore, it may be more beneficial and cost-effective for educators to concentrate on skills related to the improvement of social awareness and self-management skills rather than more general and less easily defined factors."
As a result of the findings, Edge Hill University's Psychology Department has revamped the Freshers' Week experience for first year students. They host social trips out, hold smaller group sessions to allow students to develop friendships more quickly and also make the initial meetings with staff more personal to allow them to build better relationships with students.
Higher emotional intelligence levels have has also been linked to better employability. Within an interactive teaching session, second year students have an opportunity to measure and assess their own emotional intelligence levels and receive advice and a workbook specifically designed by educators to show how emotional intelligence competencies can be developed by students.
She said: "I feel that all this work is having a positive impact within the department and we are seeing better performance than ever before. In the latest National Student Survey (NSS) our Psychology degree was ranked top in the north-west for student satisfaction levels, which shows our students value what we do here."
Dr Pope is editor of the Psychology of Education Review (PER), a committee member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Education Section and has achieved Chartered Psychology Status in Teaching and Learning.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-27 13:43:46";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-27";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-27 13:44:55";s:3:"url";s:92:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/building-friendships-can-help-students-perform-better";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:25:"ehu:department=psychology";s:25:"ehu:department=psychology";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";}}i:12;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:49:"Climate change computer errors to be investigated";s:4:"slug";s:49:"climate-change-computer-errors-to-be-investigated";s:7:"summary";s:172:"Researchers at Edge Hill University are analysing one of the largest weather forecasting systems in the world to ensure it predicts more accurate reports on global warming.";s:7:"content";s:2771:"Researchers at Edge Hill University are analysing one of the largest weather forecasting systems in the world to ensure it predicts more accurate reports on global warming.
The University's Computing Department has been chosen to join the Quality Assurance for Climate Codes (QACC) project, which looks at climate change predictions made by computer simulations.
Government and military agencies currently use these software models to make critical decisions when devising policies, making the research crucial in helping to eliminate inaccuracies.
Edge Hill University is working in collaboration with SimCon Ltd to identify issues in climate models and develop strategies for the software development processes to overcome and avoid errors that are discovered.
Dr Mark Anderson, Senior Lecturer in Computing who is leading on the project for the University, explained: "Climate change is predicted to accelerate far beyond currently observable effects during the next few decades and large sums of money are being spent to reduce carbon emissions.
"The work we are carrying out at the moment is very important because the predictions of climate change are made by computer simulations. These programs are large and complex, with long histories of development and many authors. There is a risk that they contain significant programming errors which could, in turn, cause underestimation or over estimation of the predicted changes, and undermine the credibility of the studies which make these predictions."
As a result of being involved in the research, the University will become a centre for expertise that will offer a valuable service to climate change research groups all over the world.
Dr Anderson said: "The project is expected to have considerable impact in the climate modelling world. Already we have made some progress regarding the codes used in weather forecasting and our contributions have been welcomed by their developers. The system we're looking at is currently used by major organisations such as the US Air Force Weather Agency, the US Naval Research Laboratory, the National Centre for Atmospheric Research and the Federal Aviation Administration. Therefore, the impact from our research is expected to be far more wide-reaching and will play a significant role internationally in future climate change and weather forecasts.
"The research not only increases our capacity for international collaborative working but impacts positively on teaching as students will be actively participating in aspects of the project work."
Tests are being carried out with various models and will be analysed as part of the investigation process. The final findings will be published later in the year.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-26 12:47:32";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-26";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-26 12:50:13";s:3:"url";s:88:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/climate-change-computer-errors-to-be-investigated";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:24:"ehu:subject=computing-it";s:24:"ehu:subject=computing-it";}}i:13;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:49:"Top choreographer takes Edge FWD to another level";s:4:"slug";s:49:"top-choreographer-takes-edge-fwd-to-another-level";s:7:"summary";s:119:"Award-winning choreographer Gary Clarke has invited Edge Hill University’s all-male dance troupe to join him on tour.";s:7:"content";s:3404:"Award-winning choreographer Gary Clarke has invited Edge Hill University's all-male dance troupe to join him on tour.
Edge FWD were set up two years ago by the University's Performing Arts Department to help break down stereotypes, encourage boys to feel confident about dancing and see dance as a possible career choice.
Since forming, they have performed in schools and colleges across the north-west but were looking to work with a renowned professional to help them gain more experience and develop their style.
Enlisting the help of Gary means they will be working with a one of the most exciting talents in the UK dance industry. A former winner of the Brian Glover Memorial Award, he has a national reputation for creating compelling and riveting dance works that challenge current social issues with both irony and humour. He has taught extensively at many universities, colleges and venues nationwide, delivering a wide range of classes and workshops that focus on contemporary dance technique, choreography and creative investigation.
In 2011, Gary appeared in Hollywood blockbuster World War Z, featuring Brad Pitt. He is also due to dance at the prestigious London Dance House, Sadlers Wells.
Gary spent a week with Edge FWD working on a short performance piece, A Beautiful Hell, which looks at the notion of exclusion and what it's like to be an outsider, told through an intricate landscape of dreams and desires. Watch footage from rehearsals as the group talk about their experiences working with Gary.
Edge FWD's talent and enthusiasm particularly impressed Gary and he has offered the dance troupe the opportunity to work with him in on tour.
Edge Hill University Senior Lecturer in Dance Debbie Milner, who works with the all male-dance troupe, said: "Gary Clarke is currently regarded as one of the UK's new and exciting choreographers. When we went to watch him perform we all got so excited because we knew he could take Edge FWD to that next stage, as he is so challenging.
"Gary has entertained audiences throughout the UK and Europe with his quirky and innovative choreography and it's been fantastic having him here on campus to push the boundaries. I can already see a huge difference in the capabilities of Edge FWD and it's such an accomplishment to have Gary ask them to tour with him."
Ryan Brown, a Level 2 Dance, Drama and Aerial Performance student who was one of the seven dancers chosen to work with Gary, can also see the results from Gary's coaching.
"Working with Gary has been amazing," said Ryan. "It has been such a huge challenge but I wouldn't change it for the world. He told us that he would treat us like professional dancers, not students, and it has worked - it's been very intense. Throughout the week Gary has been brutally honest with us and if he thinks something isn't working, he'll just tell us. But that's exactly what we need and it has really made us step up our game. We can't wait to tour with him."
Edge Hill University runs a number of undergraduate courses in dance, drama, physical theatre and performance. For more information about the degree programmes it offers, visit the website www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-25 12:22:17";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-25";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-25 12:42:06";s:3:"url";s:88:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/top-choreographer-takes-edge-fwd-to-another-level";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";}}i:14;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:54:"New measures to reduce University’s carbon footprint";s:4:"slug";s:52:"new-measures-to-reduce-university-s-carbon-footprint";s:7:"summary";s:134:"A series of environmentally-friendly projects will be carried out at Edge Hill University to reduce its carbon footprint even further.";s:7:"content";s:2263:"A series of environmentally-friendly projects will be carried out at Edge Hill University to reduce its carbon footprint even further.
The University, which prides itself on its commitment to sustainability, is a recipient of HEFCE'S Revolving Green Fund, which has been set up to provide recoverable grants to help higher education institutions (HEIs) in England reduce emissions.
More than £300,000 has been given to the University to carry out six initiatives to minimise its impact on the environment.
Work will include new LED security lighting around the campus, replacement lighting in the library and the insulation of hot water heating pipework in the halls of the main building.
The schemes will be completed by September 2012 and are anticipated to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 500 tonnes per year.
Energy Manager Pamela Brentwood said: "We are a growing University so it's more important than ever before to ensure that we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and ensure that our expansion plans do not harm future generations.
"The University has invested heavily in redeveloping its campus with innovative, energy efficient technology, which has been recognised nationally with a number of high-profile awards. I'm delighted that our efforts have been acknowledged and that we're benefiting from the Revolving Green Fund, which allows us to minimise our impact on the environment and continue our progress, then pay back the funds through the savings we make."
In addition to these latest projects, the University has also implemented a number of other initiatives to make it a ‘greener' campus.
Improved recycling facilities have been introduced to encourage students and staff to reduce, reuse and recycle. Sustainability Champions have also been recruited across the University who will engage with colleagues in their departments to encourage and advise on environmental matters. Buildings will also be monitored and those that are less energy efficient will be targeted and supported to help make more savings.
For more information about the University's sustainability plans, visit the website www.edgehill.ac.uk/sustainability.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-24 16:44:13";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-24";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-24 16:45:26";s:3:"url";s:91:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/new-measures-to-reduce-university-s-carbon-footprint";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:29:"ehu:department=sustainability";s:29:"ehu:department=sustainability";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:15;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:42:"Jobs are just a click away for IT students";s:4:"slug";s:42:"jobs-are-just-a-click-away-for-it-students";s:7:"summary";s:174:"Computing students at Edge Hill University are building a strong reputation in industry as they celebrate the first anniversary of an innovative scheme to support businesses.";s:7:"content";s:2903:"Computing students at Edge Hill University are building a strong reputation in industry as they celebrate the first anniversary of an innovative scheme to support businesses.
A year ago, the University's Enterprise Projects Team set up a unique initiative to get students to work with companies on a number of long-term IT-based projects.
Throughout the year they have designed websites, databases, mobile applications and other software for a number of organisations in the north-west region including hotels, law and security firms.
Spearheading these projects has not only increased employment opportunities for the students by giving them practical experience in a real work setting, but it has also generated additional income for the University.
As a result, all five graduates from the Computing and IT degree programmes have either walked straight into jobs or set up their own business. A couple now boast working for some of the UK's top technology firms such as Datel and The Hut Group.
Due to the success of the first year, the University is continuing this important work between students and businesses.
Michael Banford, Enterprise Projects Co-ordinator, explained: "The idea for this initiative first came about a year ago from talking to businesses that had projects for our students to work on that couldn't be fulfilled on short work-placements. Identifying and filling this gap in the market allows the students to utilise their project management and technical skills. By liasing with the clients, they are responsible for coming up with ideas for design, content, navigation and other business solutions. In the 12 months it has been running it has been a huge success and is having a positive impact."
A total of 14 projects have been completed or ongoing, they are generating income and enhancing the student experience. New partnerships have also been formed between the University and employers, who now have input into course content to ensure programmes meet the expectation of the jobs market.
Michael said: "This is a very unique scheme we are running here and the benefits are clear to see. Our students are able to gain first-hand experience working on live projects, which is proving to potential employers that they are more than capable of fulfilling their requirements when they leave University, and this is why they are being offered jobs as soon as they graduate. Plus, our unique links with these businesses ensures that we are tailoring our degree courses to suit the needs of our students and potential employers, which is a win-win situation all round."
Edge Hill Business School offers a number of courses in computing. You can train as a web developer or prepare for a number of careers in the IT industry. For more information visit the website www.edgehill.ac.uk/courses.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-23 14:42:03";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-23";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-23 14:43:11";s:3:"url";s:81:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/jobs-are-just-a-click-away-for-it-students";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:24:"ehu:subject=computing-it";s:24:"ehu:subject=computing-it";}}i:16;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:53:"International Ann Arbor Film Festival comes to campus";s:4:"slug";s:53:"international-ann-arbor-film-festival-comes-to-campus";s:7:"summary";s:143:"A film expert from Edge Hill University has been instrumental in bringing the high-profile annual Ann Arbor Film Festival to campus next month.";s:7:"content";s:3135:"A film expert from Edge Hill University has been instrumental in bringing the high-profile annual Ann Arbor Film Festival to campus next month.
Due to his research and knowledge Owen Evans, Senior Lecturer in Film and Television and Co-Founding Director of the European Cinema Research Forum (ECRF), has forged new links with America's longest-running independent film festival.
To seal the partnership, the University has been chosen to screen a number of films from the 2011 programme at the Rose Theatre on 1st February as part of a tour that includes Los Angeles Filmforum, the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art and the School of the Art Institute, Chicago.
Featuring filmmakers from England, USA, Japan, South Korea, India and Denmark, this selection of eight films from the 49th tour include six past prize-winners and embraces the genres of documentary, short narrative feature and experimental video. From Jessica Sarah Rinland's Nulepsy, a film exploring an old man's compulsion to remove all his clothing, to Natasha Mendonca's Jan Villa, a moving documentary of the aftermath of the monsoon flooding of Mumbay in 2005 and the Best of Festival winner this year, the short films collected here demonstrate Ann Arbor's promotion of young and talented filmmakers from across the world. See some footage from the Festival here.
Talking about the University's involvement, Owen explained: "The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest-running independent and experimental film festival in North America and is internationally recognised as a premiere forum for independent filmmakers and artists. It has pioneered the concept of the travelling tour, bringing films to venues that represent the only means for new and challenging filmmakers to have their work seen by appreciative audiences. This is a really exciting opportunity for us to be a part of this experience because we are the first overseas hosts of the tour for a considerable length of time. I hope we can set up a lasting relationship with the Festival in the years to come as it allows us to engage audiences and students with remarkable cinematic experiences."
Donald Harrison, the Executive Director of the Festival, will also be at Edge Hill in April talking publicly about the festival, its history and plans for the future.
In return Owen, a leading thinker in the film industry, has also been invited to America for the Festival's 50th anniversary celebrations in March and will conduct a series of interviews and carry out some archival work as part of his research on the role and function of festivals as industry and community events.
Owen's research interests include German film, literature and culture, European cinema, film festivals, autobiography, and the representation of history and cultural memory.
For more information about the screening on 1st February or to book tickets, contact the Rose Theatre on 01695 584480 or email rose@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-20 15:25:26";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-20";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-25 11:15:17";s:3:"url";s:92:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/international-ann-arbor-film-festival-comes-to-campus";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";}}i:17;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:29:"Nursing graduate scoops award";s:4:"slug";s:29:"nursing-graduate-scoops-award";s:7:"summary";s:161:"An outstanding nursing graduate has won a prestigious study prize from Edge Hill University in recognition of her exceptional performance in her work placements.";s:7:"content";s:3187:"An outstanding nursing graduate has won a prestigious study prize from Edge Hill University in recognition of her exceptional performance in her work placements.
Emma Carter has been awarded the Joanne Leadbetter Prize for Practice, which marks the most promising, caring and sympathetic child branch student nurse graduating that year.
The 25-year-old from Chester, who walked straight into a job at the Neonatal Unit at Central Manchester Hospital the day after completing her degree course, couldn't believe it when she heard she had won.
"I wasn't expecting the award at all," said Emma. "I'd looked forward to my graduation for such a long time and so to be given that extra surprise was even better. I feel so proud of myself.
"I think one of the reasons I was given the award is because I put a lot of effort into everything that I do and will go that extra mile. I always give the best possible care and if I don't think that I have performed to the best of my ability I will do whatever I can to step up my game and be the best that I can be."
Her professional attitude and hard work has paid off because Emma is now in her dream job at a neonatal unit.
The mother-of-one explained: "This is what I've always wanted to do because it's a family-orientated environment, which is what I enjoy about it the most. To me, it's so important to be supportive to the parents because you are nursing their child and it's a difficult time for them. I like being able to care for the whole family.
"I love the job although it's very challenging. I don't think people realise how hard nurses work. When you're a student you're helping out but in a full-time role you're responsible for your workload and it's up to you to make sure you fulfil your responsibilities. But I wouldn't change it for the world; it's the best profession to be in for me."
The Joanne Leadbetter Prize for Practice is in memory of a former promising nursing student at the University called Joanne Leadbetter, who sadly died in 1995.
Joanne's family donated money to the University to start an award that would commemorate her life and help recognise exemplary work from students on clinical placements. Students are nominated by their personal tutor and must demonstrate a high standard of care for children and their families during a clinical practice placement and show promising progression in communication, empathic and caring skills in their placement report.
Anita Flynn, the Academic Lead for Child Branch Nursing at Edge Hill University, said: "Children are most at ease in their home environment. Once they enter a clinic, accident and emergency department or ward environment they often experience confusion, anxiety and stress. The effects of an ill child on a family may also include fear, helplessness, anxiety, stress, anger and guilt.
"Children's nurses must be kind, empathic, caring and have excellent communication skills. We had a difficult task selecting a winner from the many nominations. However, Emma is a very worthy winner for the Joanne Leadbetter prize and will be a wonderful ambassador for children's nursing."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-19 16:52:19";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-19";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-19 16:53:28";s:3:"url";s:68:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/nursing-graduate-scoops-award";s:4:"tags";a:5:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:7:"Nursing";s:7:"Nursing";s:21:"ehu:department=health";s:21:"ehu:department=health";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:18:"ehu:subject=health";s:18:"ehu:subject=health";}}i:18;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:48:"The Best of British animation comes to Edge Hill";s:4:"slug";s:50:"the-best-of-british-animation-comes-to-edge-hill-1";s:7:"summary";s:128:"Edge Hill University has been chosen to screen the best examples of animation in Britain for a prestigious national competition.";s:7:"content";s:3067:"Edge Hill University has been chosen to screen the best examples of animation in Britain for a prestigious national competition.
The British Animation Awards (BAA) 2012 covers all aspects of the UK animation scene, from student work to commercials, children's entertainment, short and experimental art films, music videos, and new technologies.
It is a totally unique event: the only one that brings together all the key players, and emerging and established talent, from the many and varied sectors of the UK animation scene.
The University is one of a few selected venues which will screen the Public Choice Programme - and all the screenings are free. The category allows visitors to select their favourites from three exciting animation films made over the past two years, including:
The BAA screenings take place from 6pm to 8pm, Monday 30th January to Wednesday 1st February in E1 at Edge Hill's Faculty of Education. No booking is necessary. Call 01695 584534 for more information.
The University is no stranger to the animation film technique as it offers a popular BA Hons degree in the subject. Alex Jukes, Senior Lecturer in the Media Department of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, says being chosen to showcase the films for the second time is an exciting opportunity for the University.
He said: "The contributors and sponsors of the BAA are of a very high calibre and it means that our students will have the chance to see the latest and best animation in the UK - it is a brilliant opportunity to for them to see this work first hand. It is also a great chance for the public to engage with us and get to enjoy the free screenings as well as see the University as a fantastic cultural venue."
Edge Hill's Animation programmes provide degrees that reflect the needs of the marketplace whilst also embracing and anticipating the practical and technological advances within the industry. Employability is at the heart of the department's aims and recent graduates have secured positions and internships with Hot Entertainment, Aardman, the BBC, Disney, BSkyB, the Ross Parry Agency and Trinity Mirror. For further information about studying Animation at Edge Hill University, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/media.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-17 17:01:22";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-17";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-17 17:01:55";s:3:"url";s:89:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/the-best-of-british-animation-comes-to-edge-hill-1";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:21:"ehu:subject=animation";s:21:"ehu:subject=animation";}}i:19;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:62:"Degrees earn graduates an extra £600k during working lifetime";s:4:"slug";s:60:"degrees-earn-graduates-an-extra-600k-during-working-lifetime";s:7:"summary";s:123:"Edge Hill University students received a boost this week following the publication of a national report on graduate income.";s:7:"content";s:2105:"Edge Hill University students received a boost this week following the publication of a national report on graduate income.
Not only are Edge Hill University graduates among some of the most successful in the job market, they will earn around £14,000 per annum more than non-graduates according to figures included in a report undertaken by investment firm Skandia.
This amounts to increased earnings of around £600,000 during their working lives.
The report, entitled First Steps to Wealth, looked at earning opportunities available to Britain's young people and how decisions made at age 16 can impact on long-term wealth. The study shows that gaining a degree remains the best route to long-term financial gain, with graduates likely to earn, on average, over 50% more than people who enter the workforce at 18 and choose not to go to University despite undertaking A-Levels.
This good news for Edge Hill University students comes on the back of the Institution's ranking in the top four of English universities for graduate employment, with 95.2% of graduates finding work or further study within six months of completing their degree.
The report's findings, coupled with the University's high levels of graduate employment, its outstanding reputation for teaching and learning and places on the shortlist for Times Higher UK University of the Year in 2007, 2010 and 2011 is currently being reflected in another applications increase of 16.3% for 2012.
Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater said: "The University has an excellent record for graduate employment, which can be attributed to the hard work of our academic staff and award winning Careers Centre in ensuring students are well-prepared for the labour market and are equipped with the skills that employers seek in job applicants.
"The report's findings on graduates' enhanced earning potential are pleasing and, along with the continued growth in demand to study here, they show that applicants believe an Edge Hill University degree is a good investment towards a successful career."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-17 10:54:03";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-17";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-19 09:44:27";s:3:"url";s:99:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/degrees-earn-graduates-an-extra-600k-during-working-lifetime";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:13:"Employability";s:13:"Employability";s:22:"ehu:department=careers";s:22:"ehu:department=careers";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:20;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:39:"Shape the future of your alumni service";s:4:"slug";s:39:"shape-the-future-of-your-alumni-service";s:7:"summary";s:147:"All former students are invited to complete the Alumni Engagement Survey to shape the future plans of their alumni service at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:2162:"All former students are invited to complete the Alumni Engagement Survey to shape the future plans of their alumni service at Edge Hill University.
Completing the survey will give the Alumni Team an insight into its activities and assist in tailoring all future plans to support the alumni community. Caroline Mitchell, Affinity Officer, said, "We hope that alumni will participate in completing the survey to ensure that as we grow our expanding alumni community we are offering the services and support that our former students want. We look forward to hearing suggestions, ideas and feedback, either good or bad, to help develop future activities jointly with alumni."
The Alumni Team keep in touch with all former students offering networking opportunities, invitations to social and career development events, help to regain contact with old friends and organise reunions as well as accessing careers advice and further study. You could even become an ‘Alumni Ambassador' by giving something back to the University to help future generations.
You can complete the survey by clicking here. We have ten pieces of the Edge Hill merchandise range to give away in a free prize draw to those that complete the survey.
If you have any questions or comments regarding the survey, contact Caroline Mitchell, Affinity Officer, at alumni@edgehill.ac.uk or 01695 584861.
To follow from the survey we will be contacting select alumni to take part in a telephone survey to have a more in-depth discussion regarding the alumni service. If you would like to take part in our telephone survey, contact Caroline Mitchell on the details above.
If you studied at Edge Hill and have not already joined our alumni network, make sure you get in touch and take advantage of the benefits and services on offer to reconnect with the University. Contact Caroline Mitchell on the above details to become part of the community and to receive our mailings.
";s:6:"author";s:17:"Caroline Mitchell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-16 16:09:17";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-17";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-16 16:12:58";s:3:"url";s:78:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/shape-the-future-of-your-alumni-service";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";}}i:21;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:55:"Ambitious sports and accommodation plans given go-ahead";s:4:"slug";s:55:"ambitious-sports-and-accommodation-plans-given-go-ahead";s:7:"summary";s:161:"Exciting plans from Edge Hill University to invest more than £55million in its sports facilities and accommodation for students have been given the green light.";s:7:"content";s:2709:"Exciting plans from Edge Hill University to invest more than £55 million in its sports facilities and accommodation for students have been given the green light. West Lancashire Borough Council's planning committee approved the University's development plans at a meeting on 12th January 2012.
The University is hoping to start construction imminently subject to any possible call in of the approval by the Secretary of State given the very special circumstances of the development in the green belt.
The University intends to build a £15m sports centre and an array of grass and all-weather sports facilities on the land beyond the University's leisure centre, as well as a new entrance, access roads and extra parking. In addition, there are plans to construct 384 new en-suite student rooms in six separate blocks immediately to the east of the current sports centre. The University hopes to open some of the new facilities as soon as September 2012.
Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater said: "We believe this is excellent news for the university and the community, creating over 200 construction and 50 permanent jobs at a time of economic recession, bringing over £43m of investment to the local area and providing international-class facilities for over 4,000 local users every week.
"With the Secretary of State's support, these approvals will re-frame the campus, providing space for new student learning and living facilities for many years to come and the possibility of a campus that truly matches, in both quality and scale, the very best in the United Kingdom."
Investing in the campus remains an important priority for Edge Hill University. The last year has seen the opening of the £13.5m Student Hub, the latest and most striking addition to Edge Hill's award-winning campus, providing an innovative learning and social space in which students can socialise and learn.
Chancellor Professor Tanya Byron also officially unveiled the University's brand new Health and Wellbeing Centre, Milton House, which includes a GP practice, a dentist, an emergency room, counselling services and a chaplaincy. The Centre opened following an extensive renovation project worth £500,000.
Further plans include the refurbishment of the Performing Arts building, which houses the Rose Theatre. It will include a new café and social area ‘wrapped around' the existing building. An atrium-style extension, overlooking the Ormskirk Campus' Rock Garden, will provide a versatile area for exhibition space and for theatre goers to socialise before and after performances.
Videos of the news plans can be viewed by clicking here
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-16 16:43:59";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-16";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 11:02:31";s:3:"url";s:94:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/ambitious-sports-and-accommodation-plans-given-go-ahead";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:22;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:43:"Read student winner’s work in GQ Magazine";s:4:"slug";s:41:"read-student-winner-s-work-in-gq-magazine";s:7:"summary";s:131:"Creative writing student Sue Stout, who won the GQ Norman Mailer award, has now had her work published in the prestigious magazine.";s:7:"content";s:2097:"Creative writing student Sue Stout, who won the GQ Norman Mailer award, has now had her work published in the prestigious magazine.
Sticking to the Letter tells the story of how she lost her husband on military duties in Afghanistan in 2008 but followed his dying wish, which was to make sure she followed her ambitions to have her writing published.
Sue, who is studying for her Masters at Edge Hill University, has had her story printed in this month's edition of the British GQ magazine, which can be read here.
The mother-of-two explained: "Everything I talk about in this memoir stems from the letter he left me when he died, hence the title. I didn't want it to be a sad story though, which is why I focused it mainly on trying to look after myself and my experiences at starting out in triathlons, which was so funny at times."
