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University of Kent MAGAZINE Summer 2018 Cover story: Remains to be seen – St Leonard’s Church, Hythe
KNOW WHEN
TO FOLD ‘EM
A forgotten piece of artwork by Oliver Postgate has been rediscovered
at the University after being hidden from view for 25 years.
The artwork in question (above) was found on donation from Major Stanley Holland, a long- One panel has a drawing of a statue of
the other side of a mural that hangs in Eliot time friend and benefactor of the college, Thomas Becket and another of Henry II and in
College at the University’s Canterbury campus. for a new work of art. the bottom right hand corner is a cartouche of
The mural is a piece called A Canterbury two mice holding a scroll confirming the work
Chronicle, which depicts the history of However, once the art work was installed as to be by Oliver Postgate and dated 1992.
Canterbury from 40,000BC to the present day. a triptych the two ‘doors’ of the left and right
panels had never been closed, thus hiding the The new artwork only came to light after the
This has been on display in the college since cover for the work. This is a piece of work quite current Master of the Eliot College, Stephen
1992 after the Master of Eliot College at the different to the mural but unmistakably in the Burke, was approached by a member of the
time, Shirley Barlow, commissioned Oliver style of Oliver Postgate. housekeeping team at the University and told
Postgate to produce a work after a generous the mural needed cleaning.
University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
CONTENTS
4 Feature: A bad night’s sleep 18 Alumni Q&A with William Sitwell Follow us on…
6 University news 20 The Footsteps path twitter.com/UniKentAlumni
9 Cover Story 23 In Memoriam facebook.com/Kentalumni
10 Feature: Timeline of the 24 Community news instagram.com/unikentlive
Templeman Library 26 Staff profile: Lee Ballard tinyurl.com/kentlinked
12 Alumni guest feature 28 Feature: Corridor Friends Forever youtube.com/user/UniversityofKent
16 From the archive: 30 Student profile: Jasmine Pomeroy www.kent.ac.uk/alumni/news/kent
Tommy Cooper’s fez 31 Forthcoming events
4 6 12
18 26 28
Like what we’ve done with the place? Editorial Board Special thanks to: Malini Pittet, Babak
We’d love to hear your feedback on the Editor: Chris Wenham Nikravesh, Gurprit Lall, Martin Herrema,
new-look magazine. Simply email us on Designer: Lesley Farr Dan Worth, Tom Kennett, Alex Perkins,
alumni@kent.ac.uk or you can contact Principal photography: Matt Wilson James Hudson, Rhys Higgins, Chris Deter,
us by phone on +44 (0)1227 824346. Editorial team: Kayleigh Bampton, Jenny Grant, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust
This magazine is also available online at Julia Baxter, Tim Farrow-House, Gary Hughes. and St Leonard’s Church.
www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
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University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
FEATURE
PULLING BACK THE
COVERS ON A BAD
NIGHT’S SLEEP
By Dr Gurprit S Lall
Most of us know the feeling experience the greatest plateau in energy during
the middle of the night – when they are likely
when we fail to get a decent already fast asleep – and in the afternoon – which
night’s sleep. Everything is why they may be tempted to take a nap under
becomes more of an effort their desk.
and we simply don’t function
What I and other researchers found was that aging
properly. results in a significant reduction in sensitivity to
light in the part of the brain that controls circadian
Younger people generally find it easy to get rhythms, known as the suprachiasmatic nucleus
the recommended eight hours shut-eye. But for (SCN). This was a real breakthrough because up
older people, it can become more and more of a until now no one had identified the mechanism
problem. This, in turn, can affect their wellbeing behind this massive change in the way our bodies
at a time of life when they are getting more operate.
vulnerable to ill-health.
At the heart of this mechanism, we found, were
This may seem like a natural part of the aging subtle alterations in one of the neural pathways
process, but as a researcher I became fascinated in our brain that controls circadian rhythms. We
by what lay behind this change in our physiology. discovered that a glutamate receptor, known as
I therefore set out to try and establish why age NMDA, which is used to transmit light information
impairs the ability of our circadian clock – which becomes less effective in resetting the circadian
controls our sleeping patterns – to continue clock as part of the aging process.
functioning properly as we get older.
This structural change in the glutamate receptor
Anyone who has flown long-haul will know that was responsible for the decline in light response
jet-lag feeling. This is caused by changing light observed. Part of this NMDA receptor exhibited a
patterns causing our circadian rhythms to attempt big decrease in presence among older mammals,
to reset themselves, resulting in an inability to indicating an age-associated change in its
sleep when we need to and feelings of structural configuration.
disorientation.
This discovery could have profound implications
It’s important to realise that a circadian rhythm is for the wellbeing and care of our increasingly
not a concrete structure in the brain, rather it is elderly population. It means that in the future
a sort of 24-hour internal clock that is running doctors may be able to target treatments that
in the background to cycle between sleepiness specifically aim to repair the circadian clock in
and alertness at regular intervals. older people, resulting in big improvements in
their physiological condition.
The circadian rhythm is why people begin to
fade after too many hours awake, and why they This in turn could have a dramatic impact on
may experience a midday slump. Most adults increasingly stretched health budgets.
Photo: Dr Gurprit Lall, Medway School of Pharmacy in No 3 Covered Slip (built 1838) at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
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University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
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University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Female-dominated
workplaces have
worse access to
flexible working
It is commonly assumed that the low wages often
found in female-dominated workplaces can be
justified through better provision of family-friendly
arrangements, but new research provides
evidence that low wages are accompanied
by worse working conditions for many.
A study looked at individuals in 27 countries
across the EU. It found that the best workplaces
for providing flexibility were gender-neutral –
where men and women were equally
represented.
Kent and Medway’s first medical school Researcher Dr Heejung Chung, of the
The Government and Health Education England (HEE) announced on 20 March that the joint University’s School of Social Policy, Sociology
bid by the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University for funded places to and Social Research, found that what she called
establish a medical school has been successful. a ‘women’s work penalty’ existed in every country
covered by her study.
