University of Essex: Annual Review, 2001-2002
Contents - The University - Vice-Chancellor's Introduction - Painting a New Picture - The Third Strand - A Healthier Essex - Paving the Way for a Brave New World - Talking Heads - Review of the Year - People and Honorary Graduates - Financial Summary and Statistics

Talking Heads

In today's media dominated world, academics are increasingly asked to provide public commentaries on current affairs. Experts at Essex were no exception and frequently left the library in order to apply their knowledge to the real world and the biggest news stories of the year in television studios and newspaper offices.

September 11th
The enduring image of Manhattan's world-famous Twin Towers crumbling, prompted media requests for a range of expert Essex opinions.

During the weeks immediately after the attacks, the Department of History's Professor Hugh Brogan charted the history of anti-Americanism across the world in the national Sunday papers. 

'The anxiety about American behaviour now is a hang-over from cold war anxiety about nuclear war.' 
PROFESSOR BROGAN, THE SUNDAY TIMES,  23 September 2001

Professor Anthony King, of the Department of Government, wrote for the Daily Telegraph and the New York Times, on the state of Tony Blair's reputation here and in the US. In making a stand of solidarity with President George W Bush, Tony Blair alienated those in the UK who wanted him to focus on the ailing NHS, crumbling rail network, and failing schools, argued Professor King.

'What matters to the British public is Granny's postponed hip replacement, more than whether peace is brought to the Indian sub-continent.' 
PROFESSOR KING, NEW YORK TIMES, 11 JANUARY 2002

The UK's asylum laws too came under scrutiny with the Department of Law's Professor Geoff Gilbert commenting on the human rights implications of introducing identity cards and Home Office proposals not to grant asylum to those convicted of terrorist crimes. 

'In the war against terrorism, human rights must not be the first victim.' 
PROFESSOR GILBERT, TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT, 12 OCTOBER 2001 

The Queen's Golden Jubilee
As HM Queen Elizabeth II embarked on a landmark, year-long tour of Britain, Professor Anthony King again picked up on the story the nation wanted to hear.

According to Professor King, the nation, despite largely believing the Windsor family to be out-of-touch, awaited the unprecedented Jubilee celebrations with enthusiasm and excitement. He was proved right when two spectacular public concerts were held in the Buckingham Palace gardens and approximately 1 million people streamed into the Mall to celebrate. 

'The monarchy in Britain reigns but does not rule. Republicanism clearly neither reigns nor rules.' 
PROFESSOR KING, DAILY TELEGRAPH,  25 MAY 2002

Accountancy Scandals
Following the WorldCom and Enron scandals, the role of auditors and the so-called 'big five' global accountancy firms was thrown into the spotlight and no one was more outspoken on the subject than the Department of Accounting, Finance and Management's Professor Prem Sikka.

At the start of the year Professor Sikka was discussing the involvement of Andersons in the collapse of Enron on BBC2's Newsnight. By September 2002 he had been interviewed by Radio 4's Today programme, Radio 5 Live, the World Service, Channel 4 news, CNN, ABC and Sky. Newspapers across the world too had turned to him for articles and comments. 

'Despite a plethora of mission statements, the culture of avoiding public accountability and sailing close to the wind is deeply embedded in company boardrooms.' 
PROFESSOR SIKKA, FINANCIAL ADVISER, 25 JULY 2002

Crisis in British Farming
Following the devastating outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease and heated public debates concerning Genetically Modified (GM) crops, the University's Professor Jules Pretty stepped into the media spotlight to comment on British agriculture.

In the Guardian Professor Pretty called for radical changes in British farming methods. He also commented on the spiralling cost the taxpayers pay to keep the industry afloat in London's Evening Standard, the New Statesman, Daily Telegraph, and Independent. 

'We are paying for our food three times over, first, over the counter; second, through our taxes being used for farm subsidies; and third, to clean up the huge mess modern farming is making.' 
PROFESSOR PRETTY, EVENING STANDARD, 28 SEPTEMBER 2001

University of Essex: Annual Review, 2001-2002
Contents - The University - Vice-Chancellor's Introduction - Painting a New Picture - The Third Strand - A Healthier Essex - Paving the Way for a Brave New World - Talking Heads - Review of the Year - People and Honorary Graduates - Financial Summary and Statistics