Winning the award meant Sue was also able to spend a month at the Norman Mailer Writer's Colony, a residential educational centre based at the legendary author's former home in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The giant of American literature, novelist, journalist, film director and two-time Pulitzer prize-winner passed away at the age of 84 in 2007 and the colony was set up in his memory to nurture the development of future writers by using his contributions to literary culture as a guiding force.
Senior Lecturer Daniele Pantano. Programme Leader for the BA Creative Writing course, said: "Winning the GQ Norman Mailer award is a major accomplishment, especially for an unpublished author, and Sue's success proves yet again that we have many exceptionally talented writers studying creative writing here at Edge Hill University. We are all extremely proud of Sue's achievement."
For more information about the Creative Writing programmes at Edge Hill University, visit the website www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/creative-writing.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-16 12:32:52";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-16";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-16 12:33:52";s:3:"url";s:80:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/read-student-winner-s-work-in-gq-magazine";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:28:"ehu:subject=creative-writing";s:28:"ehu:subject=creative-writing";}}i:23;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:63:"Award-winning alumnus makes an impression in the media industry";s:4:"slug";s:63:"award-winning-alumnus-makes-an-impression-in-the-media-industry";s:7:"summary";s:227:"After winning awards for his work during his time at Edge Hill University, media graduate Jim Martin is now making an impression in the media industry and his work has been selected for this year’s London Short Film Festival.";s:7:"content";s:2603:"After winning awards for his work during his time at Edge Hill University, media graduate Jim Martin is now making an impression in the media industry and his work has been selected for this year's London Short Film Festival.
During his final year at Edge Hill in 2010, Jim won the Paul Cannon award for his short film Grow at the Media Department's end of year show. Jim says that this experience gave him the confidence to make his mark in the professional media industry. "Winning the award was a real highlight of my time at Edge Hill and I felt very privileged to have been chosen. The recognition gave me the confidence and determination to continue to make films and try to break into the media industry, which, luckily, I did with a job as a logger at Lime Pictures."
After having another short film he'd made screened at a live film and music event, Jim was approached by the pop band Union Choir to see if he would be interested in producing a music video for their debut single, Eleanor - an opportunity he was keen to take up. "I jumped at the chance and, because I knew I wouldn't be able to take it all on myself, I asked fellow media graduate Oli Rothwell to co-direct and other friends for help.
"The video's idea was heavily inspired by the visual style of Paul King's Bunny and The Bull and Michael Gondy, as I've always loved that lo-fi handmade look, and this project gave me the chance to try it out. The narrative developed through a doodle of a mermaid, which Oli and myself brought to life, and we turned Oli's living room into cardboard massacre with help from our friends, who built sets and a boat," he added
When it was announced at the 2011 Screen Stockport Independent Film Festival Festival that Jim and Oli had won gold and silver awards for the video, they were both understandably delighted. "We were absolutely chuffed and it felt as though investing in your ideas really can pay off," he revealed. "Just being a part of the festival and seeing our little music video on the big screen alongside some fantastic short films was an achievement though, and the response from the judges and audience has given us the confidence to take our promo to other events. The Eleanor video has now been selected for this year's London Short Film Festival, which is amazing, and we also have two short film scripts in development."
To watch the video for the Union Choir's song Eleanor that Jim co-directed click here.
";s:6:"author";s:17:"Caroline Mitchell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-13 14:22:16";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-13";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-13 14:39:26";s:3:"url";s:102:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/award-winning-alumnus-makes-an-impression-in-the-media-industry";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:5:"Media";s:5:"Media";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";}}i:24;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:59:"Black Market Review offers students professional experience";s:4:"slug";s:59:"black-market-review-offers-students-professional-experience";s:7:"summary";s:255:"Edge Hill’s journal, the Black Market Review (BMR) is produced solely by the University’s Creative Writing students, providing them with vital experience to develop their professional skills and prepare them to enter today’s competitive marketplace.";s:7:"content";s:2602:"
Edge
Hill's journal, the Black Market Review (BMR) is produced solely by the
University's Creative Writing students, providing them with vital experience to
develop their professional skills and prepare them to enter today's competitive
marketplace.
Covering
fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, translation, art, photography, book
reviews and interviews, the BMR was launched by Programme Leader Daniele
Pantano and is published annually. "I wanted to create an opportunity for our
students to gain vital editorial experience and develop a wide range of
transferable skills within a professional environment," he explains.
"Putting the journal together not only enhances our students' craft as writers, but also further develops their abilities as critical readers through editing each issue. Furthermore, it gives them a real insight into what happens when they submit work to a literary journal and provides opportunities to make important contacts with members of the literary world. Most students from other universities will be able to say they've worked on student journals, but the BMR offers Edge Hill University students the genuine experience working for a professional literary journal."
One of the undergraduate students currently involved is third-year Wendy Gillett. "I feel a great sense of achievement and satisfaction knowing that I am helping other writers to get their work published. This not only influences my own writing but also provides me with real-life experience into the publishing side of things," she comments.
Wendy began as Senior Poetry Editor in her first year, but now holds the title of Co-Editor in Chief. "Working on the BMR has given me the opportunity to broaden my skills and knowledge, which I will be able to use when applying for jobs in the future. Any additional learning experiences that help to set you apart from other graduates is always worthwhile and working on the BMR should definitely help me to do that."
Wendy concludes, "Being involved with the BMR has been great fun. I've really enjoyed working on it and it has given me the chance to meet new people and see a side to writing that not many students get to experience. My attitude is ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained' and I've definitely gained a lot!"
For further information about the Black Market Review, visit www.blackmarketreview.com or contact Daniele on 01695 650947 or by email at daniele.pantano@edgehill.ac.uk
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-12 10:08:35";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-12";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-12 11:41:36";s:3:"url";s:98:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/black-market-review-offers-students-professional-experience";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:16:"ehu:home=english";s:16:"ehu:home=english";s:28:"ehu:subject=creative-writing";s:28:"ehu:subject=creative-writing";}}i:25;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:14:"Child’s play";s:4:"slug";s:12:"child-s-play";s:7:"summary";s:208:"Proof that a degree can be the key to opening up opportunities never before thought possible was provided when one Edge Hill University alumnus recently returned to talk to current social sciences students. ";s:7:"content";s:4137:"Proof that a degree can be the key to opening up opportunities never before thought possible was provided when one Edge Hill University alumnus recently returned to talk to current social sciences students.
Claire O'Brien began her BA in Early Childhood Studies knowing what she definitely didn't want to do with her career, but was totally unsure about what she did. It was during her three years as an undergraduate that she began to realise where her interests lay.
"I wanted to study the BA Early Childhood Studies course at Edge Hill because it offered a broad perspective on this area of study, as well as a specialism in working with young children," she explained. "While on my course, the expertise, passion, encouragement and support I received from the teaching staff was truly inspirational, it increased my self-confidence and prompted a love of, and enthusiasm for, academic study. As a result, I went on to study an MA in Therapeutic Play at Swansea University, which is something I would never have considered without the wonderful experience I had at Edge Hill."
It was during these postgraduate studies that Claire did a therapeutic play specialist placement with Women's Aid (at a women's aid centre), which led to her applying for her current role as a children's support worker at a charity that works with both male and female victims of domestic abuse, and their children.
It is a role that is certainly challenging, but one which Claire enjoys immensely. "My job involves working with children and young people up to the age of 16 who have experienced domestic abuse. We provide recreational play provision for children living in a women's refuge, as well as one-to-one support for these children and young people and those in outreach services, using therapeutic play to ensure their safety and emotional wellbeing. The best things about my job are seeing academic theory really work in hands-on practice with children and young people, forming therapeutic relationships with children and their non-abusive parent and enabling them to work through what can be a very difficult time while also letting them have fun and be children despite their negative experiences."
Claire says that, although it was her MA that taught her therapeutic play skills, it was the Early Childhood Studies degree that gave her a broad perspective on a variety of issues relating to children and childhood. "Without doubt, areas of study particularly relevant to where I am now include politics, policy and law, equality into practice, multidisciplinary practice and safeguarding children. The degree also reinforced and further developed my underpinning philosophy of equality and anti-discriminatory practice, viewing children as capable and competent beings, with childhood being a valuable time in itself and not simply preparation for later schooling or adulthood," she said.
Being invited back to Edge Hill to talk to current students was something Claire was very keen to do and she reveals that it was an amazing opportunity. "Allison Moore, the Early Childhood Studies Programme Leader, knows that I am considering lecturing as a long-term career and so asked me to contribute to a lecture with what I do in my role, but also to write and present the whole lecture on Play Therapy and Therapeutic Play, which was incredible. This opportunity enabled me to share my knowledge of and enthusiasm for the subject in the hope of inspiring other students and making them aware of the job opportunities available to them once they have completed their degree."
As part of that advice, Claire believes that keeping an open mind is the key to professional success. "You have to make the most of the opportunity to learn from such passionate and knowledgeable staff and keep an open mind about where you may end up. I would never have believed that I would be working with such vulnerable children in such important, high-risk situations but my learning and personal development during my studies gave me the knowledge and confidence to take on, and relish, the challenge of this role."
";s:6:"author";s:17:"Caroline Mitchell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-11 14:30:04";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-11";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-11 14:38:56";s:3:"url";s:51:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/child-s-play";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";}}i:26;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:50:"Engineers encouraged to enter teaching profession ";s:4:"slug";s:49:"engineers-encouraged-to-enter-teaching-profession";s:7:"summary";s:150:"Edge Hill University has been chosen to deliver a unique new teacher training programme that has been designed to recruit engineers to the profession.";s:7:"content";s:2898:"Edge Hill University has been chosen to deliver a unique new teacher training programme that has been designed to recruit engineers to the profession.
The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA), the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) have secured some of the country's most high profile universities and leading schools to launch the innovative scheme, which combines physics with mathematics.
Edge Hill is one of 32 universities who will recruit 306 trainees onto new physics with mathematics courses from September 2012. These courses, on top of the more traditional physics only courses, will mean that all the universities will be aiming to recruit 1,150 physics trainees in total - a record number.
Physics with maths is a natural combination that appeals to many physics and engineering graduates who have the potential to become teachers in these key shortage subjects. In the past, many of these graduates might have been deterred from physics teaching by the prospect of having to teach biology and chemistry, which is why this programme is important in bridging this gap.
Ben Porter, who is co-ordinating Edge Hill's involvement, said: "I'm delighted that we have been awarded the bid for the delivery of this exciting new ITT programme. It has been designed to offer graduates a route to offering physics and maths, two traditional subjects which are undergoing a renaissance in schools. It is hoped the new scheme will attract those with an engineering background into the teaching profession.
"Those who take up the course really will benefit from high quality training, especially when it comes to looking for jobs in this competitive industry. They will offer another dimension to the teaching workforce and one that potentially supports recruitment across the two key priory subjects."
Trainees will gain work experience in schools, including some of the new teaching schools judged as outstanding at training and developing their staff. This will give trainees the best opportunity for employment when they qualify.
Physics with mathematics trainees with a 2:1 degree or higher, will also have access to the TDA's Premier Plus service, and training bursaries or the IOP's teacher training scholarships, each worth up to £20,000.
Stephen Hillier, Chief Executive of the TDA, said: "It's fantastic that some of the country's best universities and schools are going to be running the new physics with mathematics training courses. We are confident that their prestigious support and the design of the courses will attract top physics and engineering graduates to train to teach, enabling standards in schools to continue to rise."
For more information about the new programme and entry requirements, visit the website www.edgehill.ac.uk/courses.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-11 12:27:11";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-11";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-11 12:29:32";s:3:"url";s:88:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/engineers-encouraged-to-enter-teaching-profession";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";}}i:27;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:30:"Reimagining the Suicide Bomber";s:4:"slug";s:30:"reimagining-the-suicide-bomber";s:7:"summary";s:141:"A leading researcher in political theory will examine the perception of the ‘suicide bomber’ in society at an Edge Hill University event.";s:7:"content";s:2922:"A leading researcher in political theory will examine the perception of the ‘suicide bomber' in society at an Edge Hill University event.
Author and academic Dr Mark Devenney will deliver a thought-provoking talk entitled Reimagining the Suicide Bomber on Tuesday, 31st January.
In his lecture, he will examine the discourse of the ‘war on terror' through fear of one figure: the irrational, religious and fanatical ‘suicide bomber'. As a key signifier of all that the free world opposes, this figure is now the subject of a whole academic cum therapeutic industry.
He draws on an argument laid out in the article The Professor of Suicide Bombing, which rejects the standard interpretations of human bombing as an irrational outburst against modernity, instead treating it as a social symptom. He contends that the human bomber's act is a response to the politicisation of life itself in modern societies and believes the act is much more than ‘mad, bad or sad' act as it is often described by social scientific literature.
Dr Devenney's talk is the third in a series of guest lectures on the topic (In)Security, Surveillance and the State to explore the politics of ‘insecurity' by examining some of the most controversial events in today's society. The programme has been organised by the University's Department of Social Sciences and supported by the Power, Conflict and Justice Research Group and the Faculty of Arts & Sciences.
Mark McGovern, Professor of Sociology and who has coordinated the series, said: "Dr Devenney's research interests include contemporary political philosophy and his work on the role of the suicide bomber is very much an important issue within today's society on how we perceive threats. I'm delighted that he is able to join our lecture series, which sees internationally-renowned commentators and academics investigate in detail major key events and, as a result, some of the most critical, controversial and divisive issues that confront us today."
Mark Devenney is Principal Lecturer in Politics and Philosophy at the University of Brighton and Deputy Director of the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE). He is currently writing about the politics of life and death in contemporary societies, building upon his text Ethics and Politics in Contemporary Theory, and recent work on the War on Terror. He has published work in the areas of post Marxism, critical theory, post colonialism and the literature of J.M. Coetzee.
The lecture is free to attend and spaces are limited. To book your place, email corporateevents@edgehill.ac.uk. Arrival is 5.30pm with refreshments, ready for a 6.30pm start and refreshments and networking afterwards.
For news, videos and podcasts log on to www.edgehill.ac.uk/insecuritylectures.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-10 16:30:06";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-10";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-10 16:30:50";s:3:"url";s:69:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/reimagining-the-suicide-bomber";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";}}i:28;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:58:"John’s give-it-a-tri spirit lands him dream Olympic role";s:4:"slug";s:56:"john-s-give-it-a-tri-spirit-lands-him-dream-olympic-role";s:7:"summary";s:170:"As the countdown to the London 2012 Olympics begins in earnest, one former Edge Hill student will be playing a major role in ensuring everything goes according to plan. ";s:7:"content";s:2611:"As the countdown to the London 2012 Olympics begins in earnest, one former Edge Hill student will be playing a major role in ensuring everything goes according to plan.
John Lunt, who studied Geography at Edge Hill University is the Olympic Competition Manager for Triathlon at the London 2012 Olympics, a position he considers his dream job due to his own longstanding participation in this challenging event.
"Since graduating from Edge Hill I've done all kinds, including taking part in my first triathlon in 1984 and starting my own successful sporting events organisation business 22 years ago. When London won the bid, my track record in delivering major triathlons, including being the competition manager for triathlon at Manchester's 2002 Commonwealth Games, definitely helped to get me noticed," says John.
"I've been in post for two years now and, essentially, my main responsibility is to successfully deliver a very complex sport. To that end, the job involves co-ordinating and managing the whole triathlon event from the sport delivery perspective, and ensuring the triathlon team works and integrates with 35 other functional areas within LOCOG. I'm also required to liaise closely with international federations and governing bodies, so it's a really interesting role," he added.
With less than a year to go until this major event begins, John is understandably extremely busy and has just returned from a trip to China. He says that this is nothing, however, to how it will be next summer. "During the actual Olympics it's going to be a 24-hour-a-day job from 01 July until the triathlon is over on 07 August. With over 35 full-time staff and 700 sport volunteers, international federations, governing bodies, athletes and coaches from around the world it is going to be incredibly busy and, understandably, anything of this size takes a huge amount of planning and co-ordination. Those final five weeks will be all about making all the planning come together."
Once the games are over, John hopes that the lasting legacy will be the raising of the aspirations of young people so that they want to get involved in sport, as he himself did all those years ago. "I've had quite a journey since leaving Edge Hill. Being active got me involved with a very small sport, which grew and grew to become an Olympic sport in 2000 at Sydney and then exploded like never before. So I guess the moral of the story is to grasp opportunities as they arise and try new things. If they fail, at least you will have tried; but if you don't, then you will simply never know."
";s:6:"author";s:17:"Caroline Mitchell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-09 16:20:58";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-09";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-09 16:23:06";s:3:"url";s:95:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/john-s-give-it-a-tri-spirit-lands-him-dream-olympic-role";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";}}i:29;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:51:"Get animated about your future career at Edge Hill ";s:4:"slug";s:50:"get-animated-about-your-future-career-at-edge-hill";s:7:"summary";s:184:"The Media Department at Edge Hill University provides a range of courses that not only encompass a range of disciplines, but also combines both theoretical and practical study options.";s:7:"content";s:2372:"The
Media Department at Edge Hill University provides a range of courses that not
only encompass a range of disciplines, but also combines both theoretical and
practical study options.
One
such discipline is Animation, a subject area that is rapidly developing and
offers a variety of degrees to choose from. As such, it is no surprise that
both vocationally and intellectually it is generating exciting and rewarding
opportunities for graduates.
Lecturer Nigel Mairs explains further, "Our aim at Edge Hill is to provide degrees that reflect the needs of the marketplace whilst also embracing and anticipating the practical and technological advances within the industry."
"Where some institutions may focus on Computer Aided Design (CAD) or general visualisation production, here at Edge Hill, alongside incorporating pioneering technical skills, we ensure our Animation, Digital SFX Animation and Stop Motion Animation programmes embrace imaginative, intellectual and conceptual developments."
Describing Edge Hill's innovative approach Nigel comments, "As a department we aim to enhance the employability of all our graduates by ensuring they acquire a broad understanding of the creative media industries along with practical production work. This allows them to build up a portfolio of both knowledge and experience."
"Throughout their studies we actively encourage students to be enterprising self-starters. We support their development of vocational awareness and enable them to cultivate their own unique package of expertise, helping them stand out to future employers in this fast-changing media industry," he adds.
With this focused preparation Nigel believes that there are countless career opportunities for students, "Traditionally, outside of London, the North West region has the largest proportion of key production houses in stop-motion, TV and Film production, digital CGI and Digital SFX animation companies, so Edge Hill's location is perfect."
He concludes, "Along with this, recent graduates have secured positions and internships with Hot Entertainment, Aardman, the BBC, Disney, BSkyB, the Ross Parry Agency and Trinity Mirror."
For further information about studying Animation at Edge Hill University, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/media
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-09 14:28:27";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-09";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-09 14:30:24";s:3:"url";s:89:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/get-animated-about-your-future-career-at-edge-hill";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:14:"ehu:home=media";s:14:"ehu:home=media";s:21:"ehu:subject=animation";s:21:"ehu:subject=animation";}}i:30;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:37:"Student’s ‘Art on the Network’ ";s:4:"slug";s:28:"student-s-art-on-the-network";s:7:"summary";s:160:"An advertising student from Edge Hill University will have commuters from across the region admiring his artwork after winning a prestigious design competition.";s:7:"content";s:2913:"An advertising student from Edge Hill University will have commuters from across the region admiring his artwork after winning a prestigious design competition.
Daniel Lindsay, who is currently in his 2nd Year on the BA (Hons) Advertising degree progamme, will see his own work of art on the Merseytravel network after his creative ideas caught the eye of judges.
The 24-year-old's designs scooped first prize in the Art on the Network competition, which means his work will be showcased at Liverpool Central train station in the New Year and he will benefit from a £500 cash prize.
"It's great to know I've won this competition," said Dan. "My friends always tell me how good my work is but to have this recognised by external sources is brilliant, especially leading professionals in the industry.
"Knowing that people from all over the region with see my artwork when they use the popular train station is such a boost to my confidence and has really inspired me to move forward and enter more competitions. I've even been offered work with my own Students' Union to design their magazine as a result of winning, which will be fantastic for my CV and portfolio."
Dan, who is originally from Lincoln, has always enjoyed coming up with innovative ideas and decided to return to education to fulfil his ambitions.
He explained: "The design aspect on my course is brilliant, I love it. When I'm given a brief I can come up with an idea in seconds and I know that this element of advertising is something I really want to go into when I graduate. I want to be the one creating the adverts and inspiring others.
"I'm so glad I chose Edge Hill University, it's definitely the right course for me. It's a fantastic environment to study in; the tutors are so talented and very supportive. Knowing that they are professionals themselves makes such a difference because you know that when they are giving you advice they really know what they are talking about and they are committed to motivating us to do the best we can."
Andy Tibbs, Programme Leader for Advertising, said: "I am delighted for Dan, his creative ability will make him very successful on the Advertising programme and recognition such as this will certainly give him the taste for future achievements."
The BA (Hons) Advertising degree allows students to explore the creativity of advertising and develop the power to shock, seduce and persuade audiences. It gives opportunities to build an impressive portfolio of cutting-edge advertising campaigns, which students can use to demonstrate their talent to prospective employers. The course also includes guest speakers, placements and portfolio surgeries. For more information about the course and entry requirements, visit the website www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/advertising.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-05 11:37:58";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-05";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-05 11:39:04";s:3:"url";s:67:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/student-s-art-on-the-network";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:36:"ehu:subject=advertising-marketing-pr";s:36:"ehu:subject=advertising-marketing-pr";}}i:31;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:49:"Grant to research treatment for cocaine addiction";s:4:"slug";s:49:"grant-to-research-treatment-for-cocaine-addiction";s:7:"summary";s:128:"A research grant has been awarded to an Edge Hill University academic to investigate effective treatments for cocaine addiction.";s:7:"content";s:3517:"A research grant has been awarded to an Edge Hill University academic to investigate effective treatments for cocaine addiction.
Dr Philip Murphy, a Reader in Psychology, has been given funding of £20,000 by Mersey Care NHS Trust to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining outcomes for specific treatments for cocaine dependency.
The chair of the Psychobiology Section of the British Psychological Society (BPS), whose research focuses on mainly on problems of drug misuse, will be working closely with Mersey Care over the next year to identify solutions to help people who have become dependent on the ‘Class A' substance.
"Cocaine is a powerfully addictive central nervous system stimulant and recently it was reported that the UK remains at the top of the European league table for cocaine use," explained Dr Murphy. "Yet there is currently no generally recognised treatment for cocaine dependence, despite the addictive nature of this drug.
"Previous reviews have examined trials of specific treatments, but in this latest study we intend to examine the outcomes of a range of specific treatments. For example, there are various medications on the market to address cocaine withdrawal symptoms, and behavioural therapy is also used to treat this addiction. Acupuncture may also be helpful sometimes. All these different treatments will be examined in detail to see what has been the most effective method."
Dr Murphy hopes this will be the first of a number of new studies in the area of cocaine treatment in collaboration with NHS partners.
Mersey Care NHS Trust provides some addiction services across Liverpool, Kirkby and Sefton and is the main provider for community drugs teams across the city of Liverpool.
The Trust's Addictions Clinical Director Dr Mohammad Faizal said: "Mersey Care drug services have contributed extensively to the city to provide a comprehensive and effective drug treatment. The focus on treatment for opiates has made an impact and the city is now benefiting from a drop in opiate users in tandem with national trend.
"However there are new challenges on the horizon and our clinical team is gearing up to deal with these new challenges. Crack Cocaine use in the North West is one of the highest in the UK. This increase in Cocaine use has also been noted by staff at Accident and Emergency departments across the North West, so our study could significantly help a wide area of the health sector.
"There are many pharmacological and psychological treatments used to treat cocaine misuse but there is lack of clarity around the most effective treatment for cocaine misuse. A vaccine aimed at stopping cocaine use is also currently undergoing laboratory trials and might become available in future. "
Dr Faizal added: "Mersey Care Trust is working in partnership with Edge Hill University to systematically review the evidence available in the field of cocaine treatment. This will help to provide a platform to develop treatment guidelines that has proven efficacy in treating cocaine misuse. Our services are now providing support and treatment for drug users misusing cocaine using a number of psychosocial interventions and specialist inpatient facilities where needed. The results of this systematic review will guide our treatment guidelines to tackle the new challenge. The findings of this review will be shared among our partner agencies and commissioners in Liverpool. "
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2012-01-04 16:37:04";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2012-01-04";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-04 16:37:58";s:3:"url";s:88:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2012/01/grant-to-research-treatment-for-cocaine-addiction";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:18:"ehu:subject=health";s:18:"ehu:subject=health";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";}}i:32;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:49:"Increase in applications bucks the national trend";s:4:"slug";s:49:"increase-in-applications-bucks-the-national-trend";s:7:"summary";s:104:"Edge Hill University is bucking the national trend by attracting more applicants to study at the campus.";s:7:"content";s:2103:"Edge Hill University is bucking the national trend by attracting more applicants to study at the campus.
Although the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) have reported a fall in applications for higher education for 2012/13, the pattern in West Lancashire is very different.
The Ormskirk-based University has attracted 16.1% more applicants than at the same time last year.
Commenting on these figures, the University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr John Cater, said: "These figures are very pleasing and demonstrate strong demand across the full range of our degree programmes. Despite the continually changing nature of the higher education sector, the things that are important to Edge Hill remain constant: providing a high quality learning experience; being an excellent employer; ensuring financial security and raising our profile nationally and internationally. Our increase in applications is testimony to the hard work that we put into achieving these goals."
