University of Chichester in the UK's top 10 for overall student satisfaction for second year running

The Times Good University Guide 2011 published today (27th May 2010) has ranked the University of Chichester as joint 9th in the UK for overall student satisfaction – making the top 10 for the second consecutive year.

The Guide is identified by a government-funded review as the most influential of its type and is seen as an essential and comprehensive tool for students and parents at home and abroad. It ranks each HE institutions according to eight criteria including student satisfaction, entry standards, completion rates, staff/student ratio and graduate prospects.

For the second year running Chichester has also been rated as one of the top modern universities in the country.* Chichester was ranked 53rd overall out of 113 UK universities in the Guide’s League Table, up 6 places on last year.

University of Chichester Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Clive Behagg, welcomed the results and said: “It is fantastic news that we have risen up the table and for the second year running we are placed in the top 10 of all universities in the country for overall student satisfaction. Ensuring our students get the best experience possible whilst studying here is very important to us and we must also acknowledge the key role that staff have played in achieving this result, which is clearly reflected in this Guide. Once again it consolidates Chichester's position as one of the UK's leading modern universities."

For more information visit: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/

* 2nd behind Oxford Brookes University

Sport Science Academic from Chichester presents at the international ‘Games for Health’ Conference in Boston

Dr. Marcus Smith Principal Lecturer & Field Leader in Exercise Physiology, at University of Chichester, will be talking about the health benefits of drumming at the international ‘Games for Health Conference’ in Boston on 26th May 2010.

The Conference looks at initiatives which support community, knowledge and business development efforts to use cutting-edge games and game technologies to improve health and health care. Topics include active gaming, rehabilitation and physical therapy, disease management, health behaviour change, bio-feedback, epidemiology, training, cognitive exercise, nutrition and health education.

Dr. Marcus Smith will be presenting research from the Clem Burke Drumming Project which was officially launched in 2008. Dr Smith has worked with Clem, the drummer with pop legends Blondie, for over 10-years. High energy expenditure values reflect the true physical challenge to the acoustic drummer during live performances. Whereas heart rate data recorded whilst drumming during a typical 90 minute show were similar to those recorded for premier league football players. At the ‘Games for Health Conference’ Dr Smith, along with colleague Dr. Chris Potter (University of Gloucestershire), will demonstrate an incremental drumming test to exhaustion on the drummer from the rockband Extreme, Kevin Figueiredo. The data, using state of the art sports science equipment, will illustrate the physical demands of playing an acoustic drum kit. A gaming enthusiast playing the most challenging drum solos on the latest version of the interactive video game Rock Band will also be tested to exhaustion. Differences, and the implications, in physiological responses to playing each type of drum kit will be discussed. Dr. Smith said: “We want to challenge the gaming industry to consider the type of hardware and software developments required to further enhance the experience of playing an interactive video game based drum kit. We also want to look at the potential of using interactive drumming based video games to enhance health and well-being in an education and non-education environment”.

For more information visit: http://www.clemburkedrummingproject.com

onebucket.com

An inspirational website developed by two students at the University of Chichester, allows a user to log on, create a profile and input a bucket “wish list.” Bucketeers wish lists will then be matched with companies using our online database, giving individuals the ability to take ownership of their dreams and gain the empowerment to progress with their future.

https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/Entry/View/1556

Chichester – rated highly in national university guide

The Independent’s Complete University Guide 2011 published today (20th May) has ranked the University of Chichester as the best publicly funded modern university in the UK for ‘student satisfaction’. It is ranked in the top 10 out of 115 higher educational establishments in the same category. The Guide also reveals that the University of Chichester has the one of the best completion rates, as well as the third best staff to student ratio, of any university in the modern university sector. Chichester has also risen14 places in the overall league table. It is now ranked 53rd up from 67th last year and is the fourth biggest climber in the table. The main league table is supported by a wealth of information for would-be students to help them make the right choice of course and university.

Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Chichester Professor Clive Behagg, said: “'The Independent’s Complete University Guide shows that Chichester has the highest student satisfaction rate, the highest completion rate and one of the best staff to student ratios in the modern university sector. I am delighted - this is a remarkable achievement by our fabulous staff and an affirmation of our approach to delivering quality higher education to the region. The full results sre published can be found at www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/

From Basra to Bognor Regis ...

