President's Weekly Update
18 December 2014
Yesterday we received the results of the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014) which measures the quality of research at higher education institutions across the UK.
At a headline level, 83% of research activity at The University of Manchester is judged to be “world-leading” (4*) or “internationally excellent” (3*), with 35% at 4*. This confirms the University’s place as one of the UK’s top research universities – in fifth place in terms of research power (grade point average times number of staff submitted; and on 4*/3* times number of staff submitted). You can read my message about our REF performance in full at:
While REF has taken a lot of time this week, there have been many more things happening.
We had a ‘farewell dinner’ for Professor Ian Jacobs, who will be leaving his post as Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences in the New Year to become Vice-Chancellor of the University of New South Wales. The summary of Ian’s achievements since he arrived is quite remarkable.
Professor Colin Bailey will assume the position of Deputy President and Vice-Chancellor from Monday, 5 January. I’m pleased to say that Professor Steve Flint (currently Associate-Dean in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences) will be taking over as interim Vice-President and Dean for the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences from Monday, 5 January, while we seek a new appointment.
I was on the panel for appointment of the next Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU). I was delighted that Professor Malcom Press from the University of Birmingham was appointed. Some of you may know Malcom as he was a member of staff in the Faculty of Life Sciences for a number of years.
I was pleased to preside over the degree ceremony in which Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell was awarded an honorary doctorate. Jocelyn is widely known for her astronomy research and her discovery of the first pulsar. She has also done a huge amount to promote women in science and has held many leadership positions in science.
I met an enthusiastic group of apprentices that are working across the University with Steve Grant, Assistant Director of Human Resources. I suggested that they should go and watch a degree ceremony, which I hope they did.
I gave two external talks last week. One at the Walton Medical Centre in Liverpool, which specialises in brain disease - two of my ex-PhD students were there along with neurologists, neurosurgeons and school children. I was a bit worried that they called my talk: “Breaking the rules; the career of a female neuroscientist”!
I also spoke at Flixton Girls’ School in Urmston to about 350 pupils aged 13-16. The school is very impressive and there were some great questions. We are now seeking a member of staff to serve on their board of governors as part of our very successful School Governors Initiative. Flixton pupils take part in a lot of University activities and many aspire to study with us. If you are interested in this (or indeed other) governor opportunities in the local area, and would like to know how to get involved, please contact Alison Gregory, Undergraduate Recruitment and Widening Participation Officer (email alison.gregory@manchester.ac.uk or call her on 0161 306 4049).
I gave the welcome at the Manchester Academic Health Sciences Conference at University Place on ‘Our Impact on Health’. The event was attended by about 600 people, with many posters on show. After my introduction, Sir Howard Bernstein, Chair of MAHSC, gave a presentation. We then quickly dashed to the Town Hall to give a welcome to another conference on ‘An ageing world, an opportunity for Manchester’. Manchester is designated as an age-friendly city and after the introductory talks, the 250 delegates broke out into a series of workshops to discuss future actions.
It was a pleasure to meet the new Chinese Consul General for Manchester, Mr Li Yongsheng and his colleagues, with Professor Keith Brown, Vice-President and Dean for the Faculty of Humanities, and Mike Gibbons, Director of Student Recruitment and International Development. Mr Li said he had heard no complaints from our Chinese students, only great pride in being at The University of Manchester!
I won’t be sending another message until the University re-opens in the New Year. You may find time over the holidays to watch our own Professor Danielle George, from the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, deliver the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on 29-31 December at 8pm on BBC4. And on 4th January I will be the castaway on Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 at 11.15am. You can find out more about both at:
I want to thank you all for your hard work and contribution to our University, which I greatly appreciate. I hope you all have a very happy holiday and a great break.
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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