precinct

Oct 05 Issue 206

THE UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL MAGAZINE FOR STAFF & STUDENTS
VC makes inaugural speech to UUK 03 Countys high flyers have University links 07 Major investment in University staff computers 08 Were reaching for the stars again! million Engineering project 13 Potts clocks and the University 14 Oatcakes and herrings 19

Precinct Issue 206

contents
VC MAKES INAUGURAL SPEECH TO UUK 03 INTERNATIONAL APPEAL 03 HELPING DEFRA WITH ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS 04 IN BRIEF 04 SUCCESSFUL FIRST LECTURE 04 ALL SMILES AT INTERNATIONAL DENTAL CONGRESS 05 NEW STUDENT ENQUIRY SYSTEM LAUNCHED 05 THE PEMBERTON E-LEARNING PLACE 06 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT UPDATE 06 COUNTYS HIGH FLYERS HAVE UNIVERSITY LINKS 07 MAJOR INVESTMENT IN UNIVERSITY STAFF COMPUTERS 08 CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SOCIOLOGY IN LIVERPOOL 09 FIRST BOOK ON CHILD DEATHS IN PENAL CUSTODY 10 SHARING KNOWLEDGE TO SAFEGUARD ANIMALS FUTURES 10 WERE REACHING FOR THE STARS AGAIN! 11 NEW ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF HR 11 HONORARY CHAIR IN PALLIATIVE MEDICINE 12 1.8 MILLION GRANT FOR PALLIATIVE CARE RESEARCH 12 SCREENING FOR PANCREATIC CANCER MILLION ENGINEERING PROJECT 13 POTTS CLOCKS AND THE UNIVERSITY 14 TURNING IDEAS INTO BUSINESS 15 GO HIGHER! 16
3RD LEARNING AND TEACHING CONFERENCE 16 LIVERPOOL HOSTS INTERNATIONAL COMPLEXITY, SCIENCE AND SOCIETY CONFERENCE 17 FELLOWSHIP AWARD WINNER 17 5TH BIANNUAL MATHS CONFERENCE 17 ENGLISH CONFERENCE SUCCESS 17 FROM CHEMISTRY LAB TO COUNTRY WALKS 18 CELEBRATING NATIONAL POETRY DAY 18 AMAZING STORIES 18 UK MODEL OF THE YEAR WINNER 18 LIBRARY COLLECTION ON THE MOVE 18 OATCAKES AND HERRINGS 19 MUSIC MEN AT THE UNIVERSITY 19 PERFORMING WITH THE IRISH GUARDS 19 VISITING PROFESSOR TO THE ISLE OF MAN 20 ZOONOSIS CONFERENCE DINNER 20 VETS HOST INTERNATIONAL VIROLOGY CONFERENCE 20 NEWS IN BRIEF 21 REGIONAL WINNER OF VOLUNTEER AWARD 23 CONFERENCES WILL EXPLORE THE IBERIAN ATLANTIC 23 MERSEYBIO LADIES STEP OUT ON CHARITY CHALLENGE 23 1,000 DONATION 24 EXHIBIT DEATHS 24 INTERCHANGE COMMUNITY RESEARCH FORUM 24 TAKE NOTES AND CLASSIFIED 25

two minute news

Cover story
Major investment in University staff computers
New PCs are on the way to University staff in a new scheme developed by Computing Services.