One of the reasons why applicants are keen to study at Edge Hill University is in the top four for its excellent graduate employment record, coming top in the north-west and fourth in England in the latest Higher Education Statistics Agency survey. Its success rate is down to a combination of providing opportunities for students to boost their employability throughout their degree, practical, industry-focused programmes and excellent links with employers.
The University is continually implementing ambitions plans to improve the student experience. The latest has been the opening of the £13.5 million Hub, which provides outstanding social, dining opportunities plus dedicated student space for the record 80 plus student clubs and societies running this year. Other initiatives include a multi-faith chaplaincy, a drop in dentist, a specialist programme to help with the transition to higher education, as well as further improvements in learning and teaching, such as feedback and assessment, designed to further improve students' learning experience.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-22 12:04:53";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-22";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-31 11:06:43";s:3:"url";s:88:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/increase-in-applications-bucks-the-national-trend";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:25:"ehu:department=admissions";s:25:"ehu:department=admissions";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:33;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:33:"Graduate’s TV dreams a reality ";s:4:"slug";s:30:"graduate-s-tv-dreams-a-reality";s:7:"summary";s:174:"Dreams of working in television have become a reality for one of Edge Hill University’s graduates, who is enjoying the highs of working on shows like Desperate Scousewives.";s:7:"content";s:2813:"
Dreams of working in television have become a reality for one of Edge Hill University's graduates, who is enjoying the highs of working on shows like Desperate Scousewives.
Kelly Sillery, who studied Television Production Management at the University, is now a Production Co-ordinator at Splash Media.
The 23-year-old from Wigan, who graduated in July 2010, has always wanted to work within the film and TV industry and landed the exciting job at the production company through a contact she originally worked with on her work placement when she was at Edge Hill
She explained: "Having a great contacts base is so important in the jobs market within the industry, especially when you are first starting out, along with being good at your job. I didn't get the Production Co-ordinator job straight away, I took runner jobs and continued to build my expertise and knowledge but my hard work has paid off and I'm getting to work on some fantastic projects
"We've been working on Desperate Scousewives recently, which is a new constructed reality show based in Liverpool and it's great fun. All the team are new together and there is a real sense of accomplishment, that we are all working together to get a new show up and running. I think there will be mixed reactions from everyone about this show, with some who will hate it and others that will love it. I believe there will be more lovers than haters by the end."
She added: "I love the fact that my job is in the industry that I have always wanted to work in, so I am very thankful for that. I also love meeting new people and also reconnections with people I have worked with in the past.
Kelly attributes her time at Edge Hill being a key factor in enabling her to find work within the field she loves the most.
"When I heard about the Television Production Management course at Edge Hill I was intrigued and once I was equipped with the knowledge of what the course entailed, I knew that it was for me," explained Kelly. "It is the only one of its kind in the country, has strong links with the BBC and the work placements are brilliant. My placement allowed me to gain the 'on the job' experience and essentially helped me to secure a job when I graduated.
"It's a tough industry to crack, but for anyone wanting to break into it, my tips would be to get as much experience as possible. Don't be disheartened if you are not getting paid for it, or even if your outgoings to get there are higher than your incomings, as I promise it will all be worth it. Also, build up a strong contacts base. And you need to have passion and drive to work in this industry as it is long hours and very competitive. I believe that if you are passionate and hard-working enough you will get work."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-21 16:20:45";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-21";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-21 16:22:45";s:3:"url";s:69:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/graduate-s-tv-dreams-a-reality";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";}}i:34;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:33:"Jennifer Saunders in Conversation";s:4:"slug";s:33:"jennifer-saunders-in-conversation";s:7:"summary";s:179:"Star of Absolutely Fabulous and Edge Hill University’s Honorary Graduate Jennifer Saunders returns to the Ormskirk campus for a special event, Jennifer Saunders in Conversation.";s:7:"content";s:2370:"Star of Absolutely Fabulous and Edge Hill University's Honorary Graduate Jennifer Saunders returns to the Ormskirk campus for a special event, Jennifer Saunders in Conversation.
The event, taking place on Friday 27th January, will see Jennifer entertain an audience with stories from her 30-year career in the entertainment industry which has included winning two BAFTAs, an International Emmy Award, a British Comedy Award, a Rose d'Or Light Entertainment Festival Award, two Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards, and a People's Choice Award.
She will be joined by Edge Hill University Chancellor, colleague and "best mate" Professor Tanya Byron. The pair first met on the set of French & Saunders, when Tanya made a guest appearance on the show. Since then, they have worked on several projects together, including co-writing the BBC TV series The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle.
Regarded as one of the country's most successful comediennes, Jennifer is known for her legendary role as fashion PR Edina Monsoon in sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. The show returns to TV screens over the festive period for a Christmas special after seven year break, which includes cameos from celebrities such as Stella McCartney, Dame Kelly Holmes and Emma Bunton.
Also working as one half of comedy sketch show, French & Saunders with Dawn French, Jennifer has changed the way that UK audiences think about and react to funny women. Working as part of a vanguard of female comics, she has helped to shift the public view of female figures from the ‘object' of comedic situations, epitomised by mother-in-law jokes, to becoming the subject, the protagonist and leader of humour.
Edge Hill University Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater, said: "It is a real privilege that our good friend and honorary graduate Jennifer Saunders has agreed to return to the University once again and, on this occasion, share thoughts and memories from her influential life and career with a broader audience. We are certain that this will be an evening to remember and look forward to welcoming friends old and new to the University for what will be one of the highlights of the New Year."
This event is now fully booked.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-21 12:38:45";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-21";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-05 09:00:13";s:3:"url";s:72:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/jennifer-saunders-in-conversation";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";}}i:35;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:50:"Honorary award to Dame for leadership in education";s:4:"slug";s:50:"honorary-award-to-dame-for-leadership-in-education";s:7:"summary";s:126:"One of the leading ambassadors of the further education sector has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:3579:"One of the leading ambassadors of the further education sector has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Edge Hill University.
Dame Patricia Bacon, who has been the Principal of St Helens College for 10 years, has been hugely committed to raising the profile, significance and impact of education and ensuring that opportunities are available for all.
Her honorary degree, which was given in light of her inspirational contribution to the sector and exemplary partnership work with Edge Hill, was conferred from the University's Vice Chancellor John Cater in a ceremony on the Ormskirk campus. She explains what the award means to her in an interview here.
Upon receiving the award, Pat said: "This is a proud moment for me in what has been an incredible year which started with my DBE in the New Year.
"In education we can create opportunities for people in order to allow them to exceed their own expectations and I share many of the same values as Edge Hill University. Anyone graduating from this University can be truly proud and confident that it will go from strength to strength."
Following her own graduation, Pat spent five years in retail management before becoming a lecturer at Cauldon College, Stoke-on-Trent, which was to be the start of a highly successful career in further education spanning more than 30 years. Pat's specialist fields are retail, business communication and marketing. As a qualified and highly skilled teacher her experience of curriculum development, teaching and learning, and her passion for ensuring that work related learning has a place in the curriculum have all informed Pat's outstanding work as a leader within education.
As Principal of St Helens College, she has ensured it has benefitted from a £60m capital programme which has created not only a first class learning environment for students but for the community and town as a whole. This achievement represents Pat's many attributes - drive, energy, passion, vision, strategic thinking, negotiation skills and tenacity.
Offering advice to students graduating, Pat said: "Education really does make a difference, especially in this tough economic climate. Think of it as a journey, not a destination - whatever point you get to there is a next step beyond that. I also believe that learning is both formal and informal; learning and development comes in all shapes and sizes, so carry on learning in whatever way you can."
An outstanding leader who has achieved a great deal for thousands of students across the country, Pat has also contributed widely and significantly to a range of external organisations including seven years as an NHS Hospitals Trust Non-Executive Director and periods as Director of Mersey Maritime, St Helens World of Glass, the award winning St Helens Chamber and Chair of Lifelong Learning UK. Currently Pat is a member of the JISC Board and Transition Group, reflecting her particular interest in learning technology.
In 2009 Pat was elected to the prestigious position of National President for the Association of Colleges (AoC). She describes this as one of the most influential and challenging periods of her career because it was through a time of significant political and economic change with both the recession and the 2010 General Election dominating her period in office.
In the 2011 New Year's Honours List Pat was awarded a DBE for her contribution to both local and national work on behalf of colleges.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-20 15:47:14";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-20";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-20 15:48:22";s:3:"url";s:89:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/honorary-award-to-dame-for-leadership-in-education";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:10:"graduation";s:10:"graduation";s:8:"honorary";s:8:"honorary";}}i:36;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:12:"Gothic Times";s:4:"slug";s:12:"gothic-times";s:7:"summary";s:172:"A gothic studies expert from Edge Hill University has been given the role of Reviews Editor on a prestigious journal focusing on the subject in recognition of his research.";s:7:"content";s:2392:"A gothic studies expert from Edge Hill University has been given the role of Reviews Editor on a prestigious journal focusing on the subject in recognition of his research.
Dr Ben Brabon, Senior Lecturer in English Literature, has been elected for the important position on the Manchester University Press journal Gothic Studies.
This interdisciplinary international journal, now in its 12th year of publication, examines all aspects of the field of Gothic studies from the 18th century to the present day.
As the most prestigious journal for the study of all things Gothic and a dynamic forum for cultural criticism and dialogue, the appointment confirms Dr Brabon's internationally recognised research expertise in this area. An Executive Committee member of the International Gothic Association since 2003 and widely known within the field of Gothic Studies for his publication Postfeminist Gothic: Critical Interventions in Contemporary Culture (Palgrave Macmillan 2007), Dr Brabon's most recent book, Gothic Cartography: A Literary Geography of Haunting will be published by Palgrave shortly.
Commenting on his appointment, Dr Brabon said: "I am honoured to be elected to this important position. Gothic Studies brings together the critical ideas of a vibrant international community of academics and as part of the editing process I will have the pleasure of evaluating the latest pioneering research within the field."
Drawing upon Dr Brabon's and other staff research interests in the Gothic, the Department of English and History offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules with a Gothic flavour. Modules such as Gothic Romanticism, Vampire Fictions, Victorian Gothic and Trans-Gothic, analyse literary expressions of the Gothic and the cultural anxieties and fears these texts explore.
"We offer an exciting collection of modules on the Gothic," said Dr Brabon. "Students have the opportunity to study everything from eighteenth century classics such as Walpole's The Castle of Otranto to the contemporary vampire fiction of the Twilight saga."
For more information on Edge Hill's English Literature programme, please visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/english/courses/english-literature/.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-20 14:16:38";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-20";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-20 14:18:18";s:3:"url";s:51:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/gothic-times";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:19:"ehu:subject=english";s:19:"ehu:subject=english";}}i:37;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:47:"Robot Innovation Inspires Students at Edge Hill";s:4:"slug";s:47:"robot-innovation-inspires-students-at-edge-hill";s:7:"summary";s:187:"Edge Hill University’s innovative use of robotics in the teaching of computer programming has recently been recognised, with staff and students invited to take part in a national event.";s:7:"content";s:3382:"Edge
Hill University's innovative use of robotics in the teaching of computer
programming has recently been recognised, with staff and students invited to
take part in a national event.
‘BOTShop',
organised by the Higher Education Academy and
hosted by the University of Derby, discussed both practical and educational benefits
of the use of robotics within teaching.
"Programming can be a challenging subject for students to learn as there is usually a fear factor attached," explains Senior Lecturer in Computing, Collette Gavan. "Students often see the subject as difficult or mathematical, so we've tried to make it fun as well as challenging to help them engage more fully."
Dr Mark Anderson, fellow Senior Lecturer in Computing adds, "We've worked to broaden student activities within the programming modules by using robots. This has proven to be highly successful and led us to create an undergraduate Application Development route, specifically exploring programming in an original and captivating environment."
On receiving the invitation, Collette and Mark asked a number of students to accompany them to the event so they too could showcase their knowledge and talents. "Rather than just presenting ideas we thought our participation would be far more effective if a party of students, from across the year groups, accompanied us to demonstrate the work they had successfully completed," says Collette. "This also gave our students the opportunity to describe in person how they had benefitted from their learning experiences."
First year student, Aaron Mulholland, who was chosen to attend the event comments, "Taking part in an academic event such as this, and having the chance to offer my opinions about how well our course works, has been a fantastic opportunity for me."
Aaron believes he is truly benefitting from Edge Hill's approach. "A lot of what we do, especially in programming, requires a practical hands-on approach which, in my experience, enables you to come up with solutions to the most difficult challenges. I find this process definitely works as you get to work on a project while you learn."
This is a belief Mark also agrees with and feels that all six students who took part in the event gained a great deal from the experience. "The students definitely came away with a sense of pride in their subject, in their course and in Edge Hill University itself. It was great for them to be able to see that the work they are successfully achieving is at the forefront of learning within higher education", says Mark. "The feedback that we received from the audience was extremely positive."
With the students' assured performance impressing their audience, there has now been interest from other institutions. "A number of participants at the event have since contacted us, expressing interest in working collaboratively on funded projects to further develop the use of robotics in teaching," explains Collette. "We are also investigating the possibilities of running a workshop at Edge Hill in the future and leading a Computing project to enhance our provision in this respect."
For further information about studying computing at Edge Hill University, visit: http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/business/courses/computing
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-19 13:10:36";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-19";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-21 14:20:39";s:3:"url";s:86:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/robot-innovation-inspires-students-at-edge-hill";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:17:"ehu:home=business";s:17:"ehu:home=business";s:24:"ehu:subject=computing-it";s:24:"ehu:subject=computing-it";}}i:38;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:29:"Freedom honour for University";s:4:"slug";s:29:"freedom-honour-for-university";s:7:"summary";s:107:"Edge Hill University has been awarded the City’s highest honour in recognition of 126 years of learning. ";s:7:"content";s:1572:"Edge Hill University has been awarded the City of Liverpool's highest honour in recognition of 126 years of learning.
Liverpool's Lord Mayor, Councillor Frank Prendergast, said: "I am delighted to be adding Edge Hill University to the Freedom Roll of Association.
"It is a great opportunity to recognise the contribution the University has made to training and education over the past 126 years. Edge Hill University has been a great asset to the city and I hope it continues to provide first class learning for many years to come."
Edge Hill University's Vice-Chancellor added: "This is an historic day for the University, and one of which we are very proud. From our founding in the City more than six generations ago to the education of over 3,000 Liverpool students today, Edge Hill University strongly values its heritage and is absolutely delighted to see these lasting ties acknowledged in the highest accolade the City can award. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with the City of our birth for many decades to come."
Founded in 1885 at a ceremony in St Georges Hall when 41 female teacher trainees began their studies, the University has come a long way with student numbers now exceeding 26,000.
The University operated in Liverpool for nearly 50 years before moving to its current location in Ormskirk. Despite this move the University has resisted frequent requests to change its name to reflect its new location in recognition of the University's continuing association with the City of Liverpool.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-15 16:54:39";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-15";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-19 16:43:42";s:3:"url";s:68:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/freedom-honour-for-university";s:4:"tags";a:1:{s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:39;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:32:"Can’t get it out of your head?";s:4:"slug";s:29:"can-t-get-it-out-of-your-head";s:7:"summary";s:163:"Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? That’s called an earworm and Dr Vicky Williamson was at Edge Hill University to discuss her research on the subject.";s:7:"content";s:1237:"Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? That's called an earworm and Dr Vicky Williamson was at Edge Hill University to discuss her research on the subject.
Listen to an interview here, where Dr Williamson, a researcher at Goldsmiths, University of London, explains more about the music in people's heads.
Her survey-based research shows that 91.7% of people reported having an earworm at least once a week. Dr Williamson discussed her findings at the University's recent Cognitive Science Research Group Seminar Series, looking at what makes a tune stick in the head, whether certain personality traits make people more vulnerable to earworms, and what triggers earworms.
The Cognitive Science Research Group Seminar Series is being organised by Dr Craig Thorley and Dr Lauren Knott from the Department of Psychology. If you wish to find out more about the Cognitive Science Research Group or their seminar series, contact craig.thorley@edgehill.ac.uk or visit the research group's website at www.edgehill.ac.uk/psychology/the-research-group.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-15 15:05:05";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-15";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-15 15:05:34";s:3:"url";s:68:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/can-t-get-it-out-of-your-head";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:25:"ehu:department=psychology";s:25:"ehu:department=psychology";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";}}i:40;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:36:"How can teachers help lonely pupils?";s:4:"slug";s:35:"how-can-teachers-help-lonely-pupils";s:7:"summary";s:143:"‘What can teachers do to help lonely children’, was the topic of debate for Edge Hill University’s Educational Psychology Research Group.";s:7:"content";s:1179:"‘What can teachers do to help lonely children', was the topic of debate for Edge Hill University's Educational Psychology Research Group.
Guest speaker Dr Pam Qualter from the University of Central Lancashire, who has carried out extensive research on the subject, delivered a thought-provoking talk recently on how teachers might develop interventions/curricula that can help lonely children and adolescents.
In this interview, Dr Qualter explains what loneliness is, how it develops, and how it affects health and behaviours during childhood. She raises questions about how the issues can be tackled in the classroom.
The Educational Psychology Research Group has organised a programme of events to stimulate debate and examine ways in which educational practitioners can make the learning experience better for their pupils and students. Events are open to anyone with a general interest in the fields of education and psychology. For more information, please contact Dr Dave Putwain on 01695 584498 or email putwaind@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-15 12:15:30";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-15";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-15 15:06:34";s:3:"url";s:74:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/how-can-teachers-help-lonely-pupils";s:4:"tags";a:5:{s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:25:"ehu:department=psychology";s:25:"ehu:department=psychology";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";}}i:41;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:67:"Alumni Fund helps to celebrate student excellence in volunteering ";s:4:"slug";s:65:"alumni-fund-helps-to-celebrate-student-excellence-in-volunteering";s:7:"summary";s:102:"Each year, one of Edge Hill's Excellence Scholarships is funded by generous donations from our alumni.";s:7:"content";s:2017:"Each year, one of Edge Hill's Excellence Scholarships is funded by generous donations from our alumni. Excellence Scholarships aim to reward students who have made a contribution to University life, either by excelling academically, raising the profile of Edge Hill in a positive way, promoting equality, motivating others, or by overcoming personal circumstances to achieve.
This year Volunteering Entrance Scholars were supported by the Alumni Fund. Click here to watch interviews with this year's appreciative recipients of the Alumni Scholarship and hear the difference it has made to their studies and the invaluable volunteering that they undertake in the community.
Volunteering Entrance and On-Course Scholarships support students who have balanced their studies, often with work and family commitments, to give back and make a difference in their local community or further afield. Click here to read case studies on students that have been awarded scholarships to celebrate their excellence in volunteering.
As an alumnus you have not only contributed to the current success of the University, but you also have the opportunity to play a major part in its future. Offering a donation to the Alumni Fund, no matter how big or small, can make a difference to a student's life. You can make a donation through our online store at edgehill.ac.uk/alumni/donate.
The Alumni Fund also supports the University Hardship Fund, which provides financial support to those students most in need. This money can make the difference between a student continuing their education or being forced to drop out due to their circumstances. It can also give disadvantaged students the initial boost they need to start their academic career.
";s:6:"author";s:17:"Caroline Mitchell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-07 15:03:34";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-14";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-14 14:56:21";s:3:"url";s:104:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/alumni-fund-helps-to-celebrate-student-excellence-in-volunteering";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";}}i:42;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:41:"Influential media heads motivate students";s:4:"slug";s:41:"influential-media-heads-motivate-students";s:7:"summary";s:155:"Media students had the opportunity to quiz two very influential women in the TV and journalism industries during a series of talks at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:3801:"Media students had the opportunity to quiz two very influential women in the TV and journalism industries during a series of talks at Edge Hill University.
Carolyn Reynolds, Chief Executive of Liverpool's Lime Pictures - the largest UK independent drama producer outside London - recently visited the campus to pass on her words of wisdom to students.
Having worked in TV production since the early 1980s, Carolyn has produced and executive produced Britain's most popular show Coronation Street between 1990 and 2005, apart from a short break in the late 1990s, when she worked at Yorkshire TV. She has developed and produced many television dramas including Reckless, At Home with the Braithwaites and Blue Murder.
In 2005, Carolyn joined Mersey Television and was instrumental in reforming the company into today's Lime Pictures. Working with Creative Director Tony Wood and Managing Director Sean Marley, the company has grown to produce a range of content for different markets. The biggest multi-platform show is Channel 4's long-running teen drama Hollyoaks and last year Lime Pictures also pioneered the new 'constructed reality' genre for UK television, including The Only Way is Essex, the BAFTA winning series.
Professor Roger Shannon, from the University's Department of Media, who in the past has also worked closely with Carolyn on a number of projects, said: "It was a pleasure to introduce Carolyn Reynolds to the campus, and to our students. Carolyn is one of the most powerful and influential women within UK TV drama and has driven the Liverpool based Lime Pictures to the frontline of innovative and new media production. One of her many strengths is her eye for talent, as evidenced by the range of new screen writers and drama performers peppered across all of Lime's outputs, from the ‘old school' of the soaps to the ‘cutting edge' of transmedia. Lime are really going places at the moment and Carolyn in her talk was able to give students a flavour of what it's like working in a fast changing industry, as well as an insightful introduction to the policy issues that arise in both national and international contexts.
"Her visit was the latest in the Department's series of 'media policy' talks, which has included Sir Michael Lyons, BBC Trust Chairman; Nik Powell, Oscar winner and Director of the National Film/TV School; Peter Salmon, Director of BBC North; Professor Tanya Byron and Culture Minister Andy Burnham. Such visits and talks keep our students ahead of the game regarding media policy in a challenging environment."
Journalism students also benefited from a careers talk by the BBC's regional reporter and presenter Nina Warhurst.
Nina, who has previously worked as a producer for Manchester's Channel M and in Moscow for the Russian Federation, was able to talk about her personal experiences and give advice to students eager to make it in the competitive media industry.
She said: Creativity is key. You need to keep coming up with ideas because it will set you apart from everybody else. Confidence is also important and just ‘go for it', even if you feel like you're banging your head against a brick wall at times because if you want something you have to push yourself."
Speaking after Nina's session, the University's Careers Advisor Debby Murray, who organised the visit, said: "Here at Edge Hill we always strive to ensure our students are one step ahead of the rest in securing that graduate job, which is why it's important that we invite people in for careers talks. Having Nina here was great because it showed our students that if you work hard there are jobs out there in the media industry, you just have to push yourself."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-13 16:32:55";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-13";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-13 16:34:42";s:3:"url";s:80:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/influential-media-heads-motivate-students";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:22:"ehu:department=careers";s:22:"ehu:department=careers";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:17:"ehu:subject=media";s:17:"ehu:subject=media";}}i:43;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:56:"Alumni continue to support the future of Sports students";s:4:"slug";s:56:"alumni-continue-to-support-the-future-of-sports-students";s:7:"summary";s:210:"Edge Hill recently welcomed professionals from various fields to deliver inspiring talks to first year Physical Education and School Sport students on preparing for careers in the competitive sports industry. ";s:7:"content";s:2840:"Edge Hill recently welcomed professionals from various fields to deliver inspiring talks to first year Physical Education and School Sport (PE & SS) students on preparing for careers in the competitive sports industry.
Speakers from many professions, covering education, personal fitness, the Royal Navy and the fire and prison service, gave an overview of their careers, progression opportunities and advice on how to set yourself apart from other applicants. They were on hand throughout the afternoon for informal chats with the students.
Guest speaker and former student, Chris Greenhalgh, not only gave the students an invaluable insight into his varied role but is keen to work more closely with the Department: "I am really keen on the idea of supporting students at my former University and I am also planning to speak with the sports lecturers to see if I can help in any way.
"There are several opportunities in my workplace for Edge Hill students, including volunteering and work placements. It really is vital that students get as much experience as possible to help them stand out."
Senior Lecturer and alumnus, Sarah Pinder, gave the students an overview of her progression from an undergraduate to secondary teacher before returning to Edge Hill as a Sports Lecturer. She said: "It's a job I really enjoy and it is wonderful to see individuals progress, achieve and develop their character. I think that one of our roles is to provide opportunities for individuals to embark on a number of different experiences and I'm just thankful that I am in a position to be able to do that. If I can inspire students in higher education to teach and instill in them the same enthusiasm that I have for my subject then maybe I will end up making a difference."
Event organiser, Adam Burrows, Senior Lecturer in PE and School Sports, said: "The event was aimed at first year PE & SS students to encourage them to start preparing for the range of career options available after a sports degree. The theme coming through from each of the speakers was the importance of work experience to complement their degree programme.
"We are very grateful to the employers, not only for taking time to visit the University, but also for offering opportunities for students to develop their skills through work experience and volunteering. There are also various volunteering opportunities available at the University for students, including organising school sports days and also overseas with the IDEALS programme in Ghana."
If alumni would like any further information on offering work experience or placements to our students, contact Caroline Mitchell, Affinity Officer on 01695 584861 or email alumni@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:17:"Caroline Mitchell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-12 11:39:07";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-12";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-12 11:41:01";s:3:"url";s:95:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/alumni-continue-to-support-the-future-of-sports-students";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:5:"Sport";s:5:"Sport";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";}}i:44;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:18:"After the Backlash";s:4:"slug";s:18:"after-the-backlash";s:7:"summary";s:308:"Visiting Edge Hill University to deliver his lecture After the Backlash: The Riots and the Right, political activist and author Owen Jones speaks about the aftermath of the riots of 2011 comparing them with those in the 1980s and looking at what lessons should be learned to how to stop them happening again.";s:7:"content";s:463:"
Visiting Edge Hill University to deliver his lecture After the Backlash: The Riots and the Right, political activist and author Owen Jones speaks about the aftermath of the riots of 2011 comparing them with those of the 1980s and looking at what lessons should be learned and how to stop them happening again.
