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University Memorial Design Is Built For Jewish Community |
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A stone memorial designed by an architecture student at Nottingham Trent University has been built for a Jewish community. |
The spiralling stone wall, the brainchild of final year student Igor Barteczko, will be used as a place of ceremony and remembrance by the Nottingham Progressive Jewish Congregation (NPJC).
The architectural design practice 2hD – whose directors Tom and Alina Hughes are senior lecturers in the university’s School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment –oversaw the project near to Wilford Hill Cemetery, just outside the city.
Igor’s design was selected by the NPJC after they challenged more than 30 architecture students at the university to devise a suitable memorial to the deceased. Its circular wall, made from a regional limestone, gradually spirals upwards in height symbolising the cycle of life and death, and is intended to represent the old city wall of Jerusalem. The design – which mimics the movement of the sun as it goes over the cemetery site – will soon have rows of granite plaques installed on the inside wall to commemorate the dead.
Tom and Alina Hughes, who have close ties with the NPJC as a result of previous work with 2hD, worked to ensure Igor’s design was within budget and durable. The 22-year-old was involved throughout the design and production process and worked with 2hD for career experience. He also helped with the detailed design of some of the stonework.
The initiative formed part of an architecture module which required students to consider a community project, dealing directly with specific, real-world design issues.
“The designs produced were of the most extraordinarily high standard,” said Colin Dean of the NPJC.
He said: “They ranged from bronze trees to pillars set in water; from sinuous beech walls to lines of stone plinths in front of trees; and from iron hexagonal columns to steel helixes. The thoughts behind each design, as they related to our religion and culture, were stated by the students and were most impressive. We felt that Igor’s design was the most inspirational and practicable though, and it had an air of ancient solidity and permanence which really struck a chord with us.”
Igor said: “The project involved me researching the congregation’s religious, ceremonial and traditional practices, along with the site itself, before making proposals. The main inspiration for this design was for it to represent life, death and rebirth.
“I was always realistic with the design in the sense that it could be built and used. I really wanted to make the design work in terms of function and beauty and didn’t want to needlessly waste space or materials just to produce a good initial concept. It feels amazing to see the memorial in place, in a sense it makes me feel fulfilled.”
Tom Hughes said: “This was a great project to be involved in, a real collaborative effort between the university, a supportive client and skilled craftsmen. Taking on a live design project had strong educational benefits for the students, and from a practice point of view it has been a pleasure to help Igor bring his ideas to fruition.
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University Funded Project Helps Diversity Plan For Future |
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A PROJECT between Nottingham Trent University and DiVersity Creative Marketing Solutions has led to the creation of a new post and a clearer strategic plan for the Arnold-based company. |
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After recently celebrating DiVersity’s tenth anniversary, managing director, Di Slaney, applied to Nottingham Trent University for Ingenuity funding for consultancy advice on the company’s brand positioning and strategic direction for the next ten years.
Professor Clare Brindley, Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship, and Dr Carley Foster, Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Retail Management at Nottingham Business School, part of Nottingham Trent University, provided the consultancy service.
As part of the project they held four half-day workshops with all DiVersity staff and interviewed current clients of the business. A detailed report was then produced regarding the company’s current position and future direction, its brand identity and brand positioning and the skill set of the staff.
The project has led to DiVersity strengthening one of their teams with a new account director and revising some of their internal processes and how they approach new business opportunities with both existing and potential clients.
Di Slaney said: “We’ve grown and diversified during the last ten years and we felt that now was a good time to take stock of our position and look toward the future. Although we provide this type of consultancy service for our clients, it’s really difficult to be objective when it’s your own business! It was great to be able to take a step back and have a fresh pair of eyes on our company, particularly having reached such a major milestone. We now have a much clearer vision of where we are and where we want to be, and can make informed decisions based on a more holistic view of our options.”
Professor Brindley said: “This has been a very successful project and has been of real benefit to DiVersity. As a university we have a range of expertise which local businesses can access and SIS funding is open to all small businesses in the East Midlands. For a highly subsidised fee we can provide bespoke consultancy services for a range of issues.” |
Speedo President to help launch sustainability project |
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THE president of Speedo International Ltd, David Robinson, will speak about ‘The value of sustainability’ to officially launch a new £2 million project from Nottingham Trent University. |
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It aims to help companies improve their business performance through sustainable design. The launch event is being held on Thursday 1 October.
Bringing together businesses, creative industries and academics, Future Factory has been designed to support SMEs in adopting new products, services and business practices which ‘design out’ unnecessary or unsustainable materials and processing, and ‘design in’ features such as environmentally neutral technologies and materials, recyclability and sensitive disposal.
The three-year project has been set up with a grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), managed by East Midlands Development Agency (emda). It brings together Nottingham Trent University’s School of Art & Design, Nottingham Business School and the Business Innovation & Creation Unit.
Along with the presentation from David Robinson, guests at the event will also hear from local designers Debbie Bryan and Sarah Davenport on their experiences of working with the project so far, and can find out how Future Factory can help their organisation. After the presentations there will be a drinks and networking session and a chance to view the Making the Future 09 exhibition of graduate art and design work.
David Robinson said: “We all face the challenges of operating our organisations and living within a world that is changing quickly. Things we take for granted today cannot be relied upon tomorrow, so the successful businesses of the future need to embrace new ways of working today. Sustainability is not just about green products, it's about our whole approach to business process. Future Factory's ambition is to enable forward thinking businesses to access research, development and academic talent in order to prepare themselves for the future.”
Future Factory gives businesses the opportunity to access to a range of benefits, such as a business review to assess their sustainable design needs, tailored technical or marketing research, access to Nottingham Trent University expertise and resources, a subsidised graduate placement scheme and the chance to present new proposals to an expert panel of industry representatives.