Vice-Chancellors message

Were looking forward to significant investment in the Universitys library facilities.
Plans are now at an advanced stage for the major expansion of the Sydney Jones Library into Senate House with work due to start in the New Year. The changes are part of our Library Development Plan for 2005/9. This is part of an ambitious programme of development and investment which will ensure that the highest standards of research and scholarship are attained here in Liverpool. Attracting the best students and staff through the provision of excellent library collections, study environments and expert help, is vital. We are also committed to making sure those using the library spend less time searching and more time on their research by simplifying and expediting access to the information they need. The coming months will also see landmark changes for the University administration. After almost 40 years based in Senate House, the team will soon be on the move to the Foundation Building at the junction of Brownlow Hill and Mount Pleasant. A phased staff move is scheduled to begin just prior to the Christmas break. The move will have obvious benefits for all concerned, allowing closer working practices and greater opportunities to build on relationships between departments. Staff moving into the new headquarters will be invited to a briefing session in the coming weeks.
VC makes inaugural speech to UUK 03
The Vice-Chancellor has made his inaugural speech as President of Universities UK.
Countys high flyers have University links 07
The University is leading the way in a new survey of the movers and shakers on Merseyside.
Were reaching for the stars again! 11
The University is to repeat its highly successful Rising Stars recruitment initiative.
36 million Engineering project 13
The University of Liverpool has earned its place on the world stage for the quality of its Engineering research and tuition. Now a multi-million pound project is underway which will ensure the Faculty sets the standards for other universities to follow.
Potts clocks and the University 14
They grace the tops of every building from cathedrals to country houses and stable blocks to schools, so theres a good chance that all of us have seen a clock made by the William Potts & Sons company at some point.

Oatcakes and herrings 19

The imaginatively-restored Newton Hall was the venue for the launch of a new book published by The Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire.

CEARS staff have been working with individual departments over the past few months in preparation for the launch, to make sure that those departments that wish to continue to process their own enquiries have access to the web-based forms to enable them to enter data into Spider for CEARS to despatch. By recording all the details of individual enquirers who request prospectuses in Spider, the University will have an invaluable resource both for marketing purposes and in terms of predicting likely application trends well in advance. For the first time, the University will also be able to track individuals from their initial enquiry through application to registration. CEARS will also work with departments and with Computing Services to define a series of reports that will allow them
The Pemberton e-Learning Place
Offering first steps learning at the heart of an economically disadvantaged community was the essence of this e-learning project.
an Roberts and Tnde VargaAtkins, from the Centre for Research in Primary Science and Technology (CRIPSAT), part of the Centre for Lifelong Learning, have been building on the achievements of the CRIPSAT/Connect European project, The e-Learning Place. They have managed a partnership consisting of community learning providers, Connect Internet Solutions and the Pemberton Neighbourhood Project, based at Woodchurch Methodist Church, Wirral. The ethos of the year-long project was to make learning opportunities available in a non-traditional, non-intimidatory environment in order to appeal to hard to reach learners. Such learners can be reluctant to approach more formal learning environments where
Left to right: Dan Roberts (CRIPSAT), Tnde Varga-Atkins (CLL), Julie Cookson (Wirral Social Services), Barbara Banton (Pemberton Neighbourhood Project) and Theresa Edwards (Wirral Lifelong Learning).
community ICT provision is currently available, such as libraries and schools, and so the Pemberton e-Learning Place is intended to help them acquire first step ICT skills to build confidence and potentially progress to accredited courses. The partnership has seen many successes during this project including establishing ICT facilities; developing the Pemberton e-Learning Place website and e-learning courses, such as healthy eating and parenting skills; running oversubscribed courses with target learners, many of whom progressed to further courses; and obtaining positive, valuable feedback from learners.
The success of this LSC-funded project has been achieved through the hard work of volunteers at the Pemberton Neighbourhood Project, in particular Barbara Banton and David Smith, and they have now taken over the running of the project for a second year. CRIPSAT are delighted to have been involved with such a project and the opportunity to extend their expertise and experience of working with learning providers in the development of meaningful and relevant e-learning provision. It has also proved a valuable exchange between the University and the local community.

