YourUniversity12 Second

to NoneWelcome to the latest transformation of the award-winning Students’ Union.

14 The Sound of Success

Two exceptional music careers: graduates Elizabeth Watts and Simon Moran.

19 The Impact of World War I

100 years on, we see how The University of Sheffi eld was changed by the Great War.

ALUMNI MAGAZINE • 2014/2015

WE aRENUMBER 1IN stuDeNt eXPerIeNCe

A note from your editorRead Your University online! Your alumni magazine is also available

online. If you would prefer to opt out of receiving the print edition please email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk, subject: Your University Online, and be sure to include details of your preferred email address. We will send you an email when next year’s edition is available. In the meantime, you can see this year’s magazine here:www.sheffield.ac.uk/youruniversity

I feel very proud to be an alumna and have the privilege of writing to you for the first time as Editor of the

new look Your University magazine.Before taking on my new role

at the University, it had been almost ten years since I visited the University campus and I was delighted to see so much progress. The Students’ Union has gone from strength to strength (page 12)to become the best in the UK, the AMRC Training Centre (page 17) is offering real opportunities to young and enthusiastic students, and the ‘We Are International’ campaign

ContentsFeatures

12 Second to NoneConstantly reinventing itself, we take a look at the radically revamped – and multi-award-winning – Students’ Union

14 The Sound of Success Soprano Elizabeth Watts and concert promoter Simon Moran come under the spotlight

17 The Way to Work Traditional apprenticeships at the world-leading AMRC Training Centre

18 The Man in the KnowUncovering 50 years of planning heritage

19 The Impact of World War I 100 years on, we see how The University of Sheffield was changed by the Great War

O ne of the great joys of being Vice-Chancellor is the constant inspiration provided by the energy and imagination of our students and staff. Sharing the excitement of our students winning the Varsity trophy against Sheffield Hallam, hearing the news that, yet again, we have been ranked

amongst the top five for student experience and teaching, or learning about cutting-edge research that is having a real impact on the world; all of these examples provide me with concrete evidence that your University is living up to its mission to make a real difference to the lives of our students and the society of which we are a part. I hope as you read this year’s magazine you will feel some of the inspiration that it is my privilege to share in every day.

Our mission is unchanging but the environment in which we must fulfil those objectives is evolving rapidly. Indeed, there are those that question whether traditional models of universities will become obsolete as technology changes the potential ways of learning. We have, of course, already moved a long way from the ‘chalk and talk’ models of yesteryear, but I, personally, continue to believe that the benefits of being ‘at University’ are a precious gift for students and teachers that we must not throw away lightly. We need to continue to be innovative and nimble to ensure that the University remains a relevant and compelling proposition, and that will mean investing in our future. For example, this year, construction began on an £80 million Engineering building that will provide outstanding 21st-century teaching facilities for tomorrow’s students.

As we look forward we have recognised that we need to reach out more actively to our worldwide alumni, and seek to use your skills and experience (as well as your generous donations) to help this University remain excellent and relevant to the ever-changing world. We are investing in our central alumni relations’ office and, for example, introducing new initiatives aimed at making it easier for alumni to volunteer their time and expertise to benefit students and the University more generally. I hope that you will respond to these efforts and also tell us what we can do to help you as you carry the reputation of Sheffield into the wider world.

Over the coming year I look forward to meeting many of you at alumni events both in the UK and around the world.

Thank you for all your support.

Keith Burnett

I hope as you read this year’s magazine you will feel some of the inspiration that it is my privilege to share in every day.”

Welcome

Left: Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett

(page 4), the first of its kind, is starting to gain real momentum.

It has been both an honour and a challenge to re-design the publication. I do hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as I have enjoyed being a part of its production.

Thanks

Sarah Hopkins (BA English Language with Linguistics 2003)Alumni Relations Marketing and Communications Officer

22 Restoring SightA dynamic partnership between the University and the LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad

24 To Discover the Causes of ThingsTwo successful PhD graduates and two current PhD students discuss their experiences

27 A Fresh Look citybooks: a new perspective on Sheffield

regulars

04 University News

09 Research in the News

28 In Profile

30 Dates for Your Diary

32 Your Notes and News

36 Honours and Awards

38 Extracurricular

39 A Legacy with Impact

24

29

19

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2 3www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumniYOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

Engineering graduate school now openThe latest addition to the Faculty of Engineering – the Pam Liversidge Building – has been named after one of the city’s best known engineers. Professor Mike Hounslow, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Engineering, said, “Pam has made a real mark in the world of engineering and has been a great supporter of the University. It’s an incredibly exciting time for engineering at the University and this building is at the heart of our plans.”

Pam Liversidge (Hon DEng 2005) was the first woman to serve as President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and as Master of the Company of Cutlers in

Hallamshire. Speaking after a tour of the new building, she said, “I am keenly aware of how hard everyone in the University works to encourage and enable women to play their role in the economic and social life of both our city and our country. The honour of having this prestigious building named after me is one of the most special and significant I have ever been awarded and I am immensely grateful to the Faculty and the University.”

The £21 million, seven-storey building houses two lecture theatres, several flexible teaching and study spaces, and INSIGNEO, SCentRO and CISTIB, three of the University’s major new research

ventures. The building also includes a stunning atrium that has been named after alumnus The Hon Sir SY Chung (PhD Mechanical Engineering 1951, Hon LLD 1985), in recognition of his generous contribution of US $1 million to the Faculty of Engineering.

To watch the videos and explore the #standbyme

selfie campaign pages visit www.weareinternational.org.uk

Championing international studentsWe Are International takes off across the UK

A group of students and staff from The University of Sheffield went to the

House of Commons on 19 March 2014 to unveil a groundbreaking film, which helps the most talented students from across the globe better understand how to apply to study at the UK’s leading universities. This is part of the ‘We Are International’ campaign started by our University, and now supported by more than 80 universities and organisations.

The new film focuses on two talented Chinese students as they prepare to make the emotional journey to leave their family and friends to further their education at renowned UK universities. For the first time, cameras go behind the scenes at the UK Visa Application Centre in Beijing to witness how young

people in China go through the visa process and become students in the UK.

‘We Are International’ grew out of a unique partnership between UK universities, the British Council and the Home Office. The aim is to celebrate the value of international students to the UK – financially and culturally. The Chinese video follows the highly successful film shot in India last year, which aimed to help the most talented Indian students better understand the process of applying to UK universities.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett said, “We Are International’s latest film is extremely important for our relationship with students and families in China. Filmed in both Chinese and English, it gives us renewed respect and

www.sheffield.

ac.uk/faculty/engineering

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/sheffield-number-one-the-student-

satisfaction-1.374022

Round-up

understanding for the huge decision Chinese families make when they send their children to study in the UK.

“It is important for us to show that talented Chinese students – who are so crucial to our universities and to the UK – will be welcomed and treated well when they come to study with us.”

In support of the campaign, hundreds of students and staff across the country are also taking part in the #standbyme selfie campaign, which gives people the opportunity to celebrate their own international friendships that transcend geographical and cultural barriers.

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100universities and organisations support the ‘We Are International’ campaign

1 Abdul and Khafi 2 Olivia and Olivia 3 Sara and Hazel 4 Dipta and Pavel5 Gloria and Divya6 Sara and Siung7 Richard and Anna

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1 2 3

4

5 6 7

We are No.1The University of Sheffield is the number one university in the UK for student satisfaction in this year’s Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey.

More than 14,000 students from universities across the country took part in the survey which highlights the institutions that shine in the way they cater for students’ needs. This year The University of Sheffield rose two places beating the University of Bath and the University of East Anglia to the top spot – while the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge were ranked fourth and sixth place respectively.

In addition to being voted number one overall, the University was judged top in a number of attributes which are key individual measures of student

experience including ‘high quality facilities’, ‘good accommodation’ and ‘good Students’ Union’.

Students also scored the University highly in the ‘student support’, ‘well-structured courses’ and ‘library services’ categories which demonstrates Sheffield’s progression in a variety of areas over the past year.

These results reaffirm The University of Sheffield as a unique place to study and a global leader in research and teaching, as well as an institution giving students an unrivalled rich experience in a city unlike any other in the UK.

Pam Liversidge (centre) with Professors Elena Rodriguez-Falcon and Mike Hounslow of the Faculty of Engineering.

NewsUniversity

4 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 5www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

THRIvINgALUMNI NETWoRKSOur commitment to building relationships with our alumni across the globe is growing year on year. We were delighted to welcome alumni and friends to receptions in Beijing and Tokyo in October 2013: the University now has 4,500 alumni in China and over 1,000 in Japan. These social and business networking events are great opportunities for former class mates to reminisce about their Sheffield experiences and hear about current developments and successes from senior University staff. We are planning further events for our Chinese alumni when a team

from Sheffield, led by the Vice-Chancellor, will return to Beijing and Shanghai in October 2014.

DID YoU KNoW?

It is 150 years since the Great Sheffield Flood of 1864, which claimed the lives of at least 240 people when the poorly constructed Dale Dyke Dam at Bradfield collapsed. Shortly before midnight, on 11 March, more than 690 million gallons (3.14 billion litres) of water surged into the Loxley and Don Valleys, devastating an area that

stretched through Malin Bridge and Hillsborough, to Sheffield town centre and beyond. Over 4,000 houses were flooded.

CELEbRATINg LE gRAND DéPART

In partnership with Sheffield Doc/Fest, the University was one of the hosts of the Tour de Cinema. Firth Court and the Students’ Union were the venues for film screenings and community activities. This was one of the seven major projects which made up the Yorkshire Festival, part of the official 100-day countdown to the 2014 Tour de France’s Grand Départ, which passed through Sheffield on 6 July.

IN BRIEF

Making history at Court of Appeal

The University of Sheffield now has the highest number of graduates appointed to the bench after Oxford and Cambridge. And for the first time the Court of Appeal had an all-Sheffield alumni bench for a case in early November 2013.

The judges sitting were Lord Justice Maurice Kay (LLB Law 1964, PhD Law 1971, Hon LLD 2003), Lady Justice Anne Rafferty (LLB Law 1971, Hon LLD 2005) and Lady Justice Julia

Macur (LLB Law 1978).Professor Claire McGourlay

and Rivka Smith, a third-year LLB Law and Criminology student, went to the Royal Courts of Justice in London to watch the first day of proceedings. Rivka commented, “This experience is something that cannot be taught by academics. I was proud to be there on such a memorable day and honoured to meet some of our most prestigious Law alumni.”

Varsity champions again!The University of Sheffield has won the Sheffield Varsity trophy for the second year running. Varsity 2014 was the 18th clash in the annual sporting tournament against Sheffield Hallam University, and included games played in 42 sports, played in 17 venues across the city over the course of several weeks. The final, emphatic, score was 42 to 30.5 points.

The trophy was presented to Sports Officer Emily Dibble in front of over 6,000 spectators at the final match between the ice hockey teams at the Motorpoint Arena. She said, “I’m so pleased that The University of Sheffield will keep the Varsity trophy for a second year. Well done to everyone who took part or cheered on our black and gold family. Go Uni!”

Initiative to boost China trade

The University of Sheffield has been chosen by the UK Government to lead a pilot scheme to connect British companies with more than 70,000 Chinese-speaking graduates from UK universities through Great Ambassador-China internships. It will also consolidate existing alumni networks in China, and connect graduates with UK companies and organisations which operate in China.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Keith Burnett said, “The University has a long history of welcoming outstanding Chinese-speaking students, with over 4,500 registered alumni in China and 2,000 enrolled Chinese students. As host institution for the Great Ambassador-China pilot scheme, we will offer excellent opportunities for our Chinese students to acquire valuable employability skills.