It will be the county’s first ever medical school, bringing together the existing centres of
excellence in health and medical education provided by the two universities and local She said her research provides the evidence to
healthcare organisations to offer a new model of patient-focused medical education. ‘reject the assumption’ that women have better
access to flexible working arrangements and
The medical school will also be an essential part of the solution for recruiting and retaining that female-dominated workplaces are better
medical professionals for the region. at providing them.
University scientists make vitamin B12 breakthrough
Stay up to date with all
Scientists have made a significant discovery The observation that certain plants are able
about how the vitamin content of some plants to absorb B12 is important as such nutrient-
the latest news from the
can be improved to make vegetarian and vegan enriched plants could help overcome dietary University online.
diets more complete. limitations in countries such as India, which have
a high proportion of vegetarians and may be
Vitamin B12 (known as cobalamin) is an essential significant as a way to address the global Visit www.kent.ac.uk/news
dietary component but vegetarians are more challenge of providing a nutrient-complete or follow on Twitter
prone to B12 deficiency as plants neither make vegetarian diet, a valuable development as the
nor require this nutrient. But now a team, led world becomes increasingly meat-free due to
@UniKentNews
by Professor Martin Warren at the University’s population expansion.
School of Biosciences, has proved that common
garden cress can take up cobalamin.
IN BRIEF
New Gulbenkian Director Beyond Brussels podcast 3D printed ancient musical Kent Law Clinic wins
The University is pleased to announce Students at the Brussels School of instruments £5.6 million for clients
the appointment of Oliver Carruthers International Studies (BSIS) have A research project at the University The University’s Kent Law Clinic,
as its new Director of Gulbenkian. He launched a podcast that will feature has produced working 3D replicas of which offers free legal advice to
joined from Rich Mix, East London’s interviews with individuals from the ancient Roman musical instruments the community, has helped clients
independent arts centre, where he world of politics, business, from Egypt that are so accurate they obtain a total of £5.6 million
was Artistic Director. economics, media and more: played a recognisable scale – though pounds since 1992.
beyondbrusselspod.com higher notes than expected.
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University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
Shared arts
commitment
recognised by
University and Arts
Council England
A shared commitment to widen access and
improve the quality of arts and culture across
Kent has been recognised in the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between
the University and Arts Council England.
University Vice-Chancellor and President
Professor Karen Cox and Arts Council England
(ACE) Chief Executive Darren Henley signed
the MoU at a ceremony on 23 March at our
Medway campus.
Wildlife photography award win Both organisations will work together to develop
for Kent conservationist more opportunities for students, children and
young people to get involved in the arts.
Professor Zoe Davies, of the Durrell Institute of Conversation and Ecology (DICE),
has won an award in the annual British Ecological Society photography competition. The collaboration with ACE will have a particular
focus on supporting growing creative clusters in
Medway, North Kent and beyond to ensure that
She was chosen as the winner of the ‘Dynamic Ecosystems’ category for her image
Kent has the infrastructure and opportunities
entitled Salmon Run of a brown bear catching a sockeye salmon in Alaska, USA.
necessary to develop talent and creative careers
across the county.
Her photograph was chosen by an independent judging panel made up of five
renowned ecologists and award-winning wildlife photographers.
The Green Room: from tree
to building
A crowdfunding platform has been launched
to support student projects at Kent. First up
– enterprising students are building an
environmentally sustainable round wooden
timber-framed building using materials taken
from the University’s own coppiced woodland.
This will create a teaching, learning, and social
space set within an ethnobotanical garden.
They need your help to make this happen.
To find out more and give, go to:
tinyurl.com/kentgreenroom
IN BRIEF
Globe Book Award Kent shortlisted for space Research Design A first Silver
shortlist station experiment Service SE Athena SWAN
Dr Sarah Dustagheer from the School Dr Penelope Wozniakiewicz, of the The Centre for Health Services The Athena SWAN Silver Award
of English has been shortlisted for the University’s School of Physical Studies (CHSS) have welcomed the recognises ongoing commitment
2018 Shakespeare’s Globe Book Sciences, is developing a project for a announcement that the Research to embed equality, diversity and
Award. She has been selected for her new type of dust particle collector that Design Service SE (RDS SE) has inclusivity. The School of
work Shakespeare’s Two Playhouses: would sit outside the space station been awarded a further five years Mathematics, Statistics and
Repertory and Theatre Space at the and collect orbital debris. Monitoring of funding. It provides free and Actuarial Science (SMSAS) has
Globe and the Blackfriars, 1599-1613. dust populations in low Earth orbit is confidential research design and become the first at the University
vital to understanding the hazards methodological support to health to be awarded the Athena SWAN
they pose to spacecraft. and social care researchers. Silver Award.
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University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
UNIVERSITY NEWS
Kent organises major
conference for county
business leaders
The Kent Business Summit: Shaping
Kent’s Future in a Global Economy
event was organised by Kent Business
School (KBS) in conjunction with the
Federation of Small Businesses and
the Institute of Directors and was
sponsored by audit, tax and advisory
firm Crowe Clark Whitehill.
University of Kent Vice-Chancellor and
President Professor Karen Cox said the
conference was a great opportunity for
organisations and individuals across
Kent to come together and focus on the
future of the county during this period
of change.
‘Bringing businesses, public sector
organisations and academia together to
share ideas, knowledge and opinions
during the Brexit process and beyond
will provide us with a great opportunity
to prepare for the future. The University
of Kent is proud to host such an event.’
Photo exhibition explores what peace means to Ugandans after
decades of war
‘What does peace mean to you?’ was organised As part of this work Dr Ansorg brought some
by Dr Nadine Ansorg, with contributions from disposable cameras and asked a group of ten
Professor Feargal Cochrane and Dr Iain women and men to take photos of their lives in
MacKenzie. the camp.
