University of Essex in the press...

Video clips on-line

Parliament Live
University of Essex report on care farming was discussed as part of an adjournment debate on Care farming and disadvantaged groups by Mr Mark Todd in Parliament on 24th November.
Discussion starts at 7hrs 11 and finishes at about 7hrs 45.

BBC
Flagship University Building open
Teaching has begun in the new flagship building for the recently created university in Suffolk. University Campus Suffolk (UCS), in Ipswich, was established by the University of East Anglia and the University of Essex last year. View the clip here.

ITV Local
Professor Jules Pretty, Biological Sciences, comments on how visiting to a farm can benefit a person’s wellbeing. View the clip here

ITV Local
Professor Michael Sherer, Department of Accounting, Finance and Management,  comments on rising fuel prices as part of Anglia TV's Feeling the Pinch series. View the clip here

ITV Local
Ask the Expert - AI
Professor Huosheng Hu from the Department of Computing and Electronic Systems explains how robots can help people.
View the clip here

ITV Local
Ask the Expert - AI
Dr Simon Lucas from the Department of Computing and Electronic Systems explains why and how he is making computer programmes play games
View the clip here

ITV Anglia News
Pasco Q Kevlin, Manager, Lakeside Theatre
Talking about the Lakeside Theatre and future productions
View the clip here

The University of Essex in the Press

February 2009

Friday 27

Become a bone marrow donor
Students at Essex University could soon be offered the chance to become lifesavers. The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust is planning to host a session to give people the chance to join the bone marrow donor register on 19 March.
Evening Gazette

Experts at conference to tackle social housing future
Professor Michael Sherer, Director of the Essex University Business School is one of the speakers at a major conference in Colchester next week on the future of social housing.
East Anglian Daily Times

£160,000 for smaller footprint
Staff and students at Essex University are using their brains to do their bit for the planet. The university has landed a £160,000 grant to find energy-saving improvements such as lights which turn off automatically and creating a giant allotment.
Essex County Standard

Bold and dynamic, the Will Collier Septet prepare to jazz up Lakeside Theatre
The Will Collier Septet will be playing at the Lakeside Theatre at the University promoting their newly-released debut recording, the cheekily-titled Everybody Loves the Will Collier Septet.
Essex County Standard

Big noise into the small hours
Some of the very best local and national musical talent around will be playing Essex University at the weekend. Florence and the Machine, the Metros, Blast and Angry Vs the Bear and Rosalita.
Essex County Standard

Thursday 26

Prime Minister pays Suffolk visit
The Prime Minister was in Suffolk to launch the federated apprenticeship scheme.
Mr Brown toured part of the BT complex and was told that Innovation for the Digital Economic Age, collaboration between Suffolk New College, the University of East Anglia, the University of Essex, University Campus Suffolk, University College London, and BT, was offering 30 apprenticeship places for a new federated apprenticeship course. He later visited University Campus Suffolk to hold a Q&A session. Read the whole article and watch the video clip here.
East Anglian Daily Times
Evening Star
WebWire
Press Association

PM launches regional apprenticeship scheme
The Prime Minister has visited Ipswich to launch a local scheme for apprentices and later visited University Campus Suffolk, where he launched a booklet explaining the action being taken in the East of England to help individuals and businesses through the downturn. He then took questions from local residents on a range of topics relating to the current economic crisis and how it is affecting them. View a video clip of the visit here.
Number10.gov.uk

Get ready for the tenth Essex Book Festival
There will be something for everyone at this year’s Essex Book Festival.
The event launches at Chelmsford Library on World Book Day - March 5 - from 10am and some of the most well-known writers in the county will be there to celebrate its tenth anniversary. Authors from the University of Essex include Rachel Duffett, who will give a flavour of life in the trenches of World War One and Professor Jules Pretty will deliver the 2009 Burrows Lecture about his year walking and boating around East Anglia. Read the whole article here.
Burnham Standard
Essex Chronicle