“But the scheme will also offer great support to UK companies seeking to develop and expand trade links with China. And this will continue as the Great Ambassadors return home and progress through their careers – creating vital links and long-lasting impact on business developments between the UK and China.”

Dedicated volunteer is a worthy winnerAn inspirational alumna was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal at a graduation ceremony held in January 2014. Jahaan Abdurahman (BSc Psychology 2012, MSc Occupational Psychology 2013) received the honour in recognition of her exceptional voluntary work. She has made an outstanding impact through her involvement with Enactus Sheffield – a social enterprise which aims to transform lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.

“I was absolutely astounded to hear I had been chosen for the award,” said Jahaan. “Volunteering has helped to shape me into the person I am today, and it has taught me that sometimes you need to take risks and learn from your mistakes but, above all, have the courage to make a difference.”

Join the digital revolution The University is developing a series of free MOOCs (massive open online courses), which have the potential to educate anyone, anywhere. We have now teamed up with FutureLearn, the first UK-led MOOCs provider, to share our expertise and develop this new and exciting way of learning.

www.futurelearn.com/courses/discover-dentistrywww.futurelearn.com/courses/country-house-literature

www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/prospective_students/moocs

www.enactussheffield.org www.nfa.dept.shef.ac.uk

Jahaan Abdurahman (right) with Rob Avery-Phipps and friends from the Tomorrow’s World Project in Lesotho.

The University of Sheffield ice hockey team.

Lady Justice Julia Macur, Lady Justice Anne Rafferty and Lord Justice Maurice Kay.

The National Fairground Archive (NFA) is celebrating 20 years since its opening at the heart of the Western Bank Library in 1994. The unique collection of material covers all aspects of the culture and history of travelling fairs and entertainment from

the 1800s to the present day. An entertaining series of events, including talks, films, shows and displays of featured collections, is marking the anniversary throughout 2014.

Round-up

News

6 7www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

University

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

To the city and beyond

Following on from the huge success of the inaugural Festival of the Mind in 2012, the Mobile University brought research to the streets of Sheffield again last September. For three days, more than 30 academics gave 20-minute lectures to packed- out audiences on the top deck of a vintage 1959 double-decker bus, kindly lent by the South Yorkshire Transport Museum. The talks covered everything from spending cuts to stem cells and heart disease to honeybees.

Communicating with the public about our research and teaching is an important part of academic life. It ensures that our work has impact and relevance on a local, national and international level.

This year’s Festival of the Mind will take place from 18–28 September. This dynamic collaboration between research staff of the University and Sheffield’s cultural and creative industries will deliver a magical series of events for everyone to enjoy.

Removing financial barriersThe University is actively engaged in addressing the economic barriers to participation for postgraduate students. A successful consortium bid to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, led by Sheffield, resulted in a £3 million grant to attract and support students into postgraduate education.

The grant is being used to boost take-up of students studying taught postgraduate programmes, particularly amongst under-represented groups such as those from disadvantaged backgrounds, mature students and people with caring responsibilities.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett said, “It is crucial for our country

and society that teachers, lawyers, architects, doctors and other professions come from all walks of life, and are able to reflect and understand the values and experiences of the communities they serve. This funding is a wonderful opportunity to help talented postgraduates who might otherwise not have the option to proceed with their education. We will all benefit from their talents and commitment in the years to come.”

www.festivalofthemind.group.shef.ac.uk

www.twitter.com/festivalmindwww.facebook.com/festivalofthemind

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate for details of

postgraduate opportunities.Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/ssid/finance/pg for advice on funding and scholarships.

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/geography/staff/hanna_edward/

icesheet; research published in Nature, June 2013

Professor Edward Hanna at the Mittivakkat Gletscher in Greenland.

The Mobile University bus at Barkers Pool.

Dramatic Arctic ice loss

Greenland’s longest observed glacier has suffered one of the highest shrinkages in its history. Researchers, including Edward Hanna, Professor of Climate Change (Department of Geography), undertook fieldwork surveying the Mittivakkat Gletscher on Ammassalik Island in south east Greenland, which has been analysed every year since 1995. Due to higher than normal temperatures, the international team found that the total mass loss in 2011–12 was more than 50 per cent greater than the

annual average at 1.63 metres water equivalent (a key measurement used to determine the size of glaciers across the world).

The lower end of the glacier had retreated about nine metres since summer 2011. The observation programme for this glacier is unique as it is a relatively inaccessible and difficult place in which to do fieldwork. The team is researching the response of small glaciers around the edge of Greenland – there are several thousand of them – to ongoing climate change.

fast faCt:

9 metres The distance the Mittivakkat Gletscher has retreated since 2011.

Emma Packham

Explore current opportunities and register your interest in

volunteering: www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/volunteeringE: alumnivolunteering@sheffield.ac.uk

Inspire, advise, motivateSheffield Alumni Volunteers aims to create an alumni community that current students can reach out to for advice, inspiration and encouragement.

Many alumni already support our students in some way, from providing a career profile to e-mentoring, and we are incredibly grateful for your contribution. Students really benefit from hearing first-hand experience and advice about the transition from University to the workplace, and feel they have a special connection with individuals who have once been in their shoes.

In order to communicate this activity more effectively and introduce new volunteer programmes for even more alumni engagement, Emma Packham has been appointed as our new Alumni Volunteer Manager.

v i s t a is a new e-mentoring resource which introduces research staff and students to mentors who have been successful in a range of careers beyond academia. It aims to help researchers gain honest, first-hand insight into career realities, and understand the skills, knowledge and experiences required to move into a new specialism. To find out more and sign up as a mentor, visit: www.sheffield.ac.uk/ris/ecr/mentoring/vista

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University

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 9www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni8

Research in the NewsHere is a selection of research stories that have attracted a lot of attention from national and international media.

NewsUniversity

Warmer springs boost long-tailedtit survival

A 20-year-long study of long-tailed tits in Sheffield’s Rivelin Valley links rising spring temperatures to their improved survival. Like other small animals that live for only two or three years, these birds were thought to die in large numbers during cold winters. The researchers, led by Professor Ben Hatchwell (Department of Animal and Plant Sciences), monitored the population each breeding season to identify survivors and to ring any new arrivals. They discovered that birds trying to breed in warm and dry springs have much better chances of surviving to the next year. When the spring conditions are fine, the birds do not wear themselves out looking for food, and are better able to cope with the autumn and winter weather later that year.

Promising results forParkinson’s treatment

New drugs, which may have the potential to stop faulty brain cells dying and slow down the progression of Parkinson’s disease, have been identified in a pioneering study. Experts from the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience conducted a large-scale drugs trial using skin cells from people with this progressive neurological condition. They tested over 2,000 compounds to find out which ones could make faulty mitochondria work normally again. One of the promising medications identified is a synthetic drug called ursodeoxycholic acid. It is already in clinical use to treat certain forms of liver disease, which means that researchers will be able to start a clinical trial to test its safety and tolerability in people with Parkinson’s once funding is secured.

Potential cut in nuclear waste The UK spends more than £80 million every year storing plutonium-contaminated nuclear waste safely. Researchers from the Faculty of Engineering have developed a way to significantly reduce the volume of some higher activity wastes, which will reduce the cost of interim storage and final disposal. They have shown that mixing plutonium-contaminated waste with blast furnace slag and turning it into glass reduces its volume by 85–95 per cent. It also effectively locks in the radioactive plutonium, creating a stable end product. The current treatment method for non-compactable, plutonium-contaminated wastes involves cement encapsulation, a process which typically increases the overall volume.

The place of ‘Adam’ inevolutionary history

Our most common male ancestor walked the earth 209,000 years ago – 9,000 years earlier than proposed in a previous study. Dr Eran Elhaik (Faculty of Science) and Dr Dan Graur (University of Houston) used molecular clock techniques to date our most common male ancestor, known as ‘Adam’, to his rightful place in evolutionary history. Their findings put ‘Adam’ within the time frame of his other half, ‘Eve’, the genetic maternal ancestor of mankind.

Researching social media leads to potential new IBS treatment

Researchers from the Department of Oncology are investigating how a high dose of Vitamin D3 supplement could be used as a novel treatment to ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The pioneering collection of patient data from social media sites, such as blogs and social forums, showed that up to 70 per cent of sufferers posting on this issue reported that the supplement improved their symptoms. Exploring social media has led to potential new leads into treatment and the management of IBS, and researchers are now conducting a clinical trial as a result of this new insight.

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/oncology/units/surgicaloncology/research/gastro_group;

research published in BMJ Case Reports 2012

NHS 111 increases emergency care useResearchers from the Medical Care Research Unit have found that the NHS 111 call handling service increased the use of ambulance and urgent and emergency care services during its first year of operation. The team, led by Janette Turner and Professor Alicia O’Cathain, was commissioned by the Department of Health in England to evaluate the use and impact of NHS 111, a new 24/7 telephone service for non-emergency healthcare problems. Their report highlights that a triage system designed to be used by handlers without clinical expertise will inevitably err on the side of caution; more consideration needs to be given to joining up services to provide appropriate responses.

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/scharr/sections/hsr/mcru/111

New model for urban regenerationFurnace Park is a one-and-a-half acre plot of derelict land in the old industrial centre of Sheffield (Shalesmoor). It is now being turned into a community curated space. A team of academics and local project partner SKINN hope to gain a greater understanding of a major global problem – how to improve urban cultural life. Dr Amanda Crawley Jackson (Department of French) is leading the project to explore this dilemma through the life of the space with artists, researchers, community groups, local businesses and residents.

Visit www.furnacepark.org

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/materials/research/wastedevelopment; research published in Journal

of Nuclear Materials, January 2014

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/news/nr/putting-adam-in-his-rightful-

place-1.342467; research published in European Journal of Human Genetics, January 2014

Visit www.sitran.dept.shef.ac.uk; research published in BRAIN,

September 2013

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/aps/research/res-groups/evol-behav; research published in Oikos, April 2014

Above:One of the adult long-tailed tits with identifying rings.

Above right:Dr Amanda Crawley Jackson at Furnace Park.

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YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/201510 11www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

in the NewsResearch

Relive more

memories atwww.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/music_memories

Inside the Activities & Sports Zone.

Constantly reinventing itself, the radically revamped – and multi-award-winning – Students’ Union welcomed

the latest generation of students at the beginning of the academic year 2013–14.

Great times, great music at the UnionWe asked alumni for their favourite memories of music.