Ann Priest, Nottingham Trent University pro vice-chancellor and head of College of Art and Design and Built Environment, said: “This event is an excellent opportunity for East Midlands businesses to learn about the benefits of Future Factory and how they can make sustainable product, process and service design a commercial reality, without compromising creativity, innovation, market opportunities or customer satisfaction.”
The free event is being held in Nottingham Trent University’s Bonington Building and registration starts at 5pm, presentations are from 5.30pm until 6.30pm. Those interested in attending should email futurefactory@ntu.ac.uk or call Lynn Oxborrow on 0115 848 6048.
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NTU shortlisted for two higher education awards |
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YOUNG NOTTINGHAM Trent University has been short listed for two awards in this year’s prestigious Times Higher Education Awards; ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’ and Leslie Arthur, senior lecturer in design, for ‘Most Innovative Teacher of the Year’. |
The awards, now in their fifth year, recognise outstanding achievement in the higher education sector. They are run by Times Higher Education magazine and the winners are decided by a panel of specially selected judges. This year the awards attracted over 600 entries from 137 of the UK’s higher education institutions.
The university was nominated for its sustainable development award due to the flagship refurbishment of its Newton and Arkwright buildings which has focused on sustainable development. Careful consideration of the energy efficiency, biodiversity and usability of the buildings has resulted in features such as a sedum roof on Newton’s lower levels, food waste collections and improved insulation through new double glazing on the Newton façade.
The nomination follows hot on the heels of Nottingham Trent University being named as the UK’s most environmentally friendly university in the People & Planet’s Green League 2009, published in Times Higher Education in June. Grant Anderson, environmental officer, said: “This nomination is once again testament to the hard work and commitment of our staff in tackling environmental issues across the university.”
Leslie Arthur’s selection, from 80 other entries, for Most Innovative Teacher of the Year stems from his dedication to challenge convention in the way he teaches, by mixing the traditional with change to give students an ‘experience’. Leslie has introduced a number of areas of innovative teaching at Nottingham Trent University, including establishing a common ground between arts and science students and introducing the visual essay - where images are chosen with the same consideration as the construction of a sentence or paragraph in a traditional essay. This is now utilised across a range of undergraduate programmes.
He said: “I’m very pleased to have been short listed for this award. Students are open to trying a different approach to their learning as long as it is thoroughly explained, and my colleagues are always supportive in their responses to new ideas. If the culture of learning is nurtured, it is challenging and exciting.
“It is important that we, as educators, are here to challenge pre conceptions for the purpose of moving forwards and being innovative. The most rewarding aspect of being innovative is when a student or group of students say that I have been able to make them think in a different way.”
Nottingham Trent University also received the award for Outstanding University Fundraising Team in the Times Higher Education Leadership & Management Awards 2009 earlier this year.
The winners will be announced at an awards evening in London on 15 October.
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Celebrations planned for European day of languages |
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LANGUAGE pupils from across the region will be celebrating the European Day of Languages with food demonstrations, language taster sessions and workshops at Nottingham Trent University on 25 September.
The celebrations will include a chance to try cuisine from the Arabic speaking world, China and Japan, language taster sessions in Arabic, Mandarin or Japanese and an interactive presentation linking languages to the forthcoming London 2010 Olympics. The day will also feature sessions on university life, degree combinations with languages, writing personal statements, healthy eating and employability.
The event is mainly open to all Year 12 and 13 pupils from the East Midlands who study or have an interest in languages. However those studying food technology and subjects related to globalization, such as international relations, may also attend.
With 6000 languages spoken across the globe, the European Day of Languages is run each year to show people across Europe how important languages are and the fun that can be had learning them.
The event is being organised by Nottingham Trent University’s Schools, Colleges and Community Outreach team alongside Routes into Languages East Midlands Consortium and staff from the university’s Languages and International Studies department and the School of Education.
Mary Brittain, head of Schools, Colleges and Community Outreach at Nottingham Trent University, said: “This event is a great example of higher education and schools working together to enrich the curriculum. It is so important that young people are made aware of the rich and varied range of career and travel opportunities that the study of languages can open up for them.”
Routes into Languages is a £8million project funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. It is designed to address the decline in the study of languages in schools, colleges and in higher education. Operating in the nine regions of England, the project involves universities delivering innovative language events to school pupils, which focus on attainment, awareness and raising aspirations.
Routes into Languages in the East Midlands is led by Nottingham Trent University, in collaboration with the University of Nottingham, the University of Leicester and Lincoln University.
The European Day of Languages event takes place from 9.30am until 3pm at Nottingham Trent University’s City Campus. To register please contact nayala.rehmat@ntu.ac.uk or helen.smith@ntu.ac.uk
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Problem Gamblers More Susceptible
Online
PROBLEM gambling is much more prevalent among those who gamble
online compared to those who only gamble offline, according to new research.
Using data from the most recent British Gambling Prevalence Survey, the
research led by Dr Mark Griffiths, Professor of Gambling Studies at
Nottingham Trent University, showed that the level of problem gambling among
those who had used the Internet to gamble (5%) was ten times higher than
those who did not.
He unveiled the findings at British Psychological Society’s Social Psychology
Conference on September 16.
Other findings to come out of the study, Internet gambling: A secondary analysis
of findings from the 2007 British Gambling Prevalence Survey, showed a number
of significant socio-demographic differences between Internet gamblers and
non-Internet gamblers. Internet gamblers were more likely than non-Internet
gamblers to be male, relatively young adults, single, well educated, and in
professional/managerial employment. Results also showed that Internet and
non-Internet gamblers were more likely to smoke and drink.