Uni chiefs aim to attract foreign students
Essex University bosses are hoping the struggling British pound will tempt foreign students to study in Colchester. The campus already boats a strong international contingent, with 3,000 of its 8,000 full-time students coming from abroad.
Evening Gazette

17th century book is still relevant today
A new edition of a work first published in Latin in 1688 is to be launched in Essex this week. The first critical edition with full English translation of Thomas Hobbes' Historica Ecclesiastica will be unveiled at Essex University.
East Anglian Daily Times

Wednesday 25

Students march through London for free education
Up to 800 students marched through central London on Wednesday to campaign for free education and to send a message to the government that privatisation will not be tolerated. Speaking at the opening rally, Mark Bergfeld from Essex University told the crowd, “We have a saying in Germany that 400 students in a road can bring traffic to a standstill, but 400 truck drivers can bring a whole country to a stop. “We have to join together with workers in our struggle and change society together.” He was met with massive cheers and applause. Read the whole article here.
Socialist Worker

Daniel Liebskind
Read a profile of the renowned international figure in architectural and urban design and Essex graduate and honorary graduate.
Helium

I don't believe it! They've found a Victor Meldrew misery gene
Whether a glass is viewed as half full or half empty depends on your genes, claim scientists, in research which could explain the Victor Meldrew attitude to life.  The psychologists behind the study, from the University of Essex, believe that the findings could be used to develop new treatments for anxiety and depression.
The Daily Telegraph

Think this will be more bad news? Depends on your genes
It seems that for some of us, looking on the bright side is hardwired into our genetic makeup, helping us shrug off the miseries of life and enjoy the positives.  Elaine Fox, head of psychology at Essex University, said the gene seems to underlie some people's ability to deal with daily stresses.
The Guardian

Is this glass half full or is it half empty?
Scientists at Essex University have made a breakthrough explaining why some people always think the glass is half full...while for others it's half empty.  They claim looking on the bright side of life is all down to a person's genetic make-up.
Evening Gazette
Times online
The Hindu
Sydney Morning Herald
Daily Mail Manchester
Taiwan News Online
Softpedia
Health Day
Harwich and Manningtree Standard
News 24
BioSpace.com
Hindustan Times
Health 24
The Daily Mail
New Scientist
Sify
The Irish Times
The Australian
iafrica
iol
Daily Mirror
Brisbane News
mX (Sydney)
Agence France-Presse
Yahoo! UK
Khaleej Times
NHS Choices
The West Australian
Yahoo! Canada
NineNews, Australia
TerraNet
The China Post
Media Guardian
Yahoo! Australia
The Age
The Economist
Sky News Australia

Host of talent on its way to Essex Uni
Some of the very best local and national musical talent will be playing Essex University at the weekend.
Gazette

Jazz band in seventh heaven
The Will Collier Septet have been playing on the London circuit for the past four years, steadily building a following, and will take to the Lakeside Theatre at Essex University promoting their newly released album recording this Saturday
Gazette

Residents dig in to combat U's training pitch proposal
Colchester United, which shares training facilities with Essex University, has instructed Lawson Planning Partnership to submit a planning statement, proposing the site for Colchester Council's "Local Development Framework".
Gazette

Oscar for Essex boy
Oscar-nominated director Stephen Daldry trained at the East 15 Acting School, In Loughton
Gazette

Tuesday 24

Campuses debate where next for the movement
The recent wave of occupations has brought hundreds of students into political activity for the first time. A new generation has learned how to lead a movement and win demands. Many people are now asking: Where next for the student movement? While new occupations are still springing up, students at some universities have now been out of occupation for a long time. They are working out how to maintain the momentum of the campaign. Essex is one such university. Students there were involved in the first wave of occupations in January. The impact on campus is still being felt. Read the whole article here.
Socialist Worker

Uni Peace Centre gets green light
A major research park at Essex University, which could help revitalise Colchester's economy and provide hundreds of jobs, is back on the cards. University chiefs have agreed in principle to support the construction of an International Centre for Democracy, Peace and Human Rights at its Wivenhoe campus.
Evening Gazette