“The West African band Osibisa: I hung around with a number of African students at the time and they took great pleasure in our enjoyment of the sights and sounds of Osibisa’s ‘criss-cross rhythms exploding into happiness’.” David Wilson (BEng Automatic Control and Systems Engineering 1975)

“I remember being so happy at getting one of Morrissey’s roses when he flung them out into the audience not long after the Octagon opened as he performed as lead in The Smiths.”Janz Graham (BSc Chemistry and Pure Mathematics 1985)

“I’ve never been able to outdo the Union ball of 1968–69. Ever. The Moody Blues, the Hollies and Julie Driscoll… what could be better (and the first kiss from my now husband!)”Dr Bettie (née Matheson) Higgs (BSc Geology 1971, PhD Geology 1977)

“Seeing Nirvana with guests Shonen Knife was a highlight – sat exams in the same Octagon building not long after.”Huw Melliar-Smith (BA Psychology 1992)

“The Who – the whole performance: the music, the act, the lighting, the breakages… ”Alan Findlay (LLB Law 1969) and Judy (née Wyatt) Findlay (BA History 1969)

“The Mojos’ music had a particularly strong beat and I can clearly remember watching the sprung dance floor of the Refectory thrash up and down as hundreds of us students danced.”David Twiss (BSc Physics and Chemistry 1965)

“Seeing Tori Amos and Radiohead each playing to about a dozen people on the same night in different corners of a very big event in the Union.”James How (BA English Literature 1994)

“Paul McCartney and Wings turned up in a transit van virtually unannounced. You could hear them rehearsing before the doors opened and then we rushed in and they just carried on playing.”Paul Higson (BA Geography 1973)

“Saturday night hops, 1953–55. Red River Dance Band, trad jazz (and the trumpeter was a Sheffield student). Crowded dance floor, hot and sweaty!”Professor Alan Dyer (BSc Chemistry 1954)

“Steeleye Span in 1974 – got me hooked on them for life. I just loved the music, the atmosphere was magical and I’m still listening to them in 2014!”Gerry O’Hara (BSc Geology 1976, MPhil Geology 1990)

“Best concert: Led Zeppelin, 1971. Nuff said. Walking back to our digs in a snowstorm only added to the experience.”Kay Freeman (BA Geography and Sociology 1974) ■

#1The Students’ Union was ranked #1 in the National Student Survey 2013, repeating its success of 2012; it was also #1 in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2013–14.

The transformed building is the result of a £20 million project, which has revived

one of the first glass curtain walled buildings in the world. University House was opened in 1962, with two refectories and two coffee bars in a bid to reduce the mealtime queues experienced in the original Students’ Union. It was one of the 11 buildings – including the Arts Tower and the Hicks Building – designed by Gollins, Melvin and Ward as part of the 1953 master plan for the University.

University House has been adapted and enlarged on several occasions since, with only the Glossop Road frontage giving a clear idea of the original scheme. It is now fully integrated into the Students’ Union, which was itself refurbished and improved

Second to None

in 2010: the whole building is now called the Students’ Union Building. Architect Robert Smith, who worked on the original design of University House, said, “We were pioneers in glass curtain walling and this was one of the very first of its type. It was a very fresh building design and very simple. It offered some of the best views of Sheffield and still does now. We wanted to get as much light in as possible.”

The new scheme, designed by HLM Architects with the detailed design and delivery by Bond Bryan Architects, incorporates new landscaping and an outdoor amphitheatre in front of the Octagon Centre, as well as an enclosed bridge joining the Octagon to the Students’ Union. The new facilities include Inox Dine, one of the newest restaurants in Sheffield open to students,

staff and the public, improved venues, meeting rooms, various functions of Student Services, and more social and study spaces.

“The refurbishment reflects the strong partnership between the Students’ Union and the University,” said Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett, “and demonstrates our commitment to providing an unrivalled student experience – something we’re really proud of.”

1936Union of Students’ Building opened (pictured above in the 1950s) and named after its benefactor, local businessman JG Graves.

1962University House opened: a link block containing ‘the longest Union bar in the country’ joined University House to the original Graves Building.

1983Octagon Centre opened.

1996Completion of £4 million development of Students’ Union.

2010£5 million refurbishment.

2013£20 million refurbishment, creating the Students’ Union Building.

The Students’ Union through the years

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12 13www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumniYOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/201512

RedevelopmentStudents’ Union

The Sound of Success

Elizabeth Watts

Two exceptional careers in music: two Sheffield graduates. Soprano Elizabeth Watts and concert promoter Simon Moran

come under the spotlight.

One of the foremost sopranos of her generation, Elizabeth Watts (BA Archaeology and Prehistory 2001, Hon DMus 2013) came to prominence as winner of the Rosenblatt Song Prize at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World in

2007. She has gone on to achieve international acclaim for her performances and recordings of the music of composers as diverse as JS Bach, Mozart, Schubert and Richard Strauss.

What’s your most memorable performance to date?Probably the final at Cardiff Singer of the World as that is the most high-pressure thing I’ve done. Unless you’ve done that final, particularly as an English or Welsh competitor, you don’t understand the enormous pressure in that competition. Also performing in Covent Garden in 2011, singing under Sir Mark Elder with the amazing singer Nina Stemme, and also singing at the Proms is always exciting.

Why did you choose The University of Sheffield?I wanted to study archaeology; I had a short list of places that included both arts and science courses and Sheffield was one of those places. I remember looking around the University and I just really liked it. I really loved the atmosphere in the city and the department so it was a happy mix and a good fit.

What would you say is your fondest University memory?I have so many. I remember when the Music Department was up at Tapton Hall Road. I was sort of a half-honorary music student as I used to hang around with a lot of the music students. I also remember sitting in the pub always talking about archaeology with the archaeology students; there didn’t seem to be any other course where you just sat around in your leisure time and had intense discussions about the subject. Also, I lived on Clarkson Street in my first year and I remember many a night being given a piggyback home from the Octagon by my house mates!

Are you still in contact with people?Yes, one of the girls I met in my first year was a bridesmaid

at my wedding. In fact, we had my hen night in the Leadmill [laughs]. I was in the Leadmill a lot – it was my haunt, I loved the indie night and the cheesy pop nights, and we also used to go to Hotpants at the City Hall.

Do you think it’s important for the University to keep in touch with its alumni?Yes, I definitely do. Especially for me now after 12 years, you can get a real perspective about what a university degree gives you. I came to Sheffield to study archaeology and prehistory but I was able, due to the modular system here, to do some music and pursue my interests.

Was there a defining moment when you decided to follow a music career? I was doing a gig with Worrall Male Voice Choir in Whitby and I’d just finished my dissertation and I thought, do I want to do a Masters in Cognitive Evolution, which I was really excited about, or do I want to give singing a go. I thought, yes, I do want to give singing a go. So I went to Woolworths and bought a notebook and I decided on the things I thought I should do before applying to music college. I remember writing down that I should learn music theory, the piano and improve my languages. In a way, I didn’t really need to do those things [laughs] but I think it made me a better singer going into music college.

Who has been your biggest influence?I’ve built a team of people around me. I’ve got a performance psychologist, Jayke Branson Thom, who’s been brilliant; I’ve got several coaches, Audrey Hyland, Phillip Thomas; my singing teacher Margreet Honig; Lillian Watson – my teacher at college – was amazing, just so many people who have helped and guided me. My teacher in Huddersfield, Patricia Hamilton, was amazing; she really made sure I went to college with a sound technique. I worked at the Virgin Megastore in Sheffield and my supervisor, Richard Schofield, taught me so much about people having unreasonable demands and expectations. That’s a great lesson to learn when dealing with directors the world over [laughs]. ››

I remember many a night being given a piggyback home from the Octagon!”

Quick fireSum up your experience of studying at The University of Sheffield in three words Enlightening, exciting and rewarding.

If you were sent to a desert island, what three things would you take?A piano, the complete works of Bach and maybe some soap.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?Probably strawberry pavlova.

Who would be your dream dinner party guest?I would really like to meet the composer Hugo Wolf. Everyone goes on about him being really grumpy but his music is amazing so he’s a bit of an enigma.

What book are you reading at the moment?A book on organic gardening.

Where’s your favourite holiday destination?Lake Maggiore in Italy.

Which comedians make you laugh?Tim Vine, Michael McIntyre and Eddie Izzard... he’s a Sheffield alumnus!

What was the first CD you bought?It was either Oasis, Definitely Maybe, or Radiohead, The Bends.

What’s your favourite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?With my husband in the garden.

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14 15www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumniYOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

Interview

Simon Moran AMRC

Owner and Managing Director of SJM Concerts, one of the largest UK concert promotion companies in the UK, Simon Moran (BA Business Studies

1987, Hon DMus 2013) has worked with a stream of global acts including The Stone Roses, Beyoncé, Coldplay, Oasis, One Direction, The Spice Girls and Kate Bush (for her 2014 concerts). And he is credited with being the catalyst for the re-formation of pop giants Take That in 2005. So where did it all begin? At The University of Sheffield. Simon produced his first live music event in the Students’ Union over 25 years ago.

How did you get into concert promotion?I was a fan of the group The Farm. I used to go and watch them around the country; then I got to know them a little bit and said I was going to The University of Sheffield and would try and get them a gig there. So I got in touch with the Ents Committee at the Union and they weren’t interested. So I just thought, I’ll do it myself. We sold 230 tickets at £1 advance and £1.50 on the door, and there were about 280 people there. I ended up making £40 out of it, which was pretty good for the time. What are your fondest memories of the University?I just liked living in Sheffield. I thought the

people were friendly. I got to discover a whole new life when I came to University and I enjoyed the whole experience.

What did you do after University?I started the business from my parents’ house. I worked 24/7 pretty much from the age of 21–30. I had a lot of set backs, which were minor but turn out to be major when you don’t have anything to fall back on. Once you’ve done OK in business, you make a bit of money and you can put it in the bank. But when you start up, it’s hard. In the early days you can’t afford to pay people to make your life easier.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?Rob Gretton who managed New Order is one of them. When I was in my second year, I pestered him loads. He said I should go to Manchester to see him and he took me out for a few pints. I persuaded him to let me do a concert, we set the date and I sold out the Octagon – there were about 1,500 people there. I was just this annoying 19-year-old who’d put on a couple of gigs at his Students’ Union – he didn’t need to help me out. The other person is Joe Strummer, who I managed for about five years. Joe had time for everyone and he was very talented but with a lot of humility. ■

I discovered a whole new life when I came to Sheffield and I enjoyed the whole experience.”

Quick fireWhat was the first CD you bought?[laughs] Well it wouldn’t have been a CD; it would have been a record! The first single I bought was by Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, Arms of Mary. I think the first album I bought was a Rod Stewart on vinyl.

What is your career highlight so far?Take That are great people to work with, very appreciative and inclusive in decision-making. I’ve also enjoyed The Stone Roses reuniting [in 2011] – I started doing concerts with them in 1989 so it’s been good seeing them back together.

What would be your favourite way to spend a Sunday afternoon?Watching Warrington win against Wigan or anyone. [Simon is a director of Warrington Wolves rugby league club.]

Who would be your dream dinner party guest?Bruce Springsteen.

The latest development at The University of Sheffield AMRC – a world-leading cluster of industry-focused manufacturing

research and development, training and business support – is the AMRC Training Centre. This new facility is creating the next generation of engineers through a drive to increase the quality and status of apprenticeship training.

Led by Alison Bettac, the former Head of Human Resources at aerospace engineers Firth Rixson and now Director of Training at the new Centre, local employers approached the University to work together to restore prestige back to apprenticeships and the engineering sector. The association with the AMRC and the University, as well as Sheffield Hallam University and the new University Technical College Sheffield, brings with it backing from global businesses – such as Boeing and Rolls-Royce – and links to world-class engineering.

The purpose-built AMRC Training Centre has risen from the site of Orgreave Colliery, remembered for the violent clash with police during the Miners’ Strike in 1984. This location now highlights how the region is rebuilding its industrial heritage. The first 150 apprentices, from an initial 43 employers including many small to medium sized businesses, started their programmes in January 2014, with an additional 40 joining them in April. The first full cohort of 250 will enrol in September. The programmes run for a minimum of 26 weeks, with day release and block training leading to a range of qualifications.