The study provided the first ever analysis of a representative national sample of
Internet gamblers. Using participant data from the survey
(n = 9003 adults aged 16 years and over) all participants who had gambled online,
bet online, and/or who had used a betting exchange in the last 12 months (n = 476)
were compared with all other gamblers who had not gambled via the Internet. The
research was done in collaboration with NatCen (the National Centre for Social Research)
and Professor Jim Orford (University of Birmingham) and funded by the Gambling Commission.
Professor Griffiths, based in Nottingham Trent University’s School of Social Sciences, said:
“This study’s findings suggest that the medium of the Internet may
be more likely to contribute to problem gambling than gambling in offline environments. I
t is clear that gaming companies need to acknowledge they will need to provide even
better social responsibility infrastructures online than offline to minimise the harm
to problem gamblers.”
He added: “There is also the issue of how Internet problem gamblers can be helped.
Recent research suggests that online problem gamblers appear to prefer to seek
help online therefore online help, guidance and treatment may be a potential way
forward to help those who may feel too stigmatised to seek traditional face-to-face
help for their gambling problems.”
The paper, part of a symposium convened by Professor Griffiths on
psychosocial factors in online gambling and video gaming, is one of many papers at
the conference showcasing the research done at Nottingham Trent University that underpins
its new Masters degree in Cyberpsychology.
Student Radio Star Is The New
Voice Of Radio 1
NOTTINGHAM Trent University’s student radio station
manager and future Students’ Union president, David Walker,
has been chosen as the new voice of BBC Radio 1.
David, who will soon graduate from a multimedia degree at the
University, initially entered a competition to be the voice of the
Student Radio Awards ceremony and, although he narrowly
missed out with second place, he was approached by a judge
who works for Radio 1.
David said: “He asked me if I’d like to try out to be the new station
voice of Radio 1, so a few months later I had an audition and
thankfully was successful. I’m now the male
voice for all their daytime production and I’ve been to the
studios to record it all, so when you hear snippets such as
‘This is Radio 1’, it’s me!”
As current manager of Nottingham Trent University’s student
radio station, Fly FM, which scooped five awards at last year’s
National Student Radio Awards, David is already very familiar
with the broadcast world.
He added: “I would like a career in broadcast and this is a great
start for me. From September I’m Students’ Union president for a
year and then who knows what’s next.”
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Nuturing The Designers Of The Future |
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YOUNG people will have the chance to get creative as part of an art and design summer school at Nottingham Trent University. |
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Budding fashion designers, filmmakers, photographers and illustrators will be among those able to develop their skills through a range of short courses for 14-18 year olds from July 27 to August 7. The university’s School of Art and Design is also offering one day workshops and master classes for teachers and practitioners.
The event will provide young people with expert support from academic staff and industry professionals, access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment and the opportunity to meet and work with likeminded young people. Three day courses span fashion and textiles, media and photography and visual arts.
In fashion and textiles young people can study fashion; print processes; digital knit; digital print design; surface print and weave magic. Media and photography includes art of sound; creating worlds; photography without a camera and photographic fun in the digital world. Those interested in visual arts can attempt experimental drawing; writing for the screen; contemporary crafts and filmmaking.
Pre-university students will also be able to take advantage of a portfolio-building course, which aims to provide them with invaluable advice and guidance on how to make the best of their work for university entry.
One day workshops for teachers, meanwhile, include felt making, textile design, fashion and glass moulding, while one day professional master classes for practitioners include professional photography, pattern cutting, interactive media, ceramics and entrepreneurship.
Dr Christine White, Head of Narrative and Interactive Arts at Nottingham Trent University, said: “This summer school will not only give youngsters the chance to develop and build on their existing skills, but will also enable them to explore different subject areas within art and design.
“Students who took part in the event last year said they left feeling better-prepared for higher education and that they had gained a clearer sense of direction and a good solid grounding for a bright and successful future in the creative industries.”
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Construction academic is branch's youngest chairman |
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A construction management academic at Nottingham Trent University has been elected the youngest-ever Chairman of the East Midlands branch of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). |
Dr Mukesh Kashyap who lectures in the university’s School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, will play a key role in driving up CIOB membership and identifying new initiatives to get people to stay in the industry despite the current economic downturn.
Dr Kashyap, who has 15 years’ construction experience in building and civil engineering projects in India, Nigeria and the UK, will also be responsible for organising regional CIOB seminars, conferences and continuing professional development events for members.
After working on a number of high-profile industry projects overseas, Dr Kashyap moved to the UK to study construction management at both postgraduate and PhD level. His doctorate focused on developing a safety-integrated process model, which led to the development of a decision support system to avoid structural collapses in refurbishment schemes.
He is a specialist member of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management, a member of the Chartered Institute of Building, a member of the Association for Project Management, and an associate member of the Chartered Management Institute.
“I am mindful of the responsibilities and challenges of being the youngest CIOB branch chairman, but I am really looking forward to the year ahead and to playing a key role in raising the profile of the CIOB,” said Dr Kashyap.
“This position has provided me with an excellent opportunity to be able to do something for young professionals, and particularly students on construction-related courses. CIOB East Midlands has just launched ‘Novus’ – a forum for students and young professionals giving them a voice within the CIOB and providing them with a programme of relevant and topical events.
“In the current downturn it is vital for the industry, professional bodies, and educational institutions to continue to work together to provide youngsters with the right skills, training and professional learning, as we all have a responsibility for developing the professionals for the future.” |
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Psychology researchers launch diabetes study |
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MEN with type 1 diabetes are being urged to come forward to take part in what is thought to be the first ever qualitative study looking specifically at what it's like for men living with the condition.