Dr Ansorg carried out fieldwork in Anaka in She encouraged young people from Anaka
Northern Uganda in July and August 2017. The town (Nwoya district) to engage with a creative
town was the site of the largest refugee camp side to research and the questions of peace.
with about 40,000 people at the height of the war
between the rebel group Lord’s Resistance Army
(LRA) and the government.
IN BRIEF
Makeni-Kent Exchange The future of race Paris School becomes the Goodbye to Y?
Programme A new study reveals how mixed-race focus of BBC report It is becoming increasingly clear
Thanks to a generous donation from British parents draw from their ethnic Our Paris School of Arts and Culture that the Y chromosome is not
The Sigrid Rausing Trust, five students and racial backgrounds in identifying was the focus of a BBC Sunday Politics strong and enduring, according to
and two senior lecturers/barristers and raising their children. In her new South East report on student and staff Professor Darren Griffin and Dr
from the University of Makeni, Sierra book, Professor Miri Song draws on mobility. Reporter Briohny Williams Peter Ellis. Although it carries the
Leone joined the Kent Law Clinic for detailed narratives to present a interviewed Professor Jeremy Carrette, gene, SRY, that determines whether
a week in March to observe and revealing portrait of how multiracial Kent’s Dean for Europe, and students an embryo will develop as male
fully participate in the legal work identity is – and is not – passed to Alice Cadney and Olivia Toulmin about (XY) or female (XX), it contains very
of the UK. children. Erasmus+ and the opportunities few other genes and is the only
studying abroad presents. chromosome not necessary for life.
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University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
COVER STORY
REMAINS TO BE SEEN
Field trip to the ossuary of St Leonard’s Church, Hythe
As part of the first-year introduction to Biological
Anthropology module, SE302 Foundations in
Biological Anthropology, students attend a field
trip to St Leonard’s Church in Hythe. This unique
church has the largest ossuary in the UK. It is
unknown where the people that are interred there
are from, however it is believed they date back to
the medieval period.
This field trip shows students first-hand how studying the human skeleton
can have several applications within biological anthropology. It follows
just after the human osteology lecture where students learn about the
types of information that can be gained from studying human
osteological remains.
Acknowledgement: We are very grateful to St Leonard’s Church, Hythe
for making this fascinating field trip possible and permitting us to take
photographs.
ossuary /ˈɒsjʊəri/ noun (plural noun ossuaries) a container or room
for the bones of the dead
- Origin – 17th century from the late Latin ossuarium, formed irregularly
from Latin os, oss – ‘bone’.
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University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
A TIMELINE OF THE TEMPLEMAN LIBRARY
RENEWAL
1 Construction of University Library
commences, spring 1966
The University Library was located in various
temporary homes in the city and around
campus before receiving its own permanent
building. Designed by architect Sir William
Holford to be the campus centrepiece, the
Brutalist architecture complemented nearby
Eliot and Rutherford Colleges.
3 University Library with Senate
Building, c1970 5 Innovation, 1976
The Library was designed to be built in The University Library achieved a
four stages, expanding as book stock significant milestone in 1976 with the
and student numbers grew. This first launch of KLACS (Kent Library
stage consisted of the west wing and Automated Circulation System). This was
central block to the second floor, with the first automated system in operation at
space for 250,000 books and 600 any UK university and revolutionised the
readers, and opened in January 1968. issue and discharge service.
4 Expansion, 1972
A Kent Book
Fiction In February 1972 building work commenced
on Stage 2, adding the east wing and third
floor of the central block. Capacity doubled
Renewal to 500,000 books and provided space for
Librar y
Templeman
780 readers, with provision for a music and
record library and Special Collections.
2 Catalogue Hall, c1960s
Stacks and reader spaces were located in the
west wing whilst the central block contained
the Catalogue Hall and staff offices. The
Library also included a closed access
Reserve Collection for the first time, leading
press reports of 'prison-like' conditions.
10University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
7 Commemoration, 1990
On 1 June 1990 the University Library was renamed the
Templeman Library in honour of Kent’s first Vice-Chancellor,
Geoffrey Templeman. Other than the introduction of
computers, the interior of the library was little changed
from its last expansion in the 1970s.
9 The new extension, 2015
In 2013, construction work commenced on a 5000m2 extension
to the west wing of the Templeman. Completed in September
2015, this added 500 study spaces, a lecture theatre, café, and
a dedicated Special Collections & Archives space, including a
Gallery space for exhibitions.
8 The 90s block, 1997
In March 1997, a new extension
was added to the east wing of the
Templeman, the first increase in
space for almost 25 years. The
main driver was the expansion
of computer facilities for students,
with levels 2 and 3 entirely devoted
to this.
6 Entering the computer age, 1982
The first computer study area was
10 Transformation, 2017
introduced in mid-1982, with the
installation of 12 computer terminals As part of the same works, from 2015-17 the central
in an unused corridor on the top floor. core was redeveloped, creating a new Welcome Hall
The intensity with which students with wider stairs, lifts, study facilities and help points.
gazed into the screens led staff to The original windows and facade were also updated,
nickname the area ‘Android Alley’. completely refreshing the look of the building.
11University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni 12
University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
ANTI-
POACHING
DOGS OF
THE CHYULU
HILLS
When domestic animals work
in wildlife conservation
By Malini Pittet
Darwin, 2008: Biodiversity Conservation
and Management www.malinipittet.com
In all my travels across Africa, I have never encountered
elephants with tusks as long and as heavy as those in
southern Kenya. In many parts of Africa, large-tusked
elephants have all but vanished, eliminated by the reversal
of natural selection through human activity. Poaching and
trophy hunting have systematically removed elephants
with the biggest tusks, leaving small-tusked elephants to
dominate the gene pool. The same goes for lions with the
biggest manes, big leopards and other species targeted
by the wildlife trade. Today, large-tusked elephants are
heavily protected but the threat of international organised
poaching syndicates still exists. The elephants, with
tusks so long they graze the ground, are continuously
monitored to protect them from the threat of poaching
and in some cases retaliation as a result of crop raiding.