“Right from the start I had a vision that we should provide our apprentices

The Way to Work

with progression routes to degree level, with the support of their employers,” explained Alison. “We are in discussion with the Faculty of Engineering about launching Foundation Degrees in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering – these will be the first Foundation Degrees offered by the University. We all want to offer an alternative route into higher education. The potential is there for our academically gifted apprentices to progress from their programmes here to undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees or MBAs, and finally PhDs.”

The AMRC Training Centre is a unique enterprise in the UK. This inspiring example of true collaboration with local employers illustrates how the University engages with manufacturing to deliver economic growth. Alison commented, “I can see this model being replicated across the country within five years. We are all motivated to make this work, and the feedback from our apprentices and their employers is extremely positive.” ■

Visit www.amrctraining.co.uk to explore the opportunities for

21st-century apprentices. The AMRC Training Centre also offers technical training and leadership training courses.

The AMRC pioneers a new model of apprenticeships for the needs of manufacturing in the 21st century.

📷 1 The AMRC Training Centre. 2 An apprentice working on his machining skills.

1

2

The real deal“Apprenticeships should be the lifeblood of all companies that want a future, especially SMEs. I’ve not seen anywhere in 30 years that’s as well run and which suits our needs so well.” Vince Middleton, Chair of Newburgh Engineering

“I really enjoy training through the AMRC and I would recommend it to anyone who is willing to put the effort in to become a first-class engineer.” Anthony, apprentice at JRI Orthopaedics

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 17www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni16

ApprenticeshipsInterview

“A quite outstanding innovator and communicator, strategic thinker and policy

advocate”: Professor JR ‘Jimmy’ James (Hon LLD 1980), the first Professor of Town and Regional Planning at the University, was held in high esteem by colleagues and students alike. A remarkable collection of over 3,750 slides, which he amassed during his career as Chief Planner at the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and at Sheffield, has been discovered in his old department.

The entire archive is now available to view online and it gives a unique perspective on how urban spaces across the UK developed following World War II.

“Professor James was working during a key period in British planning history,” explained Dr Alasdair Rae, who brought the collection to light. “There was money and optimism, and you really get the impression by looking at the images that there was a feeling of ‘we can build this new society’. Together with planning documents and maps,

this is a visual record of Professor James’ unprecedented access to planning issues and solutions across the country during this fascinating 50-year period.”

The vast collection of slides had remained undiscovered for over 30 years, since Professor James’ death in 1980. Alasdair said, “A grant from the Alumni Fund supported the 10-week digitisation project. Philip Brown and Joseph Carr, both recent Masters’ graduates in Urban Studies and Planning, put the archive together. Their hard work has ensured that this important collection is now accessible to a worldwide audience.”

The archive contains a large number of images of Sheffield, including Park Hill and a 1970 study of the buildings in Broomhill. Philip and Joseph have matched up

several of these scenes with new photographs of how the city looks now: the Now and Then section is a fascinating glimpse of how Sheffield has changed – or not. International scenes are also captured in Germany, France, the USA, India and Hong Kong. A set of images of field trips provides an entertaining look back at the history of the Department of Town and Regional Planning itself. ■

Explore the JR James Archive. Visit www.flickr.

com/people/jrjamesarchive

The Man in the Know

50th anniversaryThe Department of Town and Regional Planning will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2015. Philip Strafford,

Marketing & Recruitment Officer, is collecting stories, memories and old photos from the department’s graduates. He

would also like to hear from anyone who recognises themselves in the images in the JR James Archive’s ‘Departmental’ section.

E: p.strafford@sheffield.ac.ukwww.sheffield.ac.uk/trp

Uncovering 50 years of planning heritage

📷

Above:Professor JR

‘Jimmy’ James

Below:Then and now: the same view

of the River Don by (left)

Professor James and (right) the

archive team.

The JR James Archive

The Impact of World War I

Sheffield and WWI

The University of Sheffield was changed beyond recognition by the Great War (1914–18). The loss of students and staff to the front line and other war work was devastating, but the conflict also brought with it opportunities for new enterprises and research.

A total of 153 students enlisted at the start of the war, almost half joining the Sheffield City Battalion – the ‘Sheffield Pals’. This was

at a time when there were just 349 full-time students and approximately 1,450 evening students. The idea for forming the City Battalion came from two (now unknown) University students, who received great support from the Vice-Chancellor, Herbert Fisher. He took up the cause with Sheffield council and began talks with the War Office; he

also instigated a very popular series of lectures to capacity audiences around the city to encourage local recruiting. Over the next few months, the City Battalion and other units drew about 1,100 staff and students (full-time and part-time) from the University.

Pals Battalions were localised units, and often the men came from the same social background. The City Battalion was very selective in its recruiting – ‘professional and business men and their staffs’ were requested in one leaflet. The poster, reproduced on page 21 and discovered in the Porters’ Lodge May 1971 August 2013

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18 19www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumniYOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

Heritage History

Clockwise from top left: Major William Barnsley Allen; recruitment poster; the University trained non-recruitable men to machine shells in its own workshops; and Lydia Henry.

Page 19:Soldiers marching through Sheffield.

Firth Court in 2009, is one of the items on show in the Sheffield & The First World War exhibition at Weston Park Museum (until 1 March 2015).

The City Battalion became part of the York & Lancaster Regiment as the 12th (Service) Battalion. The recruits initially trained for about five months at Redmires Camp, Lodge Moor, before moving on to other camps around the country. Today, traces of their trenches are visible at Redmires Camp, a site still regularly used by today’s Officers’ Training Corps (OTC).

It took over a year to train the men for active service. In January 1916, they arrived in Egypt to help guard the Suez Canal. Some months later, they were sent to France and took part in the Battle of the Somme at Serre in July 1916. The assault was a strategic disaster and many were killed or wounded. The remaining City Battalion members were moved to other regiments.

Members of today’s OTC will visit the Somme during a 12-day battlefield tour in August. George Sharman, a third-year Politics student and Senior Subaltern, explained, “As well as locations such as Ypres and Albert, we will visit the Sheffield Memorial Park and Railway Hollow Cemetery near Serre, where so many members of the City Battalion lost their lives. We will lay a wreath in their memory on behalf of those currently serving in Sheffield OTC.”

Alphaeus Abbott Casey (1895–1916)Alphaeus Abbott Casey was a second-year student (‘Physics, Pure Math, Geogr’) when he joined the Sheffield City Battalion. He kept a detailed diary – between 1 January and 24 March 1915 – which gives a rare insight into the training regime at Redmires Camp. Sadly, he was killed in action with the Battalion’s ‘A’ Company during the attack on Serre and has no known grave. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. His diary is now in the

care of The University of Sheffield Library (Special Collections).

Medical suppliesAn all-female team in Chemistry supervised the production of a large quantity of an anaesthetic drug, ß-eucaine, which had formerly been manufactured exclusively in Germany. Professors’ wives ran the Sheffield University Hospital Supply Depot in Western Bank; a Surgical Appliance branch was formed in the Faculty of Engineering.

Major William Barnsley Allen VC, DSO, MC and bar (1892–1933) William Barnsley Allen (MB ChB Medicine 1914) enlisted with the Third West Riding Field Ambulance. His actions at Mesnil, on the Somme, on 3 September 1916 resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross: “The first shell…exploded the ammunition and caused several casualties. Captain Allen saw the occurrence, and at once, with utter disregard of danger, ran straight across the open, under heavy shell fire, commenced dressing the wounded, and undoubtedly by his promptness saved many of them from bleeding to death. He himself was hit four times…” (The London Gazette). He was one of the most decorated British medical officers of the war.

MunitionsEngineering was responsible for the production of gauges for the Admiralty and carried out research for the Ministry of Munitions. It also trained over 1,000 un-recruitable men in shell-turning. Metallurgy developed the production of cupro-nickel, used in the manufacture of bullets, and trained over 500 workers. Electrical Engineering was heavily engaged in aeronautical inspection and helped to train anti-aircraft gunners – a training simulator was erected in Firth Hall, which included a ‘travelling Zeppelin searchlight’.

For further informationSteel City Scholars: the centenary history of the University of Sheffield, Helen Mathers (James & James, 2005)

Sheffield in the Great War, Peter Warr (Pen and Sword Books, Autumn 2014)

Royal visitKing George V visited the University on 28 September 1915 to inspect the laboratories and workshops in Applied Science, and attended a meeting of the Sheffield Committee on the Munitions of War. This group met daily from May 1915 to co-ordinate the efforts of 116 steel firms in order to expand local munitions’ production.

Glass manufacture The glass industry was in crisis because so much specialised glass had been imported from Germany and Austria and there was a lack of scientific expertise in the UK. Hundreds of industries used laboratory glass, and binocular glass was in demand by the military. At the instigation of Professor Turner, the University established the Department of Glass Manufacture (later Glass Technology) in the autumn of 1915. Within a year, Sheffield was the national centre of glass research and development.

Belgian refugeesA sudden influx of refugees after the German invasion of Belgium resulted in offers of voluntary aid across the country. In November 1914, two University houses on Western Bank were made available and became known as the University Belgian Hostel, which was in use until mid-1916.

Lydia Henry (1891–1985) Lydia Henry (MB ChB Medicine 1916, MD Medicine 1920, Hon DSc 1978) was one of the first two female graduates in medicine at Sheffield. At the end of her internship, she joined the Scottish Women’s Hospitals Committee and served as an assistant surgeon in the hospital set up in the Abbey of Royaumont, north of Paris, within reach of the Western Front. She was awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Government. ■

Remembering WWI Sheffield Cares for the Wounded An exhibition describing the work of the Third West Riding Field Ambulance on the Western Front is on show in the Medical School. It also investigates how more than 70,000 wounded soldiers were treated back in Sheffield. There is a display of medical artefacts and copies of The Lead Swinger, to which Ambulance members contributed articles, poems, sketches and cartoons. Venue: Social Space on C Floor, Medical SchoolDate: Exhibition runs until 23 December 2014

Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/medicine/medicsinthegreatwar

for full details.

War memorialA memorial to the 200 students and staff who died in World War I was unveiled as part of the University’s 21st anniversary in 1926. It now stands in Firth Hall corridor, and will be a feature of the Heritage Open Day on 12 September 2014. On the wall nearby are the medals of Alan and Leslie Hobson, who were killed in action. They were presented by their father, Sir Albert Hobson (Hon LLD 1920), a former Treasurer and Pro-Chancellor. He also left a bequest of £5,000 for the sports pavilion at the Norton Playing Fields in memory of his sons.

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YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/201520 21www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

History

A passion for translating cutting-edge research out of the lab and into the clinic is driving a dynamic partnership between The University of Sheffield and the LV Prasad Eye

Institute, Hyderabad. Corneal disease is a serious problem in India, often leading to impaired eyesight or even blindness. The interdisciplinary team is developing economical and accessible methods of repairing damaged corneas with funding from the Wellcome Trust’s Affordable Healthcare in India scheme.

“There are many thousands of patients in India who lose their sight or lose a lot of their sight because of scarring over the front of the cornea,” explained Sheila MacNeil (PhD Medicine 1976), Professor of Tissue Engineering at Sheffield. “The cells that cover the cornea are effectively completely transparent and, as long as you’ve got a continuous coating of them, you’re fine. But if injury occurs, due to disease or a chemical accident – unfortunately very common in India due to accidents at home or at work – then you’ll end up with scar tissue.”

One of Sheila’s research associates, Dr Pallavi Deshpande, made the first contact with the LV Prasad Eye Institute when she was developing a contact lens for delivering cells to repair the cornea during her PhD. This not-for-profit eye health facility operates in 120 sites across the state of Andhra Pradesh. One hundred ‘primary’ clinics assess patients’ needs; the more serious cases are referred to 11 ‘secondary’ clinics, with the most serious moving to three ‘tertiary’ centres. The focus of the Institute’s research and training programme is its centre of excellence at Hyderabad.