";s:6:"author";s:13:"Michael Nolan";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-09 15:13:09";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-09";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-15 16:39:48";s:3:"url";s:57:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/after-the-backlash";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";}}i:45;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:27:"Carl reaches for the stars ";s:4:"slug";s:26:"carl-reaches-for-the-stars";s:7:"summary";s:299:"The emphasis Edge Hill University places on the application of skills and knowledge to real-world situations is again proving a success, with one computing student receiving interest in his work from the National Space Centre in Leicester and the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics in Cheshire. ";s:7:"content";s:3266:"The emphasis Edge Hill University places on the application of skills and knowledge to real-world situations is again proving a success, with one computing student receiving interest in his work from the National Space Centre in Leicester and the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics in Cheshire.
Carl Glennon, a third-year BSc (Hons) Computing student, has been working closely with senior lecturer Dr Mark Anderson to develop exciting software that uses the very latest Kinect for Microsoft Xbox 360 camera technology.
Carl had the idea due to the practical focus of his degree, as he explains, "When we studied the Physical Computing module during the second year, and Dr Anderson explained how the physical world can connect with the digital one, I decided to investigate the possibility of using the Kinect sensor in an educational setting that enabled pupils to learn about the solar system. As open source solar exploration software fitted well with the Kinect hypothesis this led to my planetarium idea and the concept of using an immersive learning environment to engage with children".
Carl's software allows the Kinect sensor from the Xbox 360 console, along with the software package, to recognise pre-determined gestures made by the user, enabling them to control their own Stellarium Solar exploration on the computer.
The software is now virtually complete, with a second phase beta version being tested with the National Space Centre, meaning the software should soon be ready for commercial use - something Carl intends to investigate further.
Carl adds, "Without Dr Anderson's help the project would never have got to this stage, he has always helped me with any problems I have encountered and supported me throughout."
Dr Anderson believes the success of projects such as Carl's is proof that the practical approach Edge Hill adopts with its Computing and IT courses really benefits students. "Applied projects are an excellent opportunity for students to engage with external parties and gain a true experience of project management and software development," he explains. "Not only do our students expand their technical skills, they also liaise and negotiate with customers, produce project plans and evaluate their products too. All of this is invaluable preparation for entering the workplace and provides our student with a superb addition to their CV that will help them to stand out."
Dr Anderson explains there are a wide range of student projects taking place at Edge Hill that could have similar potential to Carl's. "This year our students are developing autonomous devices using microcontrollers, creating security mechanisms for USB devices, using Artificial Intelligence techniques to build an intelligent software development system and building mobile applications for Android devices. As we try to match projects to students' interests there never really is a ‘typical' project, but it does lead to some really interesting ideas and exciting possibilities," he concludes.
For further information about studying Computing and IT at Edge Hill University, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/business
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-07 11:51:26";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-07";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-07 11:52:17";s:3:"url";s:65:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/carl-reaches-for-the-stars";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:24:"ehu:subject=computing-it";s:24:"ehu:subject=computing-it";}}i:46;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:51:"Paige showcases her talents at European Conference ";s:4:"slug";s:50:"paige-showcases-her-talents-at-european-conference";s:7:"summary";s:327:"For many people the study of performing arts is a personal and passionate pursuit. As such, the Dance and Drama degree at Edge Hill University looks to develop the natural talents of students, whilst also aiming to ensure they combine these with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed as professional practitioners.";s:7:"content";s:3043:"For
many people the study of performing arts is a personal and passionate pursuit.
As such, the Dance and Drama degree at Edge Hill University looks to develop
the natural talents of students, whilst also aiming to ensure they combine
these with the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed as professional
practitioners.
Programme
Leader and Senior Lecturer, James Hewison, comments, "This degree is very
special as it allows students to explore both Dance and Drama as specialisms. It
also gives students the chance to discover the intersections between these
disciplines, such as through the creative exploration of physical theatre or
dance-theatre performance."
This broad-ranging course uses a practice-led approach and utilises both studio and lecture based sessions, focusing on production as well as performance. It is through this that students are prepared for a whole variety of roles when they graduate.
Edge Hill also maintains strong relationships with a wide range of organisations in the arts community, providing students the opportunity to develop contacts, take part in professional productions and gain vital vocational experience.
"We see our industry links as an absolutely vital part of the overall student experience," explains James. "Their importance lies in developing a supportive learning network that ensures what we teach has real value and relevance. These relationships provide students with the opportunity to work with some amazing people on a variety of innovative projects."
Current first year student Paige Hernandez has recently returned from taking part in one such project, which saw her visiting Antwerp in Belgium to perform as part of the Euro Cities Conference held there.
"I've been involved with the Liverpool arts organisation Brouhaha for a few years now and taken part in the International Street Festival, which they deliver annually in the city. I was really pleased when they approached me again to see if I'd like to participate in one of their European exchanges called the XpatS project," Paige reveals.
"During the exchange we visited Antwerp twice as well as Utrecht and Amsterdam and it was really exciting to perform at the conference. I found the whole project life-changing and valued the opportunity to train with lots of new people. We shared our individual qualities as performers which was really insightful and meant we all developed more knowledge and a wider variety of dance styles."
James concludes, "Students at Edge Hill constantly demonstrate a great deal of energy and entrepreneurship in developing extra-curricular activities. It is through these that they find opportunities to become involved in projects that provide valuable experience, making them better performers and enhancing their CV."
For more information about the BA (Hons) in Dance and Drama visit: http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/dance-and-drama
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-05 13:42:46";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-05";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-05 13:43:02";s:3:"url";s:89:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/paige-showcases-her-talents-at-european-conference";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";}}i:47;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:48:"Olympic athletes to come to Edge Hill University";s:4:"slug";s:48:"olympic-athletes-to-come-to-edge-hill-university";s:7:"summary";s:175:"Olympic officials will be given a grand tour of Edge Hill University’s sporting facilities as the campus prepares to become ‘home’ to athletes for the London 2012 Games.";s:7:"content";s:3687:"Olympic officials will be given a grand tour of Edge Hill University's sporting facilities as the campus prepares to become ‘home' to athletes for the London 2012 Games.
Edge Hill University is one of only three universities in the north-west that has been chosen to deliver the pre games training camps for a number of Pacific Island National Olympic Committees.
Vice-chancellor John Cater and a number of leading sport experts from the University, together with partners at West Lancashire Borough Council, will meet and greet the guests on campus for the visit on 3rd December.
They will be shown the running track, therapy clinic, sports hall, gym, Student Hub and accommodation on site. Coaching staff and officials from Liverpool Pembroke Athletics Club, who are based at Edge Hill, will also come along on the day to talk about the training support they can offer.
Dr Tony Charlton, Associate Head of Sports Development and Sports Studies at the University has been instrumental in the visit. He said: "It's fantastic that we've been chosen as a training camp for some of the world's talented athletes as they prepare to compete in the Games. It's nice that we're able to bring a bit of London 2012 to Ormskirk and it will be a great opportunity to get students, staff and the local community involved in the experience."
Teams that have been identified to train at Edge Hill University include American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands and Palau.
Dr Charlton said: "We already have an excellent reputation as a leading University for sport and this will not only enhance our work further but will allow us to develop new links that will open doors for student exchanges and build on our sport capacity further. It will benefit everybody involved as they will also feel more involved in the build-up to the Olympics."
Councillor Andrew Fowler, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure at West Lancashire Borough Council, said: "West Lancashire is very much looking forward to the Olympic Games next year and is proud to welcome competitors from Oceania. The area has developed a reputation for sporting excellence and it's great that the fantastic facilities at Edge Hill should be used for such a prestigious event."
The visit to the UK is being supported by Olympic Solidarity and is aimed at supporting the National Olympic Committees across Oceania in their preparation for the Games.
Andy Worthington, Chair of the Steering Group for the 2012 Games, said: "I am delighted that we can welcome our friends from Oceania back as they put in place their final preparations. The training camps undertaken to date have been a real success and given us a taste of what 2012 will be like. These training camps are an important way that we are able to bring London 2012 to life for communities across the north-west and demonstrate the truly global nature of the Games. Working with our partners across the north-west are determined to create a great first impression of the UK and of London 2012 for these teams from across Oceania."
Dr Robin Mitchell, President of Oceania National Olympic Committees, said: "Since signing our agreement I am pleased to see how well the partnership has developed with a number of Training Camps having taken place and programmes put in place in the north-west and back in the Pacific. With less than a year to go to the Games this is an important opportunity to finalise our arrangements and preparations for London. Our athletes' first experience of the Games next year will be in the north-west and we are looking forward to a warm welcome."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-02 11:14:12";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-02";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-02 11:17:43";s:3:"url";s:87:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/olympic-athletes-to-come-to-edge-hill-university";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:5:"Sport";s:5:"Sport";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:48;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:41:"National talent trophy for dance student ";s:4:"slug";s:40:"national-talent-trophy-for-dance-student";s:7:"summary";s:134:"A Performing Arts student from Edge Hill University has danced her way to success after winning a prestigious national talent contest.";s:7:"content";s:2491:"A Performing Arts student from Edge Hill University has danced her way to success after winning a prestigious national talent contest.
Hannah Binks, who is in her first year on the BA (Hons) Dance and Drama degree, impressed judges so much at the national Park Resorts talent show with her Irish dancing that she scooped the top prize.
The 19-year-old from Derbyshire beat off stiff competition from 1,400 hopefuls to take first place in the competition despite only entering for a ‘bit of fun' while on holiday with her parents. Watch Hannah's performance in this video.
"When my name was called out as the winner I couldn't believe it," said Hannah. "My family were all crying, it was such an emotional experience. At the time I felt like such an amateur because there were so many professional dancers there who had been doing it for years, I didn't think I was going to win at all and I was terrified when I was waiting for the results. To be honest though, I hate competitions, I love performing but I don't like the competitive side so it was strange for me.
"The experience was really good though and I got a lot of confidence from it. I've been told that I should feel proud and it is nice to be recognised because I worked hard on the routines under pressure."
Hannah only started learning to Irish dance two years ago after she went on holiday to Northern Ireland and loved the parades and everything about it. When she returned home she searched for a dance school that taught it.
She has progressed so much she now teaches Irish and other forms of dancing at the school where she learnt the moves herself and also performs to the elderly and disabled in the area.
As a result of winning the contest, she has also been invited to apply for a position to work at the holiday camp's ‘Kid's Club' during the summer holidays 2012.
Hannah said: "I love teaching and I'm definitely going to apply for a job with them in the summer because it will be so much fun. I know that I always loved joining the Kid's Club when I was younger so if I get the job it will be nice to pass on my skills to children who are willing to learn.
"My course at Edge Hill University is really helping me progress and I hope it will help me fulfil my ambitions to teach when I graduate because I want to be able to instil confidence into those around me to help them perform."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-01 11:56:41";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-01";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-01 11:59:31";s:3:"url";s:79:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/national-talent-trophy-for-dance-student";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";}}i:49;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:17:"The Edge of Glory";s:4:"slug";s:17:"the-edge-of-glory";s:7:"summary";s:136:"Trainee Teachers have put sixth formers through their paces by creating a fictional company called “Edge of the Hill Entertainment”.";s:7:"content";s:2865:"Trainee Teachers have put sixth formers through their paces by creating a fictional company called "Edge of the Hill Entertainment".
For the second year running, ICT Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) students have turned their classroom into a business to deliver innovative teaching sessions to 17 and 18-year-olds who are currently studying Applied ICT A-Levels at Saints Peter and Paul's Catholic College in Widnes.
The event aimed to introduce this age group to higher education in a fun, innovative way, engage them in their course work and also develop the creative skills of the University's trainee teachers.
The event on Friday 21st October saw the PGCE ICT trainees taking on different company roles from the Chief Executive Officer of "Edge Hill Entertainment", to the Managing Directors of its two divisions "Edge of the Hill Music" and "Edge of the Hill Games", whilst the sixth formers were the ‘Consultants'. The sixth formers were given three tasks to help relaunch the company and deal with their problems, which were caused by not testing stock control database applications and not producing user guides for their products.
The trainee teachers' job was to use their ICT skills as well as their creative and thespian skills to put together a film showing the damaging effect poorly managed Information Technology can have on a company. The sixth formers were shown this very engaging short film and asked in groups to create a user guide for the company's new game "Pacman" and spot the errors in the company's stock control database as well as making recommendations for its IT department. Due to the erosion of "Edge of the Hill Entertainment's" image the sixth formers were also asked to use graphics software to produce and animate a new logo for the company to underpin its relaunch.
At the end of the day, the teams were judged and the winning team received a certificate. The sixth formers were also given a tour around the Ormskirk campus.
Paula Beer, a Lecturer in ICT explained: "After the success of last year's ‘Edge Hill Apprentice' event, we really enjoyed repeating this form of teaching. We wanted to make it as interesting as possible by using the music and games industry as the basis for the work. The resulting knowledge and skills that they have developed during the day will help them with their A Level coursework. It also enables us to showcase the University to them and hopefully encourage them to enter higher education"
"The sixth formers were so engaged and enthusiastic that it was really a pleasure for our trainees to teach them. The trainees had put a lot of work and inspiration into the day and I think this preparation really paid off"
The theme tune for the company and the day was Lady Gaga's Edge of Glory.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-12-01 15:50:22";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-12-01";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-01 15:52:13";s:3:"url";s:56:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/12/the-edge-of-glory";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";}}i:50;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:40:"Award for flagship ‘green’ building ";s:4:"slug";s:33:"award-for-flagship-green-building";s:7:"summary";s:147:"An impressive Edge Hill University building has been ‘Highly Commended’ in this year’s prestigious Green Gown Awards for reducing energy use.";s:7:"content";s:1771:"An impressive Edge Hill University building has been ‘Highly Commended' in this year's prestigious Green Gown Awards for reducing energy use.
The University's Durning Centre was named runner-up in the Sustainable Construction and Refurbishment category in this year's awards that recognise exceptional initiatives from universities and colleges across the UK to become more sustainable.
Judges at the awards ceremony in London praised the building for achieving huge reductions in CO2 emissions and for being an excellent example of sustainable development.
Dave Oldham, Director of Capital Developments, said: "We're delighted to have been ‘Highly Commended' in these awards. We strive to ensure that sustainability is one of our big priorities at Edge Hill University and this has been acknowledged. I consider this an honorable accolade and it is true recognition of our efforts in providing a series of environmentally-friendly, innovative buildings."
Completed in July 2010, the £4.2m Durning Centre is a building that incorporates unique features. The building is entirely heated by recovering waste heat from IT servers and the University Data Centre, which is powered by a considerable array of photovoltaic cells. It also exports heat to two other university buildings, avoiding the carbon equivalent of planting 823 trees per year.
Externally the Durning Centre is a contemporary design, with its central access and
meeting room identified as a prominent architectural glaze. Natural ventilation louvres, brise soleil and photovoltaics allude to the sustainable nature of the building. It links up several university services reducing direct carbon emissions by eliminating the need for many unnecessary journeys.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-30 12:41:36";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-30";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-30 12:44:34";s:3:"url";s:72:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/award-for-flagship-green-building";s:4:"tags";a:1:{s:29:"ehu:department=sustainability";s:29:"ehu:department=sustainability";}}i:51;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:52:"Edge Hill tops tables for best courses and lecturers";s:4:"slug";s:52:"edge-hill-tops-tables-for-best-courses-and-lecturers";s:7:"summary";s:151:"Edge Hill University is celebrating after being ranked in the top 10 of all UK higher education providers for the quality of its courses and lecturers.";s:7:"content";s:2045:"Edge Hill University is celebrating after being ranked in the top 10 of all UK higher education providers for the quality of its courses and lecturers.
The WhatUni? Student Choice Awards, which are given to the universities that have been rated the highest for each category by students themselves, placed Edge Hill 6th in the country in this important category.
It is the second time the University has been listed in the top 10 for providing an exceptional teaching and learning experience for students, with a rating of 83%.
Comments from students about the courses and their lecturers describe Edge Hill as the ‘best Uni ever', ‘always happy to help with any questions or problems', ‘outstanding University', ‘the attention from tutors is excellent' and it ‘exceeds expectations'.
In addition, almost nine out of ten students would recommend the University to others for providing a good all round experience.
Vice-Chancellor Dr John Cater said: "It is fantastic news to hear that our students rank our courses and lecturers among the best in the country. We really pride ourselves in offering a quality teaching and learning experience and this award is testimony to the work we put in. Our students consistently rate the University highly for its performance and student satisfaction, I think this is because we invest heavily in their personal development. We introduce initiatives designed to help students develop their academic skills within the first few weeks of starting University, and we place the student experience at the centre of everything we do.
"Edge Hill students have brighter employment prospects and more opportunities to achieve than ever before. We want students to succeed and we will continue to work hard to ensure that everything we do supports their progress."
The WhatUni? website is visited by more than 70,000 potential applicants every week, and contains student reviews of more than 500 providers of further and higher education.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-29 16:09:00";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-29";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-06 10:58:46";s:3:"url";s:91:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/edge-hill-tops-tables-for-best-courses-and-lecturers";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:25:"ehu:department=admissions";s:25:"ehu:department=admissions";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:52;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:53:"Applying psychology to education: research and debate";s:4:"slug";s:52:"applying-psychology-to-education-research-and-debate";s:7:"summary";s:168:"Researchers looking at how psychology can be applied to education have a unique opportunity to explore this further during a series of seminars at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:2880:"Researchers looking at how psychology can be applied to education have a unique opportunity to explore this further during a series of seminars at Edge Hill University.
The Educational Psychology Research Group has organised a programme of events to stimulate debate and examine ways in which educational practitioners can make the learning experience better for their pupils and students.
Thought-provoking topics on the agenda include knowledge exhibited through children's drawings, working memory and educational attainment, what teachers need to know about loneliness and social and emotional aspects of learning.
Senior Lecturer Dr Dave Putwain, Educational Psychology Research Group Coordinator, explained: "The emotional side of learning is very important and one which practitioners need to understand when working in this type of environment to ensure that they can understand and motivate individuals."
"This seminar series seeks to explore how psychology can be applied to education at all levels, from pre-school to university. We have interests in how psychology can be used to explain education phenomena and also how educational interventions can be based on psychological theory. Our programme of events gives us the opportunity to invite speakers in from a range of backgrounds and disciplines to draw on their expertise and provide a platform to think about and discuss what is happening in the wider field and debate research. It allows us to formulate new ideas and even embark on new projects. For example, as a result of a previous session I'm now working in partnership with the University of Lancaster to look at why schoolchildren fear failure and what we can do to stem some of their worries."
The events are open to anyone with a general interest in the fields of education and psychology.
Forthcoming seminars include:
For more information, please contact Dr Dave Putwain on 01695 584498 or email putwaind@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-29 11:42:23";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-29";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-29 11:44:04";s:3:"url";s:91:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/applying-psychology-to-education-research-and-debate";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";}}i:53;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:14:"Fast for funds";s:4:"slug";s:14:"fast-for-funds";s:7:"summary";s:151:"Geography students and staff at Edge Hill University are spearheading a fasting campaign to raise much-needed funds for the East African Crisis Appeal.";s:7:"content";s:2389:"Geography students and staff at Edge Hill University are spearheading a fasting campaign to raise much-needed funds for the East African Crisis Appeal.
More than 13 million people in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, and the newly-formed Republic of South Sudan have been left in need of food, water and emergency healthcare because of one of the worst droughts in 60 years. Hundreds of thousands of people have fled Somalia due to the drought and conflict; parts of the country are now afflicted by famine.
In empathy with those suffering in East Africa, the University's Natural, Geographical and Applied Sciences department decided they wanted to help those affected. They came up with the fitting idea to go without food and water during daylight hours to raise money for those in need.
Based on the Muslim tradition, those who participate will not be able to eat or drink between sunrise and sunset during the campaign week, which will run from 28th November to 3rd December.
Dr Tasleem Shakur, an Edge Hill Senior Lecturer in Natural, Geographical and Applied Sciences, said: "In geography we are very humanitarian and after seeing the plight of the people in East Africa we wanted to help. Those countries are in desperate need of food and water so it is important that we can support them, in particular for the women and children who are most vulnerable to this crisis. I have raised funds through fasting before and last year did this for the Pakistan flood victims with some of our generous students. It was such a success that we decided to host a similar initiative this year and we hope that people will give generously to our campaign."
One of the Geography students taking part in the fasting is Nye O'Neil. He said: "So many people in this country complain that they are 'starving' yet in East Africa some of these people don't eat for days because they are suffering from the droughts. These people really are going hungry and need attention, so we want to do what we can to help them."
Anyone who would like to take part in the event and raise sponsorship should contact Taz on 01695 584551 or email shakurt@edgehill.ac.uk.
Please note that anybody wishing to take part who has any health concerns should consult their doctor first before committing to the event.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-28 16:26:57";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-28";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-28 16:31:51";s:3:"url";s:53:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/fast-for-funds";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:19:"ehu:department=ngas";s:19:"ehu:department=ngas";s:51:"ehu:subject=geography-geology-environmental-science";s:51:"ehu:subject=geography-geology-environmental-science";}}i:54;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:50:"After the Backlash: The Summer Riots and the Right";s:4:"slug";s:49:"after-the-backlash-the-summer-riots-and-the-right";s:7:"summary";s:195:"Political commentator and activist Owen Jones will discuss what this year’s summer riots and what the reactions of the public say about modern Britain in an Edge Hill University public lecture.";s:7:"content";s:3139:"Political commentator and activist Owen Jones will discuss what this year's summer riots and what the reactions of the public say about modern Britain in an Edge Hill University public lecture.
The author of Chavs: The Demonisation of the Working Class, which documents the stereotyping of the working class in Britain,will deliver a talk entitled After the Backlash: The Summer Riots and the Right on Thursday 8th December.
In his lecture, Owen will discuss the violent events which traumatised communities across England. He argues the subsequent backlash was manipulated by right-wing commentators keen to emphasise the existence of a ‘feral underclass' and that the concept of an ‘undeserving poor' was escalated into something bigger and more dangerous - that the poor are, in some respects, sub-human.
He claims the riots were apparent proof that Britain perceives itself to be middle-class, apart from a "dysfunctional rump defined by its behavioural problems". Owen will raise questions about what this backlash says about modern Britain and if we can ever hope to understand the reality of the summer riots?
Owen's talk is the second in a series of guest lectures on the topic (In)Security, Surveillance and the State to explore the politics of ‘insecurity' by examining some of the most controversial events in today's society. The programme has been organised by the University's Department of Social Sciences and supported by the Power, Conflict and Justice Research Group and the Faculty of Arts & Sciences.
Mark McGovern, Professor of Sociology and who has coordinated the series, said: "The lecture series will see internationally-renowned commentators and academics investigate in detail major key events and, as a result, some of the most critical, controversial and divisive issues that confront us today.
"In this second event in the series, Owen will argue that the working class stereotype was used by government in the summer riots as a convenient smokescreen to avoid genuine engagement with social and economic problems, and to justify widening inequality. His thought-provoking talk will show that the media supported this by painting a picture of the working class as a group in society to sneer at, ridicule and even incite hatred against."
Owen Jones is a writer, political commentator and activist. Previously working for a number of trade unions and Labour MPs, his work has been published in The Guardian's Comment Is Free, The Morning Star, Liberal Conspiracy, LabourList, Left Futures, and Open Democracy. He is a regular guest on BBC Radio 2′s Jeremy Vine Show, and has appeared on Newsnight, The Big Questions and Channel 4′s 10 O'Clock Live.
The lecture is free to attend and spaces are limited. To book your place, email corporateevents@edgehill.ac.uk. Arrival is 5.30pm with refreshments, ready for a 6.30pm start and refreshments and networking afterwards.
For news, videos and podcasts log on to www.edgehill.ac.uk/insecuritylectures.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-28 13:36:11";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-28";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-28 16:51:19";s:3:"url";s:88:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/after-the-backlash-the-summer-riots-and-the-right";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";}}i:55;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:44:"Junior Athlete Education Day proves a winner";s:4:"slug";s:44:"junior-athlete-education-day-proves-a-winner";s:7:"summary";s:258:"Edge Hill’s department of Sport and Physical Activity recently hosted an event that should give young sporting talent the best chance of future success, while also providing its own students with invaluable practical experience to aid their future careers.";s:7:"content";s:2960:"Edge
Hill's department of Sport and Physical Activity recently hosted an event that
should give young sporting talent the best chance of future success, while also
providing its own students with invaluable practical experience to aid their future
careers.
Senior
Lecturer, Sarah Pinder, explains "Edge Hill University has been hosting the
Junior Athlete Education (JAE) day for six years now. Originally devised by the
Youth Sports Trust, the event brings together a large selection of pupils from local
high schools and aims to educate them about the importance of getting a
balanced lifestyle, informing them about how to reach their full potential,
both academically and within their particular sport."
Statistically, achieving sporting success is difficult and so through events such as these pupils can be taught the value of having an education and the importance of lifestyle factors, such as making time for friends, training correctly and recovering from injury. Parents are also encouraged to become involved and several workshops are held each year to ensure they have as much help and support as possible.
Sarah adds, "During the day here on campus, our Physical Education and School Sport students deliver a number of theory sessions about getting the balance right and the importance of goal setting. Practical workshops are also held which make use of our hi-spec labs and look at aspects including agility and reaction time and cover the sports that pupils are less competent at."
"Through teaching pupils, as opposed to their peers, our students develop their communication skills, improve their planning and time management, learn how to work together and reflect on their own practice. Events like these show students how to translate professionally what they are being taught within their degree. They get to experience how theory relates to practice in a realistic environment," she explains.