Facilities Management update
There are many changes happening in Facilities Management in Bedford House.
atrick Hackett, Director of Facilities Management is building on the departments strength, and has reorganised it into four specific Divisions including Business Services, Facilities Maintenance, Facilities Services and Project Management. Visit www.liv.ac.uk/estates/departmental organisation.pdf for further information. In addition to his other duties, Deputy Director Andrew Burgess will assume responsibilities for the Business Services Division, which will incorporate Finance, Administration and Procurement as well as Estate Strategy, IT, Health & Safety, Telephone Services and Central Room Bookings. A Head of Finance and Administration, Estate Strategy Manager and Web and IT Manager will be recruited to support Andrew and to strengthen this team. A Head of Facilities Maintenance is being recruited to respond to the reactive and planned maintenance requirements of the University. Further responsibilities will include
that of the Design Group who will respond to Minor Works requests up to 1m. The Department is very pleased to announce that Tony Allison and Geoff Boswell, Assistant Directors of Facilities Management, have agreed to defer their retirement until early December to support the Department whilst the recruitment for all these key roles takes place. Dave Hopkins, Head of Facilities Services, will lead the Facilities Services Division, being responsible for Security and Car Parking, Cleaning, Waste Management, Gardening, Stores, Mailroom and Audio Visual Services. Dave will be establishing an external area cleaning team as well as strengthening the Building Management team. Bob Dawson, as Head of the Project Management Division, will be responsible for the management of a 200m programme of major projects throughout the University. Bob will be supported by a team of Project Managers who are currently being recruited to supplement the team.
For further information contact: Patrick Hackett at P.Hackett@liv.ac.uk Andrew Burgess at ab01@liv.ac.uk Dave Hopkins at Hopkins@liv.ac.uk Bob Dawson at r.dawson@liv.ac.uk
Countys high flyers have University links
THE UNIVERSITY IS LEADING THE WAY IN A NEW SURVEY OF THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS ON MERSEYSIDE.
Nineteen of the top 100 most influential people in the county have links with the University with six of these appearing in the top 10. The list was compiled for the Daily Post by a panel of judges made up of expert media and business professionals from the region, including Peter Stoney, Senior Fellow in Economics here at the University. The survey aimed to choose those who are playing a part in the resurgence of Merseyside and who symbolise the great things happening in the county. In the words of the Daily Post: THEY REPRESENT A WHOS WHO OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HELPING STOKE THE BOILERS OF MERSEYSIDES BURGEONING REGENERATION. In first place is the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Drummond Bone, who made the top spot not only thanks to his position here at the University, but also due to his position as Chairman of the Liverpool Culture Company and strong business background. In joint second place alongside Liverpool City Council Chief Executive David Henshaw is University of Liverpool honorary graduate John Hargreaves, creator of retail giant Matalan. Also in the top 10 are graduates Phil Redmond, Councillor Mike Storey and John Flamson, as well as honorary graduate, the Duke of Westminster. The list also includes some famous names from the national and international stage, including Liverpool Football Club Chief Executive Rick Parry, Cherie Booth, wife of the Prime Minister, and Sir Michael Heseltine, former Government Minister, and playwright Willy Russell of Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine fame.

MERSEYSIDES MOVERS AND SHAKERS WITH UNIVERSITY LINKS
87 Professor Drummond Bone Vice-Chancellor John Hargreaves Chairman of Matalan. Hon LLD 2001 Phil Redmond Creator of Mersey TV. Social Studies 1977 Cllr Mike Storey Leader of LCC. BEd Chester College John Flamson Former director of Objective 1. Geography 1973 The Duke of Westminster Hon LLD 2000 Roger Phillips Radio Merseyside presenter. Hon LLD 2001 Claire Dove Chief Executive of Blackburn House. Dip Social Studies 1992 Willy Russell Playwright. Hon LittD 1990 Rick Parry Chief Executive LFC. Mathematics 1976 Rex Makin Solicitor. Law LLB 1945, LLM 1947 Cherie Booth QC. Hon LLD 2003 Sir Michael Heseltine Former minister. Hon LLD 1990 Jane Kennedy MP Came to University. but never graduated Dame Beryl Bainbridge Writer. Hon LittD 1986 Cllr Peter Millea Lib Dem city councillor. Pol Theory & Institutions 1983 Professor Robert Moots Professor of Rheumatology John Roberts Chief Executive of United Utilities. Hon DEng 2004 Professor John Ashton NW regional director of Public Health and former member of staff