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The Nottingham Trent University research aims to identify how different men deal with the disease and what they find important in terms of support, with the findings potentially being used to provide more suitable care for future sufferers.
Doctoral student, Lesley O' Hara, who is conducting the research as part of her PhD, is looking for up to 30 males to take part in the confidential study. Lesley, who has type one diabetes herself, is focusing on men because they are often more reluctant than women to talk about their condition and therefore far less is known about how they cope with it.
The study will involve interviewing one group of men individually and another group with their partners to try to assess any influence the disease has on family life. Online message rooms for people with diabetes will also be monitored to see how men communicate with, and offer support to one another.
There are more than 2.5 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK with another half a million who have the condition but don't know it. It occurs because the body can not use glucose properly, either owing to a lack of the hormone insulin or because the insulin available doesn't work effectively.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition which is usually treated with insulin injections or an insulin pump. It affects as little as five to 15% percent of diabetics. Type 2 is often linked with obesity. Symptoms for both can include increased thirst, passing water frequently, extreme tiredness, weight loss, blurred vision, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush, and slow healing of wounds.
A report published last year by the charity Diabetes UK showed how more than one in ten deaths among 20 to 79-year-olds in England could be attributed to diabetes. It also showed that life expectancy was reduced by an average 20 years in those with type 1 diabetes and up to ten years for those with type 2. An estimated ten percent of NHS spending goes on the disease, totalling £9bn a year, the report claimed.
Lesley, based in the Division of Psychology in the university's School of Social Sciences, said: "This study has come about because of both a noticeable neglect of psychological research into men living with diabetes, and the recent growth in interest in men's health. Also, the majority of literature on diabetes in men has tended to focus on the patient's experience of erectile dysfunction, whereas we plan to look at the holistic experience of living with the condition."
Any men with type 1 diabetes and aged over 18 who are interested in taking part in the study should email Lesley.ohara@ntu.ac.uk
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Half of canoe slalom team are Trent graduates |
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ALMOST half of Great Britain’s gold and silver medal winning canoe slalom team are graduates of Nottingham Trent University.
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Five of the 12 strong team that competed at the recent European Canoe Slalom Championships have graduated from the university, whilst two have re-enrolled to study for second degrees.
Huw Swetnam, a 2002 graduate in Business Studies finished 8th in the individual Men’s K1 class, and helped to help secure gold for the K1 team alongside 2003 Sports Science and Management graduate Richard Hounslow. Richard also competed in the C2 class, and together with Colin Radmore – also a Sports Science and Management graduate from 2005 - put in a strong performance to help the GB team pick up the Men’s C2 Silver medal as well. Richard will begin studying for further qualifications from Nottingham Trent University when he embarks on a graduate diploma in law later this year.
28-year-old Huw, now living in the Meadows in Nottingham, said: “It’s little wonder that so many of the team are graduates of Nottingham Trent University. It’s perfectly situated for training at the National Watersports Centre and also has a good track record in offering support and development opportunities to talented athletes.
All five of the Nottingham Trent University graduates will be competing as part of the GB team in the World Canoe Slalom Championships in Spain, in September.
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University well represented at canoe championships |
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THREE Olympic hopefuls from Nottingham will be competing at this year’s European Canoe Slalom Championships hosted at the city’s National Watersports Centre from the 28 – 31 May. |
All students and graduates of Nottingham Trent University, the three will be doing their best to secure strong positions and prove their worth for GB team selection as London 2012 draws closer.
Having completed a degree in Graphic Design at Nottingham Trent University in 2001, 30 year old Laura Blakeman has returned to the university to study for a second degree in Architectural Technology. A solid performance at the Sydney 2000 Olympics followed by the completion of her first degree led to professional funding from Sport UK, allowing Laura to concentrate her efforts as part of the GB team - for whom she’s been competing since the age of 11.
Competing alongside Laura in the women’s single kayak class is 25 year old Louise Donington. Having graduated with a degree in Sports Science and Management from Nottingham Trent University in 2005, Louise was a team reserve for the Beijing Olympics and now works at the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham.
Joining Laura and Louise is 25 year old Colin Radmore - another 2005 Sports Science and Management graduate from Nottingham Trent University – who will compete as half of one of the three GB men’s double canoe pairs. Colin picked up his passion for canoeing from his father at a very early age, climbing into a canoe for the first time at just two years old. He made the British junior team when he was 15 and now works as a manager at the National Watersports Centre.
Colin said: “I know the three of us are all really looking forward to the European Championships. We’ve been training hard and competing very well recently, and we’ll be doing our best for the GB team, especially with London 2012 just over the horizon.”
All three of the Nottingham Trent University trio will also be competing at this year’s World Championships in Spain in September.
Nottingham Trent University has a strong record of supporting canoeing success amongst its students and graduates.
Whilst studying, Laura has received support from the university’s Student Talented Athlete Recognition Scheme (STARS), which has allowed her to devote the time and energy that she needs to her canoeing. Louise was also one of a select few individuals to have received funding from the university’s Talented Athletes Scholarship Scheme (TASS) during her studies.
James Hayter, Nottingham Trent University’s Director for Sport and Lifestyle, said: “We’re wishing Laura, Louise and Colin the very best of luck, and the staff and students here at the university will all be rooting for them.”
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'Superbug' Testing Will
Revolutionise Hospitals |
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TECHNOLOGISTS are working to develop a new hand-held device to help reduce the time taken to detect hospital 'superbugs' from up to three days to just five minutes. |
The collaboration between, Universal Sensors Ltd, Cambridge Design Partnership Ltd and Nottingham Trent University is funded through the new Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), in contracts that were awarded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme, the results of which were announced in May 2009.