JAE Day is just one example of Edge Hill's continued sporting links with local schools. Another recent initiative included a primary school health week, where students took the lead in delivering theory and practical sessions all day, every day, for a full week.
Sarah believes that it is through participating in projects like these that Edge Hill's students can demonstrate how much they have developed during their studies "Our students are all extremely professional when conducting sessions like this, not least in how they support each other and work together to ensure that events are successful. They are a credit to the University and each year we see them grow and develop into extremely good physical education practitioners."
For more information about the BA (Hons) in Physical Education and School Sport, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/physical-education-and-school-sport
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-25 10:38:00";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-25";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-21 14:24:22";s:3:"url";s:83:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/junior-athlete-education-day-proves-a-winner";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:14:"ehu:home=sport";s:14:"ehu:home=sport";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:56;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:45:"3rd Year performances are most successful yet";s:4:"slug";s:45:"3rd-year-performances-are-most-successful-yet";s:7:"summary";s:228:"Third year performing arts students from a broad range of Edge Hill University’s drama, music, and design and visual theatre degrees have delighted audiences across the North West with a series of collaborative sell out shows.";s:7:"content";s:2363:"Third
year performing arts students from a broad range of Edge Hill University's drama,
music, and design and visual theatre degrees have delighted audiences across
the North West with a series of collaborative sell out shows.
Directed
by University staff as well as industry professionals ‘Freedom Songs' was held
over several nights and comprised four very different productions to
demonstrate the wide-ranging talents of our students.
These well attended events, whether held on campus or a venues further afield, thrilled audiences with performances that included avant-garde dance, contemporary sound manipulation and site-specific promenade theatre.
The first show, dance theatre piece ‘Die Praxis der Leibe' (The Practice of Love) was held in the atmospheric Victoria Baths in Manchester where the creative use of ambient lighting and music added to the illusion of performers descending in and out of imaginary waters.
Edge Hill's own Rose Theatre then hosted ‘Widows' which showcased traditional stage work and enabled students to research the repressive Pinochet regime alongside the politics of our recent past, dramatising the consequences of this powerful and sinister subject.
Containing forty-nine songs from the classical to the contemporary and everything in between, ‘The Convict's Opera' re-imagined the world's first ever musical, as audience members travelled onboard a convict ship bound for Australia with the larger than life characters.
The final innovative production used the space at the Grade 2 listed Old Christ Church in Waterloo as its inspiration, taking spectators out of the comfort of a traditional theatre setting with this promenade piece incorporating striking video mash-ups, startling masks and commanding stilt walkers to look at how we perceive oppression through today's media.
Bill Hopkinson, Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts concludes, "For third year projects like these everyone in the department comes together, whether it's writing, acting, singing, sound engineering, set design or stage management, the fusing of all these skills together is of great effect."
To watch ‘Die Praxis der Leibe' (The Practice of Love) visit: http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/video/die-praxis-der-liebe
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-25 10:00:49";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-25";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-25 10:11:27";s:3:"url";s:84:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/3rd-year-performances-are-most-successful-yet";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:33:"ehu:subject=design-visual-theatre";s:33:"ehu:subject=design-visual-theatre";s:17:"ehu:subject=music";s:17:"ehu:subject=music";}}i:57;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:53:"National Teaching Fellowship winner spreads knowledge";s:4:"slug";s:53:"national-teaching-fellowship-winner-spreads-knowledge";s:7:"summary";s:147:"An Edge Hill University academic has been invited to share his knowledge across the globe after winning a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship.";s:7:"content";s:3983:"An Edge Hill University academic has been invited to share his knowledge across the globe after winning a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship.
Professor Mark Schofield, Dean of Teaching and Learning Development, has been chosen to deliver a number of presentations and workshops internationally as a result of his award, which recognises excellence in higher education teaching and support for learning
His latest venture involves travelling to the University of Kwazulu-Natal in South Africa to talk about the challenges around e-learning and assessments in higher education. He also recently visited the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia to talk about the use of technologies in teaching and learning practices. New contacts have also been made with the Multi National Teaching Fellowship Group in the United States, which will give Professor Schofield the opportunity to forge new links and explore new ways of working together.
He explained: "Although I was only awarded the National Teaching Fellowship for Edge Hill University a few months ago it is already having a positive impact and I'm getting a number of requests to visit other universities across the world to share my expertise and knowledge. It's fantastic to be invited to these places because it is based on recognition from my peers internationally. I feel very privileged to be involved in this work and to be an ambassador for Edge Hill. Being given this fellowship has already opened so many doors and is raising the profile of the University even further, reinforcing our excellent reputation in this area of work. Ultimately, it is benefiting our students and staff and shows our continued commitment to excellence in teaching and learning."
The award has been made to Professor Schofield for raising the profile of learning and teaching locally, nationally and internationally and in recognition of his success in supporting colleagues and influencing student learning.
He explains more about winning the fellowship in this interview here. He said: "I have worked hard in the profession for many years and have always tried to motivate others to succeed using innovative methods, so I'm delighted to be given this recognition. However, I wouldn't have been able to achieve this without the support of the students and my colleagues, both here at Edge Hill and abroad."
Professor Schofield currently leads on teaching and learning development and associated research and contributes to curriculum design and teaching on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Education and Health.
His innovative work in technology enhanced learning is one of the reasons for his visiting chairs at Leeds Metropolitan and Northampton Universities. Professor Schofield has also cemented firm international partnerships between Edge Hill University and the University of Johannesburg, the Higher Education Learning and Teaching Association South Africa, the United States Air Force Academy and the international DLAC (Distance Learning and Collaboration) group through his innovative work on research, curriculum design and e-learning.
Mark, who is from Kirkby, recently became a Senior Fellow in Educational Development at the University of Windsor, Ontario. He sits on the editorial board of the Innovations in Education and Teaching International Journal. He leads on practice based research development for the University's education and health professionals. He is also the Academic Director of the SOLSTICE Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning and chair of the Edge Hill University Centre for Learning and Teaching Research. He has acted as an expert advisor to the HEA eLearning Observatory initiative (now EvidenceNet), to government groups envisioning technological support for learning in the future and was a member of the HEA e-learning ‘Think Tank'.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-24 11:52:01";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-24";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-24 11:53:30";s:3:"url";s:92:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/national-teaching-fellowship-winner-spreads-knowledge";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";}}i:58;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:51:"Leading Television Professionals visit Edge Hill ";s:4:"slug";s:48:"leading-television-professionals-visit-edge-hill";s:7:"summary";s:285:"It was with great pleasure that Edge Hill University’s Media Department welcomed Broadcast Film Editor, Richard Fretwell, as well as BBC Religion and Ethics Production Executive, Sue Pitt, to host two very special lectures for our BA (Hons) Television Production Management students.";s:7:"content";s:2163:"It
was with great pleasure that Edge Hill University's Media Department welcomed
Broadcast Film Editor, Richard Fretwell, as well as BBC
Religion and Ethics Production Executive, Sue Pitt, to host two very special lectures
for our BA (Hons) Television Production Management students.
Richard,
who is now freelance after a number of years working at the BBC on drama,
documentary and factual entertainment, met with second year students to discuss
all stages of post-production workflow, from gathering raw media through to
achieving a fully edited programme.
He then joined first year students for a ‘From Script to Screen' session which drew on his twenty years of experience in writing voiceovers and casting for roles. The session also included exercises relating to sourcing locations, with students using Edge Hill's campus to scout and logistically plan the perfect place for interviews to take place.
Students from all years of the degree then met with Sue, who discussed her BBC career to date whilst showcasing the wide range of programmes she has been involved in, from hard-hitting dramas through to flagship Christian music programme ‘Songs of Praise'.
Sue then offered students help, advice and guidance on their future professional plans, discussing specific jobs, departments and facilities available to graduates who join the new BBC North MediaCity in Salford. Sue also asked students to submit their CVs for a number of runner vacancies that will become available in 2012 as part of the new series of ‘School Choir of the Year'.
Following the success of their visit both Richard and Sue have agreed to become part of Edge Hill's Industry Panel, a collaboration of leading independent production professionals who help ensure teaching remains current and students are provided with the range of skills employers in TV are looking for.
If you are interested in studying Television Production Management and would like more information visit: http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/television-production-management
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-23 13:32:48";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-23";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-21 14:25:23";s:3:"url";s:87:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/leading-television-professionals-visit-edge-hill";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:14:"ehu:home=media";s:14:"ehu:home=media";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";}}i:59;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:47:"Winning scholarship is music to Elliot’s ears";s:4:"slug";s:45:"winning-scholarship-is-music-to-elliot-s-ears";s:7:"summary";s:235:"A colourful musical background while growing up in East Africa has led Elliot Black to establish the first ever Kenyan National Youth Orchestra (KNYO) – and has resulted in an Excellence in Performing Arts Scholarship from Edge Hill.";s:7:"content";s:2875:"A colourful musical background while growing up in East Africa has led Elliot Black to establish the first ever Kenyan National Youth Orchestra (KNYO) - and has resulted in an Excellence in Performing Arts Scholarship from Edge Hill.
Music has been a fundamental part of Elliot's life ever since starting to play the flute at the age of six when his father, a missionary pilot, moved the family from Swindon in Britain to Nairobi, Kenya.
"It was my life from then on", explained Elliot. "At the time I suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and I had no co-ordination so being able to play the flute really boosted my self-esteem and music became such an important part of my world."
As a three time winner of the Young Musician of Kenya Competition, who achieved his Grade 8 Flute at the age of 13, it was clear that he was musically gifted. At the age of 16 Elliot won a place at the Royal College of Music Junior Department in the UK where he trained alongside child prodigies and performed with the Symphony Orchestra.
The 20-year-old BA (Hons) Physical Education & School Sport student, who returned to Britain in time to take his GCSEs, found moving back home a whole new experience for him. "While some boys were talking about the latest computer games, I realised that my childhood was very different from theirs and had been spent climbing trees. Coming back to Britain has been great though and changed my perceptions on life. But when I turned 18 I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life and so I returned to Kenya."
Living in Kenya for another two years enabled Elliot to achieve many of his dreams. He is a member of the Nairobi Orchestra, the only full orchestra in East Africa; has helped to establish the first Kenyan National Youth Orchestra (KNYO), who performed to three million people at the Promulgation of the new Constitution; and has even introduced Kenyan school children to the bagpipes by giving demonstrations at different schools - which were greeted with great amusement.
"Establishing the Kenyan National Youth Orchestra was such an achievement," said Elliot. "It was a massive accomplishment and very difficult, especially trying to get the funding. We worked with nothing yet managed to pull it off, which made me feel so proud."
Winning the excellence scholarship will enable Elliot to continue his involvement with the KNYO whilst in the UK as well as purchase his own set of bagpipes.
He said: "I actually learnt to play the bagpipes over in Kenya and when I went back over and did lots of demonstrations in the schools it was so great to see the children's faces, they'd not seen anything like it before. This is definitely something I want to do more of. I'm very happy to win the scholarship because it will allow me to develop this even further."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-23 11:46:08";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-23";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-02 11:17:44";s:3:"url";s:84:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/winning-scholarship-is-music-to-elliot-s-ears";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:11:"Scholarship";s:11:"Scholarship";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:60;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:38:"Charity volunteer awarded scholarship ";s:4:"slug";s:37:"charity-volunteer-awarded-scholarship";s:7:"summary";s:317:"For more than a decade, Samantha Earnshaw has given up hours of her spare time as a volunteer with St John Ambulance. Her dedication to that charity, among others, has earned her the rank of Corporal, a trip to meet Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace, and now an Excellence in Volunteering Scholarship from Edge Hill.";s:7:"content";s:2043:"For more than a decade, Samantha Earnshaw has given up hours of her spare time as a volunteer with St John Ambulance. Her dedication to that charity, among others, has earned her the rank of Corporal, a trip to meet Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace, and now an Excellence in Volunteering Scholarship from Edge Hill.
Samantha, who is also actively involved with Oldham Young Carers, which provides respite for children who support disabled family members, says her interest in volunteering has its roots in her own childhood and her own remarkable resilience.
She explains: "I suffer from a genetic condition called Treacher Collins Syndrome which affects my hearing and also causes facial disfigurement. I didn't get my first hearing aids until I was 18, I just sort of muddled along before then. I used to get bullied at school, but it made me think that rather than let it get me down I should try and help others less fortunate than me. That's what made me volunteer in the beginning, and once I started I found I couldn't stop!"
In fact, Samantha's love of volunteering has followed her to Edge Hill. She started a BSc (Hons) in Learning Disabilities Nursing and Social Work in September - and within days found herself agreeing to be course representative.
"It has been quite a hectic time - very intensive - and I my timetable means that, for a while, most of my volunteering will have to be done at weekends," she says. "I feel a real sense of pride when I help other people, especially when I'm working with young disabled people. Even if I only spend an hour or so with them, it is very rewarding to see what a difference it can make to their lives."
Samantha's main aim after graduating is to work with disabled children in a community role.
She says: "I'm just someone who always wants to help others and I have lots of ambitions, but I realise that some things might have to wait until I have finished my course. Right now I've got to plan my time carefully so I can fit everything in!"
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-22 14:13:34";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-22";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-22 14:13:35";s:3:"url";s:76:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/charity-volunteer-awarded-scholarship";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:11:"Scholarship";s:11:"Scholarship";s:21:"ehu:department=health";s:21:"ehu:department=health";s:23:"ehu:subject=social-work";s:23:"ehu:subject=social-work";}}i:61;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:31:"Play a part in biology research";s:4:"slug";s:31:"play-a-part-in-biology-research";s:7:"summary";s:131:"Edge Hill University are looking for volunteers to help shape research into how climate change is affecting the fertility of trees.";s:7:"content";s:3059:"Edge Hill University are looking for volunteers to help shape research into how climate change is affecting the fertility of trees.
Clare Bugg, an associate tutor in Biology at the University, is investigating reproduction in small- leaved lime tress, called Tilia Cordata, and needs help with collecting seeds before the season draws to a close.
She explained: "This study is being carried out as part of my PhD at Edge Hill University to examine the links between temperature and fertility in Tilia Cordata and how it may be affected by climate change. I want to build up a UK wide picture of rates of seed fertility and I'm aiming to collect information from as many sites as possible around the country. This will then be analysed alongside climate data to inform the future of this species."
The distribution of this particular tree is uneven, with scattered populations throughout south and central England. It reaches Cumbria where its populations tend to consist of very old trees. At these northern sites there is little regeneration with very few fertile seeds being produced, compared to more central and southern sites where the trees show higher fertility. This difference in the regeneration through seed of Tilia Cordata in different regions has been attributed to temperatures in the north rarely reaching the required level to allow fertilisation and development of seeds to occur.
Clare said: "Recent climate change and warming has already been shown to be causing major impacts on ecosystems including habitat loss, shifts in vegetation zones and changes in the timing of biological events. The likely continued temperature increase in the future may potentially allow more regeneration from seed for Tilia populations in northern UK and possible changes to its geographic range. My research aims to answer some of these questions such as its future reproduction and the likely implications of climate change, especially temperature changes on this plant's fertility and distribution.
"I've already had lots of support for the project and some of our students are also involved but I'm keen to encourage as many volunteers as possible to help me collect these seeds from sites around the Britain, especially as this is the last chance before the winter months draw in. You don't need any special skills or experience and it should only take a couple of hours of your time."
The fruits collected from the tree will be analysed to establish any links between fertility and temperature.
Clare will be explaining the study in more detail at the Botanical Society of the British Isles Annual Exhibition Meeting on 26th November at the Natural History Museum, London between 12 noon and 5pm. Members and non-members are encouraged to attend to view exhibits and meet with fellow botanists.
For any further information about getting involved with the study, please contact Clare Bugg on 01695650932 or email clare.bugg@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-21 10:36:31";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-21";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-21 10:36:42";s:3:"url";s:70:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/play-a-part-in-biology-research";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:19:"ehu:department=ngas";s:19:"ehu:department=ngas";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:19:"ehu:subject=biology";s:19:"ehu:subject=biology";}}i:62;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:22:"It’s time to reunite";s:4:"slug";s:20:"it-s-time-to-reunite";s:7:"summary";s:135:"Legendary rock band the Stone Roses are the latest group to reunite, so why not jump on the bandwagon and revisit your old Uni friends.";s:7:"content";s:2724:"Legendary rock band the Stone Roses are the latest group to reunite, so why not jump on the bandwagon and revisit your old Uni friends.
Former students are invited to visit Edge Hill University on Saturday 26th November to tour our new £13.5m Student Hub and to catch up with familiar faces.
During the day the campus will be open for all alumni to meet current students, see the latest developments, revisit old haunts and enjoy lunch in our new student hub - an exciting one-stop shop for all student needs, including retail and dining, as well as creating a visually exciting focal point for the University.
Affinity Officer Caroline Mitchell, who looks after the needs of the alumni community, said: "It seems as if everyone is having reunions at the moment, Take That, Steps and the Stone Roses are just a few of the famous bands realising that it's great to get together and relive those fond memories of the past. There are so many former students who look back on their time at University and want to recapture those moments, which is why we've organised this catch up day so that our alumni can reminisce but also see our latest developments and how much the campus has changed in the last few years.
"Our work doesn't stop there. We offer a service throughout the year to encourage reunions and will support any former student who wants to organise one - so make sure you keep in touch."
The event on 26th November starts at 11.30am with tea and coffee, followed by welcome talks, lunch and campus tours with current students.
To book your place, or for further information on how the Alumni Team can help to put you back in touch with fellow alumni, email Caroline Mitchell, Affinity Officer on alumni@edgehill.ac.uk. To attend the event we suggest a £5 donation to the Alumni Fund.
If you can't make this special event, the Alumni Team organise reunions throughout the year and are happy to help former students reunite with friends on campus.
We can help you find your old friends, plan your visit, organise guided campus tours, recommend local restaurants and hotels and during the summer months we can even help arrange for you to stay on campus in our halls of residence.
Sign up to the Alumni Network and join a thriving online community to receive exclusive invitations to events, great networking opportunities and help with getting in touch with old friends, organising reunions as well as accessing careers advice. You could even become an ‘Alumni Ambassador' by giving something back to the University to help future generations. For more information, contact Caroline Mitchell on the above details.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-18 15:08:34";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-18";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-18 15:09:25";s:3:"url";s:59:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/it-s-time-to-reunite";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:7:"reunion";s:7:"reunion";}}i:63;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:36:"Students lead new sports conference ";s:4:"slug";s:35:"students-lead-new-sports-conference";s:7:"summary";s:125:"Sports students will have a unique opportunity to take part in a new conference with leading experts at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:2149:"Sports students will have a unique opportunity to take part in a new conference with leading experts at Edge Hill University.
The first ever Student Academic Conference on 21st November is geared towards those studying on the BA (Hons) Sports Studies and BA (Hons) Sports Development degree programmes and is just one initiative designed to prepare them for the working world when they graduate.
Students will have the opportunity to present a number of topical sports agendas and will also listen to keynote presentations from leading researchers and academics in the field.
Dr Iain Lindsey, Senior Lecturer in Sports Development has spearheaded the initiative with colleagues in the Department of Sport and Physical Activity. He explained: "One of the modules on the course has an assessment based on students delivering presentations so the team thought the conference would be an innovative way to encourage the students to learn these skills in a realistic work-orientated context.
"The students will gain many benefits from taking part in the conference. It will give them an opportunity to disseminate their work to a wider audience, to learn from hearing keynote presentations by sport experts from academia and industry and it will allow students to gain experience of participating in the types of conferences that they are likely to encounter once they graduate and in employment."
Students from all three years will be involved on the day, from hosting parallel presentations and poster exhibitions to publishing a full report on the conference proceedings after the event.
Keynote speakers at the conference include:
For more information about the conference and to book a place, please email Dr Lindsey at iain.lindsey@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-18 10:32:51";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-18";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-18 10:38:00";s:3:"url";s:74:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/students-lead-new-sports-conference";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:10:"Conference";s:10:"Conference";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:64;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:23:"Celebrity masculinities";s:4:"slug";s:23:"celebrity-masculinities";s:7:"summary";s:160:"Famous controversial personalities including Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky and David Beckham will feature in the next GenSex seminar on celebrity masculinities.";s:7:"content";s:3377:"Famous controversial personalities including Bill Clinton, Monica Lewinsky and David Beckham will feature in the next GenSex seminar on celebrity masculinities.
The session on 23rd November will cover the Clinton/Lewinsky sex scandal of 1998-9 which changed the face of American politics and it will also explore images of David Beckham in both fine art and popular culture and the responses they have attracted. It's free to attend and takes place in B1O3 (Business School), from 12 noon to 2pm.
Dr Mari Hughes-Edwards, Senior Lecturer in English Literature at Edge Hill, and Chair of GenSex (EHU's Gender and Sexuality Research Group) said: "I'm always looking for new ways to give creative perspectives on gender and sexuality and these two speakers give a real insight into the world of celebrity masculinities. We're all too aware of the scandals surrounding the private lives of these famous names, but the academic study of their lives and stories helps us to read their experiences in terms of wider global gender politics."
Dr Robert Busby, Senior Lecturer in Politics at Liverpool Hope University, will present a paper entitled "That Woman": Clinton, Lewinsky and contemporary sex scandals, which highlights the changing nature of the investigation, prosecution of, and presentation of a contemporary sex scandal in American politics. He will explore the darker implications of the strategies employed by the Clinton White House to deal with the scandal, showing how that strategy cast the President as the victim of an unjust intrusion into his private life rather than the perpetrator of actions which potentially destabilised the credibility of the office he held. Dr Busby will argue, ultimately, that the Clinton/Lewinsky case proved that sexual scandal is no longer an issue which creates adverse public opinion or impact upon the working lives of political men.
Dr Busby has published in the fields of political scandal, political communication and populism. He is currently researching the resurgence of populism in the United States.
Dr Amelia Yeates, Lecturer in Art History at Liverpool Hope University, will consider the visual power of one of the UK's most notorious sportsmen in her paper: David Beckham and queered contemporary masculinities. She will offer a theorised narrative of visual pleasure as part of her exploration of how and why Beckham has created and sustained his status as a heteronormative masculine icon despite his continued appearance in homoerotic contexts. Her paper will consider what ‘homo-friendly' images of Beckham mean for contemporary masculinities, and the degree to which they represent a challenge to hegemonic masculinity.
Dr Yeates' research interests are gender in fine art, popular culture and literature across the 19th and 20th centuries. She is concerned with representations of masculinity during these periods and is currently co-editing a volume entitled Pre-Raphaelite Masculinities. Her work on Beckham grows out of an interest in contemporary masculinities, particularly at their intersection with visual and popular culture.
For further information on the 2011-12 GenSex programme or on this event contact Dr Mari Hughes-Edwards on edwardsm@edgehill.ac.uk
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-17 10:18:51";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-17";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-17 10:19:53";s:3:"url";s:62:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/celebrity-masculinities";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:6:"GenSex";s:6:"GenSex";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:19:"ehu:subject=english";s:19:"ehu:subject=english";}}i:65;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:49:"Counselling students wins ‘Inspiration’ award";s:4:"slug";s:43:"counselling-students-wins-inspiration-award";s:7:"summary";s:244:"A debilitating disease hasn’t deterred Mary-Jane Hartley’s spirit in carving out a new career and offering counseling to vulnerable families. Her determination has resulted in an Inspiration Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:3820:"A debilitating disease hasn't deterred Mary-Jane Hartley's spirit in carving out a new career and offering counseling to vulnerable families. Her determination has resulted in an Inspiration Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill University.
The 30-year-old from Clayton Brook, Preston, who is on the BA (Hons) Counselling degree, was awarded scholarship for her commitment and perseverance to her studies and being an inspiration to those around her.
At the age of 22, Mary-Jane was forced to abandon her pursuit of a career in Nursing when she was diagnosed with Type 2A Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy which, in the words of her programme leader, "affected her muscles and mobility, but not her spirit".
Refusing to be defined by her condition, which has left her using a wheelchair outdoors, she instead embarked upon a new career pathway in counselling while also raising her three young daughters.
"When I started falling over while working in Nursing and was signed off work, I felt like I'd been written off before I'd really even started my career," explained Mary-Jane. "It was all such a shock to me. That, combined with the break-up of my relationship forced me to look at my life. I'd always spend time sitting down and talking to the elderly in my previous job so I thought that counselling would be a good route to go down - almost like nursing without the heavy lifting but having the time to talk to people."
Mary-Jane's condition changed her outlook and encouraged her to adopt a completely different lifestyle. She said: "I don't drink, I don't watch television, I don't eat meat and I meditate. I practice what I preach and my new lifestyle fits in with how I want my children to grow up. Having MD makes you realise you can't take anything for granted. I may wake up one morning and not be able to walk at all. Although it's a scary thought I just have to get on with my life in the best way possible."
For many, coping with such a condition whilst raising a young family; being dependent on a motorised wheelchair for mobility and making a 70-mile round trip to University each week might be more than enough. Yet Mary-Jane also devotes what spare time she has to her local Children's Centre in Preston in the hope that she might, in her own words, "help improve the lives of others".
She said: "I know people always ask me how I do it all but I don't see that what I do is anything special. Sometimes there's a lot of burning the candle at both ends, especially juggling a young family, but I just do it. I really enjoy counseling and helping people to work out their problems. I take every day as it comes and always look at the positives in life. People are quick to moan about what they haven't got, what I say to them is to give thanks and praise for what you do have in life."
Mary-Jane's proactive approach to disability, her infectious smile, laughter and compassion for others, makes her a truly inspirational role-model for all that can be achieved through sheer determination and commitment, which is why she has been awarded the scholarship.