John Hargreaves

Roger Phillips

Willy Russell

Cherie Booth
NEW PCs ARE ON THE WAY TO UNIVERSITY STAFF IN A NEW SCHEME DEVELOPED BY COMPUTING SERVICES.
The initiative aims to provide a new PC system every three years for University funded staff who make frequent use of University IT services. These new systems will be fully supported for their threeyear life-time by Computing Services, underwritten by the suppliers warranty. The basic system will run the major applications currently used and will anticipate applications that may be introduced during its life-time. Computing Services has also taken into consideration the resources needed by future versions of Windows. This new scheme is being introduced in a phased fashion with one third of the new systems being installed during each of the next three years; thereafter the scheme will move into the replacement cycle. Allocations have been set for each department based on the number of University funded staff in post: one system has been allocated for each full-time academic, academic-related and clerical staff member; for technical and manual staff an allocation of 0.4 and 0.1 has been made per full-time member of staff (respectively). One third of the total allocation will be provided during each of the next three sessions. Departments are able to buy additional systems, for example to provide systems for staff funded through a research grant, and these will also be fully supported for three years at no further cost: these additional systems will not be replaced after three years. Departments may choose either a desktop system with 17 flat screen or a laptop system with 14 screen to be supplied at no cost under the scheme: these same units may be purchased for a cost in the region of 630 where a department wishes to buy additional systems. Departments can also choose to purchase upgrades to one of two other laptops: one offers faster system performance and other enhancements and one is light-weight suited for those who need a system to use whilst travelling. A number of options may be purchased for each system. TULIP will enable Heads of Department or their delegate to order each of the systems they have been allocated and to purchase additional systems, upgrades and options. Iain Stinson, Director of Computing Services, said This scheme is a major ongoing investment of about 600K per annum by the University in its IT infrastructure. It will ensure that University staff have access to modern systems and can use the most up-todate versions of software used within the University. It provides a common platform for all our business and academic support applications and will make their adoption throughout the institution easier. The scheme will also relieve departments of much of the burden of having to update their PC systems regularly, and provides a cost effective way for departments to provide systems for researchers. It is expected that the first systems to be provided by this initiative will be installed during November.

From left to right: Head of Department Gerard Delanty, Phil Redmond and Stuart Wilks-Heeg.
Delegates at the celebratory conference.

David Bingham.

First book on child deaths in penal custody
A SENIOR LECTURER IN SOCIOLOGY HAS PUBLISHED A UNIQUE BOOK WHICH LOOKS AT THE CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE OF CHILD DEATHS IN PRISONS AND OTHER FORMS OF PENAL CUSTODY.
Dr Barry Goldson is one of the UKs leading academic commentators on youth crime and has been researching youth imprisonment for many years. In the Care of the State? Child Deaths in Penal Custody in England and Wales is the first detailed and sustained researchbased analysis of the subject to be published in the UK. Barrys book, written with Deborah Coles, Director of the national charity INQUEST, is timely. Greater use of penal custody for children is made in England and Wales than in most other industrialised democratic countries in the world and this has given rise to serious human rights concerns. At the extremes, 28 children died in prisons and private jails in England and Wales between July 1990 and January 2005. The book was well received at a formal launch in the Jubilee Rooms at the Houses of Parliament. Speaking at the event, Baroness Vivien Stern said: Barry Goldson and Deborah Coles have made an enormous contribution to human rights. Lord David Ramsbotham, an exChief Inspector of Prisons, added: I fully endorse the recommendations made in this book. Dr Goldson has recently submitted the book, together with some of his previously published research, as evidence to the United Nations Secretary Generals Study on Violence Against Children which will formally report in 2006.
UNIVERSITY EXPERTS PLAYED HOST TO A DELEGATION OF VETS, ZOOLOGISTS AND ZOO ADMINISTRATORS FROM CHINA.
he purpose of the visit was to discuss animal husbandry and environmental enrichment, and learn more about the Universitys links with Chester Zoo. The trip was organised by the North of England Zoological Society (NEZS), which runs the Zoo, and the Jane Goodall Institute. In one ongoing partnership already in place with the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre in China, the School of Biological Sciences has