Sheila explained, “The Institute is one of only 12 centres worldwide that offer such a high level of clinical expertise. There is no lack of really motivated staff, led by Dr Virender Sangwan. They work to overcome massive clinical problems and are committed to making a difference. I was delighted to see that we share the same ethos, the desire to combine clinical work and research to make patients better.”

During the last two decades, worldwide research into creating replacement cultured corneal cells has relied on specialist tissue culture expertise, clean room technologies and access to tissue banks for sourcing the amniotic membrane on which these cultured cells are delivered to the

eye. Although the clinical results are impressive, relatively few patients have access to this treatment as there are so few centres capable of delivering this therapy. Sheila wanted to find a way to simplify this technique to reduce the costs and increase availability. Her team developed materials that are currently used in dissolvable sutures and spun them into thin membranes that the corneal cells will attach to and grow on. The laboratory development and evaluation of this membrane is now complete.

The next step is to receive permission from the regulatory authorities in India to undertake the first ‘in man’ pilot study, using the surgical skills of Dr Sangwan at the Institute. If the patient has scarring in only one eye, the surgeon can take a small piece of tissue from the critical region of the unaffected eye – the limbus, the border of the cornea and the sclera (the white of the eye), cut this up finely and use tissue glue to fix the pieces on to the membrane. The cells will then grow out from these tissues to regenerate the damaged cornea.

The success of the relationship developed between the University and the Institute has led to another Wellcome Trust-funded project. Professor Stephen Rimmer and his team at Sheffield are developing a system to quickly diagnose the cause of corneal infection. They have worked for a number of years to develop polymers to which antibiotics are linked. These polymers are designed to trap bacteria and the resulting ‘fly-trap bacteria’ can then be removed from a wound. The new research will extend this work to include a detection system for fungi. Relating this work to corneal ulceration should result in early and rapid diagnosis of the cause of infection, leading to more effective treatment.

Sheila commented, “Our work with the LV Prasad Eye Institute allows us to combine high-level, creative research at both sites to address major clinical problems in India. This is an immensely positive relationship that shows the potential for further UK/India collaborations.” ■

Restoring Sight

Centre for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering www.cbte.group.shef.ac.uk

LV Prasad Eye Institute www.lvpei.org

We share the same desire to combine clinical work

and research to make patients better.”

Lab to clinic

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/201522 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 23www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

Cutting-edge research

Dr Sam Whitehouse (MChem Chemistry 2002, PhD Chemistry 2007) is

the Chief Operating Officer of QuantuMDx, a medical devices company developing hand-held diagnostic and sequencing technologies. He is also a keen supporter of the University’s mentoring programmes. He met Paul Jarman (MChem Chemistry 2011), a second-year PhD student in the Department of Chemistry who is researching ruthenium and platinum complexes that bind to DNA.

Dr Sam Whitehouse You learn the basics as an undergraduate and you don’t really know about research until you’ve had a project to do yourself. I was advised to carry on to a PhD; I spent some time checking other universities but the fact I could do a PhD across two departments – Chemistry and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology – encouraged me to stay. Being able to speak both ‘languages’ really does help now.

Paul Jarman A certain project jumped out at me when I was in the fourth year of my undergraduate degree. I’m very aware that a project’s potential for producing papers is important, and you need to get

To Discover the Causes of Things

Considering a PhD?See ‘Removing financial barriers’ on page 8 for details of PhD opportunities at The University of Sheffield.

Become a mentorSee ‘Inspire, advise, motivate’ on page 8 for details of v i s t a , one of the University’s mentoring programmes.

PhD experience

📷

📷

Paul Jarman and Dr Sam Whitehouse.

Dr Gemma Satterthwaite and Sarah Dawson.

Postgraduate researchers contribute to society through innovative discoveries and new

understandings. We compare and contrast the Sheffield experiences of two successful PhD graduates and two current PhD students.

that side moving alongside the day-to-day enjoyment of being in the lab. Your own enthusiasm motivates you – you’ve got to be interested in what you’re doing! Self-motivation and flexibility are so important.

SW The project has to produce for you – how much data will you produce, is it high impact, transferable to industrial applications? A PhD does take a phenomenal amount of work and dedication, and I think it is also important to have a breathing space to look at industrial engagement or how your research is applicable in other fields.

PJ There are times when it can be claustrophobic and having someone outside of that environment – either your supervisor or a mentor – is incredibly helpful. It’s also great being in a department like Chemistry where there is a good mix of people at all levels of their research and careers. I’m always looking for things to differentiate myself as you have to make your mark. I’ve been involved with the University’s Enterprise Zone and taken part in BioTechnology YES, a national competition for entrepreneurs.

SW If you can’t present your work it’s going to stay hidden. I organised conferences in Turin and in Brno, which were great excuses to get out of the lab! And once you have your PhD, no one can take it away from you. You develop a tremendous feeling of pride in the achievement, which never leaves you.

Dr Gemma Satterthwaite (PhD Cardiovascular Medicine and Genomics

2001) is the Director – Oncology, AstraZeneca, a multinational pharmaceutical company. She is also involved in mentoring activities and is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University. She met Sarah Dawson (BSc Biomedical Science 2011), a third-year PhD student in the Department of Cardiovascular Science who is investigating pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Dr Gemma Satterthwaite I considered multiple institutions. However, during my interview at Sheffield I just clicked with the group and the research objectives. It was a natural progression to move on to a PhD here from Newcastle. I find cardiovascular medicine really exciting and the PhD process gave me a good training, not just in the essentials for the project but also more general skills such as public engagement and communication, all of which I’ve used throughout my career.

Sarah Dawson I really wasn’t sure that research was something I wanted to do but I took part in the SURE [Sheffield Undergraduate Research Experience] scheme in my second year as an undergraduate and it really changed my mind! I wanted to carry on, taking advantage of the enjoyment of research. Some people might do a PhD with a focus on their future career; I wanted to develop my skills while investigating a subject I am really interested in.

GS My funding meant that I spent my second

year on placement with GlaxoSmithKline in Stevenage, so I had exposure to industry as well as academia. I had access to some amazing equipment alongside the cutting-edge research at Sheffield. This provided me with a unique perspective and gave me an excellent foundation for future collaborations.

SD The PhD was something I really wanted to do, even though I had quite a hefty debt from my undergraduate degree, which was a bit daunting. I was successfully put forward for a Medical Research Council Scholarship and a University Scholarship. I’m looking ahead because a PhD opens so many doors.

GS Yes, all of my colleagues who have done a PhD say it

is absolutely the right thing to do. It gives you much more scientific confidence, it is actually fun!, and it’s all about long-term return. A PhD is a step to something and a process which allows you to find out a lot about yourself as a scientist. Also, the opportunities available for talking to people about the research are hugely important and are excellent training for the future.

SD I’ve been involved in talking to school children and training lab apprentices – all useful experiences. The University runs careers programmes for researchers and it is always helpful to hear from outside speakers to understand what’s possible once I graduate. There’s a good support network, which can be very helpful when things don’t work in the lab! ■

24 25www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumniYOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

Mentors

Convocation citybooks

Sheffield is the only UK city represented in the EU-funded citybooks project, coordinated

by the Flemish-Dutch House deBuren, a cultural centre in Brussels. The artists and writers involved in citybook Sheffield were selected by Dr Henriette Louwerse, Senior Lecturer in Dutch, who explained, “As a new Sheffielder myself, I thought this was a great opportunity to introduce the city to the rest of Europe. The project has also encouraged our students to break out of the University environment and share their work in the real world.”

The city has over 175 woods and over 2 million trees. But Sheffield has far more to offer than green spaces or its historic steel heritage. It also has a very rich cultural life. It is fascinating to experience the citybooks version of the city as seen by Sheffielders born and bred, by people who choose to live and work here, and by those who visit for a short time. How is Sheffield perceived by insiders and outsiders?

The sun rising over the cityscape, the hunt for Father

Christmas, allotments, Castle Market, knife grinders at work, rock climbing, the Record Collector in Broomhill, nightlife on West Street. The nostalgic images of photographer David Bocking, the contemporary short films of Dominic Green, the pieces of writing by Abdelkader Benali, Agnes Lehoczky, Helen Mort, Rebecca Lenaerts, Joost Zwagerman and students from the Department of Germanic Studies have produced a truly diverse set of impressions.

citybooks are an entertaining and informative way to explore the lesser-known cities of Europe. Each is available as a webtext, e-book and audio book in Dutch, English and French, alongside a series of 24 photographs and a City One Minute video. The project is developing as more cities become involved. At Sheffield, Henriette has encouraged her students to take part in literary translation, and their results form part of the citybook. “The project has triggered many new cultural relationships,” she said. “Being encouraged to share your output with a wide audience is incredibly empowering.” ■

A Fresh LookYour ConvocationSheffield seen through the eyes of five authors, a photographer, a video artist and students from the Department of Germanic Studies. The result? An intriguing, amusing, disconcerting portrait of the city. citybook Sheffield is an online alternative travel guide, an artistic impression that is far removed from the traditional image of the Steel City.

Experience citybook Sheffield at www.citybooks.eu/en/cities/p/detail/sheffield

📷All photographs of Sheffield by David Bocking for citybooks.

SudokuFill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, each column,

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27 Graham

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31 Steel

33 Eagles

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1 Research

2 Roberts

3 GPRG

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6 Images

7 Alexandra

10 Denny

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16 Tornadoes

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20 Bessemer

21 Canals

24 Mantel

25 Kay

30 Jess

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I have previously made reference to the changes needed in Convocation and members who have attended the recent AGMs have heard me explain the thinking on

how we are going to move forward. Both myself and the late Peter Downey, when we each

held the post of Secretary of Convocation, were in the fortunate position of being able to make available to Convocation the requisite administrative facilities for running the organisation. With the advent of the 21st century and in particular the electronic maintenance of the membership database and the e-methods for communication the proper professional administration of Convocation could in reality only be carried out by the University.

The creation of the Alumni Office in 2002 has helped enormously in creating a permanent ongoing base for servicing the needs of the graduates of this University. There is also a need to recognise that whilst Convocation is purely the graduates of the University, the Alumni is a much wider constituency including all those students of the University who have studied here and received recognition of any sort.

The University recognises that our alumni are significant stakeholders in the life of the University. Since 1905 there have been many different groups which have played a major part in promoting Alumni Relations and maintaining contact with former students. Whilst this was principally Convocation, a great deal of work had been done by, and contact maintained through, the Sheffield University Association, Hall Associations, International Groups, Departmental Alumni Groups and the University Development & Alumni Relations Office. Over the last 10 years the University has been steadily investing in Alumni Relations and providing an increasing amount of resources to help and encourage former students to remain engaged with the University and to play a key role in its future.

Statistically over the coming decade the Alumni body will almost double in size. Because of the electronic composition of the membership database, students’ details are added to the database upon obtaining their award, whereas for those students who finished at the University prior to 2002 (and were not then registered) it is a much more difficult job to obtain their contact details. The end result is that a large majority of the members whose details are held are in the age range 21 to 35 compared to the numbers of members whose age range is at the more mature end of the scale. This means that the whole composition of the graduate body is changing and this has been recognised by the University Council, which set up a special group to discuss current and future Alumni engagement activities. Convocation was of course represented on that group.