"I was so chuffed to win," gushed Mary-Jane. "I come from a family of strong women and I wouldn't want my children to see me sitting round feeling sorry for myself. I don't see myself as doing anything remarkable but it's lovely to be recognised for the work that I do."
Not one to rest on her laurels, Mary-Jane is using part of her scholarship award to help fund a campaign she is helping to launch. Unite for Peace is aimed at 14 to 25-year-olds to encourage them to have a voice in their community. For more information about the initiative or to donate money, please email her on maryjane.hartley@googlemail.com.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-16 16:59:09";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-16";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-16 16:59:46";s:3:"url";s:82:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/counselling-students-wins-inspiration-award";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:11:"Scholarship";s:11:"Scholarship";s:21:"ehu:department=health";s:21:"ehu:department=health";s:18:"ehu:subject=health";s:18:"ehu:subject=health";}}i:66;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:54:"Volunteering in South Africa earns student Scholarship";s:4:"slug";s:54:"volunteering-in-south-africa-earns-student-scholarship";s:7:"summary";s:185:"Lobbying politicians, royalty and aristocracy were all in a day’s volunteering for Bradley Taylor, whose work in South Africa has earned him an Excellence in Volunteering scholarship.";s:7:"content";s:2252:"Lobbying politicians, royalty and aristocracy were all in a day's volunteering for Bradley Taylor, whose work in South Africa has earned him an Excellence in Volunteering scholarship.
Bradley, a full-time student on the DIP HE Paramedic Practice course, was more than happy to ask for the high profile help as part of his ongoing work with Mnyakanya High School, which is in one of the poorest regions region in South Africa.
Bradley had previously helped with fundraising for a water project at the school but, as an avid reader, it was no surprise that he turned his attention to the school's library.
He explains: "I'd been told that there were problems getting donations into the country. The school literally had a library but no books, so I wrote to as many influential people as I could, asking for their help to ensure that the books I had collected from individuals, publishers and shops would get through.
"I decided to aim for the top, hoping to raise the publicity of the Bambisanani Partnership by hounding people for support."
Bradley's volunteering also involves good causes closer to home. He has been involved with the St Vincent De Paul Society since his schooldays, regularly visits elderly people in nursing homes and also helps the homeless in North West city centres, volunteering at night shelters during the winter months.
He says: "I think I must have some kind of ‘helping people' complex! I don't like sitting around watching television and just love being out and about helping others. It's such a rewarding thing to do and it even extends to my studies. I was originally going to do Law but decided at the last minute that a career as a paramedic would suit me much better."
Bradley's current training may come in handy for his future volunteering; he is hoping to go to South Africa, possibly in a medical capacity. His long-term ambition, however, is to set up a charity to raise awareness and help those affected by depression, focusing particularly on the way mental health issues such as depression and stress can impact on academic life.
"I already have plans for a website and a blog," says Bradley, "and the scholarship will definitely help get it underway."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-15 16:36:53";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-15";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-15 16:38:24";s:3:"url";s:93:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/volunteering-in-south-africa-earns-student-scholarship";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:11:"Scholarship";s:11:"Scholarship";s:21:"ehu:department=health";s:21:"ehu:department=health";s:18:"ehu:subject=health";s:18:"ehu:subject=health";}}i:67;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:34:"Flying high for scholarship winner";s:4:"slug";s:34:"flying-high-for-scholarship-winner";s:7:"summary";s:145:"Life-saving helicopter pilot Raja Khan works tirelessly within the Liverpool Muslim Community, which has earned him a Chancellor’s Scholarship.";s:7:"content";s:3051:"Life-saving helicopter pilot Raja Khan works tirelessly within the Liverpool Muslim Community, which has earned him a Chancellor's Scholarship.
The 42-year-old from Liverpool, who is on the BSc (Hons) Science Secondary Education with QTS, has been described by staff as a ‘shining example' of a student who represents Edge Hill University in the best possible way.
From carrying out humanitarian relief work abroad as a qualified helicopter pilot to opening care homes or dedicating his time to an impressive array of volunteering commitments, Raja has dedicated his life caring for others.
"I get so much from helping other people," explains Raja. "Being a god-fearing man, it makes me feel that if I have the chance to help change someone's life I will try my best to do that.
"I spent many years in South Africa and I would see so many traumatic sights when I was flying. One time I remember saving a woman and her babies who were being attacked by hyenas, it was heartbreaking. At the time I was doing a mixture of flight work for film companies and also wildlife organisations. That's when I realised that I wanted to do humanitarian work because it was so much more rewarding."
Raja's pilot dreams were crushed though when a dangerous landing resulted in an arm injury which has resulted in a lengthy rehabilitation programme before he can return to flying.
"After my accident, I couldn't fly, so I came back to the UK and decided that university would help me fulfill some of my goals. I opened two care homes, which is very gratifying because the welfare of children is so important to me. We are like parents to these children and we can make such a positive impact on their lives, more than what their own parents are able to. To see them progress makes me feel so proud."
The married father-of-two is dedicated to making positive changes and has spearheaded an initiative to enhance funeral and burial services for the Liverpool Muslim community by initiating a Muslim Bereavement and Burial Service in the area.
He also devotes much of his free time to his fellow students at Edge Hill. He has helped to establish an Islamic Society and Facebook Group, with over 100 members, and is currently developing a multi-faith volunteer chaplaincy service to assist students with ethnic, cultural and religious issues. In the words of his colleagues from the Liverpool Mosque where he volunteers, they say "Raja's humble demeanour, motivation and desire to improve the lives of individuals are an inspiration to us all'.
Speaking about winning a scholarship, Raja said: "This is very special for me and means more to me than winning all my flying awards. At the same time I also feel a little bit embarrassed because I just do what I do. I'm glad that I can use my abilities to help others and this will never change."
As well as the scholarship award from Edge Hill University, he has also been elected to be President of political party, Northern All-Pakistani Muslin League.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-15 14:39:29";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-15";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-15 14:40:37";s:3:"url";s:73:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/flying-high-for-scholarship-winner";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:11:"Scholarship";s:11:"Scholarship";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";}}i:68;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:30:"Did you visit the Sound Salon?";s:4:"slug";s:29:"did-you-visit-the-sound-salon";s:7:"summary";s:288:"Following an inspirational guest lecture by the talented and innovative sound artist Joe Young, second year Edge Hill University music pathway students, from across a number of performing arts degrees, recently showcased their latest project ‘Sound Salon’ in the Studio Theatre foyer.";s:7:"content";s:1384:"Following
an inspirational guest lecture by the talented and innovative sound artist Joe
Young, second year Edge Hill University music pathway students, from across a
number of performing arts degrees, recently showcased their latest project ‘Sound Salon' in the Studio Theatre
foyer.
Exploring
the concept of contemporary sound art, the piece successfully re-contextualised the viewer's traditional experience of a
trip to the hairdressers.
In order to produce the installation students took live field recordings of ambient salon sounds such as hairdryers, running water and chatter and then used a range of software to manipulate them. These everyday noises that people normally block out, or ignore, were then creatively re-composed to provide ‘customers' with a new musically stimulating experience.
To ensure the piece was both visually and audibly accurate students worked with Edge Hill technicians to modify hairdryer hoods, installing them with speakers so once the ‘attendant' had sat the ‘customer' underneath them their experience or ‘treatment' was completely submersive.
If you are interested in studying music, composition and performance and would like more information visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/music-and-sound-with-drama
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-14 15:32:05";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-14";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-21 14:23:19";s:3:"url";s:68:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/did-you-visit-the-sound-salon";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:home=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:home=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:17:"ehu:subject=music";s:17:"ehu:subject=music";}}i:69;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:26:"Early intervention needed ";s:4:"slug";s:25:"early-intervention-needed";s:7:"summary";s:167:"The Head of Social Policy at the new economics foundation argues that early intervention in the social, environmental and economic spheres can prevent harm in society.";s:7:"content";s:694:"The Head of Social Policy at the new economics foundation argues that early intervention in the social, environmental and economic spheres can prevent harm in society.
Anna Coote, a leading analyst, writer and advocate in the fields of public health, welfare reform, sustainable development, public services, inequality, gender, democracy and participation, was at Edge Hill University to deliver a thought-provoking talk as part of the ‘Public Realm' lecture series.
Anna explains in this interview here where she thinks society has gone wrong and why intervening early to prevent harm has advantages.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-09 16:22:18";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-09";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-09 16:23:08";s:3:"url";s:64:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/early-intervention-needed";s:4:"tags";a:1:{s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";}}i:70;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:34:"Scholarship winner can spin a yarn";s:4:"slug";s:34:"scholarship-winner-can-spin-a-yarn";s:7:"summary";s:243:"From the age of six Catherine Wilson had been fascinated with knitting. Now, thanks to a Creative Arts Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill University she can have more of her designs published and start up a new group for like-minded people.";s:7:"content";s:2667:"From the age of six Catherine Wilson had been fascinated with knitting. Now, thanks to a Creative Arts Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill University she can have more of her designs published and start up a new group for like-minded people.
The 49-year-old from Southport, who is studying on the BA (Hons) Childhood & Youth Studies degree, has had a lifelong passion for crochet and knitting which began when she was taught by her mum as a young girl.
"I am obsessed with wool", she laughed. "When I was little, my mum would take me to our local shops and I'd gaze at all the different coloured balls of yarn and it would really inspire me. I started learning to knit and I just love it. My mum died when I was 25 and in a way it makes me feel closer to her, especially as I have so many fond memories of this time."
Even when going through a painful divorce and personal problems it didn't dampen her enthusiasm for her favourite hobby. As her fascination and talent for crafting grew she continually stretched herself and took great pleasure in developing her skills by experimenting with different techniques including Scumble, Felting and Amigurumi, the Japanese art of knitting or crocheting small stuffed animals.
She now produces many exceptional pieces which range from exquisitely delicate cushions and scarves to crocheted animals and Dennis the Menace inspired jumpers. Many of Catherine's original patterns have been published in an online knitting magazine as well as in Inside Crochet, the only monthly crochet magazine in the UK.
"I really enjoy being able to surprise my family and friends with my knitted gifts and I'm always being asked to make unusual presents. I just love seeing their faces when they get them," said Catherine. "And when I had some of my designs published it was an amazing experience because I know that there will be people out there who will be copying them."
Winning the scholarship will help Catherine to continue to develop different designs; enhance her professional development and purchase the necessary resources as she strives to have even more of her designs published in the future.
She said: "I couldn't believe it when I found out I'd been awarded the scholarship. I get a real pleasure from teaching others and I'd like to establish a Knitting Society at Edge Hill to share my knitting and crocheting expertise with other students in a friendly environment.
"Knitting is becoming fashionable again through celebrities, but for me it has never gone out of fashion and if I can pass my enthusiasm onto other people that would make me so happy."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-09 15:22:51";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-09";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-09 15:23:34";s:3:"url";s:73:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/scholarship-winner-can-spin-a-yarn";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";}}i:71;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:34:"First Adam Bell Scholarship winner";s:4:"slug";s:34:"first-adam-bell-scholarship-winner";s:7:"summary";s:222:"Brave Declan Sephton-Hulme didn’t let a brain haemorrhage stop him following his dreams of becoming a rugby league player – and his courage has earned him the first ever Adam Bell Scholarship from Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:3437:"Brave Declan Sephton-Hulme didn't let a brain haemorrhage stop him following his dreams of becoming a rugby league player - and his courage has earned him the first ever Adam Bell Scholarship from Edge Hill University.
This award was set up in memory of a former member of staff who died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage, aged 27, earlier this year. Adam Bell worked as an Assistant Registrar in the Academic Registry and was responsible for delivering the University's first ever Excellence Scholarship Programme. He was a delightful young man with a zest for life, a philosophy of giving to those less fortunate and with a really promising career ahead of him.
The University decided that the Entrance Scholar who best displayed the characteristics that Adam himself exemplified would receive the honour, in a fitting tribute to his memory.
When announcing the winner, Adam's father, Jack, made a moving tribute to his late son. He said: "We take great comfort and a deep sense of pride in this award. Adam was the first person to set up the scholarship awards and he never lost interest in them. Whenever we come back to Edge Hill University his memory is enriched, the support we have been given by staff has been tremendous. For the winners of these awards, I would say, never underestimate the effect you can have on those around you in all the wonderful things that you do."
Declan, from St Helens, was chosen this year's winner for his ‘honesty, resilience, hardwork and commitment' to his studies.
The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student, who was also awarded a Sporting Excellence Scholarship, has shown tremendous courage in the face of adversity. In April 2006 Declan suffered a brain haemorrhage and an eleven-day coma as a result of a genetic brain condition called Arterio Venous Malformation (AVM). When asked whether he would play rugby league again, his father was told that if he came out of the coma Declan would be likely to experience paralysis, cerebral palsies and be unable to walk or talk. Amazingly these residual symptoms did not appear and Declan, although left with memory and speech problems, returned home after two months in hospital.
Despite undergoing treatment, Declan still lives with the knowledge that it could rupture again and as a result he is more determined than ever to succeed in his goal of becoming a professional rugby league player.
He returned to rugby in 2007, and with great success. After gaining a place on the Warrington Wolves Scholarship Programme he has gone on to play rugby for Widnes Vikings and has been invited to attend the England Academy.
"Although I've been through a lot and I had to change my career ideas because I can forget things as a result of the haemorrhage I've never given up my dreams of playing rugby," said Declan. "I was chuffed to win a Sporting Excellence Scholarship but to then win the Adam Bell Scholarship was so special. I felt thrilled but emotional when my name was called. It's such a nice gesture and I really appreciate it. I felt so passionate when I heard Adam's story, especially thinking back to when I was in my coma. I felt so much sympathy towards his mum and dad because I could understand what they were going through. I've been so lucky to pull through and these awards will help me prepare for playing professional rugby full-time as well as juggle my studies."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-09 12:14:51";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-09";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-09 12:46:21";s:3:"url";s:73:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/first-adam-bell-scholarship-winner";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:72;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:40:"Volunteer in education wins scholarship ";s:4:"slug";s:39:"volunteer-in-education-wins-scholarship";s:7:"summary";s:206:"An unswerving belief in the power of education has been the driving force behind Natalia Nelson’s voluntary work over the years – and has led to an Excellence in Volunteering Scholarship from Edge Hill.";s:7:"content";s:2175:"An unswerving belief in the power of education has been the driving force behind Natalia Nelson's voluntary work over the years - and has led to an Excellence in Volunteering Scholarship from Edge Hill.
Natalia joined the PGCE Primary course after working for the British Council and, in her spare time, as a volunteer with a variety of charities. She has helped Link Community Development and Oxfam, and has been involved in an education project with a Kenyan-based rehabilitation centre for young female offenders, some of whom were placed there for their own protection after their parents tried to sell them into prostitution.
She explains: "I have always been interested in global education and most things I volunteer for are connected to schools and education in some way. I really believe that while we are studying we must never forget whywe are doing it. Education isn't just about reading books; it's about promoting opportunities too."
Natalia has a flair for challenging young people and passing on her own enthusiasm for education. While working as an English teacher in China, she gave up her free time to coach several teenage students who were working towards valuable university scholarships to study abroad.
She explains: "My mentor told me about them and I gave them extra English lessons during lunch hours and helped them with things like answering the questions that might come up during their interview. When they won the scholarships I was so happy - it was such an important step for them.
"I'm part way through my PGCE now, which means my timetable is very hectic. Our course tutors warned us to say goodbye to friends and family for a few months because the course is so demanding, so I have accepted that I might have to have a short break from volunteering.
"Having said that, I have been in touch with friends in Kenya and hope to be able to go back there in the summer. That's something that the scholarship could help me with.
"I really believe that volunteering in education can help people have a better future. I'm more than happy to give up my own time for that."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-08 15:25:25";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-08";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-08 15:26:37";s:3:"url";s:78:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/volunteer-in-education-wins-scholarship";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:11:"Scholarship";s:11:"Scholarship";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";}}i:73;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:45:"Scholarship winner to compete in Paralympics ";s:4:"slug";s:44:"scholarship-winner-to-compete-in-paralympics";s:7:"summary";s:258:"Being born with dwarfism hasn’t deterred Sean Clare from reaching his full potential as an athlete. Now he is celebrating news that he’s in Great Britain’s Paralympics team and has been given a Sporting Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:2329:"Being born with dwarfism hasn't deterred Sean Clare from reaching his full potential as an athlete. Now he is celebrating news that he's in Great Britain's Paralympics team and has been given a Sporting Excellence Scholarship from Edge Hill University.
From a young age, the 18-year-old from Widnes has always loved sports and has tried everything from football to swimming. He admits he wasn't "too good" at these but quickly realised he had a talent for shot putt.
As a disabled athlete, Sean is extremely focused, participating in able-bodied competitions to help push himself to the highest possible level.
This drive to excel has paid dividends and Sean already has many outstanding achievements to his name. As well as being part of the Great Britain Development Squad, he is a double World Junior gold medallist in shot putt and discus and is the British Record Holder in the shot putt.
"I've never let my condition to get in the way of enjoying my life" said Sean. "From the age of six I've always been involved in sports and enjoy all aspects of training. With the shot putt I've really worked my way up and from the distances I'd been throwing I knew I was in with a good chance of competing in the Paralympics. I love competing and that feeling of winning is like no other so I'm delighted that I've been picked for Great Britain."
In the words of his coach, "Sean is a very talented young athlete who will, without a doubt, compete in the Paralympics whether it be London 2012 or Rio 2016." There is no doubt that Sean has a bright future in athletics but he is also determined to achieve his academic ambitions.
Sean, who is studying for a BA (Hons) Sports Development degree, has shown in abundance sheer determination, commitment and achievement towards everything that he does, which is why he has been given the scholarship.
When he found out the news, he said: "I couldn't believe it, I was so surprised. The scholarship will really help me with competitions and to realise my ambitions of taking part in the Paralympics."
He plans to use the scholarship to help him continue his athletics training during his study at Edge Hill and enable him to continue on his path towards recognising his dream of competing at the highest level as a future Paralympian.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-08 15:22:11";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-08";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-08 15:22:52";s:3:"url";s:83:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/scholarship-winner-to-compete-in-paralympics";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:11:"Scholarship";s:11:"Scholarship";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:74;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:42:"Morning coffee with a performing arts icon";s:4:"slug";s:42:"morning-coffee-with-a-performing-arts-icon";s:7:"summary";s:169:"Author and model Sue Tilley, who has written an authoritative biography of one of the most avant-garde performing artists of the 1980s, is visiting Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:3006:"Author and model Sue Tilley, who has written an authoritative biography of one of the most avant-garde performing artists of the 1980s, is visiting Edge Hill University.
Sue, a close friend of Leigh Bowery who was a performance artist, club promoter and fashion designer based in London, will be delivering a talk to Performing Arts students on 24th November at 11am in the Studio Theatre.
Renowned for her book Leigh Bowery: The Life and Times of an Icon, Sue will recount her life with Bowery and will discuss the club culture and Bowery's influence on the dance scene, queer culture, fashion and the ‘Club Kids' of the 1990s discography era.
Leigh Bowery, who passed away in 1994, was considered one of the more influential figures in the London and New York art and fashion circles. His influence reached through the fashion, club and art worlds to impact, among others, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Boy George and John Galliano.
Sue, who spent a long time with the icon of outrage, trashy culture, performance art and rave culture, will talk about his impact on the hedonistic spirit of London's alternative night life club culture during this era, which resulted in the West End musical Taboo.
Mark Edward, Senior Lecturer in Performance at Edge Hill, who is quoted in Sue's revised book and has developed a friendship with her over the years, said: "It is fascinating to listen to Sue's first-hand experiences of working with one of the most influential characters in the performing arts world. It was in 1982 that Sue met Leigh Bowery, who was quickly becoming one of London's most notorious performance artists, and their friendship developed immediately. She spent much time with him, hanging round with the movers and shakers of the 80s fashion and music scene, spending a lot of nights in the clubs and parties of those exciting times. She was even fictionalised in the 2002 musical Taboo as a character named Big Sue. I think her stories will inspire our students and encourage them to embrace their individuality and follow their dreams."
Born in 1957 in South London, Sue lived in Paddington until she was six, where she was fascinated by the drunks and prostitutes that hung round outside her house in Sussex Gardens. Her family was horrified by them and soon moved her to the Home Counties but she came back to London as soon as she could.
In 1990, she was introduced to painter Lucian Freud. Over four years in the early 1990s, she posed nude for Freud and, in 2008, one of his portraits of her sold for $34 million at Christie's Fine Arts Auction House in New York City, making it the most expensive painting by a living artist ever sold.
Sue has continued to combine ‘more glamorous endeavours' with her daytime job as manager at the Jobcentre in London's West End. She recently helped put on a party at the ICA to celebrate what would have been Leigh Bowery's 50th Birthday.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-08 11:30:33";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-08";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-23 12:06:15";s:3:"url";s:81:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/morning-coffee-with-a-performing-arts-icon";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";}}i:75;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:35:"The natural way to a geology career";s:4:"slug";s:35:"the-natural-way-to-a-geology-career";s:7:"summary";s:187:"The BSc (Hons) in Physical Geography and Geology at Edge Hill University was established to provide students with the skills and experience to become successful graduates in their field. ";s:7:"content";s:3179:"The
BSc (Hons) in Physical Geography and Geology at Edge Hill University was
established to provide students with the skills and experience to become
successful graduates in their field. Through providing a balance of academic knowledge
and practical ability this course is ideal for anyone with an interest in the
natural world who wants to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle as part of their
professional practice.
In
addition to this, Senior Lecturer, Gerry Lucas, believes graduates have
increased employment potential from two key areas, "The first is the emphasis we
put on fieldwork and our commitment to field-based investigation and
observational skills. The second is that alongside academic delivery we
concentrate on employability, with modules provided in engineering geology and
geoenvironmental management. These are all qualities employers in the geo world
are looking for, so it is vital that students develop them properly," Gerry comments.
As an integrated degree this course combines surface processes and forms, or geomorphology, with deeper earth studies, or geology, as Gerry details further, "We concentrate on field-based investigation and observational skills, as well as the laboratory expertise required by modern professionals. A lot of the training we undertake is in digital geology, making use of GIS and modelling software to complete our investigations, which is known to be of significant interest to geo employers. As well as this the course, and its assessments, require students to be flexible, resilient and motivated which provides them will highly relevant employability skills."
James Harrison, Alex Smith and Jo Campion are all final-year students who have recently gained this valuable experience by undertaking a three-week field mapping trip to Fishguard in South Wales. "I had previously completed field mapping on a second-year trip to Mallorca which I really enjoyed," explains James. "When Gerry mentioned the dissertation project in Fishguard to explore the specific geology of the area we decided it would be a great opportunity."
"The experience we gained out in the field, using equipment and taking notes was really beneficial and is one of the key attributes of the course. It offers an incredibly insightful mix of academic research, laboratory investigations and field-based practical activities, meaning you have solid experience of all the techniques you will need in your future career," he adds.
With Edge Hill's course highly regarded by employers and offering students the chance to leave university work ready, Gerry believes there has never been a better time to follow geology as a career path. "Geology is once again growing in popularity," he concludes, "and students are seeing its vital role and possibilities, as well as being attracted by the nature of its content relating to the outside world. It's a great time to get involved."
For further information about the BSc in Physical Geography and Geology visit: http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/physical-geography-and-geology
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-07 10:14:55";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-07";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-21 14:25:37";s:3:"url";s:74:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/the-natural-way-to-a-geology-career";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:19:"ehu:department=ngas";s:19:"ehu:department=ngas";s:13:"ehu:home=ngas";s:13:"ehu:home=ngas";s:51:"ehu:subject=geography-geology-environmental-science";s:51:"ehu:subject=geography-geology-environmental-science";}}i:76;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:12:"True to Form";s:4:"slug";s:12:"true-to-form";s:7:"summary";s:118:"A breathtaking exhibition of sculptures, drawings, prints and paintings is showing at Edge Hill University this month.";s:7:"content";s:2148:"A breathtaking exhibition of sculptures, drawings, prints and paintings is showing at Edge Hill University this month.
True to Form runs until 18th November and brings the campus alive with bespoke collections from renowned sculptor Andy Shaw and fine art painter Sharon Kelly.
Andy has worked as a professional artist for over 25 years and the subject of animals is a reoccurring theme in his work. It is one in which he merges a coherent form, movement and a strong narrative using bronze casts and stone carved sculptures.
He has been commissioned to create several large scale public sculptures across the UK. Clients include the University, the NHS, British Waterways and numerous local and district councils. Andy's portfolio is further enhanced by many community, school, health and well-being art initiatives.
Sharon, who has worked as a fine art painter for 15 years, finds inspiration for her work from direct observation of the British Isles. Each painting shows the beauty, reality and respect she has for the greatness of the land, sea, skies and unpredictable weather. Her work encourages the audience to engage their senses to the world and rejoice in nature.
Her work has been recognised for its emotive use of colour which has been applied to health and well-being groups as an alternative therapy when working with a local NHS Primary Care Trust. Further commissions include large scale artworks that have been used to enhance health based environments.
Joan Steele, Edge Hill University's Arts and Culture representative, said: "It is great to have two such diverse artists exhibit their work here at Edge Hill University. The mix of sculptures and paintings will have visitors captivated. I hope that residents take advantage of this and come and see what we have to offer in the way of arts and culture."