Sharing knowledge to safeguard animals futures
developed a panel of genetic markers, or microsatellites, specifically for the giant panda. These should enable the identification of individual pandas and their paternity, which is often unknown after IVF, helping the Chengdu team to develop improved breeding strategies and maximise genetic diversity. Pandas are both very rare and very shy, so it is also hoped that this approach can be used to undertake a census and to study the population structure of wild pandas using only faeces collected from the field. NEZS also funds several nature parks in China as part of its international biodiversity programme, some of which have recently been found to be home to giant pandas, so this technique will have an immediate use. The visit was also valuable for strengthening links between the zoo, the delegation and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Veterinary students taking the BSc in Veterinary Conservation Medicine, a programme unique to Liverpool, spend several weeks working with keepers at the zoo and developing Animal Health Plans, which become part of the zoos working documentation for animal management. NEZS also funds a clinical residency in zoo medicine, currently the only one in the UK, based jointly in the zoo and at Leahurst.
STRONG LINKS ALREADY EXIST BETWEEN THE ZOO AND THE LIVERPOOL VETERINARY SCHOOL, WITH LEAHURST STAFF PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THE ZOOS VETERINARY DIVISION IN PATHOLOGY AND SOMETIMES WITH CLINICAL CASES, WHILE THE ZOOS STAFF HELP TEACH VETERINARY STUDENTS AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECTS.
Professor Malcolm Bennett Head of the Department of Veterinary Pathology and host for the Leahurst visit
Dr Gordon McGregor Reid, the Director of Chester Zoo and a Visiting Professor in the Veterinary Faculty, said: We greatly value our close relationship with the University, a collaboration that our visitors from China thought very impressive. I hope that we can develop those links still further in the future.
More information can be found at http://www.chesterzoo.org/conservation.asp
Were A reaching for the stars again!
s part of its continuing programme THE RISING STARS SCHEME of research investment, the ATTRACTED MANY EXCELLENT University intends to repeat the scheme in the academic year 2005-2006. APPLICATIONS LAST YEAR Applications are being invited from staff AND OUTSTANDING presently holding prestigious research APPOINTMENTS WERE MADE. fellowships for appointment to a permanent academic position here in Liverpool when BY CONTINUING TO RUN THE their fellowship ends. Successful candidates SCHEME WE ARE ENSURING will have a track record of achievement in FUTURE RESEARCH research since gaining their fellowship, and will be able to demonstrate the potential to LEADERSHIP IN THE develop as future research leaders. UNIVERSITY OF In the last round, researchers were THE HIGHEST QUALITY. appointed in fields as diverse as molecular structure, archaeology, insect-borne Graham Dockray infectious diseases and mathematical Pro-Vice-Chancellor string theory.

A NEW FACE HAS JOINED THE TEAM IN THE UNIVERSITYS HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT.
New Assistant Director of HR
ichard Chisholm took on the role of Assistant Director of HR in September. A Geordie by birth, Richard says he already feels quite at home here in Liverpool. The cultures are the same, he told Precinct. Its only the dialects that are different! The father-of-two has extensive experience in the HR profession, working as head of department or director for the past 15 years in the NHS and Government departments, as well as the HE sector. Richards last HE job was at Canterbury Christ Church, which was granted university status this summer. He comes to Liverpool from the Countryside Agency, part of the Governments Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
This is the largest organisation I have joined, said Richard, and I am very much looking forward to working here. I have found from day one that people of all levels across the University are very friendly and professional. Outside work, Richard is a keen sportsman. He plans to play one more season of squash
at veteran county level in Gloucestershire, where his family are making plans for their move to Merseyside, and also enjoys tennis. He had joined the Universitys sports centre within a week of being on site and was recruited to the staff squash league within a fortnight! Richard can be contacted by email at r.chisholm@liv.ac.uk
THE ATTRACTION OF COMING HERE WAS THAT THE ROLE INVOLVES HR BECOMING BOTH A STRATEGIC AND CO-OPERATIVE PARTNER THROUGH A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIVERSITYS CRITICAL BUSINESS NEEDS. THERE HAS TO BE A SYNERGY BETWEEN WHAT THE UNIVERSITY WANTS TO ACHIEVE AND WHAT HR CAN DELIVER. IM A TEAM PLAYER AND I KNOW THAT YOU CANT DO THINGS SINGLE-HANDEDLY.
Richard Chisholm Assistant Director of HR
Honorary Chair in Palliative Medicine
The title of Honorary Professor at the University Medical School, in the School of Clinical Science, has been conferred on John Ellershaw.
his is the first Chair in Palliative Medicine at the University and will provide a focal point for future educational and research developments. In November 2004 John became Director of the Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute which is a partnership between the Marie Curie Hospice Liverpool and the University, with a satellite unit at the Royal Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Trust. It has been created in recognition of the close partnership working between the three organisations and the expansion of the educational portfolio and research programme that has been achieved in recent years.
The current education programmes based at the Institute include the undergraduate medical component for the palliative medicine curriculum and also the palliative medicine component of the MSc in Medical Sciences. There is an active and developing research programme based on end of life care, incorporating the Liverpool Care of the Dying Framework, ethical issues and palliative care education.