Iraqi academic presents writing based on his own life-experiences as part of a unique insight into the emerging field of literary responses to terrorism and 9/11.

Former Iraqi academic Waleed Al-Bazoon will be reading fiction based on his own real-life experiences of living under the threat of terrorism as part of a unique literary forum being hosted at the University of Chichester.

The ‘Forum on Literature, Terrorism and 9/11’ on Saturday 29th May 2010 will bring together academics and acclaimed authors to provide an exchange of ideas on this crucial area of contemporary life and to generate a mixture of critical, theoretical and artistic approaches to questions around terrorism in the post-9/11 world.Waleed, a-father-of-four who is currently living in Bognor Regis, was an interpreter with the British Forces before becoming a lecturer in modern fiction at the University of Basra, Southern Iraq where he taught for over 10-years.He joined the University of Chichester in July 2009 as part of the Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA) scholarship scheme and is currently studying for a PhD in English Literature specialising in literary responses to 9/11.Waleed said: “I am currently researching different historical accounts of terrorism and comparing British and American fiction post-9/11 to see how different writers treat terrorism and their presentation of the terrorist as the ‘other’. I am also looking at literature portrays political, social and cultural changes between the West and the East since the attacks.”“Having lived in Iraq all my life I experienced relative peace and economic stability in the 1980s followed by very turbulent times in the 1990s after the first Gulf War through to the recent fall of Saddam. Now there is economic growth in Iraq again but sectarian conflict means living under the constant threat of terrorism every day. Many of my academic peers have been kidnapped and killed because of their religious backgrounds and political views. This has had a huge impact on my writing. When I became an interpreter I was seen as the ‘other’ in my own country by the British forces and now that I am living in the UK with my family I am also seen as the ‘other’, so I have personal experience of the consequences of war and terrorism.”The Forum will also hear from Dr Stephen Morton of the University of Southampton University and Dr Robert Spencer from University of Manchester both leading academics in the growing field of the study of terrorism and literature. They will be giving keynote speeches on competing theoretical accounts of terrorism and fundamentalism and their impact on world culture.

There will be discussions on current modern fiction which has terrorism at its heart such as Ian McEwan’s Saturday; Clive Cleave’s Incendiary and Don DeLillo’s Falling Man. Writers Professor Alison MacLeod, author of The Wave Theory of Angels and Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction and James Miller author of Lost Boys and Sunshine State will be reading extracts from their own work and discussing their books’ relationship to war and terrorism including 9/11 and 7/7.Organiser Dr Robert Duggan, from the University of Chichester’s Department of English, said: “Literature has played a significant role in responses to terrorism and the attacks of 9/11, with British fiction in particular offering different perspectives on trans-cultural relations, contemporary terrorism, the ‘War on Terror’ and globalisation. Authors have engaged very directly in their fiction and non-fiction with the political and social fallout of the September 11 attacks and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and this already substantial body of writing is rapidly growing in size and importance."

There will be discussions on current modern fiction which has terrorism at its heart such as Ian McEwan’s Saturday; Clive Cleave’s Incendiary and Don DeLillo’s Falling Man. Writers Professor Alison MacLeod, author of The Wave Theory of Angels and Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction and James Miller author of Lost Boys and Sunshine State will be reading extracts from their own work and discussing their books’ relationship to war and terrorism including 9/11 and 7/7.Organiser Dr Robert Duggan, from the University of Chichester’s Department of English, said: “Literature has played a significant role in responses to terrorism and the attacks of 9/11, with British fiction in particular offering different perspectives on trans-cultural relations, contemporary terrorism, the ‘War on Terror’ and globalisation. Authors have engaged very directly in their fiction and non-fiction with the political and social fallout of the September 11 attacks and the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and this already substantial body of writing is rapidly growing in size and importance."