To see this free exhibition, visit the foyer of the Faculty of Health, between 9am and 5pm. There is also a chance to meet the artists on Wednesday 9th November, between 12noon and 2pm and again from 4pm to 6pm, within the exhibition space.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-04 11:50:46";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-04";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-23 12:07:21";s:3:"url";s:51:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/true-to-form";s:4:"tags";a:1:{s:18:"ehu:department=fas";s:18:"ehu:department=fas";}}i:77;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:36:"Student show to make splash at Baths";s:4:"slug";s:36:"student-show-to-make-splash-at-baths";s:7:"summary";s:186:"An innovative dance performance will take place on Friday November 4th in the stunning surroundings of Victoria Baths, Manchester's Water Palace and winner of BBC2's Restoration series. ";s:7:"content";s:1239:"An innovative dance performance will take place on Friday November 4th in the stunning surroundings of Victoria Baths, Manchester's Water Palace and winner of BBC2's Restoration series. Die Praxis der Liebe (The Practice of Love) is an immersive performance installation, based on the biographies of the people from Victoria Baths (Stories from the Pool), weaved into the performers' own autobiographical storie, of love lost and found (Stories from the Heart).
The performers are final year dance students who have prepared with an intensive retreat in Wales, are anticipating a challenging and rewarding experience as they bring the show to its unique location. The piece is a collaboration with a professional company, VOIDANCE.
The show starts at 7.30 and tickets costs just £5.50 for concessions (£8.00 full price). A coach will run from the Edge Hill campus. Click here for further information and to book tickets.
watch promotional footage for the event
";s:6:"author";s:17:"Caroline Mitchell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-11-02 16:00:04";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-11-02";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-02 17:17:00";s:3:"url";s:75:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/11/student-show-to-make-splash-at-baths";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:15:"Performing Arts";s:15:"Performing Arts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:17:"ehu:subject=dance";s:17:"ehu:subject=dance";}}i:78;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:41:"(In) Security, Surveillance and the State";s:4:"slug";s:38:"in-security-surveillance-and-the-state";s:7:"summary";s:211:"Leading experts will explore the politics of ‘insecurity’ by examining some of the most controversial events in today’s society, including the summer riots, in a series of lectures at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:3415:"Leading experts will explore the politics of ‘insecurity' by examining some of the most controversial events in today's society, including the summer riots, in a series of lectures at Edge Hill University.
(In) Security, Surveillance and the State will include talks on this year's riots that happened in so many cities and the representation of the working class; the role of informers and human intelligence as part of the ‘war on terror'; the figure of the suicide bomber; and the destructive force of the Islamophobia in Europe which had devastating effects in the Oslo massacre.
The free public lecture series has been organised by the University's Department of Social Sciences and supported by the Power, Conflict and Justice Research Group and the Faculty of Arts & Sciences.
It will see internationally-renowned commentators and academics investigate in detail major key events and, as a result, some of the most critical, controversial and divisive issues that confront us today.
Mark McGovern, Professor of Social Sciences and who has coordinated the series, said: "The lecture series, while looking at a diverse range of important social issues, centres on whether or not contemporary society is characterised by uncertainty, anxiety and ‘insecurity'? Or is the idea of ‘insecurity' a way for society's most powerful agencies, including the State, to promote an agenda of surveillance and fear that pervades and delimits so many aspects of our lives today? These are the kind of questions our experts will be asking as we explore some of the catastrophic events that are having a huge impact on our society."
The series starts on 22nd November with a talk by Liz Fekete, Executive Director of the Institute of Race Relations, on Islamophobia and the Politics of Hate in Europe.
In this lecture, Liz Fekete will ask whether Islamophobia serves a function; drawing on her recent research into the Oslo massacre and the European-wide assault on multiculturalism, Liz will contextualise Islamophobia in terms of the policies that give credence to the new politics of hate. She warns that as austerity measures begin to bite, processes which scapegoat and stigmatised foreigners, vulnerable minorities and anyone deemed ‘different' for society's ills are strengthened and the politics of fear and the manipulation of division are part and parcel of wider pro war, neo-liberal and neo-conservative agendas.
Liz Fekete is Executive Director of the Institute of Race Relations, author of A Suitable Enemy: Racism, Migration and Islamophobia in Europe and is part of the collective that publishes the international quarterly journal Race & Class. She has written and spoken widely on issues of migration, race and security in Europe and was an expert witness at the Basso Permanent People's Tribunal and the World Tribunal on Iraq.
The lecture is free to attend and spaces are limited. To book your place, email corporateevents@edgehill.ac.uk. Arrival is 5.30pm with drinks with canapés, ready for a 6.30pm start and refreshments and networking afterwards.
Owen Jones, political commentator and author of Chavs: The Demonization of the Working Class will be leading the next lecture After the Backlash: The Summer Riots and the Right, on Thursday 8th December 2011.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-31 12:43:52";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-31";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-01 15:59:08";s:3:"url";s:77:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/in-security-surveillance-and-the-state";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:5:"Event";s:5:"Event";s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:29:"ehu:department=socialsciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";}}i:79;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:42:"Exceptional students awarded scholarships ";s:4:"slug";s:43:"exceptional-students-awarded-scholarships-1";s:7:"summary";s:161:"Ninety-one deserving Edge Hill University Excellence Scholarships winners will be recognised for their outstanding achievements at an awards ceremony next month.";s:7:"content";s:3591:"Ninety-one deserving Edge Hill University Excellence Scholarships winners will be recognised for their outstanding achievements at an awards ceremony next month.
On 4th November the students will be commended for their contributions to University life, either by excelling academically, raising the profile of Edge Hill in a positive way, promoting equality, motivating others, or by overcoming personal circumstances in order to achieve.
A range of scholarships worth up to £2,000 will be given out in a number of categories to sports people, performers, active volunteers, creative and inspirational students who have demonstrated determination and commitment.
On the night the first ever Adam Bell Scholarship will be announced in memory of a former member of staff who died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage, aged 27, earlier this year. Adam Bell worked as an Assistant Registrar in the Academic Registry and was responsible for delivering the University's first ever Excellence Scholarship Programme. He was a delightful young man with a zest for life, a philosophy of giving to those less fortunate and with a really promising career ahead of him. The Entrance Scholar who best displays the characteristics that Adam himself exemplified will receive the award, in a fitting tribute to his memory.
Anna Moon, the University's Scholarships Administrator, said: "All of our scholars have such heart rendering or inspiring tales to tell and it's great that we are able to reward them financially. The quality of this year's applicants has been excellent and we have been able to choose the very best people who we feel are most deserving. We hope that this money will help them develop their enthusiasm, skills and talents during their time at Edge Hill and beyond."
Watch Professor Tanya Byron meet some of the 2011 scholarship winners in this video.
Other awards to be given out on the night include the Alumni Fund Scholarship, which was made possible by the generous donations received from former students to help others. Six volunteering student winners will benefit from these additional awards. They are:
Winners will also be announced for the Rhiannon Evans Poetry Scholarship and the Christine Hope Memorial Prize.
For more information about the University's full range of scholarships, including new awards for academic year 2012/13 as part of the National Scholarship Programme, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.
For anyone who would like to make a donation to help our award-winning scholarship schemes, or contribute to the hardship fund which helps those students who are most in need, visit edgehill.ac.uk/alumni/donate.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-28 15:49:41";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-28";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-12-06 15:58:55";s:3:"url";s:82:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/exceptional-students-awarded-scholarships-1";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:12:"Scholarships";s:12:"Scholarships";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:80;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:42:"Freedom songs – new student performances";s:4:"slug";s:38:"freedom-songs-new-student-performances";s:7:"summary";s:122:"Performing Arts students will bring the stage to life with a number of their ambitious and exhilarating shows in November.";s:7:"content";s:3605:"Performing Arts students will bring the stage to life with a number of their ambitious and exhilarating shows in November.
Freedom songs - a season of performance, is a string of plays acted out by third year students under the artistic direction of professionals and University lecturers.
Each show has been designed to give audiences the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the theatrical process and allows the students to utilise the skills they have learned on their degree course.
The first event Die Praxis der Liebe (The Practice of Love), on 4th November, is a dance theatre piece that assembles and reassembles snippets of choreography that emerges and re-emerges as both cohesive and chaotic. Performers move between ‘real time' and ‘mediated time' appearing and reappearing in search of a narrative, perpetual repetitions induce an unbearable claustrophobia caught ‘for real' in the spotlight. It takes place at Victoria Baths in Manchester.
Widows, on 7th November, begins with a group of poor peasant women in an unnamed country washing laundry by the river. When a faceless corpse floats by, a struggle begins amongst the women as to who should bury the body, each believing the man to be her missing loved one ‘disappeared' under the corrupt regime. Invoking images of water, love, dreams and desire, this magical realist production weaves physical theatre and powerful imagery. This performance will take place in the University's Rose Theatre.
On 9th November sees the opening of The Convict's Opera, which re-imagines the world's first ever musical, The Beggar's Opera, as a performance on board a creaking convict ship bound for Australia. To pass the time on their journey to Australia, the convicts put on John Gay's musical satire, introducing the audience to treacherous highwayman MacHeath and sweet Polly Peachum as they juggle love and deceit in the 18th Century criminal underworld. This performance will take place in the Studio Theatre at the University's Performing Arts Centre.
No Man is an Island on 18th November explores the themes of the season, using ‘Waterloo Cathedral' in Liverpool as its inspiration for an exploration of man's inhumanity to man. Bringing the theme of the season up to date, this devised visual theatre work looks at how we perceive oppression today through the media. Drawing on a variety of sources from Amnesty International to diaries and prison letters, this immersive environmental piece incorporates striking visual theatre elements with live performance and video mash-ups. It takes place in Old Christ Church, Waterloo.
Bill Hopkinson, Senior Lecturer in Performing Arts, said: "Opportunities such as these enable our students to use their performance skills and work in a professional environment. They also give Edge Hill University an opportunity to showcase our talents and work alongside our surrounding communities and fellow arts organisations."
To book tickets for any of the shows, please visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/rosetheatre. Alternatively you can contact the Box Office on 01695 584480.
Interested in studying for a degree within the creative arts? Edge Hill University provides degree programmes in subjects including Performing Arts, Film, Media and Creative Writing. To find out more, please contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team on 01695 657000, or by email study@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-28 12:21:08";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-28";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-28 12:22:11";s:3:"url";s:77:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/freedom-songs-new-student-performances";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:29:"ehu:department=performingarts";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";s:23:"ehu:subject=dance-drama";}}i:81;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:41:"Cutting-edge research on the mind debated";s:4:"slug";s:41:"cutting-edge-research-on-the-mind-debated";s:7:"summary";s:178:"Researchers specialising in the scientific study of the mind and its processes will be discussing their innovative work during a series of guest lectures at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:3580:"Researchers specialising in the scientific study of the mind and its processes will be discussing their innovative work during a series of guest lectures at Edge Hill University.
The Department of Psychology's Cognitive Science Research Group is hosting its first ever Cognitive Science Research Seminar Series, which will give a fascinating insight into topics such as why we can't get ‘certain songs' out of our heads, or techniques on how brain-damaged patients can be helped to recognise faces.
Dr Craig Thorley, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Psychology and who has coordinated the series explains more about what we can expect from the programme in this interview.
Dr Thorley said: "We've put together a varied programme which shows that psychology can have a broad audience appeal and relate to many areas in life. For example, we'll be looking at how patients with prosopagnosia (a disorder that limits the ability to recognise faces) can have their symptoms reduced, how songs get stuck in our head, known as earworms, or how we process memories when we sleep.
"We'll have speakers from across the UK to present their latest findings to us, including young researchers developing cutting-edge ideas, together with established researchers who are experts in their field."
The series launched on 26th October with Dr Sue Sherman from Keele University delivering a talk entitled False Memories in Advertising. In her talk she demonstrated to the audience how people can misremember seeing popular consumer brands and then explained the mental processes involved in this.
Other events confirmed in the series include:
The series has been organised in conjunction with fellow lecturer Dr Lauren Knott. The free talks will be held in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences Boardroom situated on the first floor of the LINC building, from 12pm to 1pm. Spaces are very limited so if you are interested in attending email craig.thorley@edgehill.ac.uk.
The Cognitive Science Research Group encompasses a wide spectrum of both applied and theoretical research that reflects the multiplicity of interests in the team. Researchers within the group examine issues such as the cognitive deficits caused by drug misuse, false remembering, collaborative remembering, the effects of positive and negative moods on memory, and the impact of confidence and mental toughness in the domain of sport and exercise.
Further information can also be found about the Cognitive Science Research Group at www.edgehill.ac.uk/psychology/the-research-group.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-27 10:55:07";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-27";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-11-23 16:20:14";s:3:"url";s:80:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/cutting-edge-research-on-the-mind-debated";s:4:"tags";a:5:{s:25:"ehu:department=psychology";s:25:"ehu:department=psychology";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:12:"ehu:news=hom";s:12:"ehu:news=hom";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";s:22:"ehu:subject=psychology";}}i:82;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:33:"2012 Graduate Opportunities Event";s:4:"slug";s:33:"2012-graduate-opportunities-event";s:7:"summary";s:302:"With a number of major companies already recruiting for their 2012 Graduate Training Schemes, some of which with pre-Christmas deadlines, a recent Edge Hill University event offered final year students all the help, guidance and advice they could need to help make their career dreams become a reality.";s:7:"content";s:1922:"With
a number of major companies already recruiting for their 2012 Graduate Training
Schemes, some of which with pre-Christmas deadlines, a recent Edge Hill
University event offered final year students all the help, guidance and advice
they could need to help make their career dreams become a reality.
The
event, arranged by Edge Hill's Careers Service, provided students with the
opportunity to learn more about a wide range of career opportunities,
placements and summer internships as well as the chance to meet representatives
from leading organisations such as Vauxhall Motors, Enterprise
Rent-A-Car, ACCA and Majestic Wine.
It also provided a welcome return for three former students, Penny Draper, Victoria Kermode and Rozanna Bhidey, who now work for retailer Matalan, whilst representatives from Asda's head office made the journey from Leeds following a letter of thanks from one of their employees, Health and Social Wellbeing student, Charlotte Gerrard.
As well as being able to speak with companies during the day, students could also sign up to the Careers Centre's, ‘Online Vacancy Service', a dedicated facility containing the latest nationwide graduate level jobs and training schemes.
Employer Liaison Officer Katharine McKinnon comments, "At Edge Hill University we aim to make the transition from education to employment as easy as possible for our students, with events such as these being aimed at increasing awareness of the opportunities that can be applied for at this time of year."
Katharine concludes, "The Careers Centre work continuously to develop relationships between the University and employers and we are delighted by the support they have given us today." For more information about Edge Hill's Online Vacancy Service, visit: http://edgehill.prospects.ac.uk/index.html
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-26 14:21:39";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-26";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-26 14:22:30";s:3:"url";s:72:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/2012-graduate-opportunities-event";s:4:"tags";a:1:{s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:83;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:48:"Students from China debate the ‘Common Good’";s:4:"slug";s:42:"students-from-china-debate-the-common-good";s:7:"summary";s:178:"Students from China had the opportunity to join the big debate on the economic crisis in Britain as part of their Masters of Public Administration course at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:2104:"Students from China had the opportunity to join the big debate on the economic crisis in Britain as part of their Masters of Public Administration course at Edge Hill University.
The group of 12 were involved in discussions during the topical lecture The Common Good: What Does it Mean for People in Places and Poverty, delivered by special guest Julia Unwin, CBE and Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF).
Taking part in interactive sessions is all part of the MPA programme, which aims to provide advanced skills and study in public governance, the development of public policy and the management of public services. During the course they will also have the opportunity to visit large public sector organisations such as the NHS and the Health and Safety Executive in order to compare practices in the UK and China.
The students studying at Edge Hill all work in large state organisations or higher education establishments at home and have been specially selected and sponsored by the Liaoiniy Province of North East China to study in the UK or USA.
Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr David Law, who leads Internationalisation at the University, said: "I'm delighted that Edge Hill University has been chosen as the top UK provider to deliver the course to Chinese students. This is due to our excellent connections with the public sector and our growing reputation across the globe. We have made great strides in China, which is one of our most important markets, by building strong links with them and I'm confident that we are delivering a quality experience to our overseas students."
The MPA programme recognises the growing importance of partnerships with different sectors, adopting an interdisciplinary approach to understanding different patterns of provision and encouraging an international perspective by drawing on examples from a number of different countries. For more information about the course, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/master-of-public-administration.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-26 12:07:44";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-26";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-26 12:08:24";s:3:"url";s:81:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/students-from-china-debate-the-common-good";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:28:"ehu:department=international";s:28:"ehu:department=international";s:43:"ehu:subject=business-management-accountancy";s:43:"ehu:subject=business-management-accountancy";}}i:84;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:39:"Applying Theory to Educational Research";s:4:"slug";s:39:"applying-theory-to-educational-research";s:7:"summary";s:133:"An innovative new book is being launched by academics at Edge Hill University to help beginner researchers in the field of education.";s:7:"content";s:2873:"An innovative new book is being launched by academics at Edge Hill University to help beginner researchers in the field of education.
Applying Theory to Educational Research is the brainchild of Matt Cochrane and Linda Dunne from Edge Hill University, together with Professor Jeff Adams from the University of Chester.
The idea behind the book is to offer a wealth of practical insights that point the way for novice researchers struggling to navigate an often daunting intellectual obstacle.
Matt, who is Assistant Head of Secondary Education and lectures in Science Education, explained: "For beginning researchers, theory can be one of the most stimulating yet challenging aspects of work. In this book, we have tried to provide new educational researchers with an easy-to-understand introduction to the process of selecting and applying theories to their own work. We have had a number of academics include case studies within the book, highlighting their own problems they have encountered along the way, which I'm sure readers can identify with. It has been a real team effort and I'm delighted that we've had so many enthusiastic people keen to see this project come to fruition.
"From my own point of view, I feel that we have produced something ‘heavy-weight' as there aren't really any books out there like this. It's tough when you're an academic and you're reading the wrong type of theory for your research. I think this book will make it that little bit easier, especially if you're just starting on your doctorate because it can essentially save time sifting through materials."
Written by a team of leading educationalists writing from the perspective of new researchers, the book has clearly structured chapters introducing individual theorists and their ideas, their applications and limitations, together with references and suggestions for further reading.
Major theorists such as Pierre Bourdieu, Michael Foucault, Max Weber, Jacques Derrida and Lev Vygotsky are included along with other popular names. Throughout the text, helpful hints and signposts are provided to alert readers to the potential pitfalls of applying theory.
The book is to be launched during the University's Centre for Learner Identity Studies (CLIS) special programme of events, which have been designed to encourage professionals in the field to share research and practice and to explore the impact of learners' educational experiences, processes and outcomes.
The symposium and book launch, led by Professor Jeff Adams, takes place on 18th November, 12.45pm to 3.30pm, at the Ormskirk campus. To book your place, email indentitystudies@edgehill.ac.uk.
Copies of the book are available to buy at www.amazon.co.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-25 16:32:23";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-25";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-25 16:33:36";s:3:"url";s:78:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/applying-theory-to-educational-research";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";}}i:85;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:43:"Photography informs research on train gangs";s:4:"slug";s:43:"photography-informs-research-on-train-gangs";s:7:"summary";s:164:"A researcher at Edge Hill University is using innovative photography to capture workers operating the almost extinct steam railway and coal mining practices abroad.";s:7:"content";s:3092:"A researcher at Edge Hill University is using innovative photography to capture workers operating the almost extinct steam railway and coal mining practices abroad.
Dr Terry Wallace, Reader in Organisational Analysis, is using visual images to research these endangered industries in China and Bosnia.
His project, Working on the Train Gang: Visualising Communities, Experiences and Expectations for the Railway Workers in the Coal Mining Industries of China and Bosnia-Herzegovina, is using this experimental technique to inform future research on these workplace experiences.
Dr Wallace explained: "I've done extensive research on this issue but I've always found the translation part to be the most difficult aspect because of the language and cultural barriers between the research subject and the investigator. I felt that using visual images would give me a better understanding in investigating the contexts and environments that structure the workplace experiences of railway workers operating steam locomotives in the coal mining industries of Bosnia and China."
This research is part of a wider study looking at the development, growth and demise of ‘good work' across various industrial sectors in the global economy. Dr Wallace has visited various parts of China to observe crew loading coal, shunting engines, preparing locomotive for duty and also for the next shift. He has looked at interactions with other track and signaling crew, and also the workers with their local communities.
He said: "By spending time immersed in the environments of railway workers, eating and drinking with them and discussing non-verbally with them issues relating to their experiences of work and their workplace, I feel that camera and video footage will give a completely different perspective. Also, use of photographic evidence of these people as they go about their everyday business is a means of preserving, in some form, a way of life that is under threat from modernisation.
"Although photographic evidence can never intervene to resolve dilemmas in the interview process, it does offer alternative or complementary narrative interpretations of the field in recording social actors in their environments. I'm attempting to enter the mindset of these people and see the world as they do; the problem with traditional research methods is that, in asking the questions, it almost determines the findings. I don't want to impose my ideas on this project, I want to let the pictures tell the story.
Findings from the project will be used to contribute to a number of journals and articles and also highlights Edge Hill Business School's developing research culture.
Dr Wallace added: "I will use this data to add to my knowledge of the political, social, cultural, economic and workplace environments that support the growth of rewarding, less-alienating work for the blue-collar worker. I'm also hoping that my experience gained through working in quite difficult conditions can help inform my teaching and benefit students."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-24 16:16:47";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-24";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-24 16:17:51";s:3:"url";s:82:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/photography-informs-research-on-train-gangs";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:23:"ehu:department=business";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:23:"ehu:department=research";s:43:"ehu:subject=business-management-accountancy";s:43:"ehu:subject=business-management-accountancy";}}i:86;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:32:"Actress inspires media students ";s:4:"slug";s:31:"actress-inspires-media-students";s:7:"summary";s:167:"Rising star of British independent cinema, actress Jo Hartley, gave aspiring Edge Hill University media students an insight into her work during a special masterclass.";s:7:"content";s:3316:"Rising star of British independent cinema, actress Jo Hartley, gave aspiring Edge Hill University media students an insight into her work during a special masterclass.
Jo Hartley, star of director Shane Meadow's critically-acclaimed This is England film and the TV series, and also ITV's forthcoming drama The Jury, visited campus to discuss her work and to give students 'box fresh' information on the profession.
After a screening of Jo's work, students had an opportunity to talk to her about the challenges she has faced in such a competitive industry during a question and answer session.
Offering advice on making a living in TV and film, she said: "Success doesn't happen overnight - it takes time. I had a dream of being an actor and it took me a long time to achieve that, but I never gave up because it was my passion. You will have to deal with rejection. Take it, but don't let it put you off - so long as you remain true to your ambition and never give up on your dream, it will make you stronger. I've had rejections from auditions for parts that I really wanted, which was hard, but I kept going and got what I wanted in the end."
Her visit to the campus and her talk to students was arranged to thank Jo for presenting the Paul Cannon Award earlier this year at a ceremony at FACT in Liverpool, when the Department of Media screened its end of year show, Cut and Run.
Professor Roger Shannon, from the University's Department of Media, who has worked with Jo' on various projects, said: "In the same week that UK cinema was being celebrated at the London Film Festival, and The Guardian describing it as a 'golden era of UK film making', it was very heartening to have a rising regional 'face' of British film on campus. Jo Hartley's talk was a fascinating insight into the dynamic that exists between performer and director. It relied on her experiences as part of Shane Meadows's 'repertory', where along with Paddy Consadine, Jo has been able to develop her career. She talked eloquently about the distinct challenges faced by an actor when involved with film or television, and also drew on her experience of the different ‘modus operandi' of directors, especially the more improvisational methods of directors such as Shane Meadows, who continues to refresh UK cinema in the vein of a Mike Leigh or a Ken Loach."
As a child, Jo attended North Chadderton Comprehensive School in Oldham, where she first got a taste for the stage. She joined Oldham Theatre Workshop and was there for several years. Later, she joined Questors Theatre Group in Ealing, London. After six months Jo left to move back to Manchester and work with Guerilla filmmaker Tom Bruggen on a film called Slide, in which she played the lead role, Doctor Charlotte Grear. It was her first experience in front of the camera. After a few years of unsuccessful auditions she met British film director, Shane Meadows, at an audition for a commercial. Jo was invited to audition for Dead Man's Shoes and she has been acting since. Her most recent appearance is in the film, Inbred.
Jo Hartley's talk with students was followed by a screening of the film, This is England, at FACT in Liverpool - an event organised by Clapperboard.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-24 10:59:24";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-24";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-24 11:00:11";s:3:"url";s:70:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/actress-inspires-media-students";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:17:"ehu:subject=media";s:17:"ehu:subject=media";}}i:87;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:33:"First impressions of Student Hub ";s:4:"slug";s:32:"first-impressions-of-student-hub";s:7:"summary";s:147:"Impressed visitors to the £15m ‘Student Hub’ at Edge Hill University have been singing the praises of the new addition to the Ormskirk campus.";s:7:"content";s:1406:"Impressed visitors to the £15m ‘Student Hub' at Edge Hill University have been singing the praises of the new addition to the Ormskirk campus.
The innovative and sustainable building has the ‘wow' factor and has created an exciting one-stop shop for all student needs, as well as creating a visually exciting focal point for the University.
First impressions from people when they sample the new facilities themselves are of amazement and they are complimentary about the design work and what it has to offer. Watch some of the initial reactions in this video.
Housing a number of Edge Hill's student services, retail and dining areas in one place for the first time, the new building marks the central point between the modern Western Campus and the iconic, 1930s main building.
There is also brand new accommodation for the Students' Union, with dedicated space for societies and student groups, and offices for other student support teams. There is more classroom space and a range of learning facilities to support students with a mixture of computers and other IT resources.