36 million Engineering project
The University of Liverpool has earned its place on the world stage for the quality of its Engineering research and tuition. Now a multi million pound project is underway which will ensure the Faculty sets the standards for other universities to follow.
The move to change teaching and research methods, and the facilities and infrastructure needed to support these changes, will mean that Liverpool, with all of its history of delivery in the provision of education in Engineering, will be able to keep apace with the international leaders in the educational formation of professional engineers. A second major component in the revolutionary scheme is the creation of the Centre for Bio-Inspired Systems and this development will strengthen the already impressive profile of the Faculty on the research front. The centre will establish Liverpool as the UK leader in Bio-electronic research. This is linking electronic and electrical engineering techniques with the specialisms of Medicine, Veterinary Science and Biological Science to produce amazing innovations in health care and biotechnology. Professor Steve Hall heads the Universitys top-rated Department of Electrical Engineering & Electronics. He says: The Centre for Bio-Inspired Systems will be a UK first. The significance of electronics, biology and systems engineering to our healthcare industry together with new opportunities around the blue-skies bionano related areas cannot be overstated. Liverpool is strategically best placed to deliver a centre dedicated to research in this field because it has a world-renowned Faculty of Medicine and the UK's number one rated veterinary school, as well as the largest women's and children's hospitals in Europe. The new Centre will be headed by Professor Dan Nicolau who joins the University in January 2006. Dan has had long experience in industry and academia. He has established a successful multidiscipline, bionanoengineering laboratory in Australia and will provide the drive to integrate the project at Liverpool. For more information, visit www.liv.ac.uk/erp

The School of English has taken part in the celebrations for National Poetry Day on Thursday, 6 October, which had the theme of The Future.
Library collection on the move
THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION LIBRARY IN ABERCROMBY SQUARE HAS CLOSED ITS DOORS.
The changes have been made following the closure of the School itself in September 2004. Items identified as being on current reading lists have been re-classified and added to stock in the Sydney Jones Library. The current journals will also be added to the Sydney Jones collection. The Library's ultimate aim is to incorporate the bulk of the Education Library material in the extended Sydney Jones library, scheduled for completion in 2008. In the meantime the stock will continue to be accessible via an online web request service similar to that already provided for items in the Remote Store. If you have any queries please contact Lisa Bryce, the SES Librarian on 42683 or at lbryce@liv.ac.uk

Maurice Riordan

Oatcakes and herrings T
he Extent of the Lordship of Longdendale 1360, was edited by John Harrop, Honorary Fellow in the School of History with Paul Booth, Senior Lecturer in History, and Sylvia Harrop, former Dean of the Faculty of Education. This was a project on which they had begun to collaborate almost 30 years ago. The Medieval Latin record with parallel translation printed in this volume sheds remarkable light on life in North East Cheshire in the early 1360s. It has been presented in a manner which it is hoped will make it intelligible to the non-specialist reader as well as to the historian; and since over 100 individuals are named in it, attention has also been paid to the needs of family historians. The launch was jointly hosted by the Record Society and Tameside Local History Forum, and enjoyed the hospitality of Messrs William Kenyon and Sons, the present owners and restorers of the hall, and, in an echo of a detail relating to Newton in the ancient record, oatcakes with herrings were part of the refreshments. The Hall is now in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, but in the 14th century was the seat of the lords of the manor of Newton, then part of the lordship of Longdendale, Cheshire. Extent of the Lordship of Longdendale 1360 is published by The Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire as its Volume CXL (ISBN and available through the Society).
Newton Hall. Photo: Paul Booth
What have a Lecturer in the Institute of Popular Music and a Postgraduate student in History got in common? They have both made forays into the music world.
Michael Fenerty, Deputy Building Manager in the Liverpool Law School, is in fine voice after joining the Irish Guards Singers.