We have advocated since the first Alumni office in the 1980s the creation of an Alumni Board, similar to the Careers Board in the University, which would help and

Crossword and sudoku solutions(see Extracurricular on page 38)

encourage the development of Alumni Relations. We continue to fully support such a proposed move and we hope that this will provide an opportunity for Convocation to be fully integrated inside the alumni organisation. In such circumstances there would be little purpose then in the maintenance of two separate organisations and the expectation would be that Convocation could effectively wind itself up, safe in the knowledge that the University through DARE would be continuing to promote and foster good relations with its alumni.

It is hoped that the way forward may be finally agreed by the Council meeting in July 2014. Because of this, Convocation has not yet fixed a date for its 2014 AGM. We will be informing members when the date has been agreed by email – as in previous years – and the date will also be publicised on the Convocation website www.sheffield.ac.uk/convocation/index. Please check the website for further news.

Brian WrigleyChair of Convocation

Brian Wrigley

26 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/201526 27www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

Keep it local Governance

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES

28 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/15 29www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumini28 29www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

“I chose to study an MBA in the UK – I am the first person from my family to study abroad – as I wanted more management knowledge and skills, and to get an international perspective on my chosen subject. It also offered me a chance to learn English in an international environment and gain networking opportunities.

“I was attracted by the reputation of The University of Sheffield, and one of my Chinese friends recommended it. I’d been in Glasgow for a year beforehand, and I wanted to experience life in a different British city. I did make a good choice!

“Highlights from the MBA included the case studies we did of some well-known multinational firms, including Rolls-Royce, Carrefour and Shell. Sometimes we visited a factory and did on-site research, which I really enjoyed. I had a part-time job in the Students’ Union, where I had lots of

fun and made many friends – and got a better understanding of British culture and people.

“Communicating with people every day is my favourite part of my job now. The high speed changes in the internet industry in China make me energetic and full of passion. Weibo Business School plays an important role in online marketing. We have educated thousands of enterprises, government organisations and individuals on how to utilise Weibo and the new media.

“Just like Facebook and Twitter in western countries, Weibo is so popular and commonly used in Chinese people’s daily life. It is a crucial platform for business and education when they plan to attract consumers or users. Students can communicate with people about life and study abroad. And also they can share what they have found with their parents on Weibo, easily and quickly.”

Catherine Faux Medical student

Catherine Faux was the fastest female amateur at the 2013 Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. She completed the 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and 26.2-mile run in a staggering nine hours and 15 minutes. She is supported by the University’s Elite Sports Performance Scheme and has been a triathlete since her second year. She bought her first bike with the £500 prize money from a pharmacology essay competition.

“I do find a balance between my studies and the triathlon – I spend most of the

year training, racing in the summer months, and I confess to being a crammer for exams. I’m grateful for a short-term memory but it does make for a very stressful exam period!

“I’m planning to race an Iron distance in Germany later this year, just before graduation and starting work. I want to compete in my first two years as a junior doctor. After that is a good opportunity for a break to see where sport may take me. It’ll be an incentive to get through the night shifts and long hours.

“My ultimate sporting dream is to be on the Ironman World Championships podium and be World Champion. There, I said it – eek!”

Dan Walker BA History 1998 MA Journalism Studies 1999

The face of Football Focus, the BBC’s flagship football show, Dan Walker also has his own TV show on BBC World and a slot on Radio 5 Live. He is a Patron of the University’s Elite Sport Performance Scheme.

“The highlight of my broadcasting career so far has to be the Football Focus show we did in Afghanistan in 2013 – that will stay with me for a long time. I went there with footballers John Hartson and Kevin Kilbane. Some of the people we met were amazing and the lives they live are truly inspiring.

“In terms of an event, the highlight was the World Cup quarter final between Ghana and Uruguay in 2010. The whole of Africa wanted Ghana to make the last four but they were denied by a handball by Luis Suarez and then lost on penalties. I have never seen a crowd or a nation so emotionally involved in a game of football.

“I love my sport but would also like to branch out into factual entertainment, possibly a quiz, and I am writing a book at the moment. I feel my biggest responsibility is bringing up our three children in the right way. That is far more significant than any of the other stuff. I plan to take them all on the paternoster lift in the Arts Tower later this year... it’s a life-changing experience.”

Lisa Wang MBA Business Administration 2005

The founder and Director of the Weibo Business School, Lisa Wang is a key figure in the internet boom in her native China. Sina Weibo – essentially China’s Twitter – is the country’s most visited social chat site with 400 million registered users (March 2014).

ALUMNI PROfILES

Dr Gareth Davies is the Medical Director of London’s Air Ambulance. This was the first air ambulance team in the UK to take an experienced trauma

doctor and paramedic to the scene of serious incidents, which has been shown to give patients the best chance of survival. He is also Consultant in Emergency Medicine, Pre-hospital Care & Emergency Preparedness with Barts Health NHS Trust. He has featured in several television series, including Trauma and Trauma Uncut for the BBC, and Trauma Doctors for Channel 5.

“Sheffield was my first choice and I was thrilled to be offered a place. The South Yorkshire region had a rich array of hospitals that helped support the Medical School with clinical attachments. Access to patients was never a problem. On clinical attachment in Rotherham I was virtually the only medical student in the hospital. The patient/student ratio was fantastic!

“I loved the near daily trek to the anatomy lab and two hours of anatomy dissection in preclinical years, the six-week attachment to A&E at the Northern General and the

two wonderful electives. Most of all I appreciated the breadth of the course and the willingness of the Medical School to think laterally. We were exposed to areas of life and medicine few other medical schools considered important. We went down working mines, to steel factories, went out with the Police and Ambulance Service, spent time at high-security mental hospitals. All of it was priceless.

“I was brought up on the Isle of Man and watched the TT motorcycle races. Even as a child, it was obvious that accident patients had problems from the point of impact. Waiting for an ambulance to transport the rider to hospital was wasting so much time – they needed the hospital to come to them. That’s what we do at London’s Air Ambulance. Everything we could do in hospital is done at the roadside, from putting patients to sleep, to operating, to giving blood. I hope that, in five years’ time, new treatments will mean patients will survive where historically there was no hope.”

Dr Gareth Davies MB ChB Clinical Medicine 1988

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Alumni newsAlumni news

In ProfileExploring the diverse group of people associated with The University of Sheffield

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015 31www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumini

Dates for Your DiaryReunion Luncheon for the classes of 1955 and 1965Satuday 20 June 2015On campusAlumni celebrating special anniversaries of 50 and 60 years since graduating are invited back to campus for this special event. Invitations will be sent out in the New Year to all those from these class years for whom we have contact details.

American Alumni ReunionAugust 2015 (date TBC)California (venue TBC)Sheffield alumni in the US are invited to the annual American reunion. Email helen.rey@sheffield.ac.uk

Annual Alumni ReunionSaturday 12 September 2015On campusCelebrating the anniversary years of 1990, 1985 and 1975.

Pop Tarts ReunitedSaturday 12 September 2015 On campusCome back to Sheffield for a very special night; relive the best parts of your student days at Pop Tarts Reunited.

Please visit our Reunion and Events

pages online at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/events to find a full calendar of events; for further details email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk.

Many of our events are advertised by email so please ensure we have your up-to-date email address if you wish to be invited. If you do not have access to the internet or email and would like to be informed of our alumni events, please call 0114 222 1079 and we will add you to our events mailing list.

Exclusive Benefits for AlumniDon’t miss out on the benefits of staying in touch with us.

• Reunions and events – exclusive invitations to events both on and off campus.

• Free borrowing rights at the Library – apply for free membership of the library scheme, which enables you to borrow books from Western Bank Library, St George’s Library and the Health Sciences Library.

• Postgraduate discount – as a Sheffield graduate you can benefit from a 10% discount on tuition fees if you decide to study with us at postgraduate level.

• International alumni loyalty discounts for further study – rewards worth £1,000 per year of study are available for all University of Sheffield graduates and their siblings, spouses, and sons and daughters for all years of study.

• Business support – do you want to set up a business? Alumni can access University of Sheffield Enterprise and their free business services up to five years after graduation.

• Careers advice – continue to use the Careers Service and receive bespoke career advice up to three years after graduation; all alumni can access myVacancies (www.shef. prospects.ac.uk) to search for jobs.

• Discounted hotels and cottage hire – enjoy a 10% discount with cottages4you and receive a discount at a number of hotels in Sheffield.

• Inox Dine – situated on Level 5 of the Students’ Union Building, Inox Dine is an independently run restaurant serving contemporary British food with an international twist and Sheffield alumni receive a 10% discount.

• Wedding venue discount – choose from four stunning wedding venues at The University of Sheffield, including Firth Court, and receive an alumni discount.

For full details of what is available to you, please visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/ alumni/services.

For some of these benefits you may need to show your Alumni Membership Card; if you haven’t received your card yet or need a replacement, please email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk or call 0114 222 1079.

2014

American Alumni Reunion Saturday 23 August 2014The University Club, New YorkAll Sheffield alumni in the US are invited to the annual American reunion.Email helen.rey@sheffield.ac.uk

Annual Alumni Reunion Saturday 13 September 2014On campusJoin us for the Annual Alumni Reunion in September! We will be celebrating the anniversary years for the classes of 1989, 1984 and 1974.

Pop Tarts ReunitedSaturday 13 September 2014On campusRelive all your best memories from your University days at the one-and-only alumni Pop Tarts Reunited! All Sheffield alumni are invited back to the Fusion and Foundry for a night of pop pleasure.

Alumni Texas MixerSaturday 18 October 2014 Austin, Texas (venue TBC) More details to follow. Email helen.rey@sheffield.ac.uk

Hong Kong Alumni ReceptionSunday 19 October 2014Island Shangri-La HotelAlumni Reception for alumni based in Hong Kong, hosted by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett. For further details email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk

Heritage Circle LunchFriday 24 October 2014On campusA special lunch served in the magnificent Firth Hall for those alumni who are interested in leaving or have left a gift in their Will. Email d.meadows@sheffield.ac.uk or call 0114 222 1073.

Graduates’ Presentation CeremoniesThursday 23 & Sunday 26 October 2014Shanghai & BeijingThe University would like to offer all our graduates the opportunity to attend one of these special presentation ceremonies to celebrate their success with family and friends. Even if you have previously attended a graduation ceremony in Sheffield you are still welcome to attend a ceremony in China. For more information visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/graduation/china

2015

Alumni Reception at the House of LordsTuesday 10 February 2015 House of Lords, LondonThe evening will include a tour of the Houses of Parliament and a drinks’ reception overlooking the River Thames. We are delighted that The Rt Hon the Lord Krebs FRS will host the evening. More details to follow.

Sheffield Alumni Pub QuizApril 2015 (date TBC)LondonPit your wits against fellow Sheffield alumni at the third London pub quiz. Who will win the 2015 trophy?

Annual Alumni Reunion The day includes a tour of the campus, led by Alumni Office staff and current students, a sparkling drinks’ reception and four-course dinner in Firth Court. Due to popular demand, there will be the opportunity to ride the iconic Arts Tower paternoster lift. Once at Floor 18, guests can take a few minutes to enjoy the breathtaking panoramic view of the city.

We are also excited to announce that, for the first time, we have an alternative, informal option to offer guests alongside the black-tie dinner. We will be putting on an evening BBQ in Bar One, Students’ Union.www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/events/specialeventEmail nancy.edwards@sheffield.ac.uk

31www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

Alumni newsAlumni news

alumni news and notes

32 33www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumniYOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

To have the chance of appearing in Your Notes and News, please complete the section on our Update Your Details form at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/keepintouch or

email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk with the subject ‘Your Notes and News’.