Clyde is off with Mutinda and Leiyan in tow
13University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
ALUMNI GUEST FEATURE
The mafia-like poaching gangs operating across
the continent are highly organised and heavily
armed. The illegal trade of wild fauna and flora
is estimated to reach a turnover of several
billions of US dollars this year alone. What
makes Africa’s ivory poachers so successful is
that organised crime syndicates controlling the
trade are rich to begin with. They arm local
poachers with sophisticated weapons and they
run secret supply and smuggling networks.
These syndicates recruit people in poor areas
who have few alternatives to make a decent
living and the syndicates offer them high
salaries, making it difficult to refuse. The hired
1
poachers are increasingly daring, going after
animals in national parks, in private conservation
areas, and even in extreme cases, zoos and
museums. With deep pockets and a ‘nothing to
lose attitude’, these syndicates are successfully
decimating wild populations of species that are
endangered and already threatened by other
causes (loss of habitat, climate change).
So, how do these dogs fit into the complex
mosaic of wildlife conservation and organised
crime? At first glance, the tracker dogs seem
like the cutest of pooches but after spending
some time with them you quickly realise that
these are far from your friendly neighbourhood 2
dogs. As soon as one of their handlers slips
on the ‘work harness’, the dog’s demeanour
changes. The animal knows that play time is
over and it is time to get serious. The handler
puts a cloth on the track that needs to be
followed. He then places this cloth in a sterile
plastic bag and holds it to the dog’s nose for
a few seconds or minutes to fully expose the
scent. The dog is then ready to track the scent
and it is up to the handler to keep up. Once the
dog is on the move, things can go quite quickly!
To the dogs, it may be a high-
octane game; for the handlers, 3 4
it can sometimes turn into a
life or death situation.
Didi is an eight-year old mixed breed with what
looks like a bit of Belgian Malinois in her. She
was rescued from a dog shelter in Nairobi and
from her arrival in the Chyulu Hills in 2013, she
was put through a programme to train her as
a tracker dog. Bonnie and Clyde are one year
and seven-month old bloodhounds and were
trained at a specialised facility in Laikipia, a
county in Kenya.
5
14University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
The training programme focuses on tracking, right, having led to the arrest of poachers and
obedience and compliance skill sets. The the recovery of ivory. It all began in July 2015 in
course also equips the handlers with dog the Tsavo West National Park when the bodies
handling skills, maintaining a rigorous regime of five elephants were discovered with their
of daily exercise and general cleanliness. The tusks hacked off. The Kenya Wildlife Service
tracking aspect of the training is the most (KWS), along with the Big Life Foundation
important as this is the skill set the dogs will tracker dog team, were deployed to hunt down
need to master for their future role. Once they and capture the poachers. Didi led the sting
are fully trained, they go through a six-day operation with the KWS team in tow, following
patrolling routine with regular ten-kilometre runs the tracks across the border into Tanzania right
During the patrols, the dogs test their skills into the village and the hut where the poachers
through mock exercises that are geared towards were hiding out. Didi unearthed the blood-
improving their skills, fine-tuning their obedience soaked machetes that the poachers had used
and better their response time. Sundays are set to remove the tusks from the elephants they
6
aside for resting and grooming. slaughtered. The result of the operation was the
capture of the poachers as well as the retrieval
The handlers tend to have interesting stories; of the tusks which had been sawed off the
‘anti-poaching dog handler’ isn’t the most elephants. Although a third suspect was
obvious job across Kenya. Most of the handlers arrested, a flaw in the judicial system led the
are from near-by and have a story that begins three men to be released later. However, we
in the vicinity of the Big Life Foundation. One hope that this lesson is one that they will never
gentleman was a former cook for the dog unit; forget and share with their colleagues, causing
his interest and dedication led to him becoming them to reconsider turning to poaching as a
an accomplished tracker dog handler today. source of income.
Others begin as rangers for the Big Life
Foundation and transitioned to handlers when While this incident did not yield the expected
they discovered a passion for the dogs and results, the handlers agree that every
their work. Still others have more remarkable successful mission is a great boost to their
stories such as Mutinda who started off as a morale. The dogs and their handlers are at the
career poacher, spending much of his teenage forefront of a global war on wildlife trafficking
and later years involved in wildlife-related and every success is a victory for the
criminal activities. Thanks to the dedication conservation world.
and persistence of Richard Bonham, one
of the founders of the Big Life Foundation, malini2018 check out Malini’s wildlife
Mutinda was attracted by the prospect of a
photography on Instagram.
legal, steady income and today is one of the
team’s most charismatic handlers.
The dogs and their handlers attend the training
programme together, honing their skills and
strengthening their bonds. Once the trainer The Big Life Foundation was created by
deems the handler and the dog ready, both join a trio of visionaries, photographer Nick
Brandt, conservationist Richard Bonham
the main anti-poaching team with the Big Life
and entrepreneur Tom Hill. Since 2010, the
1 A male tusker makes his way through the yellow Foundation.
Foundation works towards protecting
fever tree forest, dwarfed by the Kilimanjaro elephant populations in Kenya and in the
2 Mutinda places a cloth in a sterile bag and holds
it around Clyde’s nose for a while, long enough for
Among the qualities of a bordering areas of Tanzania. The Big Life
the scent to take hold good anti-poaching dog is Foundation plays a crucial role in controlling
elephant poaching in Kenya and Tanzania
3 At less than a month old, this lion cub is impossibly obedience, while qualities of a by launching transboundary anti-poaching
cute. Depending on the genes he received, he
will either be a blond-maned lion or the rare good handler include passion efforts, partnering with local communities
dark-maned lion and hygiene. that are sometimes caught in human-wildlife
4 A common eland, the second largest antelope of conflicts, and protecting land that sustains
Africa, begins its day as the sun rises behind it According to the handlers, bloodhounds are fragile populations of wildlife.