Changing rooms influences perception of the body
A geographer has discovered how womens attitudes towards their body change in different shopping environments. Dr Rachel Colls says size and colour of shop changing rooms, as well as the position and size of shop mirrors, influence womens perception of their bodies.
Research into womens relationship with their bodies tends to find that clothes shopping and subsequent diets have negative effects on their emotional health. However, my research reveals that women have a detailed knowledge of shopping environments and choose where to go to make them feel more positive about their body. They look for shops with larger changing cubicles with adjustable lighting, which allows the shopper to control their environment and thus make their body size more acceptable. Dr Rachel Colls
Liverpool scientists develop space robots with NASA
NASA SCIENTISTS HAVE JOINED FORCES WITH UNIVERSITY EXPERTS TO DEVELOP ROBOTS WHICH WILL REDUCE THE NEED FOR HUMAN SPACE TRAVEL.
The team from NASAs Research Institute for Advanced Computer Science are working with academics to investigate ways of improving technology in order to cut the reliance on humans for space travel and develop the potential for robotic space missions. University scientists are developing technology that will enable robots to think autonomously, so that they might conduct entire space missions without human supervision. Professor Michael Fisher, Director of the Universitys Verification Laboratory, said: Autonomy is a major cost driver for space exploration since human missions require large earth-based teams for support. There are also significant risks posed to humans sent into space.
A matter of life and death
Academics from across Europe visited the University to discuss the way in which end-of life medical decisions are made. The School of Law organised the international symposium, European Perspectives On End Of Life Decision Making, which brought together academics, policy makers, health care practitioners and representatives of patient advocacy groups to discuss the controversial issues of withholding or withdrawing medical treatment, voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide. For more information log on to www.imlab.ac.uk/endoflife.htm
New partnership to develop laser engineering
The Universities of Liverpool and Manchester have joined forces on an initiative which aims to position the Northwest as the leading region for laser engineering. The new North West Laser Engineering Consortium (NWLEC) will bring together expertise from both universities to research and develop laser capabilities in the region. The use of lasers in manufacturing is currently under-exploited nationally and is required urgently by UK industry if it is to remain competitive. The 2.5 million scheme, funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), includes state-of-the-art equipment for laser processing and will establish the Northwest as the leading region for laser capabilities. The funding for this project follows a successful application to the Northwest Science Fund (NWSF), which was set up by the NWDA to support high-value science based projects that will improve the science and technology base in the region. The application of new laser technology will benefit a vast range of industries including the aerospace, automotive, biotechnology and chemical sectors and is backed by major international companies with bases in the Northwest, including Rolls Royce and BAE Systems.