The Forum will take place bewteen 12.45pm and 6.15pm on Saturday, 29th May at Cloisters, University of Chichester, Bishop Otter Campus, College Lane, Chichester. Car parking is free and members of the public can register on the day. Tickets range from £5 to £10. If you are interested in attending then please contact Robert Duggan on r.duggan@chi.ac.uk View: Forum on Literature, Terrorism and 9/11 Poster

20-year-old student becomes local councillor

20-year-old university student becomes youngest ever councillor
University of Chichester 2nd year English BA Student Katie Ray has become the youngest-ever Havant councillor aged just 20. She made it home with a majority of 96 on 6th May.

Katie who is from Leigh Park said: “I was always into politics and current affairs during my teens, and decide to join the Liberal Democrats about 18 months ago. Their policies really appealed to me, and the fact that they have 'fairness' running through the constitution is a great thing I believe.

“I was initially a little apprehensive about how I would manage to juggle university work as well as Liberal Democrat work but the Havant Liberal Democrats have all been incredibly supportive, and I think I have proven myself as an effective time manager by submitting all my essays 10 days earlier than the published date so I could concentrate on what was ultimately a successful campaign for me.”

Katie said she chose University of Chichester as it was close to home but she added; “the campus has a very friendly feel and all the lecturers know your name and will stop and have a chat if they see you. Also, when I came on the open day I just loved how beautiful the university and the town is - surrounded by lots of beautiful green space and wonderful architecture. I am lucky that I get to spend such a large portion of my student life in such a beautiful place.”

University students encouraged to 'Don't Lose The Music'

Students from the University of Chichester have been given advice on how to listen to music while protecting their hearing as part of Noise Action Week.

Officials from Chichester District Council and the Noise Abatement Society visited the University’s Bishop Otter Campus in Chichester on 27 April to highlight the dangers of MP3 players being turned up too loud and being regularly exposed to loud music. Permanent hearing loss due to listening to music through headphones at high volumes for long periods of time is an emerging health risk.

Particular attention was paid to music students, with free gifts being offered to those who will rely on their hearing for their future careers in the entertainment industry.

The activity was organised as part of Noise Action Week, a nationwide initiative designed to raise awareness of difficulties and health risks that excessive noise can cause at home, at work, at study and at leisure.

District Council environmental health officers spent the day testing the volume of MP3 players belonging to students and offered advice on how they can reduce the level while still being able to hear the music clearly. As part of their ‘Love Your Ears’ campaign, the Noise Abatement Society worked with ACS, makers of SlicSound, to give away their add-on device for headphones to improve sound quality and protect hearing for listeners.

Venetia Allan, Music Tutor at the University of Chichester, said: “Protecting your hearing is not a particularly interesting topic for young people who just want to enjoy their music, but it is a serious issue that could affect them in the future if they are not careful. The information day was about providing students with the facts so they can make an informed choice, and I’m grateful to staff from both Chichester District Council and the Noise Abatement Society for giving up their time to talk to our students.”

Steve Dommett, Senior Environmental Health Officer at Chichester District Council said: “Our level checks ranged from a very reasonable 80dB to a positively dangerous 127dB, equivalent to an aeroplane taking off. However, by using the SlicSound adapters, users said they could hear the music more clearly. In our worst case, the noise level was reduced by 35 dB.

“Students at the University should be warned though - the average level measured was worryingly high at around 100dB. If listened to at this level for more than 15 minutes a day, it will give rise to long term hearing loss.”

Lisa Lavia, Managing Director of the Noise Abatement Society, said: “A lot has been written and reported about MP3 player mis-use, but listening habits have barely altered. Our campaign, Love Your Ears, is designed to help young people understand the consequences of listening too loudly to their MP3 players over prolonged periods and to engage them in a learning process in order to help them take responsibility for their hearing health. We are delighted to be working with the University of Chichester to help raise awareness of this important issue amongst those most affected.”

University joins scheme designed to help graduates get jobs

University of Chichester joins scheme designed to help graduates get jobs

The University of Chichester has joined forces with the University of Southampton, Southampton Solent University and Winchester University to become a partner with the Graduate Jobs South(GJS) initiative.

The GJS project is an online graduate job portal which is designed to match students and graduates with opportunities in local firms in West Sussex and across the south coast. Employers simply register with the website to list company details, logo and vacancies which are uploaded to the website within 24 hours making GJS one of the fastest and easiest ways to recruit locally.