My bold vision for university's future
The man at the helm of the University of Essex's plans to transform higher education in the county has outlined his vision for the future - and it's big. Not content with the institution's position as the ninth best university in the UK for research work, vice-chancellor Colin Riordan is aiming to achieve greater success for his students.
Evening Gazette
Southend Echo

Peace plan is a boost for town
The news that Essex University plans to build an International Centre for Democracy, Peace and Human Rights is to be welcomed. It would be another boost for Colchester, already internationally-recognised for its historic and military heritage, if it could establish a world reputation for excellence in this field.
Evening Gazette

Pals pile on board Katrina's campaign to register as life savers
Brave Essex University student, Katrina Baylis, was "overwhelmed" after big-hearted pals rallied to help her and others beat leukaemia. On Saturday, more than 70 university students headed to London to join the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust's register.
Evening Gazette

Monday 23

New lab to find cure for breast cancer
A new cancer research laboratory which could help find a cure for breast cancer has opened in Chelmsford. The new Helen Rollason research laboratory is based at the Rivermead campus at Anglia Ruskin University, replacing a previous lab opened by the Helen Rollason Heal Cancer Charity in Chelmsford in 2003.
The research laboratory also works in collaboration with other world-class research centres around the world, the University of Cambridge, Essex University, the Chelmsford and Essex Breast Clinic, The Sanger Centre and The Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Read the whole article here.
Essex Chronicle

University plans major jobs boost
The town of Colchester could become home to one of the UK's leading centres for global human rights, creating hundreds of high-value jobs and attracting millions of pounds in investment. New plans currently being finalised at Essex University  would lead to the creation of an International Centre for Democracy, Peace and Human Rights at its Wivenhoe campus. Read the whole article here.
East Anglian Daily Times

Blunkett warns over ‘Big Brother’ Britain
David Blunkett, who introduced the idea of identity cards when Home Secretary, will issue a stark warning to the Government tomorrow that it is in danger of abusing its power by taking Britain towards a “Big Brother” state.  At the 21st annual law lecture in Essex University’s Colchester campus, Mr Blunkett will urge ministers to rethink policy and counter criticism from civil liberties campaigners that Labour is creating a “surveillance society.”
The Independent
Daily Mail
The Guardian
Yahoo! India
Evening Standard
The Register
Computer Active

Council wins £6.1m for underground car park
Up to £6.1million in grants has been given to Southend Council to build a new 311-space underground car park in the town centre. The car park will be below the University of Essex’s new tower block for 560 students opposite Sainsbury’s, in London Road, Southend. The cash is coming from the East of England Development Agency and the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency. Read the whole article here.
Southend Echo
Billericay Weekly News

Secretary was hub of university life
The former secretary of the art history department at Essex University has died, aged 78. Maureen Reid worked in the department from its foundation in 1967 until retiring in 1995, and helped to create the friendly ambience for which it remains renowned.
Evening Gazette
Halstead Gazette

Studies provide new data on aging research
A researcher from London South Bank University has used British Household Panel Study data to examine the extent to which elderly people feel they call count on emotional and practical support from friends and relatives. Their study has been published in Ageing and Society.
News RX.com

Research from University of Essex broadens understanding of epilepsy
Scientists from the Department of Psychology at the University of Essex have conducted a study to examine the immediate and sustained effects of volitional sympathetic modulation in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Their study has been published in Psychosomatic Medicine.
Pain and Central Nervous System Week
Pharma Business Week
News RX.com
Biotech Business Week
Science Letter
Life Science Weekly
Drug Week

Sunday 22

Till debt us do part
The layoffs continue. Unemployment is rising as companies sack more workers and that's expected to keep going in 2010. This is not just about the impact on individuals. How does it hit, or change relationships? A British study released late last year by the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex found that couples who experience job loss are more likely to divorce within a year than their employed counterparts." Read the whole article here.
The Age.com