The need to reduce incidents of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAI's) in hospitals led to the NHS launching its 'Deep Clean' strategy in 2008, costing £53 million to implement and helping to drastically reduce incidents of MRSA and C.difficile - both dangerous infectious diseases that can cost the NHS between £4000 and £10,000 per infected patient.
Traditional methods of testing have to be performed in specialised laboratories and can take two to three days to return a result. The new device being developed will allow a medical team to know within five minutes whether an area is safe for a patient to occupy.
This collaborative project was assembled by Cambridge Design Partnership and will incorporate Universal Sensors Ltd's cutting edge biosensor technology into a new product called eLISATM - electronically linked enzyme assay. The technology will be packaged in an innovative hand-held design concept from Cambridge Design Partnership to perform diagnostic tests that have been developed by Nottingham Trent University scientists.
Renowned for his work in leading a research programme for the development of a portable test for Avian Influenza, Dr Alan McNally from Nottingham Trent University's School of Science and Technology will be responsible for developing the tests that the new device will carry out. He said: "I was thrilled when I was approached to take part in this project. The technology that Universal Sensors has developed has the speed, sensitivity and flexibility that will allow this test to revolutionise hospital cleanliness and infection control."
Funded through the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI), via a contract awarded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme, the consortium hopes to take the eLISA system into production by the end of 2010.
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Home Show 'Lit Up' By Recycled Bottle Lamps |
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COCA Cola and Oasis bottles as they’ve never been seen before are lighting up the EDF Energy Ideal Home Show in London, as entrepreneur, Sarah Turner, exhibits her eco-friendly decorative lighting range; all made from recycled plastic drinks bottles. |
Sarah, whose business ReDesign is based at Nottingham Trent University’s enterprise development centre, The Hive, collects all her plastic bottles from Nottingham Trent University cafes. She then cleans and sandblasts them to turn them white, before cutting and shaping them until they are unrecognisable from their original state. They are then screwed into an inner shade made from recycled card and secured with their own bottle top.
By using different brands, colours and sizes of bottles, Sarah can create a variety of designs. They currently include her smallest table lamp, the ‘Little Oasis’, made from a single Oasis bottle, and a ceiling lampshade formed from 67 Coca Cola bottles.
Sarah Turner said: “A large number of used plastic drinks bottles in the UK don’t make it to the recycling bin, so my light shades aim to do something creative with them and save a few more bottles from the landfill sites.”
Sarah set up ReDesign at The Hive in October 2008 and has since been mentored and supported by the centre. She has exhibited at shows across the country and is now competing against 25 other designs for the title of Concept Product of the Year at the Ideal Home Show.
Chris Hall, business manager at The Hive, said: “Sarah has done a great job launching her range and getting it out into the market place. Her designs are innovative and stylish, so with the support we’re giving her, coupled with her drive to succeed, we have no doubt that the business will thrive. We’ve all got our fingers are crossed for the competition.”
The Innovation Nation competition at the EDF Energy Ideal Home Show is decided by public vote. To vote for Sarah’s designs visit www.idealhomeshow.co.uk/ideas/innovation-nation. The show is on until 13th April at Earls Court in London.
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Do you want a rewarding career? |
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ARE you looking for a change of direction? Do you want a job that is more rewarding? A career in childcare may be for you and Castle College has the perfect course to help you on your way.
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The ‘Working with Children’ course commences at the end of April at the College’s Carlton Road Campus for six weeks, and provides an ideal taster of what a career in childcare involves. The course is 13 hours per week and will cover the various opportunities available for working with children as well the vital information you need to know about this demanding but highly rewarding career path.
You will gain an awareness of child protection, the needs and rights of children, as well as how to recognise different forms of child abuse and its effects. You will also cover the responsibilities of adults who work with children, including maintaining confidential records. The course enables you to progress onto a number of other qualifications depending on your needs.
Want to find out more? Come along to our Information Day on Wednesday 1 April from10.00am -2.00pm at the People’s Campus on Maid Marian Way in Nottingham. Alternatively please call the Castle College Community Team on 0115 884 2749 for more information.
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Major study into work related health |
A MAJOR study to examine which factors can affect work-related health and wellbeing is being launched at Nottingham Trent University. It is hoped the £320,000 project will have a crucial impact on what we know about work-related health and how organisations can successfully manage the issue - estimated to have affected almost half a million people last year, accounting for 13.5 million lost working days.
Unlike many previous studies in this area, the investigation - funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) - will examine how the work environment, the nature of organisations, their cultures, and work systems can affect people's working lives and wellbeing. The research team will examine more than 40 small, medium and large-scale enterprises during the two-and-a-half-year project.
The study follows the release of the latest Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures showing that work-related stress, depression and anxiety account for more than a third of all new incidences of ill-health, and that each case leads to an average loss of 30.6 working days.
Last year Dame Carol Black, the government's national director for health and work, called for a new approach to work-related health services, after her review found that the annual economic cost of ill health in terms of working days lost and worklessness was over £100bn a year - equivalent to the annual running costs of the NHS.
"Previous studies into work-related health and wellbeing have often been inconsistent, as they have tended to focus only on individual variables, such as job demands and job variety, relationships, support at work and work-life balance," said Lead Researcher, Dr Maria Karanika-Murray, a psychologist in Nottingham Trent University's School of Social Sciences.
She added: "This new study, however, will also consider the affects of higher-level organisational characteristics such as policies, culture and organisational change. Experts and organisations will be able to apply such knowledge to the management of work-related health in a successful and sustainable way.