5 A small herd of buffalo warm up in the morning
the best suited to the job as they use both
sunshine, in a few hours they will descend into
the marshes where it is cooler and they can graze tracks and scent to find poachers as opposed
during the hottest part of the day to other breeds that tend to only follow tracks. Acknowledgement: thank you to Nikki Best and
6 Didi watches Bonnie and Clyde socialising with the That being said, Didi is a celebrity in her own John Kasaine from the Big Life Foundation
other handlers
15University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni From the archive: Tommy Cooper’s fez 16
University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
17University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
ALUMNI PROFILE
WITH
QA &
William Sitwell is one of Britain’s
foremost food writers, a multi-
What do you do?
WILLIAM
SITWELL
Eliot, 1988: Politics and Government
Food is at the heart of everything I do!
How did you get involved in the world of food?
I was basically a journalist who ended up on
a food magazine – a job came up on Waitrose
award-winning editor and Food in 1999 and I’ve been there ever since.
My ‘day job’ is as editorial director at John
broadcaster. He has received Brown Media where as well as being editor of I quickly realised that food, and drink, are
the award for Editor of the Year Waitrose Food magazine I launch magazines – phenomenal subjects for a journalist, as they
from both the British Society of and digital content – for supermarkets around touch our lives in so many ways, impacting on
the world. We’ve launched content and now run health, culture, entertainment, the environment,
Magazine Editors (BSME) and
offices in London, the US, the UAE and South sustainability, agriculture, pretty much
the Association of Publishing Africa. We are also in the process of pitching in everything! It’s very easy to source and create
Agencies (APA). various other territories, from Russia to Asia. I’m news stories involving food, and set news
also a food writer and broadcaster. So on the agendas based around food that get picked
He has written for a variety of newspapers freelance side I write books as well as articles up in the press.
including The Sunday Express, Daily Mail, for a range of newspapers and magazines, I
The Times, and Daily Telegraph, showcasing make cider, I have a radio show and do TV What career ambition do you have still to
his knowledge on politics, show business work, (shows like MasterChef). realise?
and general news. Really, just more of the same, as I haven’t
Of all you do, what do you enjoy most? made my fortune yet! I hope to do another
William is the editor of Waitrose Kitchen I’ve always enjoyed writing – while at Kent I had book very shortly and would love to get more
Magazine as well as being a food and a column in the student newspaper called ‘The involved in food from a sustainability point of
restaurant critic. He frequently appears on Sitwell Slot.’ Occasionally I would overstep the view in the future, looking at alternative protein
TV with appearances on BBC’s MasterChef mark and my column would get banned – I’d sources perhaps, or alternatives to food
and ITV’s Britain’s Best Dish. then have to publish ‘The Sorry Slot’ to get back production/packaging. I studied politics at Kent
up and running again! I was always keen to get (UK and US) and still enjoy that too, so that’s
into telly and radio and had a morning show on something I’d maybe like to get more involved
the University station (then called UKC Radio) in one day in the future!
which I loved. Those interests have continued
throughout my life!
18University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
What’s the most interesting thing about you What do you know now that you wish you had see a time where protein is grown in labs and
that we wouldn’t learn from your CV or known while at Kent? eaten as a norm, and eating animals is a luxury.
Wikipedia page? I wish someone had told me how important it One challenge is that the human psyche in the
I am fascinated by prisons and recently was to learn about commerce and business – Western world doesn’t allow us to easily eat
voluntarily sat through a murder trial at the how to pitch, how to speak in public, how to insects, as they are a great protein source, so
Old Bailey – I found it completely enthralling. make money. I have been pretty much self- maybe this will change in the future.
I’m weirdly interested in things like the death taught in those areas and I guess haven’t done
penalty and how people react as they too badly, but it would have been great to have What’s the most trivial hill you are willing to
approach their imminent demise… how did understood the importance of it all while still at die on? (ie what is the one thing you believe
Charles 1st feel on the day of his execution, university. which you will never concede, no matter how
or Saddam Hussein, or some poor captive much people argue with you?)
somewhere? How would you approach having a student I firmly believe the Socialist project will
budget with your cooking today? always fail.
On a lighter note, I play the piano and strive to I think it would be reasonably easy to cook
be better at it! economically today, there are so many But more importantly, I believe there is nothing
competitively priced foods now – rice, pulses greater than a perfectly made self-saucing
What is your funniest memory of your time and veg can all be obtained very cheaply. I chocolate fondant!
at Kent? used to bring game birds back home after a
I’m not sure about funny but I remember once weekend and if I was a student on a budget www.williamsitwell.com
we thought we ought to have a dinner party so today I’d also look at growing my own veg,
we invited a bunch of friends over to our house although I’m not sure how practical that would
in Roseacre Close, then totally forgot we’d be in reality digging up a back garden...
invited them. I remember arriving back
somewhat worse for wear from a night out – it Will we all be vegetarian in 100 years?
might have been a day that turned into a night – No, I can’t see it. I think people will always want
to find all these people there and wondering to eat meat, but I see no reason why it can’t
who on earth they all were and why were they come from humanely grown products – I can
in our house!?
19University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni 20
University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
21University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
What kind of footsteps will you
leave for those who follow you?
For over 50 years the University All of our experiences are special – our The Kent Opportunity Fund supports a broad
contributions varied and unique – but together, range of scholarships, student projects to
of Kent has been a crucible of
WE are KENT. enhance extra-curricular activities at Kent, and
learning – fuelling young bursaries to support students experiencing
imaginations to shape the future. Through the Footsteps Project – set at the heart financial hardship. Kent staff, alumni and
of the Canterbury campus – the thoughts and donors come together to allocate all of the
The opportunities Kent has provided are memories of students, staff, alumni and funds raised and ensure that they go to the
amazing and hundreds of thousands of members of the University community can students most in need.
people sharing an abundance of moments, become part of the very fabric of our University
experiences and memories. Leaving a legacy – creating a monument to their time at Kent. Every year gifts to the Kent Opportunity Fund
of learning through over half a century of study. make a huge difference to the lives of Kent
Starting from just a £50 contribution to the students. The Footsteps Project gives you the
Kent Opportunity Fund you can leave your opportunity to support current students – while
personal message at the heart of the campus. recording the legacy of your time at Kent.