Saturday 21

Chores: A battleground for modern couples
At some of my lowest moments, when the term work-life balance seems like a washed-out description of what feels more like work-life battle, I have often felt the dilemma of managing children, a job and a relationship came down to one simple question: "Who does the laundry?" Evidence from the British Household Panel Survey and countless studies in which families are given "time-use" diaries show that as women move into employment the amount of housework they do does decline, but slowly, and the amount of housework that men take up is proportionately much less. The UK 2000 time-use survey suggested that women spend on average three hours a day on housework (excluding shopping and childcare, of which they do more than men too), whereas men spend about 1hr 40min.
© Fiona Millar 2009 Extracted from The Secret World of the Working Mother by Fiona Millar which appeared in The Times

Friday 20

Conor Walton, 'Landscape and Still Life'
Conor Walton's latest exhibition entitled "Landscape and still life" adds to this Dublin born artists remarkable collection of work, the painter continues his signature battle with the ancients and the moderns, where he supports the crafts and techniques of the past as he sculptures modern day images with oil paint. Conor undertook an MA in Art History and Theory at the University of Essex, which he was awarded with distinction in 1995 (dissertation subject: 'The Battle of the Ancients and the Moderns'). Read the whole article here.
The Epoch Times

Sleepy county town Ipswich has woken up to new technology
Ipswich, perched at the end of a high-tech corridor, is enjoying a surprising renaissance. Read the whole article here.
Times Online

Preview: The Jungle Book
Read about East 15 graduate, Peter Elliott and his role in directing the movements of the bear, tiger, monkey and wolf-pack characters in a series of four half-day workshops. Read the whole article here.
The Press

Mastering a mix of styles
Saxophonist extraordinaire Tim Garland comes to the Lakeside Theatre at Essex University this weekend.
Essex County Standard

Blunkett's uni talk
A former Home Secretary and Cabinet Minister is coming to Colchester. David Blunkett will be giving the annual law lecture at Essex University's Colchester Campus on Tuesday and will speak to the audience about the rights of the individual against community well-being.
Evening Gazette

Welcome to Eco-University
A giant allotment to feed staff and students is in the pipeline at Essex University. It is one of a raft of eco-friendly measures at the university in Wivenhoe Park, which yesterday revealed it has gained a £160,000 grant for eco-projects. A wind turbine already provides a portion of the energy needed to light the facility’s hundreds of classrooms and miles of corridors. Among other things, the grant will pay for energy-saving lighting systems which turn off when rooms are empty.
Evening Gazette

Thursday 19

£6m boost for Elmer Square
More than £6million has been earmarked to pave the way for a new college centre, library, student accommodation and underground car park in Southend.
The funding, agreed jointly by East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), will enable work to start on a 311 vehicle, basement car park to free up land for the development of Elmer Square, which is currently Farringdon Car Park. The University of Essex have reached a separate agreement with developers Hollybrook Ltd for 560 student rooms over the top of the new car park. Read the whole article here.
Yellow Advertiser

New Southend dental surgery plan unveiled
A new NHS dentist offering pre-booked appointments and walk-in treatment for people in pain is being planned for central Southend.  NHS South East Essex has revealed the idea for the new surgery in addition to the dental school at the University of Essex campus in Southend town centre. Health bosses revealed the plan after figures showed patients needing to see a dentist account for more than half of all calls to the NHS South East Essex Patient Advice and Liaison Service. Read the whole article here.
Southend Echo

Anita Brookner: a singular woman
For the past 28 years Anita Brookner's novels of solitude and disappointment have served as a penetrating examination of her own life. Read Dr Sarah Symmons memories of being taught by Anita Brookner in this article.
Daily Telegraph

Eat up and be good
There's growing evidence that better quality food can work wonders for schoolchildren and even prisoners in jail. The Guardian's Harry Phibbs is not surprised to read of findings from the Institute for Social and Economic Research, based at Essex University, that schools in Greenwich which had put Jamie Oliver in charge of their school meals found their charges performed better academically. Read his article here.
The Guardian

System tallies up tax benefits
An innovative research system that calculates the effect of tax and social-security benefits across Europe has been awarded €4.5 million. The Euromod system, hosted by the Institute for Social and Economic Research at the University of Essex, explores ways of tackling poverty and inequality.
THE