Scientists developing tisue engineering Professor David Williams
Crohns disease research breakthrough
University scientists believe gaps in the lining of the intestinal barrier could be a cause of inflammatory diseases of the gut such as Crohns Disease. Their research, led by Professor Alastair Watson in the Universitys Faculty of Medicine, could have important implications for the treatment of patients. The research has concentrated on the renewal of cells in the lining of the bowel. The team suspects patients with inflammatory disease may not have the same ability to plug the gaps left by the cell renewal process meaning that bacteria can seep through the lining of the intestine.
Antibiotics hold key to cure for disfiguring disease
Scientists at the School of Tropical Medicine have proved that a single course of an antibiotic may hold the key to curing the parasitic worm disease Elephantiasis.
Also known as lymphatic filarisis, the disease has been one of the most common causes of global disability since Biblical times. It causes cruel and severe disfigurement with debilitating swelling of the limbs, leads to many sufferers being social outcasts, deprives them of the ability to work and impairs sexual function. Scientifically known as Bancroftian filarisis, the disease is transmitted by the mosquito and affects the most deprived and marginalised populations. The findings of Dr Mark Taylor and his team at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine are based on their research in Tanzania.
Research to investigate links between ancient greeks and modern science fiction
New research into the Ancient Greeks shows their knowledge of travel inspired early forms of fantasy and science fiction writing. There is a long tradition of fantasy in Greek literature that begins with Odysseus fantastic travels in Homers Odyssey. Dr Karen Ni-Mheallaigh, at the Universitys School of Archaeology, Classics and Egyptology, is exploring fantasy in ancient literature, examining theories of modern science fiction writing and how these can be applied to texts from the ancient world.
Multi-scale coastal processes workshop
The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory in conjunction with the University hosted a workshop on Multi-scale coastal processes: Measurements and modelling, which was funded by US Office of Naval Research (ONR) and US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). The aim was to bring American and European researchers together with Army and Navy research and application groups to become familiar with recent developments in coastal dynamics, especially in Europe.
Dr Taylor, Senior Wellcome Research Fellow, said: We haven't had a new treatment for filarisis for decades so this is of major importance. A key factor is that the treatment is available now. We know how it works and it is already a tried and tested treatment widely used for other bacterial diseases, avoiding all the long and expensive trials of a new drug. The drugs are readily available and are cheap as well which is very important in countries where the disease in endemic. What we need to do now is to optimise the treatment to make it suitable for mass community programmes.

WOMENS CLUB Membership is open to female staff, partners of male academics, female postgraduates, alumni and students. Male partners are also welcome to join in our varied programme of activities. For a 10 annual subscription you can make new friends and join in the fun! For more information, tel 5963 Friday 21 October, 7.30pm. The Tempest at the Liverpool Playhouse. Wednesday 9 November, 2.15pm. Guided visit to Sydney Jones Library Special Collections and Archives with Dr Maureen Watry. Saturday 3 December, 2.30pm. Ballet Matinee Tchaikovskys Sleeping Beauty. For details on events coming up and further information visit: www.liv.ac.uk/womensclub/ Can you help? The Friends of Willamsons Tunnels are looking for information about a mystery chest belonging to the Mole of Edge Hill. They are researching the life of Joseph Williamson, who gave his name to the labyrinth of tunnels and underground caverns below the Edge Hill District of Liverpool, next to the University precinct. Rumour has it that long after Williamson died in May 1840, a chest containing his business documents was lost. If anyone can recall ever seeing such a chest or has any primary source information about Joseph Williamson, please email Gordon Hunter at gordon.hunter5@btinternet.com or call 4272. You can learn more about Joseph Williamson and the tunnels beneath the Edge Hill District of Liverpool by visiting The Friends of Williamson's Tunnels website www.williamsontunnels.co.uk. Shoebox Appeal Operation Christmas Child Sally Cross from GIEU is again collecting shoeboxes from staff and students across campus for needy children across the globe. The boxes should be filled with small toys, school supplies, sweets and other gifts to brighten a childs life on Christmas Day. If you would like to donate a box please email s.cross@liv.ac.uk. Boxes need to be dropped off before 20 November at The Chapel, Foresight Centre. University Lodge of Liverpool The Masonic Lodge for students, graduates and staff of the University meets the 2nd Monday of the month during term-time in Staff House. New members always welcome. Contact Mike Jones tel 3193. News from Educatering Augustus John Public House As well as the great tasting house and frequently changing guest ales the AJ is famous for, this year it can boast a few new gadgets to its portfolio. Having changed its games machines contractor, the AJ now has a new pool table and fruit machines as well as an ITbox which includes 20 of the most popular quizzes and pub games all on one machine. The old jukebox with its classic, but rarely changing, songs makes way for a state of the art background music system, designed to boost any atmosphere the clientele create for themselves. The AJs facility to show live sports has also been greatly enhanced with a new 7ft Big Screen, plasma screen behind the bar, Premiership-Plus and weekend opening. New manager, Joe Highdale, who previously worked for Mitchells and Butlers in its Scream chain knows a thing or two about what students expectations are for their local pub. He is hoping to use his experience to create a community atmosphere to rival any bar in the city. If you have any queries regarding the AJ and forthcoming events, then please contact Joe tel 45507 or email j.highdale@liv.ac.uk