The Footsteps Project donation form
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By ticking the box I confirm that I am a UK tax payer
Full name and would like all my donations from the past 4 years and
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22 F17/18 LE02University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
IN MEMORIAM
Since the last issue of Obituaries Optics Group and still attended Jacqui was an extremely
meetings on campus in his 90s. dedicated and accomplished
the magazine went to Professor Jim Brown colleague, who pioneered the use
press, the University has Professor Brown was appointed to of office technology in its infancy,
Professor Brown used to visit
learned of the deaths of the Readership in Experimental the campus regularly until earlier training many people to use word
the following alumni, Physics from 1 September 1965 this year. He was popular with processors when they were first
honorary graduates and and appointed Professor of students, with the ‘First 500’ adopted. Jacqui was also
Experimental Physics from 1 April holding him in high regard and knowledgeable, wise, and a
former staff.
1971. He was appointed Director they were still in touch with him all wonderful friend who would do
of the Physics Laboratory in 1976 these years later. Staff found his all she could to help fellow
If you would like to be put in touch
and he remained Director until warm, gentle approach to life of members of staff.
with the families or friends of
1982. He was appointed Emeritus comfort, reminding them of the
anyone listed here please let us
Professor in 1985 following his good things in life. Professor Colin
know – we may be able to help.
retirement. After 1985, he Seymour-Ure
continued to be closely associated Jacqui Suggett The University was very sad to
Professor Jim Brown
with the University, acting as The University was very sorry hear of the death of Professor
Professor Joe Connor
internal examiner in 1991, and to hear of the death of Jacqui Colin Seymour-Ure in November
Jacqueline Hill
still teaching for many years. Suggett in January 2018, following 2017.
Dr Sarah Hyde
Professor Colin Seymour-Ure a long illness. Jacqui, who retired
Arriving in Kent with the first from the University in 2008, was Colin was one of the founder
Jacqui Suggett
undergraduates in 1965, he the Alumni Database Manager members of the study of politics
established the Low Temperature in the Communications & at the University of Kent, joining
Laboratory here. With colleagues, Development Office. Jacqui’s hard the University on its establishment
the first application of the quartz work had made a considerable in 1965.
microbalance to measure difference to the Degree
thickness of the helium film was Congregations for years. He served as Dean of
effected and measurement made Social Sciences and Head of
of the Bernoulli effect in the Jacqui was employed by the Department. He was one of
flowing electronic fluid of a University in August 1976 as the world’s leading scholars of
superconductor, as well as other a Secretariat Assistant (Word political communications and
work to elucidate the contact Processing Machine Operator) mass media. He was an Emeritus
potential of metals under stress. in the Academic Division of the Professor from 2002 and until his
An NERC investigation of acoustic Registry. In 1989 Jacqui started death in November 2017.
imaging to explore its feasibility for to work for the Public Relations
use in coal mines was carried out and Information Office on We have lost not only a scholar
on large scale in the air. More desktop publishing, the University and colleague but also a friend.
recently, Professor Brown has prospectus, and database work.
been a member of the Applied
23University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
COMMUNITY NEWS
Colleges when the University of Kent
claimed 3rd place in the UK –
Turing and 1st place in England – for
Welcome weekend just seemed postgraduate satisfaction. In
like yesterday, and yet another order to build further upon this
academic year has passed! success, two initiatives have
Throughout the year our begun to enhance the facilities
Residents’ Support Officer (RSO), and accommodation in Woolf
Geoff Wu, has visited regularly all College. One of these, being
flats and houses, giving advice led by the Graduate School, is
to residents with any domestic looking at ways of expanding
issues and signposting them to and improving social and study
campus services. Our college spaces in the College. The other
committee has been busy with initiative, led by the University’s 1 2
producing ‘The Enigma Commercial Services department
Newsletter’ for all Turing students, is exploring ways of improving
organising film and quiz nights, the student experience of the
being involved in the College accommodation.
Week and reviewing how the
Turing Hub was being used. Keynes
Together with the Master’s Office, Keynes College will be 50 this
the committee have worked with coming academic year and we
Commercial Services, IT and are looking for the help and
Kent Union to try and adapt ideas of Keynes College
some of the Turing Hub space alumni to make our anniversary
to be able to offer more facilities, celebrations as exciting as
including study space and possible.
equipment. They have also
3
initiated the introduction of Do you have a story related
College hoodies with the to Keynes that you would like
Master’s Office. to share?
Do you have a profession/
Darwin expertise that may interest
On 7 March the annual Darwin our current students?
Feast was held, and it was a very Did you form lasting
memorable event. The guest of relationships while at Keynes?
honour for the Feast was Caroline Are you an artist interested
Waterlow, the producer of the in exhibiting in the College?
Oscar winning documentary OJ: Do you have any interesting
Made in America, who gave a photos you would be happy
highly engaging public lecture for us to show?
prior to the Feast, entitled Would you like to become a
‘Documentary Filmmaking in member of our 50th Anniversary 4 5
the Age of Fake News’. This Steering Committee and/or be
provided great food for the mind involved in the planning and
and gave rise to many interesting organisation of the events?
conversations as the splendid
feast was consumed. We would love to hear from
anyone who would be interested
in participating: please, get in
Woolf
contact by emailing us:
The experience and satisfaction keynesmastersoffice@kent.ac.uk.
of Woolf College students was We very much look forward to
recognised in the ‘Whatuni hearing from you.