How the latest internet craze is coming to Colchester
An Essex University student is trying to organise a 'flash mob' in Colchester's Culver Square on 6 March to raise money for Comic Relief.
Evening Gazette
Essex County Standard

New school for Uni
A new home for the University of Essex's school of health and human sciences is to be officially opened next Wednesday. The new building features a wind turbine that is expected to generate enough energy to power half the building.
Evening Gazette

I'm no critic but I know what I can stand no orange
Art lovers prone to migraines should stick to Turner, as well as avoiding cheese, flashing lights and stress and keeping the headache pills handy on Saturdays.
Research shows that unnatural patterns, stripes and contrasts in some paintings are uncomfortable to view, and can literally be a pain. Professor Arnold Wilkins, who led the research at Essex University, says: "We have shown for the first time that the discomfort from looking at complex images like paintings can be predicted, and our test could be used to avoid putting stressful images in public places where they could cause problems for some people." Read the whole article here.
Sydney Morning Herald
Brisbane Times
Canberra Times
Western Advocate
North Queensland Register
Stock and Land
Tenterfield Star
Farmonline
Stock Journal
Queensland County Life
The Border Mail
NorthWest Tasmania Advocate
Illawarra Mercury
Cooma-Monaro Express
 

Wednesday 18

University of Essex unveils design for student flats block
The futuristic building, housing 560 bedrooms and 60 studio flats, is being built on the old South East Essex College site, in London Road. It will include a student common room, laundrette, and accommodation for an on-site warden. Work on the new building has already started. It is due to be ready for students starting on courses at Essex Business School, East 15 Acting School and the School of Health and Human Sciences in October 2010. Read the whole article here.
Billericay Weekly News
Southend Echo

Investment needed to tackle child poverty
A report commissioned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and carried out by the Institute of Fiscal Studies and Essex University said government is to miss its target to tackle child poverty unless it dramatically increases its spending.
New Zealand News UK Online
Shropshire Star Online

Lap dancing club? Will next step be legalised brothels?
The prospect of a lap dancing club in on of Colchester's busiest streets has ignited a debate about whether the next step is legalised brothels.  Lynne Pettinger, a lecturer in sociology at Essex University, said the fact a form of sexual gratification would be sold so visibly is a talking point that it could be developed to the next step.
Gazette

The Castle is for keeps, says Karen
For Karen Webber, a tour of Colchester Castle is just another day at the office.  The mother began working at the castle part-time while she was studying at Essex University.  She was quickly offered a full-time post before being promoted to duty museum officer.
Gazette

Sax fiend thrives in threesome
Saxophonist extraordinaire Tim Garland comes to the Lakeside Theatre at Essex University this weekend.
Gazette

Katrina's fight for survival - Appeal for mixed race bone marrow donors
Katrina Baylis is putting on a brave face, despite needing a life-saving transplant.  The 24-year-old - whose condition will develop into leukaemia - has only one in 100,000 chance of finding a bone marrow donor because she is of mixed race.  The Essex University student is campaigning to raise awareness of the register.
Gazette
Essex County Standard

Tuesday 17

Blocks Solicitors
Ipswich and Felixstowe-based Blocks Solicitors have appointed Essex graduate Julie Hoy to its commercial property team. Prior to joining Blocks, Ms Hoy worked for Essex County Council as a planning solicitor acting for the highways and education department and dealing with general planning issues.
East Anglian Daily Times

Research on life sciences discussed by scientists at University of Essex
A report, 'Mixed aerobic and anaerobic microbial communities in benzene-contaminated groundwater,' is newly published data in Journal of Applied Microbiology. In this recent report, researchers from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Essex conducted a  study "To investigate the factors affecting benzene biodegradation and microbial community composition in a contaminated aquifer. We identified the microbial community in groundwater samples from a benzene-contaminated aquifer situated below a petrochemical plant".
Science Letter