In keeping with Edge Hill's proven commitment to sustainable development, it is an energy-efficient building including eco-friendly features such as recycled heat, solar-powered hot water, LED lighting and high levels of insulation.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-21 14:20:26";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-21";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-24 14:30:59";s:3:"url";s:71:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/first-impressions-of-student-hub";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:6:"Campus";s:6:"Campus";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:88;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:43:"The Public Realm Lecture Series: Anna Coote";s:4:"slug";s:42:"the-public-realm-lecture-series-anna-coote";s:7:"summary";s:198:"Early intervention is essential to prevent harm in society, according to the Head of Social Policy at the new economics foundation, who will deliver a thought-provoking talk at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:2508:"Early intervention is essential to prevent harm in society, according to the Head of Social Policy at the new economics foundation, who will deliver a thought-provoking talk at Edge Hill University.
The University continues a major series of open lectures on the theme of the ‘Public Realm' with a stimulating talk by guest speaker Anna Coote.
Moving Upstream: The Triple Prize of Preventative Government takes place on Tuesday 8th November at the Ormskirk Campus.
In her talk, Anna will explore the case for upstream intervention to prevent harm across society, environment and the economy, identifying common themes as well as differences. She will argue that intervening early to prevent harm has three major advantages:
In these challenging times of a recession, the University has initiated a series of public lectures and debates on the ‘Public Realm', its meaning and its future. Anna Coote will enrich the series with her thought-provoking talk, where she will argue that preventative government can be understood not as needless, interfering nannying, but as a liberating force and an essential feature of sustainable development.
Anna Coote is a leading analyst, writer and advocate in the fields of public health, welfare reform, sustainable development, public services, inequality, gender, democracy and participation.
Responsible for groundbreaking work on health and sustainable development as Commissioner for Health with the UK Sustainable Development Commission (2000-2009), she led the Healthcare Commission's work on engaging patients and the public (2005-2008) and was Director of Health Policy at the King's Fund (1998-2004). Anna is now Head of Social Policy at the new economics foundation, an independent organisation that aims to improve quality of life by promoting ideas that challenge mainstream thinking on economic, environment and social issues.
The lecture is free to attend and spaces are limited. To book your place, email corporateevents@edgehill.ac.uk. Arrival is 5.30pm with drinks with canapés, ready for a 6.30pm start and refreshments and networking afterwards.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-21 10:39:42";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-21";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-21 10:40:57";s:3:"url";s:81:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/the-public-realm-lecture-series-anna-coote";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:4:"CLPS";s:4:"CLPS";s:5:"Event";s:5:"Event";s:19:"ehu:department=clps";s:19:"ehu:department=clps";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";s:27:"ehu:subject=social-sciences";}}i:89;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:42:"How to make it in the world of advertising";s:4:"slug";s:42:"how-to-make-it-in-the-world-of-advertising";s:7:"summary";s:121:"Dynamic professionals in the world of advertising have been sharing their experiences with Edge Hill University students.";s:7:"content";s:2914:"Dynamic professionals in the world of advertising have been sharing their experiences with Edge Hill University students.
As part of a series of guest lectures, experts from leading agencies in the industry were invited to the Ormskirk campus to deliver inspiring talks to students hoping to make it in the competitive advertising industry.
Martin Loraine, Creative Director for Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO Advertising Agency, was able give a fascinating insight into his work and his views on what it takes to carve out a successful career in advertising.
His company is the third largest agency network in the world and works with 85 brands, including major household names and charity organisations. They are ranked in the Gunn Report (the major independent audit of creative achievement) as the most successful creative network in the world.
During his presentation, which was followed by a question and answer session, Martin was able to highlight major campaigns he has worked on, such as the Sainsbury's adverts starring celebrity Chef Jamie Oliver. He talked through the campaigns from original objectives to final outcomes whilst revealing the lessons he had learnt along the way, together with some anecdotes from behind the scenes.
Recruitment specialist Marc Shelkin also gave an inspiring talk to students about his work and what employers are looking for in today's jobs market.
The Senior Consultant, Digital Creative and Design and Marketing Executive works at Source, a leading creative communications recruitment agency. He offered students advice and guidance on making the leap from study to work and securing that all important first job, giving helpful guidance on CV and portfolio preparation, as well as beneficial ways to use social media to create a successful online presence. He talked about where the industry is at the moment in times of recession, as well as the kind of work available, such as account management, media planning, PR and working with advertising agencies.
Andy Tibbs, Programme Leader for Advertising at the University, said: "Both speakers delivered fantastic talks and really got the students' juices flowing in wanting to know how to make it within the industry. Self-belief and fresh talent, together with a creative approach, are all key to a successful career in advertising and I think the speakers certainly highlighted this and were able to give the students lots of advice for when it's time to search for work."
The BA (Hons) in Advertising enables students to explore the creativity of advertising and develop the power to shock, seduce and persuade audiences, become a creative thinker, and build an impressive portfolio of cutting-edge advertising campaigns. To find out more about the course, visit the website www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/advertising.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-20 13:17:44";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-20";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-20 13:18:46";s:3:"url";s:81:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/how-to-make-it-in-the-world-of-advertising";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:39:"ehu:department=advertising-marketing-pr";s:39:"ehu:department=advertising-marketing-pr";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";}}i:90;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:35:"Student wins prestigious LGBT award";s:4:"slug";s:35:"student-wins-prestigious-lgbt-award";s:7:"summary";s:128:"A media student from Edge Hill University has won a prestigious award for bringing gay and lesbian community issues to the fore.";s:7:"content";s:1690:"A media student from Edge Hill University has won a prestigious award for bringing gay and lesbian community issues to the fore.
John Hyland, who is on the BA (Hons) Television Production Management programme, has been awarded the Seen Magazine's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Young Person of the Year Media Award.
The 20-year-old was named the winner for his video blogs highlighting issues affecting the gay scene in Liverpool and for his promotional work with the GBar in the city centre, which is a popular clubbing venue for the LGBT community.
He said: "The Seen Magazine Media Awards were definitely one of the most extravagant events I have attended - champagne reception, great entertainment hosted by performer Em Brulée, and of course the awards themselves. I felt a great pride when my name was announced for LGBT Young Person as I felt my work, however small it is right now, was being recognised. So I would like to say a big thank you to all who voted."
John is a strong LGBT advocate and feels very strongly about the issues and campaigns he highlights through his blogs and videos. He believes that education and raising awareness is important in dispelling some of the myths around being gay. He has been utilising the skills he has been learning on the course at Edge Hill University to bring these issues to the fore.
To read some of John's video blogs, visit www.youtube.com/JohnBirdMedia. , He has just started a new project Gay Collaboration, which is about five homosexual men who get together and post a video every day of the week on an agreed theme.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-19 16:28:38";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-19";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-19 16:29:39";s:3:"url";s:74:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/student-wins-prestigious-lgbt-award";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";}}i:91;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:43:"Distinctive TV Production Management Degree";s:4:"slug";s:43:"distinctive-tv-production-management-degree";s:7:"summary";s:219:"Edge Hill University’s distinctive BA (Hons) in Television Production Management, which was developed in conjunction with the BBC, aims to provide undergraduates with an alternative career route in the media industry.";s:7:"content";s:3503:"Edge
Hill University's distinctive BA (Hons) in Television Production Management,
which was developed in conjunction with the BBC, aims to provide undergraduates
with an alternative career route in the media industry.
This
exciting course provides students with an opportunity to learn the business and
administration side of television production within a creative setting.
"This really is a broad-ranging course that will appeal to a lot of people but, more importantly, will equip students with the skills to make worthwhile careers for themselves in what is a rapidly growing and fast-moving environment," comments Senior Lecturer Anita Walsh.
With ongoing collaboration from an industry panel, the course covers areas from location research, casting, media law, gallery skills and professional industry practice. It is this broad nature that ensures students are provided with the range of business management skills employers in TV are looking for.
Anita continues, "At the moment there is definitely an industry need within media production management and a high proportion of our graduates go on to find excellent jobs in a range of areas including line producer, runner, production secretary, production coordinator and production manager."
Andrew Sugden, Programme Leader, adds, "Our industry panel includes leading independent production companies who often experience difficulty in finding production and business management staff. Recent consultation with Skillset has also identified a significant lack of production management skills."
Anita explains, "When considering working in the media many students automatically think about the ‘creative' roles but don't realise that there are all these business, management and administrative roles available too. Another advantage is that freelance contracts in this area can be longer. For example, a researcher may stay with a production for around eight weeks, but a production co-ordinator will usually be involved for double that time and get a complete overview of the whole production process, including filming and post-production."
Further to this the course at Edge Hill is taught by media practitioners who are active in the TV industry, ensuring content is in line with contemporary needs. "Alongside my teaching role I run my own production management company and have previously held roles as head of production at Carlton Television and as a production executive at the BBC," adds Anita. "This means I can offer students a learning environment that is current and relevant, and have a wide network of professional colleagues to call on to deliver lectures and seminars, which provides real variety."
Anita concludes, "Once established as a freelancer in the industry graduates have such a wide range of interesting opportunities available to them, working across documentary, light entertainment, factual, news, children's programmes and so on. I've been lucky enough in my career to work at the BBC, ITV and with independent production companies, which has given me the chance to travel the world and work on some high profile productions. There's no doubt that it can be a very exciting and rewarding career."
For more information about studying BA (Hons) in Television Production Management, visit: www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/television-production-management
";s:6:"author";s:14:"Nicola Gaskell";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-18 13:32:44";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-18";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-31 14:44:05";s:3:"url";s:82:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/distinctive-tv-production-management-degree";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:20:"ehu:department=media";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";s:27:"ehu:subject=film-television";}}i:92;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:41:"Careers award for innovative partnership ";s:4:"slug";s:40:"careers-award-for-innovative-partnership";s:7:"summary";s:168:"Edge Hill University’s Careers Centre has won a prestigious award for leading the way in employability through a unique partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car (ERAC).";s:7:"content";s:3160:"Edge Hill University's Careers Centre has won a prestigious award for leading the way in employability through a unique partnership with Enterprise Rent-A-Car (ERAC).
The University and the second largest graduate recruiter have scooped the award in the AGCAS Careers Service Partnership Employer category for their innovative approach in working together over the last 10 years.
AGCAS awards encourage, reward and share good practice amongst Higher Education careers practitioners by promoting high-quality, creative and collaborative projects and high professional standards across the full range of HE careers work.
The award has been given to Edge Hill and ERAC for their shared goals, values, good practice and the benefits that this partnership brings to everyone involved.
Head of Careers, Jacqui Howe, said: "We are delighted to receive such a prestigious award that acknowledges our continued dedication to enhancing the career prospects of our students. Here at Edge Hill we always strive to ensure our students are a step ahead of the rest in securing that graduate job. By having unique partnerships with companies like Enterprise Rent-A-Car it really benefits everybody involved and I'm glad that this has been recognised through winning this award.
"When we first formed our partnership over 10 years ago, we were both small, but we have grown together and this is reflected in our achievements. For example, Edge Hill has been shortlisted, for the third time in five years, in the Times Higher Education Award for the UK's University of the Year 2011 title, while ERAC has won numerous accolades and is now one of the largest graduate recruiters. Progressing from one-off visits, ERAC are now integrated into the University's curriculum across departments including Sport, Geography and Business. They deliver modules, they assess and validate and give lots of support. The partnership's extraordinary efficacy is most clearly illustrated by the positive feedback from staff, students and the company."
Donna Miller, European HR Director, ERAC, added: "Instilling employability across the curriculum is key to an undergraduate/graduate's success and career direction. Through developing their knowledge and theory of transferable skills, we can give students an invaluable ‘real life' perspective of the commercial environment and expectations of the ‘world of work', which in turn increases their awareness of what they need to do to be successful and gain a graduate-level job at the end of their degree."
Staff and students have been full of praise for the organisation's unique way of working with the University, especially around developing employability skills.
Jacquie said: "As a result of this partnership, our students have gained first-hand knowledge of what employers are looking for. We are a leader in the way we work with employers and to win this national award enhances our reputation further across the Higher Education sector."
For further information about the Careers Centre and the services provided, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/careers.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-18 10:50:46";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-18";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-18 10:51:07";s:3:"url";s:79:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/careers-award-for-innovative-partnership";s:4:"tags";a:2:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:22:"ehu:department=careers";s:22:"ehu:department=careers";}}i:93;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:59:"Prizewinning authors celebrate with Chapter & Verse reading";s:4:"slug";s:57:"prizewinning-authors-celebrate-with-chapter-verse-reading";s:7:"summary";s:211:"Following the London ceremony in July this year, the Edge Hill Prize for the Short Story returned to the north-west last week with a reading at The Bluecoat in Liverpool to celebrate the winning authors’ work.";s:7:"content";s:1090:"Following the London ceremony in July this year, the Edge Hill Prize for the Short Story returned to the north-west last week with a reading at The Bluecoat in Liverpool to celebrate the winning authors’ work.
The event, which was also held as part of the annual Chapter & Verse Literature Festival, saw main prize recipient Graham Mort read from his winning collection Touch. Meanwhile, Avril Scott, who was awarded the MA Creative Writing student prize, was presented with a bound copy of her winning story The Limitless Possibilities of Life by Edge Hill’s programme leader for the MA in Creative Writing Professor Robert Sheppard.
Listen here as both authors talk about their work and what winning the Edge Hill Prize means to them.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Mary Bernia";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-18 10:28:51";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-18";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-18 10:35:53";s:3:"url";s:96:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/prizewinning-authors-celebrate-with-chapter-verse-reading";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:16:"Creative Writing";s:16:"Creative Writing";s:7:"English";s:7:"English";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:27:"ehu:subject=creativewriting";s:27:"ehu:subject=creativewriting";}}i:94;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:31:"An audience with Stuart Maconie";s:4:"slug";s:31:"an-audience-with-stuart-maconie";s:7:"summary";s:160:"Hundreds of fans were entertained by Edge Hill’s star alumnus Stuart Maconie who recently returned to his university to talk about his new book and lots more.";s:7:"content";s:1136:"Hundreds of fans were entertained by Edge Hill's star alumnus Stuart Maconie who recently returned to his university to talk about his new book and lots more.
The best-selling author and broadcaster presented his latest work Hope and Glory - The Days that Made Britain to a packed audience on the Ormskirk campus. He had them in stiches with his witty tales as he relived his search of the places, people and events that have shaped modern Britain and why he felt they defined moments in our nation's story.
Stuart Maconie attended the former Edge Hill College in the early 80s, studying on an English and Social Science degree. Since graduating, he has been deputy editor of NME, written three other books, including Cider with Roadies, Pies and Prejudice and Adventures on the High Teas. He currently co-presents BBC 6 Music's Radcliffe and Maconie Show and The Freak Zone, has columns in the Daily Mirror and Country Walking and is the face of BBC North West's Inside Out.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-17 12:49:19";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-17";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2012-01-12 12:27:02";s:3:"url";s:70:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/an-audience-with-stuart-maconie";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:6:"Alumni";s:6:"Alumni";s:7:"English";s:7:"English";s:5:"Media";s:5:"Media";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";s:21:"ehu:department=alumni";}}i:95;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:56:"Spotlight on learner identity through series of seminars";s:4:"slug";s:56:"spotlight-on-learner-identity-through-series-of-seminars";s:7:"summary";s:155:"Educational practitioners and researchers can debate questions around learner identities through a series of seminars and symposia at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:2280:"Educational practitioners and researchers can debate questions around learner identities through a series of seminars and symposia at Edge Hill University.
The Centre for Learner Identity Studies (CLIS) has put together a programme of events to encourage professionals in the field to share research and practice and explore the impact of learners' educational experiences, processes and outcomes.
Any individual's motivation to learn, achieve and aspire to self-development is a fundamental product of who they believe themselves to be and how they feel about that belief.
The CLIS seminars aims to bring together new and continuing researchers and scholars from education and other disciplines interested in matters surrounding learner identity.
Topics cover issues such as masculinity in higher education, stories of the self, attachment behavior and expression and illusionary inclusion.
Dr Arthur Chapman, Reader in Education, said: "Our core mission is to understand learners better and to focus upon individual lives because this helps us to listen to what they can tell us about improving education. The series of seminars and symposia we have put together reflects the diversity of the research and practice that is happening in this field and will allow us to explore and critique the contexts that give rise to who, or what, learners conceive themselves to be, and the teaching and learning conditions that can affect identity formation and transformation."
The programme runs until July 2012. Sessions running until the end of the autumn academic term includes:
For more information about the full programme or to book a place, email indentitystudies@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-13 14:54:57";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-13";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-13 14:56:29";s:3:"url";s:95:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/spotlight-on-learner-identity-through-series-of-seminars";s:4:"tags";a:3:{s:19:"ehu:department=clis";s:19:"ehu:department=clis";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:24:"ehu:department=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";s:21:"ehu:subject=education";}}i:96;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:41:"Pros and cons of higher education debated";s:4:"slug";s:41:"pros-and-cons-of-higher-education-debated";s:7:"summary";s:129:"Prospective students and their parents listened to the pros and cons of higher education during a debate at Edge Hill University.";s:7:"content";s:1094:"Prospective students and their parents listened to the pros and cons of higher education during a debate at Edge Hill University.
Aaron Porter, Former President of the National Union of Students, was guest speaker at the Ormskirk campus to talk about the benefits of university and the real impact that the new tuition fees and repayment system will have on students and their families.
Listen to an interview with Aaron here as he explains why he ‘wants to get under the skin of the debate' and make people really think about what they want from university and whether it's the right option for them.
Aaron is a higher education consultant and freelance journalist, having previously been President of the National Union of Students between July 2010 and June 2011. In that role he sat on a number of Boards including the University and College Admission Service (UCAS), the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and as an observer to the Board of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-13 11:40:25";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-13";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-13 11:40:46";s:3:"url";s:80:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/pros-and-cons-of-higher-education-debated";s:4:"tags";a:4:{s:16:"Higher Education";s:16:"Higher Education";s:13:"Student Union";s:13:"Student Union";s:25:"ehu:department=admissions";s:25:"ehu:department=admissions";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}i:97;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:31:"Professor of poetry to perform ";s:4:"slug";s:30:"professor-of-poetry-to-perform";s:7:"summary";s:134:"A critically-acclaimed poet at Edge Hill University is to read from his new collections at a popular literature festival in Liverpool.";s:7:"content";s:2275:"A critically-acclaimed poet at Edge Hill University is to read from his new collections at a popular literature festival in Liverpool.
Robert Sheppard, Professor of Poetry and Poetics, is performing a reading at the Chapter and Verse Literature Festival at The Blue Coat in Liverpool on 16th October. The two books he will be reading from are, Berlin Bursts and When Bad Times Made for Good Poetry.
Berlin Bursts contains a number of poems which investigates the theme of human unfinish, an area which Robert has persistently explored. His other book When Bad Times Made for Good Poetry focuses on periods in British history where bad times forced political subversion and textual impaction upon its central figures and provisional institutions.
The theme of the festival is ‘City of Radicals' and Robert has been working to encapsulate this in his reading: He explained: "What I'm planning to do for this event, which is an important one for me, is to plug into the Bluecoat's theme by reading some poems about Liverpool, some poems that I hope are radical in form, and others that are radical in content."
Talking about his choice of poems for the reading, Robert said: "I will be reading from Berlin Bursts, my 2011 book, and I am also going to read from other books and from recent, unpublished work, including a new radical poetry manifesto. This last piece was specially written for the occasion. Reading something new always makes me a little edgy, but that's good."
The Chapter and Verse Literature Festival is in its fourth year and showcases a strong mix of international, regional and local writers. Over 35 events are taking place this year at The Bluecoat. It runs from 12th until 16th October.
If you would like to come and watch Robert's reading on 16th October, it starts at 5:30pm and finishes at 6:30pm. To book a place, visit www.bluecoat.org.uk or phone 0151 702 5324. This event is free to attend.
If you would like more information on the Creative Writing department of Edge Hill University, then visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/english/.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-13 09:46:53";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-13";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-13 09:49:05";s:3:"url";s:69:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/professor-of-poetry-to-perform";s:4:"tags";a:5:{s:16:"Creative Writing";s:16:"Creative Writing";s:7:"English";s:7:"English";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:22:"ehu:department=english";s:28:"ehu:subject=creative-writing";s:28:"ehu:subject=creative-writing";s:19:"ehu:subject=english";s:19:"ehu:subject=english";}}i:98;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:55:"Fellowship for Professor of Sport and Exercise Sciences";s:4:"slug";s:55:"fellowship-for-professor-of-sport-and-exercise-sciences";s:7:"summary";s:167:"An internationally renowned researcher from Edge Hill University has been awarded a prestigious accolade in recognition of his passion for sport and exercise sciences.";s:7:"content";s:2919:"An internationally renowned researcher from Edge Hill University has been awarded a prestigious accolade in recognition of his passion for sport and exercise sciences.
Professor Lars McNaughton has been given a Fellowship of the British Association for Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), which is the professional body in the UK committed to the scientific principles and the promotion, maintenance and enhancement of sport and exercise-related behaviours.
The award has been given to Professor McNaughton in light of his innovative research, commitment and sharing his knowledge and expertise in this area of work across the globe.
Talking about his latest achievement, he explained: "A BASES Fellowship should be considered an accolade that individuals aspire to and I'm proud that I have been given this award. I'm very passionate about sport and exercise sciences and I'm honoured that this has been recognised by this leading professional body. I'm delighted that I can be an ambassador for the Association and represent their interests nationally and internationally.
"The knowledge that I learn by being a part of this group will be passed onto my peers at Edge Hill and also the students who study here, which I'm very excited about. I'll also be encouraging our sports science students to become members of the Association and work within the code of conduct."
With an academic career spanning more than 30 years and boasting thousands of pounds of research and equipment grants, Professor McNaughton is internationally recognised for his work in the area of acid base balance in exercise. His other research interest focuses on why sports people should eat certain foods and how it affects their performance.
A native of England who grew up in Australia, he has just joined Edge Hill University's thriving Sport and Physical Activity Department after working at Bond University in Australia, where he was Head of School of Health Sciences. He has published in more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and has formerly held the positions of Head of the Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science at the University of Hull, Director of Postgraduate Studies in the Department of Sports Science at the University of Bath and Head of the Centre of Sports Science at Kingston University, all in England, as well as Head of Centre for Human Movement Studies at the University of Tasmania, Australia.
He is looking forward to his new role at Edge Hill University as Professor of Sport and Exercise Sciences. He said: "I'm glad to be back in England and at a University where I will be able to carry out a lot more research. It has a really good reputation, fantastic sports facilities and good labs. I like to be in places that are continually moving forward and I can see that happening at Edge Hill so I'm feeling very positive about what I can achieve here."
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-10-12 11:07:52";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-12";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-12 11:08:43";s:3:"url";s:94:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/10/fellowship-for-professor-of-sport-and-exercise-sciences";s:4:"tags";a:5:{s:5:"Award";s:5:"Award";s:8:"Research";s:8:"Research";s:5:"Sport";s:5:"Sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:20:"ehu:department=sport";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";s:35:"ehu:subject=sport-physical-activity";}}i:99;a:11:{s:8:"headline";s:38:"Higher education 2012: Is it worth it?";s:4:"slug";s:36:"higher-education-2012-is-it-worth-it";s:7:"summary";s:164:"The debate around whether higher education is worth it will be discussed by the former President of the National Union of Students at an Edge Hill University event.";s:7:"content";s:2690:"The debate around whether higher education is worth it will be discussed by the former President of the National Union of Students at an Edge Hill University event.
Young people are making decisions about their higher education in an unusually volatile time. Widely-publicised changes to Government policy, new arrangements for fees, grants and loans, and an uncertain economy mean that future students and their families are asking whether they should go to university.
Aaron Porter, who has been at the heart of these developments in his former role as President of the NUS, will give an independent view on Wednesday 12th October when he is at the Ormskirk campus to talk about the benefits of higher education and the real impact that the new tuition fees and repayment system will have on families.
As an avid campaigner against the higher tuition fees, he will focus on the new financial challenges to the higher education system and provide a thought-provoking insight into the tough decisions that face the younger generation.
Liam Owens, Chair of the Higher Education Liaison Officers Association and Head of Student Recruitment at Edge Hill University, said: "I'm delighted that Aaron will be joining us in this stimulating debate. Aaron led the NUS into a crucial year for higher education, with a general election, fees review and cuts. I'm sure that his views will bring these big issues to the fore and by providing a student voice I'm sure he will certainly help young people think about their future and whether higher education is worth it."
Aaron is a higher education consultant and freelance journalist, having previously been President of the National Union of Students between July 2010 and June 2011. In that role he sat on a number of Boards including the University and College Admission Service (UCAS), the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and as an observer to the Board of the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).
Other speakers at the event include Jan Barnes, member of the executive board for National Association of Student Money Advisers, which is the leading authority on all matters relating to student money advice and funding and member of the Edge Hill Student Financial Support team.
After the lecture, Edge Hill University's specialist advisers will be on hand for informal chats about finance, applications, accommodation and student life.
The event starts with refreshments at 5.30pm, ready for a 6.30pm start and networking opportunities afterwards. Book your free place now via educationliaison@edgehill.ac.uk.
";s:6:"author";s:11:"Nicky Speed";s:10:"created_at";s:19:"2011-09-28 13:01:42";s:10:"publish_at";s:10:"2011-10-12";s:9:"closes_at";N;s:10:"updated_at";s:19:"2011-10-12 14:35:43";s:3:"url";s:75:"http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/news/2011/09/higher-education-2012-is-it-worth-it";s:4:"tags";a:7:{s:5:"Event";s:5:"Event";s:16:"Higher Education";s:16:"Higher Education";s:19:"Student Recruitment";s:19:"Student Recruitment";s:8:"Students";s:8:"Students";s:13:"Sudents Union";s:13:"Sudents Union";s:25:"ehu:department=admissions";s:25:"ehu:department=admissions";s:13:"ehu:news=home";s:13:"ehu:news=home";}}}