Student Choice Awards 2018'
6 7
24University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
Kent Sport Gulbenkian
New Director Gulbenkian Uncovered gives
students the chance to get
We are pleased to announce the
behind the scenes, develop
appointment of Mel Clewlow as
new skills and run events with
Director of Kent Sport. Mel has
mentorship by Gulbenkian’s
been interim Director since
programming, technical and
August 2017.
marketing teams. Part of ART31
Director of Commercial Services, at Gulbenkian, the group has the
Kevin Stuckey said: ‘I am really ambition to provide student-led
pleased to have appointed Mel opportunities for involvement,
as Director of Kent Sport and I’m training and to run their own
confident that her appointment events.
will ensure Kent Sport has a very
bright and positive future.’ The group currently has 30
members and since forming
Clive Roberts – in 2015 has joined the Young
30 years at Kent Programmer’s Network run by
the British Film Institute and
On 3 April 2018 Kent Sport
organised events such as
celebrated Clive Roberts’ 30
BFI Black Star screenings for
years of service at the University
Black History Month, outdoor
of Kent. Clive will be leaving us,
screenings and post-screening
but for one month only, as we are
panel talks. With support from
pleased he will be returning in a
Film Hub South East and
part-time capacity to continue to
ART31Kent, Gulbenkian has
share his experience, knowledge
facilitated Uncovered members
and good humour at Kent Sport.
8 attending ICO screening days,
Clive said: ‘I have had a fantastic Flatpack Film Festival, BFI Future
30 years at Kent Sport plus three Film Festival and This Way Up
years as a student and one year conference.
as a sabbatical officer. I couldn’t
be happier being here.’ The group are intrinsic to
Gulbenkian’s work with societies
Millie Knight and increasing student
engagement. In 2017, the
Millie Knight is an honorary
group submitted a successful
graduate of the University of
application for a Film Hub South
Kent and a visually impaired
East grant to run their own series
Paralympic athlete. She has gone
of student orientated events
from strength to strength in her
called ‘Flicks ‘n’ Chill’, which ran
personal training sessions at
in Autumn 2017 and included an
9 Kent Sport fitness facilities on
outdoor screening of Jurassic
1 Turing College the Canterbury campus.
Park that attracted an audience
2 Darwin College
of 400 students.
3 Woolf College Millie competed for Paralympics
4 Keynes College GB at the Winter Olympics in
5 Paralympic star Millie Knight PyeongChang 2018 in alpine This May, the group organised
6 Clive Roberts celebrates 30 years and ran a series of ‘de-stress’
skiing. She brought home silver in
of service events during the exam period
7 Outdoor screening of Jurassic Park the downhill and Super G events
as well as bronze in the slalom. which included breakfast raves,
8 Mel Clewlow (Director of Kent Sport)
9 Gulbenkian Uncovered an open mic night with a variety
Please visit of performers and an incredibly
blogs.kent.ac.uk/kentsport-news/ popular film quiz.
to read the stories in full.
25University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
STAFF PROFILE
PITCH
PERFECT
Lee Ballard
Senior Grounds Person
‘My grandad worked at Kent I’d just turned 18, it’s my first day and I’m like
what have I done, what have a let myself in for? I
for 36 years in the Estates thought this isn’t going to last very long. He turned
Department, mainly in the up and he was the nicest guy in the world and he
boiler house. My family lived took me under his wing and it was unbelievable,
considering that start. So I called him Mr Woods
on campus as well; they lived
and after I settled in a little bit I asked him if
on Brotherhood Close where anyone called him Mickey? And he said, “No,
the new Keynes buildings are. no one calls me Mickey”. So cheers, Grandad!’
So the University has always
While learning his trade, planting, cultivating
been a big part of our lives in and weeding, among other jobs, Lee saw vast
Canterbury.’ changes to the campus: from the Registry
extension, Tyler Court, right through to Sibson
A Canterbury local, Lee Ballard has worked in the and the Templeman Library redevelopment.
Estates Department at the University of Kent for
the last 15 years. Lee started at Kent in 2003 as an Box-to-box
apprentice gardener on the Canterbury campus.
Today he is a Senior Grounds Person, responsible
for the sports pitches – primarily rugby and
Kick-off football. During term time, this means arriving on
‘I remember the first day I came up here actually. a Monday morning and assessing the pitches after
I went to the Estates Buildings, and my grandad the weekend’s matches. He mows and marks the
always used to say that our old boss was called pitches, ready for the Wednesday games. On
Mickey Woods. So I went in there saying: “I’m here Thursdays, the work starts on the pitches again
to meet Mickey Woods”. The receptionist had a for the weekend fixtures.
right go at me saying, “How dare you call him
Mickey Woods?! It’s Michael Woods or Mr Woods”.
26University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
15 years
working at Kent. Lee is on his way to
catching up to his grandad’s 36 years!
4 pitches
The University has two football pitches,
two rugby pitches, three grass tennis
courts, plus three artificial pitches, for
‘We constantly find rabbit holes!’ Extra time? hockey, lacrosse, American football,
Perhaps a little inspired by the work of the ‘I can’t see myself leaving – when my grandad football, rugby and five-a-side.
Leicester City FC grounds team (though a was still alive I always said to him I’m going to
Manchester United fan himself), Lee would love beat your 36 years, so even if I do 36 years
to spend a bit more time creating different pitch
patterns.
and one day I’ll be happy with that.’
100m x70m
The size of Kent’s football pitches.
‘We always try to stripe them up as best as we
can. We want them to look as good as if we were
playing on them. My son plays football and some
of the pitches we go to with him look poor, so I
always try to make our pitches look as good as
possible.’
27University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
FEATURE
CORRIDOR Going to university is pivotal in
so many people’s lives because
of the new experiences it can
offer: new things to learn in a
FRIENDS new place, with new people.