Monday 16

Acting students turn people’s lives into play
Residents from the Woodgrange Drive estate, Southend, were treated to a performance by drama students from East 15 Acting School. The performance, called A Slice of Southend, featured stories and memories of residents.
The performers were students from the acting school’s community theatre course.  Read the whole article here.
Billericay Wekkly News
Southend Echo

Report summarizes enzymes study findings from University of Essex
Professor Chris Cooper and colleagues from the Department of Biological Sciences have had their study published in Artificial Organs (Radical producing and consuming reactions of hemoglobin: how can we limit toxicity?
Hematology Week
Proteomics Weekly
Life Science Weekly
Science Letter
Biotech Week
Blood Weekly
Drug Week

Research from University of Essex in cognition provides new insights
Dr Steve Avons and colleagues from the Department of Psychology have had their study on evidence of subliminal categorical priming on a lexical decision task, using a new method of visual masking in which the prime string consisted of the prime word flanked by random consonants and random letter masks alternated with the prime string on successive refresh cycles.
NewsRX.com
Biotech Business Week

Saturday 14

'Cruel' TV show forces review of child working laws
Ministers have ordered a review of child employment laws as a public outcry grows over the Channel 4 series, Boys and Girls Alone, which follows a group aged 8-11 who are left without adult supervision in isolated cottages in Cornwall.
Carolyn Hamilton, director of the Children's Legal Centre based at the University of Essex, said that the law needed to be clarified urgently to ensure that all children who appeared on television were properly protected. "I would argue that it [Boys and Girls Alone] was done for entertainment, so it is a performance," she said. Read the whole article here.
Times Online

The parachuting dog and other SAS secrets
Martin Newell writes about the SAS in Wivenhoe in his 'Joy of Essex' column and mentions Wivenhoe House being used as a training base.
East Anglian Daily Times

Research data from University of Nottingham update understanding of life sciences
Using data from the British Household Panel Survey, researchers investigated innovative social policies drawn from the European arena such as universal systems of childcare, a shorter working week and shared parental leave - asking about their relevance to the work-life balance of low-waged coupled mothers in U.K. While in principle the policy environment has shifted from assumptions of a male breadwinner to dual earners, in practice severe constraints on mothers' labour market attachment bring women half the lifetime earnings of men.
Obesity, Fitness and Wellness Week

What the economy did to Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is a day of quixotic acts, sincere love and joyous celebrations. It’s a day where we can harness the happiness in all of us. It’s a day we can forget about the fights and arguments and rest at peace with our friends, family and loved ones. Well, not according to the University of Essex. A new study from the University of Essex, published by the Institute of Social and Economic Research, reveals that married couples that lose their jobs are more likely to divorce within the following year than couples that keep their jobs. Furthermore, a Norwegian study of 3,586 married or long-term couples found the risk of divorce rises by 33 percent when a husband loses his job. The same can be applied to relationships; financial issues are always cited as one of the top reasons for conflict in relationships. The weak economy and bleak outlook has not only shattered resolutions but relationships as well! Read the whole article here.
The Daily Aztec

Friday 13

Maldon's Member of Young Parliament scoops award
A Politics student has been surprised with a prestigious award. Claudia Wilson, 20, was presented with a Princess Diana award for her ability to improve and inspire the lives of others at a special farewell dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Stansted. Claudia, who is in her first year at Essex University, had been a member of the UK Youth Parliament for three years and Young Essex Assembly for four years, but at the age of 20 she is now too old for the organisations and joined her colleagues to say goodbye at the event. Read the whole article here.
Maldon Standard

Cruel fate of Baby P highlights failure of child protection system
Had Baby P lived, he would undoubtedly have become one of the many teenagers whom local authorities fail at precisely the point when they are most vulnerable.
That’s the sobering assessment of an independent charity – the Children’s Legal Centre (CLC) – which says it is time for “an honest inventory” if ministers, care workers and the public alike really want to learn from the tragic life of the little boy who died after enduring 17 months of unimaginable cruelty in his mother’s Haringey flat in London.
Irish Times