"The results of the project will hopefully have a longer term impact on tackling work-related health and wellbeing. This could potentially lead to greater employee commitment, staff performance, satisfaction and productivity. A positive effect would probably also be seen in recruitment and retention, customer satisfaction and the organisation's image and reputation."
In addition to Nottingham Trent University, the study includes experts from the Health and Safety Laboratory, the University of Sheffield, Loughborough University, and Tilburg University in the Netherlands.
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Get sewing for sustainability, study says |
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A return to the tradition of sewing on buttons and stitching hems is needed to improve the sustainability of clothing and help the environment, a recent report by Nottingham Trent University suggests.
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Collaborative research by the university’s College of Art and Design and Nottingham Business School has shown that public awareness of the environmental impact of clothing is low and recommends that people should be repairing or recycling clothes, rather than throwing them away.
Tom Fisher, lead researcher on the report ‘Public understanding of sustainable clothing’ and Nottingham Trent University Professor of Art and Design, said: “There was a time when clothes would have been repaired because they were expensive, but an increase in budget fashion retailers and the evolution of a ‘fast fashion’ culture has led to clothing becoming more disposable. Even donations to charity shops often only consist of items deemed good enough and there is very low awareness of how to recycle garments, so they go in the bin.”
The research revealed that consumers who buy from budget retailers do not expect their purchases to last long and on occasions when a more expensive, well-made item is bought, it is usually because it is considered a ‘classic’ item or for a special occasion, rather than for its sustainability.
Alex Hiller, senior lecturer at Nottingham Business School, added: “Consumer buying habits have changed with the clothing market and we need to be encouraging clothing maintenance skills and awareness in both children and adults, prompting a return to the days when clothes were looked after and repaired.”
The research also found that although there is an emerging market on auction website, eBay, unwanted clothes are rarely sold due to the small profit gained compared with the overall effort of the sale. The report therefore also recommends that clothes swapping should take place between relatives, friends and families with children who grow out of clothes quickly. Using old clothes around the house, as cleaning rags for example, is also encouraged.
Alex Hiller added: “The public’s knowledge of sustainable clothing practices can be improved through partnerships with retailers and local councils to promote the reuse of clothing and the recycling of fibre in order to divert textiles from the waste stream.”
Sheffield Hallam University were partners in the project, with Dr Tim Cooper from the Centre for Sustainable Consumption contributing to the research.
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Cannabis researchers in appeal for volunteers |
PEOPLE are being urged to take part in a new study which aims to investigate the links between cannabis use and mental health. Past and present cannabis users, as well as those who have never touched the drug, are needed to take part in the project, which is being led by researchers at Nottingham Trent University.
The project involves participants responding to an anonymous survey via an online link: http://tinyurl.com/ntusurvey.
The research team, based in the university’s School of Social Sciences, is looking to establish whether users are more prone to developing schizotypal personality, and whether that risk is lessened if they stop using the drug. They also want to examine if the effects of cannabis consumption on schizotypal personality are reversible and if there are differences in the levels of schizotypal personality traits between low, medium and high users.
Finally, they will be exploring whether having a family history of schizophrenia could increase levels of schizotypal traits.
Researcher Dr Antonio Castro said: “We need as many people as possible to take part in the online survey so we get a good cross-section of participants before we begin to analyse the results. The study comes at an extremely interesting time, following the government’s reclassification of cannabis from a Class C to a Class B drug.” |
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NTU get stuck into National Volunteering Week 2009 |
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POND clearing, a drumming workshop for children with disabilities, a soup kitchen for the homeless and decorating a community building are just a few of the opportunities on offer for students at Nottingham Trent University as part of this year’s National Student Volunteering Week (February 23 – March 2).
The student volunteer scheme ‘Initi8’, a joint project between the University and Students’ Union, will be running a series of ‘One Day Challenges’ for people to get involved in, offering them the chance to join hundreds of others from the university who have already had a positive impact on the local community.
Under the theme of ‘celebrating achievement’, Initi8 will be holding a showcase event where attendees can hear about previous projects from their peers, along with stories and experiences from students volunteering in community organisations. Advice and information will be given to any student who wants to join the growing numbers of volunteers at Nottingham Trent University, helping them to learn how to get the most from their own ideas as well as highlighting existing opportunities on offer.
All the ‘One Day Challenges’ are organised by students for students to take part in. Harpreet Chahal, Vice President Student Activities Officer at Nottingham Trent Students’ Union, said; “National Student Volunteering Week is a great time to get involved. Every student at Nottingham Trent University has got the chance to try their hand at being a volunteer; it’s the ideal way of giving something back to the local community”
Andy Coppins, the university’s Volunteering Manager, added; “The generosity of our student volunteers is helping to have a very real effect on the organisations and groups they work with in our local community. The number of volunteers participating is continuing to grow and our involvement in National Student Volunteering Week highlights the achievements of Nottingham Trent University students. |
CASTLE College’s very own radio station will be taking to the airwaves in March and not just for a limited time only!
The radio station has previously aired for just a week during the Spring term, but from 18 March it will be on the air 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! This ambitious and unique project will give staff and learners from across the College the opportunity to hone their radio presenting skills and provide an insight into what is going on at the College to listeners around the conurbation.
Castle Radio will be broadcasting on 1278AM from purpose built studios at the College’s Carlton Road campus. Talking about the decision to broadcast throughout the year, Lecturer and mastermind behind Castle Radio, Graham Collis said: ‘The launch of Castle Radio represents the commitment of the College to proactively enhance the learning experience. Staff and learners from across the College are encouraged to become involved with the radio station, to ensure equality and diversity in providing an entertaining and informative service.’
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Be inspired by Languages For Life |
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LANGUAGES For Life Ltd. can offer the real solution to translating and interpreting and providing language tuition for you to be inspired by a new a language.