1940sBernard Bloom (BSc Chemistry 1945)With many happy and vivid memories of his war-time years spent at Western Bank and Crew Hall, Bernard (Benny) Bloom is hoping to establish contact with others of similar vintage to share reminiscences. If interested please email b.bloom@btinternet.com or call the Alumni Office on 0114 222 1043.

1950sBernard Gallagher (BA English Literature 1951, DipEd Education 1952)Played retired estate worker Bill Molesley in the highly popular TV series Downton Abbey.

Professor Charles fairhurst (BEng Mining Engineering 1952, PhD Mining Engineering 1955, Hon DEng 1997) Has been made an Officer of the Legion of Honour by the French Government, for his commitment to French-American relations, and in particular his extensive contribution and leadership in nuclear waste and rock mechanics.

1960sProfessor Martin Cadwallader (BA Geography 1969) Is Vice-Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

1970s

Professor John Brooks (BSc Physics 1970, PhD Physics 1974) Will retire as Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University at the end of 2014.

Rt Hon David Blunkett MP (BA Politics 1972) Is a Visiting Professor in the University’s Department of Politics.

Dr Yvonne Hoy (née Broadbent) (BDS Dentistry 1973) Is a member of the Medical and Dental Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa; she also serves on the Registrations Committee for Foreign Nationals wanting to practise in South Africa.

Phil Horlock (BSc Psychology 1977)Is President and Chief Executive Officer of bus manufacturer Blue Bird Corporation, based in Fort Valley,

Georgia, and has been elected to the Board of Directors of vehicle security suppliers LoJack Corporation.

Ann Cairns (née Ibbetson) (BSc Pure Mathematics 1978) Is President of International Markets, MasterCard and was included in BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour Power List 2013.

Eddie Chan (BEng Civil and Structural Engineering 1978) Is Director of the Chinese National Healthy Living Centre, an organisation which promotes healthy living and provides access to health services for the Chinese community in the UK.

Dr Charles Julian (MA Information Studies 1978) Is Director of the Paul Meek Library/Assistant Professor of Library Science at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

David Clarke (BSc Tech Chemical Engineering and Fuel Technology 1979)Is an Appraisal General Manager at BP.

Roy Jeans fIPA (BA English Literature 1979) Is Chief Executive Officer of Grey Scorpion, which specialises in providing interim management services to media-based businesses.

1980sDr Antony Brooke (BSc Microbiology 1981, PhD Microbiology 1984)Is Development Director of biotechnology company CBio.

Susanna Chiu (BA Economics 1982)Is the first woman in almost 40 years to secure the senior position of President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Dr Colin Miller fICR (BSc Physiology and Zoology 1983) Is Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs of BioClinica Inc, Pennsylvania, and was invited to attend and present at Data to Knowledge to Action, an event co-hosted by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Andrew Davies (BA Business Studies 1985) Is Chief Executive of construction services company Wates.

Professor fionn Stevenson (DipArch Architecture 1985) Is the new Head of the University’s School of Architecture.

Ewan Mochrie (BEng Civil and Structural Engineering 1987) Is founder and lead trainer of Inspire 360, a neuro-linguistic programming provider based in Manchester.

1990s Dr Lee Elliot Major fRSA (BSc Physics 1990, PhD Physics 1994) Is Director of Policy and Development at the Sutton Trust, the think tank dedicated to fighting educational inequality.

Helen Stratford (BA Architecture 1994)Won the LKE Ozolins PhD Studentship 2013 for her research on Performative Architectures.

Matt Widdall (BSc Chemistry 1994)Is a senior investment manager with Business Growth Fund in Manchester.

Simon Roberts (BA Geography 1996)Has completed a three-year photography project creating a comprehensive survey of Britain’s piers, published as Pierdom (Dewi Lewis Publishing 2013).

Joe Twyman (BA Politics 1998)Is Director of Political and Social Research for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at opinion pollster YouGov.

Claire Gaffney (née Moulds) (BA Business Studies 1999) Was named Outstanding Freelance Practitioner for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations PRide Awards 2013.

The staff/student garden party, 24 June 1948.

Union Ball, 1964.

The Union Executive of 1956–57, with President Narayan Swamy (seated, fourth from left).

The University’s CCTV service, 1971.

Members of the 1988 ballroom dancing team.

One of the performers at the 1990 International Cultural Evening.

Alumni news

Your notes and newsWe are always interested to discover what our alumni are doing now. Here is a small selection of news from people who have been in contact with us or who we have spotted in the media.

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2000sDr Rebecca Hill (BSc Chemistry 2001, PhD Engineering Materials 2005)Is a staff scientist in analytic development at Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies UK, and was shortlisted for the Science category of the Women of the Future Awards 2013.

Matt Lamy (BA Journalism Studies 2001) Is chief writer at Cycling Active and was named Writer of the Year in IPC Media’s Editorial Awards 2013.

Steve Morris (BEng Aerospace Engineering 2002) Is a Flight Lieutenant with the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team and was commended on the Association of Colleges’ 2013 Gold Awards Roll of Honour.

Dr Vicky Chico (MA Law 2003, PhD Law 2007) Is a Lecturer in Law at the University and represented Team GB in the 2013 European Triathlon Union Age Group Championships.

Dr Simon Meek (MChem Chemistry 2003, PhD Chemistry 2006)Is an Assistant Professor in the Chemistry Department at the University of North Carolina.

Lucy Russell (BA Sociology 2003)Is a buyer for Topshop.

Mark Sekree (BA Philosophy and Economics 2003) Is a chartered financial planner and Fellow of the Personal Finance Society.

Wei Su (MA Print Journalism 2005)Has launched a law firm in the USA, Wei Su Global Advisors, specialising in investor immigration.

Claire Blackburn (BA Journalism Studies 2007) Is the Communications Officer for international humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger.

Dr Nathan Adams (MChem Chemistry 2008, PhD Chemistry 2012) Is a postdoctoral researcher in Molecular Biology and Microbiology at the University and also develops demonstrations for live shows and TV, including the BBC’s Bang Goes the Theory and The One Show.

Tom Brooks (LLB Law 2007) and Pete Dowds (LLB Law 2007, PgDip Legal Practice 2008) Are co-founders of online cleaning company MOPP.

Anthea Thompson (LLB Law 2008)Has been called to the bar in the Grand Court of the Cayman Islands.

Heather Poore (BSc Geography 2009)Is Youth Volunteering Coordinator at environmental awareness charity Global Action Plan.

2010sDr Maria Gallo (EdD Education 2010) Received an HS Warwick Research Award in Alumni Relations for Educational Advancement 2013 for ‘Outstanding Published Scholarship’ from the Council for Advancement and Support for Education.

Richard Heathcote (BA Chinese Studies 2010) Launched his acting career by

playing English graduate Steve in the Chinese sitcom Ciao Britain.

Mary-Jess Leaverland (studied Music and Chinese Studies 2008–10)Sang at the official opening of the refurbished Students’ Union (see page 12). She has signed a publishing deal and is recording two albums.

Ben Cook (BSc Economics 2011)Is co-founder of Clever Tykes, a series of fiction books for children which introduce life skills’ characteristics through positive entrepreneurial role models.

Akhil Viz (MEng Aerospace Engineering with Private Pilot Instruction 2011) Represented Great Britain at the 2013 Vichy ETU Challenge Long Distance Triathlon European Championships.

James Mahon (MA Broadcast Journalism 2012) Is a reporter at WDEF News 12 in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Tom Newman (MEng Systems and Control Engineering 2013) Achieved a place on the graduate programme of Meggitt, the FTSE-100 global engineering group specialising in smart engineering for extreme environments.

Alisha Rouse (BA International History and International Politics 2013) Was named Student Reporter of the Year in the Guardian Student Media Awards 2013. She is a former editor-in-chief of the Students’ Union’s Forge Press.

Alumni honoursBirthday Honours 2013, New Year Honours 2014

Dr Janet Barnes (BA English 1975, Hon LittD 2000) Awarded a CBE for services to museums in Yorkshire.

The Rt Hon Sir Kevin Barron MP (studied Economic and Social History 1979) Created a Knight Bachelor for political and public service.

Professor Sir Paul Collier (Hon LittD 2008) Created a Knight Bachelor for services to promoting research and policy change in Africa.

Emeritus Professor Tony Crook AcSS, fRTPI, fRSA (PhD Town and Regional Planning 1989, Hon LittD 2013) Awarded a CBE for services to housing and charitable governance.

Stephen Glass (BEng Mechanical Engineering 1992) Awarded an OBE for services to defence equipment acquisition.

Professor Van Gore (BA History and Politics 1969, MA Politics 1971) Awarded a CBE for services to higher education.

Dr Joanne Harris (PGCE Education 1987, Hon LittD 2004) Awarded an MBE for services to literature.

Muriel Kimmons (née Jackson) (BA History 1959, DipEd Education 1960) Awarded an MBE for services to education.

Simon Marsh (MA Town and Regional Planning 1989) Awarded an MBE for services to local government and to communities in the UK.

Nicholas Nicolaou (BA Business Studies 1977) Awarded an OBE for services to promoting British business interests, arts, education and the English language in Sri Lanka.

Dr Cynthia (Cindy) Sughrue fRSA (PhD English Language 1993) Awarded an OBE for services to dance.

Professor Tilli Tansey fMedSci, Hon fRCP (BSc Zoology 1974, PhD Zoology 1978, DSc 2011) Awarded an OBE for services to research in the medical sciences and to the public understanding of science.

Allison Tennant (PgDip Clinical Supervision 2005) Awarded an OBE for services to offender health.

Professor Wendy Tindale (PhD Medical Physics and Clinical Engineering 1984) Awarded an OBE for services to healthcare.

Charlotte Triggs (née Parsons) (LLB Law 1977) Awarded an OBE for services to law and order especially prosecution of rape cases.

David Truesdale (MA Town and Regional Planning 1977) Awarded an MBE for services to the community in Oxford.

Professor John Warner fRCP, fRCPCH, fMedSci (MB ChB Medicine 1968, MD Medicine 1979) Awarded an OBE for services to food allergy research.

In 2004, the Florey Building (right) completed the fourth side of the Quad.

Graduation 2013

Honorary degreesThe University of Sheffield confers honorary degrees (or degrees honoris causa – as a ‘mark of honour’) on people who have given distinguished service or brought distinction to the University, the City of Sheffield or the region. Alumni who received honorary degrees from the University in 2014:

The Most Revd Dr John Hiang C Chew (PhD Biblical Studies 1983, Hon LittD 2014): Chairman of the Board of Governors of Trinity Theological College, Singapore, and a former Bishop of Singapore.

Paul firth (BA Law 1981, Hon LittD 2014): commercial lawyer and businessman, and former Pro-Chancellor of the University .

Paul Mason (BA Music and Politics 1981, Hon LittD 2014): Culture and Digital Editor at Channel 4 News.

Dr Jim O’Neill (BA Economics 1978, MA Economics 1980, Hon LittD 2014): former Chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and known for coining the BRIC acronym (Brazil, Russia, India and China).

Kathryn Riddle (née foster) OBE, JP (BA Sociology 1967, LLB Law 1986, Hon LittD 2014): Chair of NHS North of England cluster, and a former Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University. Alev Yaraman (née Ozen) (MSc Glass Technology 1971, Hon DEng 2014): a member of the Board of Directors of Turkish glass and chemical producer Şişecam.