Getting our kids to be more active
The secret to getting children to play outdoors more often could be unearthed in Colchester. Academics from Essex University are working with two primary schools in the town on a research project to find out the best way to keep children active outdoors, helping children to tackle childhood obesity.
Evening Gazette
Halstead Gazette
Harwich and Manningtree Standard

A trip to the East Anglian coast - while it's still there for us to enjoy
Lots of people go to the seaside, but not like Professor Jules Pretty. He spent 45 days covering 500 miles of the East Anglian coast, largely on foot.  Getting out and connecting with nature reminds us what's important in life.
East Anglian Daily Times

Decks appeal as Westwood gets set for a one-nighter at Essex uni
Once described as the "most influential figure in rap" and praised by global rap and hip-hop artists, Tim Westwood will be on the wheels of steel for one night only at Essex University's Sub Zero this weekend.
Evening Gazette

Bid to improve health of teens
Young people in north Essex want more health information on the internet, reduced charges at leisure centres and better dietary examples set by their parents, a new consultation has shown. The message from young people came at a special conference held at Essex University where around 100 14-16 year olds discussed their attitude to health issues and gave their thoughts on existing services.
East Anglian Daily Times
Evening Gazette

Cash for Essex regeneration
Some £250 million is to be spent on the University of Essex's three campus sites over the next seven years. Thirty projects are involved, including a £25 million student centre in Colchester. At the Southend campus, which opened in 2007, student accommodation will be built, plus performance facilities for the university's East 15 Acting School. The cash is made up of a loan of up to £100 million and capital grants from the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
THE

Appointments
John Clibbens has joined the University of Essex as dean of health partnerships, part of the institution's plans to develop its delivery of health education and research in partnership with the NHS. Professor Clibben's role involves developing a vision for health-related teaching and research at the university, particularly co-ordinating different parts of its Faculty of Science and Engineering.
THE

£50,000...to rebrand Southend
Southend Council is splashing out £50,000 of taxpayers’ money to “rebrand” the town. Council chiefs have appointed a marketing agency, the Together Agency, to try to update Southend’s image and promote it across the country. The aim of the project is to attract more tourists, businesses and students who may have a view of Southend as a run-down resort that has seen better days. The agency’s ideas will first need to be approved by the council and will then be used in brochures and promotions from Southend Together, which includes the council, the University of Essex, Renais-sance Southend and Visit Southend.  Read the full story here.
Southend Echo
 

Thursday 12

£82m research grant for 1200 PhDs
Doctoral Researchers at 45 universities will share £82m ($116m) in research funding granted by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC). The annual Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs) will fund up to 50% of the costs for 1200 PhD studies at UK universities and higher education institutes. The EPSRC says the amount that each receives is unpublished and stressed to that the annual funding programme is separate from the one off £250m Doctoral Training Centre grants announced in December. Students at the University of Essex will be one of the beneficiaries.
tcetoday

Shifting profits across borders
'Transfer pricing' is the biggest tax avoidance scheme of all. The government must insist on companies being more transparent. Read Professor Prem Sikka's article here.
The Guardian

East Anglian promise
Higher education has arrived in Ipswich - and with it, daring architecture and a groundbreaking model for universities. Read the whole article here.
The Independent

Rural focus on environment
Flooding across Essex provided an appropriate backdrop for a meeting to discuss protecting the county's environment. Professor Jules Pretty, the commission chairman said that he believed that more money needed to be found for sea defences.
East Anglian Daily Times

Does the seven-year itch really exist?  We reveal the secrets of love by number.
Read comments made by Professor John Ermisch from the Institute for Social and Economic Research about the seven year itch here.
Daily Mail

Understanding of life sciences
University of Nottingham researchers have used British Household Panel Survey data for coupled low-waged women in U.K. to conclude that they see a more universal comprehensive system of childcare as enabling women's employment and improving children's quality of life; a shorter working week as enabling mothers and fathers to lead more balanced lives and a father's quota of parental leave fitting with their assumptions about sharing care.
Womens Health Weekly