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Owner and founder Brigitte Peach PGCE MCIL, has years of experience in these fields, expertly placing qualified, experienced individuals in their areas of strength to address clients’ requirements.
Translations:
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Languages for Life Ltd. also has a strict quality assurance, i.e. all translated documents will be checked by one of the experts at its base in Grantham.
Only documents passing quality control will be submitted in the required format. If a customer requires the proof-reading or editing of a translation, this service can also be provided.
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Languages for Life Ltd. offers Interpreting Services for most languages. Our interpreters are qualified, accomplished linguists.
They offer face-to-face and telephone interpreting.
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Tuition is offered on a wide range of language training for all major Foreign Languages including English as a Foreign Language (EFL) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).
Languages are taught at all levels from absolute Beginners to Post-graduate Level. All courses are tailor-made to meet customers’ demands.
Languages for Life Ltd. also provide tuition for GCSE and A-Level students, either as a complete course or as support for courses taken at school or college. All tutors working with under 18 year-old students are CRB-checked.
One-to-one and group tuition in companies or venues is also available to clients. Training sessions last typically for 1.5 to 2 hours per session.
Intensive weekly courses of 6-8 hours per day are also on offer. However, any specific requirements can of course be met.
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NOTTINGHAM Trent University’s world-renowned reputation in cancer diagnosis and therapy has been confirmed in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Ninety per cent of its Biomedical Sciences research was judged to be of international quality, with 20 per cent rated world-leading, earning it a top ranking in the East Midlands region, and securing its position as one of the top 15 institutions in the country for this area of research.
Judged on research outputs, research environment and indicators of esteem (sub-profiles), the RAE is an important indicator of the quality of research in the UK’s universities. Nottingham Trent University’s biomedical research, submitted under Allied Health Professions and Studies (UoA:12) earned significant positive feedback for all three sub-profiles.
Through its global reputation the university has attracted funding and collaborations from major external investors and bodies. In 2008 the John and Lucille Van Geest Foundation donated a record £7.65 million to fund the development of a state-of-the-art Cancer Research Centre at the university’s Clifton campus. This was followed by the Anthony Nolan Trust’s opening of its groundbreaking Cord Blood Programme, which combines blood banking and a research institute.
Work on the rapid diagnostics of avian influenza, cellular models of toxicity and cardioprotection, the emergence of pathogens associated with infant milk formula, and the development of disposable biosensors and novel fluorescence techniques has also contributed to the continued growth of biomedical expertise at the university. Indeed the number of biomedical researchers has increased by 40% since the 2001 RAE.
Professor Bob Rees, Director of the university’s new Van Geest Cancer Research Centre, and Professor of Tumour Immunology, said: “It’s very important that the high standard of Biomedical Science research here at Nottingham Trent University has been recognised by the RAE. Our position as a world leading centre of expertise will help us continue to attract further funding and contribute to internationally significant developments and discoveries in the field.”
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Leisure retail course rewarded for industry excellence |
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A course run by the Centre for Leisure Retailing at Nottingham Trent University and pub chain, JD Wetherspoon, has won a national award from BII, the professional body for the licensed retail industry.
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The BII NITAs (National Industry Training Awards) are run each year to recognise and reward excellence in training within the industry. This year, the university’s BA (Hons) Leisure Retail Management course took away the award for ‘Best training scheme run by institutions of further and higher education in partnership with the licensed retail industry.’
This is the second year that the partnership between the Centre for Leisure Retailing and JD Wetherspoon has achieved success in the BII NITAs. They took away the same accolade in 2008 for the Advanced Diploma in Leisure Retail Management.
Conrad Lashley, Director of the Centre for Leisure Retailing, said: “These awards are considered an important benchmark for training standards in the industry so to win two years in a row, for two different courses, is very significant for us. They recognise our commitment to ensuring that all the training programmes we run are as up to date and relevant to the industry as possible.”
The expert judging panel commented: “This was once again a very strong entry, meeting or exceeding most criteria, and is a model of best practice in its category. The key driver of this customised honours degree is to improve the business though development of people and also to contribute to the professionalism of licensed retail management in general.”
All winners will be presented with their awards in front of 1,000 top industry representatives at the BII Annual Lunch at The Grosvenor House, London, in May.
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NOTTINGHAM Trent University’s world-renowned reputation in cancer diagnosis and therapy has been confirmed in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Ninety per cent of its Biomedical Sciences research was judged to be of international quality, with 20 per cent rated world-leading, earning it a top ranking in the East Midlands region, and securing its position as one of the top 15 institutions in the country for this area of research.
Judged on research outputs, research environment and indicators of esteem (sub-profiles), the RAE is an important indicator of the quality of research in the UK’s universities. Nottingham Trent University’s biomedical research, submitted under Allied Health Professions and Studies (UoA:12) earned significant positive feedback for all three sub-profiles.
Through its global reputation the university has attracted funding and collaborations from major external investors and bodies. In 2008 the John and Lucille Van Geest Foundation donated a record £7.65 million to fund the development of a state-of-the-art Cancer Research Centre at the university’s Clifton campus. This was followed by the Anthony Nolan Trust’s opening of its groundbreaking Cord Blood Programme, which combines blood banking and a research institute.
Work on the rapid diagnostics of avian influenza, cellular models of toxicity and cardioprotection, the emergence of pathogens associated with infant milk formula, and the development of disposable biosensors and novel fluorescence techniques has also contributed to the continued growth of biomedical expertise at the university. Indeed the number of biomedical researchers has increased by 40% since the 2001 RAE.