Living with people you’ve never
met until you move into halls
can be somewhat testing or
FOREVER
truly life-changing. When it
works out, it can seem that you
were destined to meet your
flatmates, and you can’t quite
(to the tune of imagine your time at university,
and life afterwards, without
them.
Strawberry Fields Forever)
28University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
Babak, Jason and Martin met in F Block of Keynes in 1990.
Babak Nikravesh Jason Brautigam Martin Jones
From pints at the Falstaff Tap to pizzas at They say that the friends you make at university As soon as I visited Kent I knew it was right
Sweeney Todd’s, to taco and chilli parties in are friends for life and that is certainly true of for me; the view from the top of the hill, the
our hall kitchen, food and drink always figured my two closest neighbours on F-corridor, Babak collegiate atmosphere; far enough away
prominently in our recreation. As for the food in and Martin. Martin and I ended up sharing a from home, but not too far! Oh, and my then
the canteen – well, perhaps the best thing to be house over in Park Wood in our final year, while girlfriend, now wife, was training to be a teacher
said about it were the great serving trays which I went to stay with Babak while backpacking at Christ Church College down the road.
we ‘borrowed’ for winter sledding down the across America in the summer of 1992. I was
bomb crater. That was pure magic. The people also an usher at Martin’s wedding in the mid- Babak’s arrival in the college added a frisson
at Kent were always colourful, from the lovely 90s and Babak returned to the UK to study at of excitement to the dorm – we steadily worked
Keynes porters who were always ready to offer LSE in the late ‘90s. away at his US accent (and he once bluffed
a hand and a quick quip, to the manager of some US tourists that he was British). I am still
the gymnasium who didn’t believe in water We have all stayed in touch since, albeit more not 100% convinced of his dancing to MC
fountains. And then there were the visiting intermittently in our adult lives as our families Hammer at the Keynes kitchen taco party; but
students who honestly didn’t realise the ducks and work commitments take up more of our I was never going to show my stunted moves.
at the pond were not for public consumption! time, but we always aim to meet up whenever
we can. The great thing is that no matter how I am amazed at how little has changed
My year in Canterbury was one of the best of long it has been since our last gathering we amongst my group of friends that have
my life, and the friendships I developed were can always pick up straight away where we left grown up. We may all have less hair (some
central to it. Jason and Martin are the first two off – and continue to mercilessly tease Babak significantly less…); a little more experience;
people I call whenever my travels bring me about his lack of stamina when it comes to but we are still deep down the same people
back to Britain. Though it’s been years since we drinking contests (just don’t mention the with the same humour and goodwill and good
were neighbours, I still feel very close to them tequila/pizza challenge!). memories.
after all this time. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t
do for these guys.
What came next for Babak, Jason and Martin?
Babak Jason Martin
I am a partner at I am currently Chief Having spent the
the international law Executive for British last twenty five years
firm of Hogan Dressage, having working in the
Lovells, based in spent 25 years in criminal justice
San Francisco and horseracing after system; I am now
handling cross- leaving University. Chief Executive of
border transactions. I was an in-house the Parole Board
My path to the law broadcaster for Coral which is a nice quiet
started at Kent. I Racing as my first job restful job with no
hung out with a bunch of Canadians before moving into marketing and becoming stress, media interest or pressure…
attending law school at the University, and the Head of Sales and Marketing at Ascot Genuinely the one thing that I did learn from
was captivated by their discussions of Racecourse between 1999 and 2004, then Kent was the importance of dealing with
cases they were studying. My favourite was working for the Tote for seven years, as Director people from all walks of life and cultures.
R v Dudley and Stephens, a 19th century of Racecourse Business and ultimately as the This has served me well in my career;
case involving a shipwreck and cannibalism Managing Director for their pool betting whether dealing with a senior judge or a
and the defence of necessity to a charge of division. Now I am in charge of the Olympic serving prisoner; people are just people –
murder. Those interactions sparked my and Paralympic sport of the dancing horses! you have no need for airs and graces.
interest in the law.
29University of Kent Magazine | Summer 2018 | www.kent.ac.uk/alumni
STUDENT PROFILE
JASMINE POMEROY
MSc Forensic Osteology and Field Recovery Methods/
Sports Scholar – Karate Representing
What are you studying? How does sport fit into your student life?
I am studying for a Master’s degree in Forensic Most people don’t actually know what I do on
Jasmine is part of the WIKF England and
Osteology and Field Recovery Methods. I a day-to-day basis. For example I will get up,
English Karate Federation Senior National
completed my undergraduate studies here in commute to university, attend some lectures, A squads.
Forensic Science BSc and my interests from go to a strength & conditioning session in my
this led me on to the Master’s degree, where break, run to my next lectures. I will then go
I could continue studying with more in-depth
modules on some of my specific subjects of
home and leave for training in London –
hopefully doing an assignment on my journey,
3 England Caps
interest. get home at 23.00 and restart. Being a scholar Plus 2 BUCS Great Britain Caps.
has massively helped me juggle my studies
Do you know what you want to do next? with my sport, with the facilities, coaching and
Not exactly – I am keeping my options open
because of the wide range of things I can do
with my degrees. I am currently looking for jobs
rehabilitation being available on campus – I
have definitely made the most of it! Without it
I don’t think I would have kept up.
Champion
in law enforcement. I’d particularly like to get a WIKF World Team champions, individual
job in counter-terrorism in the future. What is your favourite memory at Kent so far? silver medallist (2017), 2 x English
I’d have to say winning the BUCS British Champion, 11 x English Championship
Have you learnt anything on your course that Championships Women’s team three years medallist, multiple British medallist.
has particularly amazed/surprised you? consecutively is a definite highlight, as well Current Bronze medallist in English and
I did not know the amount of information that as winning my individual category this year British Championships. Current BUCS
can be obtained from bones and the multiple after I had been injured for three months. 68kg champion. 3 x BUCS team
ways in which a personal identification can be Academically, I would say graduating with champions (Kent).
undertaken and information reconstructed. a first in my undergraduate degree!
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