For further information on how to nominate someone for an

honorary degree, please contact Claire Rundström, Head of Alumni Relations, email: c.e.rundstrom@sheffield.ac.uk

Dr Joanne Harris

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ALUMNI NEWS AND NOTES

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The Professor Bob Boucher Distinguished Alumni AwardsThese awards give the University the opportunity to acknowledge the achievements of alumni who have made outstanding contributions to business and community life. They were established in 2011 to honour the memory of Professor Robert Boucher (Hon DEng 2009), the former Vice-Chancellor who set up the Development and Alumni Relations Office in 2002.

Peter Downey (BA Geography 1960, PgDip Education 1961), who sadly died in March 2013, was posthumously awarded a Professor Robert Boucher Distinguished Alumni Award ‘in recognition of his outstanding service to The University of Sheffield and his longstanding support for the University community and its students’. He was Clerk of Convocation from 1967–76, a member of the University Court of Governors from the mid-1960s, and

served as Chairman of Convocation on three separate occasions. Through that position he was a member of the University’s Council.

To nominate one of our alumni for this annual award, please submit their biographical information and a letter of nomination (of no more than 500 words) to: Claire Rundström, Head of Alumni Relations, The University of Sheffield, Development, Alumni Relations & Events, 40 Victoria Street, Sheffield, S10 2TN, or email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk with the subject ‘Professor Robert Boucher Distinguished Alumni Award nomination’.

The deadline for nominations to be considered for an award in 2015 is 28 November 2014.

Further details can be found at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/distinguished_alumni_awards

Professor Steven Armes, Professor David Beerling and Professor Tom Bridgeland of the University’s Faculty of Science were named Fellows of the Royal Society for their exceptional contribution to science.

Professor Michael Braddick (History) and Professor Glynis Jones (Archaeology) were elected Fellows of the British Academy.

Terry Croft MBE (Faculty of Science) is included in the Science Council’s list of 100 leading UK practising scientists.

Professor Vikram Dhillon (Physics and Astronomy) received the Jackson-Gwilt Medal 2013 from the Royal Astronomical Society for his contributions to the development of novel astronomical instrumentation and his work on high-speed photometry.

Professor Andrew Geddes (Politics), Emeritus Professor Jenny Hockey (Sociology) and Professor Charles Pattie (Geography) were named Academicians of the Academy of Social Sciences.

In the New Year Honours 2014, Professor Kate Gerrish (Nursing and Midwifery) received a CBE for services to nursing and Professor Pamela Shaw (SITraN) received a Damehood for services to neuroscience. (Also see p35 for Alumni Honours.)

Emeritus Professor Peter Hannon (Education) received an honorary degree (LittD) from The University of Sheffield in recognition of his work in improving the role of parents in their children’s education.

With her band The Full English, Dr fay Hield (Music) won the Best Album and Best Group categories at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2014.

In the Will Venters News category of the Royal Television Society Student Awards, students from Journalism Studies took the top three places: first place went to Liana Lonsdale for her documentary Work Hard, Train Harder, Amy Durrant was named runner-up, while Adam Hancock and Aimee Smith jointly claimed third place.

Helen Mort (English PhD student) was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize for her poetry collection entitled Division Street. (Also see p27 for Helen’s contribution to citybooks.)

Bryony Page (Animal and Plant Sciences student), British Ladies Trampolining Champion 2013, took individual gold at the Trampolining World Cup held in Denmark.

Professor Keith Ridgway CBE (Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre with Boeing) has been made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.

Dr Padam Simkhada (Health and Related Research) received the Confederation of Epidemiological Associations’ Award of Global Health Research.

The University of Sheffield was shortlisted for four Guardian University Awards 2014 in the categories of International Project, Diversity Initiative, Comms Campaign and Employability Initiative.

The University of Sheffield was shortlisted for the Entrepreneurial University of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Leadership Development awards at the Times Higher Education Awards 2013.

ObituariesAlumni and friends of the University may submit obituaries – for an alumnus/alumna or former member of staff – to Development, Alumni Relations & Events for inclusion on our website. Please email alumni@sheffield.ac.uk

We have been informed of the following deaths of University staff in the past year:

Dr John Allison (PhD Chemistry 1955)Member of staff in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering 1959–86.

Emeritus Professor Bernard Argent (BMet Metallurgy 1953, PhD Metallurgy 1956, DMet Metallurgy 1979) Member of staff in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering 1967–90.

Professor Peter ArtymiukMember of staff in the Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology since 1985.

Professor John BakerMember of staff in the Department of Pure Mathematics 1969–99.

Emeritus Professor Bruce BilbyMember of staff in the Department of Mechanical Engineering 1957–84.

Professor David ChappellMember of the staff in the Department of Economics 1979–2006 and Head of Department 1999–2002.

Gwen CochraneMember of staff 1962–83 (former Vice-Chancellor’s Secretary).

Professor David HoweMember of staff in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering 1977–2008.

Joanna Hilda HunterMember of staff in the Department of English Language 1964–86.

Dr Brian Jones (MMedSci Microbiology 1984)Member of staff in the Medical School 1962–96.

Geoffrey MitchellMember of staff 1969–94 and former Director of the Division of Adult Continuing Education.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Phillips Member of staff in the Department of Corporate Information and Computing Services 1974–98.

Eric RoseMember of staff in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering 1968–95.

Emeritus Professor Eric Sainsbury OBE (CertHE Adult Continuing Education 2003)Member of staff in the Department of Sociological Studies 1961–87.

1 Dr Fay Hield 2 Professor Keith Ridgway CBE 3 Terry Croft MBE 4 Bryony Page

1

2 3 4

Staff and students from the University continue to be recognised nationally and internationally for their expertise.

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Mrs Jennifer Downey (right) with Mrs Rosemary Boucher.

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

Alumni news

Honours and awards

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/201538 YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/1538 39www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni

By leaving a legacy to The University of Sheffield in your Will, you will provide a lasting gift for future generations. You can inspire a student or member of staff to broaden their horizons, go that extra mile and influence someone’s life for the better.

However large or small, your support has the potential to maximise the Sheffield Experience for a fellow member of your University’s community.

It is always a pleasure to take alumni, former staff and friends on tours of the campus, to relive memories, revisit an old department or see the revamped Students’ Union. Giving you a first-hand experience of the campus today can help to clarify your thoughts on the most effective use of your future gift.” DAvID MEADoWS, DEvELoPMENT oFFICER FoR LEgACIES

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13

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9

Across8 Course which is part of 11

Across (9)

9 _____ and Plant Sciences,

part of The University of

Sheffield’s Faculty of Pure

Science (6)

11 One of the six faculties

of The University of

Sheffield (11)

12 Period of time in

Sheffield (3)

13 And 15 Across. High Green

indie rock band (6,7)

15 See 13 Across

16 And 14 Down. Sculpture in

Sheaf Square (3,7,4)

17 Honorary Professor of

Philosophy at The University

of Sheffield (5)

18 And 16 Down. The

University of Sheffield’s

recent discoveries about

these pave the way for new

technologies in renewable

fusion energy (5,9)

22 One of the five rivers which

Sheffield is at the confluence

of (7)

23 And 25 Down. Lord Justice

of Appeal and graduate of The

University of Sheffield (7,3)

26 ____ and Humanities,

another one of the six

faculties of The University of

Sheffield (4)

27 Herol, the top boxer who

trained at Brendan Ingle’s

gym in Wincobank (6)

28 The University of Sheffield

is one of Europe’s leading

centres for research on East

_____ (4)

29 Department in the

Sheffield’s Children’s

Hospital (3)

31 Sheffield is historically

associated with the

production of this

material (5)

33 Sheffield rugby league

team (6)

34 30 Down was a _____

of the 2012 London

Olympics (4)

35 The University of Sheffield

is a member of the ______

Group of leading UK research

universities (7)

Down1 In 2010 Her Majesty

the Queen opened The

University of Sheffield’s

£18 million _____ institute

in translational

neuroscience (8)

2 1993 Nobel Prize winner, a

graduate of The University of

Sheffield (7)

3 The University of Sheffield’s

centre of excellence

for applied research on

groundwater (4)

4 Part of The University of

Sheffield’s Faculty of Social

Sciences (9)

SudokuFill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, each column,

and each 3x3 square contains all the digits from 1 to 9.

1 2

61

326

9

16

5

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9

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3 4

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6 84

1

5

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14 3

7

8

9

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and each 3x3 square contains all the digits from 1 to 9.

7

2 5

1 8

434

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6

3

1

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3 4

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5 The University of Sheffield has been

awarded six Queen’s ________ Prizes

for outstanding achievements (11)

6 Picture Sheffield has thousands of

digital _____ from the 1850s to the

present day (6)

7 Queen who opened the Firth Court

Building in 1905 (9)

10 University of Sheffield building

named after the first Professor

of zoology (5)

14 See 16 Across

16 See 18 Across

19 Former lecturer at The University

of Sheffield, who became Chair of the

Board of the British Library (5)

20 Converter at Kelham Island

Museum which is a symbol of

Sheffield’s engineering heritage (8)

21 Sheffield waterways (6)

24 Author of Wolf Hall and graduate of

The University of Sheffield (6)

25 See 23 Across

30 Ennis, one of Sheffield’s greatest

athletes (4)

32 Child, the crime fiction novelist and

one of The University of Sheffield’s

alumni (3)

SudokuFill in all the squares in the grid so that each row, each column,and each 3x3 square contains all the digits from 1 to 9.

The puzzle on the left is easy and the one on the right is difficult.

SolutionsThe crossword and sudoku solutions can be found on page 26.

A Legacy with Impact

To talk through your ideas in confidence or to request a copy of our Legacy brochure, please contact: David Meadows, Development Officer for Legacies, Development, Alumni Relations & Events, The University of Sheffield, 40 Victoria Street, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK, Tel: +44(0)114 222 1073, Email: d.meadows@sheffield.ac.uk, www.sheffield.ac.uk/legacies The University of Sheffield is an exempt charity X1089

YOUR UNIVERSITY | 2014/2015

From left: A performance by students from Hispanic Studies; An Archaeology workshop at Heeley City Farm; A Mechanical Engineering student.

ExtracurricularAlumni newsCrossword and sudoku puzzles

The University has a long tradition of providing an environment in which academics and students can fully

develop their talents and ambitions, often in unexpected ways. From literature, sport and film to law, politics, engineering and

science, we nurture people whose work has made a real difference to our world, including five

Nobel Prize winners.

We are ranked the number one University in the UK for Student Experience in the latest Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, with our students also rating our

Students’ Union, accommodation and support services among the best in the country.

We are rated 71st in the world in the 2013 QS World University Rankings, 13th in the UK in the 2013–14 Times

Higher Education World University Rankings and are ranked in the top ten UK research-intensive universities (2008 Research

Assessment Exercise).

We value international students and are passionate about ensuring that their contribution to our economy and

culture is recognised. Our ‘We Are International’ campaign has led to MPs of all parties calling for the government to rethink its

immigration policies for international students.

our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with boeing is shaping the future

of global advanced manufacturing. We’ve recently signed a land deal at Sheffield Business Park to create a critical mass

of hi-tech, advanced manufacturing businesses along the Parkway corridor – a move which will ensure we continue to

be at the heart of advanced manufacturing in the UK and a key player on the global stage.

Development, Alumni Relations & Events University of Sheffield

40 Victoria Street, Sheffield, S10 2TNtel: +44 0114 2221071Fax: +44 0114 2221044

email: alumni@sheffield.ac.uk

Reasons to Be Proud of The University of Sheffield