Professor Bob Rees, Director of the university’s new Van Geest Cancer Research Centre, and Professor of Tumour Immunology, said: “It’s very important that the high standard of Biomedical Science research here at Nottingham Trent University has been recognised by the RAE. Our position as a world leading centre of expertise will help us continue to attract further funding and contribute to internationally significant developments and discoveries in the field.”
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NOTTINGHAM Trent University’s world-renowned reputation in cancer diagnosis and therapy has been confirmed in the latest Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). Ninety per cent of its Biomedical Sciences research was judged to be of international quality, with 20 per cent rated world-leading, earning it a top ranking in the East Midlands region, and securing its position as one of the top 15 institutions in the country for this area of research.
Judged on research outputs, research environment and indicators of esteem (sub-profiles), the RAE is an important indicator of the quality of research in the UK’s universities. Nottingham Trent University’s biomedical research, submitted under Allied Health Professions and Studies (UoA:12) earned significant positive feedback for all three sub-profiles.
Through its global reputation the university has attracted funding and collaborations from major external investors and bodies. In 2008 the John and Lucille Van Geest Foundation donated a record £7.65 million to fund the development of a state-of-the-art Cancer Research Centre at the university’s Clifton campus. This was followed by the Anthony Nolan Trust’s opening of its groundbreaking Cord Blood Programme, which combines blood banking and a research institute.
Work on the rapid diagnostics of avian influenza, cellular models of toxicity and cardioprotection, the emergence of pathogens associated with infant milk formula, and the development of disposable biosensors and novel fluorescence techniques has also contributed to the continued growth of biomedical expertise at the university. Indeed the number of biomedical researchers has increased by 40% since the 2001 RAE.
Professor Bob Rees, Director of the university’s new Van Geest Cancer Research Centre, and Professor of Tumour Immunology, said: “It’s very important that the high standard of Biomedical Science research here at Nottingham Trent University has been recognised by the RAE. Our position as a world leading centre of expertise will help us continue to attract further funding and contribute to internationally significant developments and discoveries in the field.”
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Developing new ideas for city generation |
ARCHITECTURE,architectural technology, and landscape and design students are to give their views on how some streets, alleyways and associated buildings in Nottingham’s city centre could be better developed.
As part of their annual Project Week from February 2-6, the Nottingham Trent University students will review defined areas across the city centre before exhibiting their proposals for potential improvements.
The initiative, in collaboration with Nottingham City Council, will involve thoroughly surveying and evaluating a number of areas and coming up with ideas which are innovative, imaginative and creative – but also realistic and achievable. Locations will include Upper Parliament Street, Lower Parliament Street, Stoney Street, Kings Street, Queen Street, St Peter’s Gate, Goosegate, Woolpack Lane and the Old Market Square.
Approximately 200 students, from the university’s School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, will form ten ‘companies’ which will work together throughout the week before giving their recommendations to a panel of experts, including architects and planning professionals.
The students will consider the characteristics of their areas; the size of neighbouring properties, plots, streets and alleyways; the number of buildings which are occupied or vacant; how people, cyclists and traffic move through the area; parking and public transport. They will also speak to shoppers and members of the public to get their views.
“Ideas could include revised lighting, additional planting, new hard and soft landscaping, temporary uses in vacant shops, or even total demolition in order to redevelop an area,” said Gavin Tunstall, Programme Leader in Architectural Technology at Nottingham Trent University.
He said: “The students will be faced with some very real challenges; do they propose ideas which are very unlikely to be adopted in the short term, but which might influence long-term development planning? Or do they go for simple alternatives which are affordable and easily implemented, but which still add value to the area in which they are placed?
“This year is particularly poignant given the impact the current recession is having on the retail outlets in the city centre. Many shop units are now empty and proposed redevelopment and refurbishment plans are being put on hold or maybe postponed indefinitely.”
Nigel Turpin, Team Leader City Centre and Urban Design at Nottingham City Council, said: “I was delighted to help develop the project brief for this initiative as partnership working is something Nottingham City Council really encourages. The project not only looks at how buildings could be regenerated but also how spaces and routes in parts of the city could be improved. Permeability in and around the city centre is a key component of its success, particularly those route on the edge of the city into the neighbourhoods. I am anticipating some radical new ideas as to how these issues could be addressed.”
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Could Lucy have the spark for Marks? |
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A CITY student is a step closer to having her designs made into clothes for Marks & Spencer after being shortlisted in a prestigious national design competition.
Lucy Richardson beat off stiff competition from both her peers and university-level candidates with her design for an innovative children’s cloak, which can be transformed into a soft toy or play mat.
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The 18-year-old who is a BTEC National Diploma Fashion student at New College Nottingham was shortlisted last week.
The ASBCI 2009 Student Design Innovation Award sponsored by Marks & Spencer aims to recognise innovation in design among college and university students.
Four other ncn fashion students were ‘highly commended’ in the initial stage of the competition.
Students were set a brief to design innovative garments for babies or children. The judges described Lucy’s design boards as ‘excellent, clearly laid out and logical with interesting texture ideas.’
ncn BND Fashion Course Leader Keran Gibson-Perks said: “I am extremely pleased with the results of the competition so far: it is well-recognised in the fashion industry and all the students worked hard to create innovative designs using modern technology. For Lucy to be shortlisted is especially exciting as she is a Level 3 student competing against HE students.”
Lucy added: “I was surprised to hear I had been shortlisted as I know many university students enter the competition. I think this will improve my CV because the competition is well known in the industry, and being shortlisted will show future employers that my work has been commended by a recognised organisation.” The three winning designs will be announced in the coming month and the final outfits displayed at the Association of Suppliers to the British Clothing Industry (ASBCI) Annual conference on May 19. |
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