Students and graduates from any university or college can register to receive email alerts updating them to the excellent opportunities within the region.GJS was set up using funds from The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA).

GJS is well established within the South and many businesses are using its services to tap into the skills of graduates and students. The University of Chichester was keen to join the project as West Sussex businesses would benefit from the skills of their graduates.

John Gallally, Head of Careers at the University of Chichester commented: “We are really pleased to have joined GJS as we have highly skilled graduates who wish to remain in the area following graduation and this service enables them to find the best jobs and the best employers for their career plans.

GJS will not only enable employers in West Sussex to benefit from the skills our graduates bring, but will enable us to develop closer links between the University, local and regional businesses for consultancy, work placements and research knowledge transfer. This is an important project which will benefit our local economy by helping to retain highly skilled graduates in the region who will contribute towards business growth.”
www.graduatejobsouth.co.uk

Researchers reveal the colour of a goalie’s strip can affect a striker’s success

The colour of a goalie’s strip can affect a striker’s success
Strikers are less likely to be successful in a penalty shootout against a goalkeeper wearing a red strip.

Research by the University of Chichester presented at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference on 16th April 2010, suggests that the colour red may have an unconscious influence on the perception of failure, causing strikers to perform worse.

Dr Iain Greenlees and Michael Eynon at the University of Chichester looked at the performance and the expectation of success of 40 university footballers against goalkeepers wearing black, blue, green, yellow, and red strips.

Each of the 40 strikers took a total of 20 penalties, 10 against a goalkeeper wearing black and 10 against a goalkeeper wearing either a blue, yellow, green or red shirt. Footballers were asked to estimate how many penalties out of 10 they would score and give a confidence rating for their estimate.

The researchers found that, although there was no difference in how many goals a striker thought he would score, the fewest number of goals were scored against a goalie in red (54 per cent success rate). This was followed by yellow (69 per cent success rate), with no difference between blue and green (72 per cent and 75 per cent, respectively).

Dr Greenlees at Lecturer in Sports & Exercise, said: “These findings lend support to the idea that red clothing could give a sportsperson or team a small but meaningful advantage (one penalty in five) in a competitive encounter. It also has implications for sports in which a competitor is assigned a coloured corner randomly, like boxing and martial arts in the Olympics.”
Michael Eynon carried out this study with Dr Iain Greenlees while an undergraduate at the University of Chichester.

Penny Celebrates Debut Novel and Two-Book Deal

Penny celebrates release of debut novel and two-book deal with publisher

Former University of Chichester MA Creative Writing student Penelope Bush is celebrating the release of her debut novel Alice in Time and agreeing a two-book deal with her publisher. Alice in Time is a brilliantly observed portrait of a teenage girl’s world. 14-year-old Alice is at crisis point. Her mum is ruining her life, her dad’s getting remarried, she can’t stand her little brother Rory, and Sasha, the most popular girl at school, hates her guts. Then something odd happens. Alice falls off a roundabout and finds that she is seven years old again. Reliving her past with her 14-year-old consciousness, she gains a disconcerting new perspective on her family and friendships. Returning to her teenage self, Alice discovers that her experience has brought about some extraordinary changes and that life will never be the same again. Penny who lives in West Sussex with her partner and teenage son, likes to write in an old caravan where her only distraction is the occasional pheasant wandering past. Penny said; “I trained and worked as a tapestry weaver but I always knew that one day I would write. I decided to do an English degree at the University and then progressed onto the MA in Creative Writing. I actually started this book for my MA dissertation and received a distinction!

“Having my book published has been the most amazing experience. I think I'm still in shock, it all happened so quickly. Obviously it's something every writer dreams of but I never really expected it to happen. Doing the MA at Chichester really focused my mind and gave me confidence in my writing, not to mention all the practical help on presentation and layout that is so important when submitting work to a publisher." Penny will be in the Chichester branch of Waterstones on May 8th signing copies of her book. She will also be holding a book reading at the University on 18th October. Alice in Time has already been sold by auction to the USA, and has strong interest from European publishers. The book is now available in all good book stores and published by Piccadilly Press priced at £6.99.