News
Caribbean trip for coral reef research
Marine biology students travelled to Honduras for a
three-week field trip studying coral reef ecology and management.
The 21 undergraduates carried out independent underwater research
projects as part of the programme, which included scuba diving training
and training in survey techniques.
The students were based at a research station in Cayos Cochinos, a
group of islands and sandy cays in the Caribbean. This was the fourth year
Essex biology students had undertaken a tropical field trip, to either
Indonesia or Honduras.
Second year Marine and Freshwater Biology student Gemma Fenwick said:
'Going to Honduras was an experience of a lifetime. To take a module from
a course and carry it out in a tropical destination, well you couldn't ask
for much more!
'The island was stunning and the diving out there was absolutely
amazing.
It has significantly influenced my decision to carry out further study
in Indonesia over the summer, in a similar environment, where I will carry
out research for my third year project.'
Several of Gemma's fellow students will be returning to the reefs for
their third year projects. Trip organiser Dr Dave Smith said they could
expect to meet up with recent Essex graduates working on scientific
projects. This summer 11 former marine biology students will be involved
in coral reef-based field work.
Dr Smith explained the urgent need for coral reef management. 'The reef
in Honduras is in a really poor state. It's massively overfished, and
looks like it's been affected by pollution from chemicals used on mainland
crops. It can recover, but it needs to be actively managed.'
Meanwhile, Dr Smith, who has been appointed Director of Research for
the marine expedition and conservation organisation Operation Wallacea,
has travelled to Egypt to set up a new Red Sea coral reef research base.
The students with the scientific and dive
training staff at their Hondurus research base
Campus expects 8,500 pupils
More than 8,500 sixth formers are expected on campus in
June as Essex hosts events for young people considering applying to
university.
The Essex Higher Education Fair on 21 and 22 June will play host to
representatives from more than 110 higher education institutions,
exhibiting in the Sports Centre and a marquee on the synthetic turf pitch.
Up to 7,000 Year 12 pupils from Essex and parts of Suffolk are expected
to attend. In addition to talking to recruitment staff from the
universities that interest them, the 16 and 17-year-olds will attend
presentations about a range of different degree subjects and general
higher education issues, such as funding.
On Saturday 19 June, the University holds the first of its pre-
application Open Days for students interested in applying to Essex. Around
1,500 prospective students will tour the campus and attend talks about the
different subjects on offer, as well as presentations from Careers,
JobShop and Student Support staff.
Head of Undergraduate Student Recruitment Mike Nicholson said: 'We
anticipate a surge in applications for 2005 entry, because it is the last
year before top-up fees are introduced. In addition we are expecting
greater demand from EU accession countries.'
Conference to honour politics Professor
A Conference and festschrift to honour the contribution of
Professor Ian Budge to the discipline of Political Science and to the work
of the Department of Government will be held during the last week of May.
More than 20 academics from the Department and beyond, are expected to
attend and present papers reflecting Professor Budge's interests over the
past 40 years. Many of the participants, travelling from the United States
and Europe, represent long-standing academic associations which Professor
Budge has built up, both personally and on behalf of the Department,
during his career.
The main areas covered by the Conference will be democratic theory,
political parties, voting and ideology. It is hoped that a book will be
produced to include some of the contributions to the Conference. An
exhibition will also be mounted in the Albert Sloman Library with
documents exemplifying the role Professor Budge played in establishing
both the Essex Summer School in Data Analysis, now in its 37th year, and
the award-winning manifesto research project.
The Conference is being co-ordinated by Professor Albert Weale and Dr
Judith Bara of the Department of Government and Professor Michael McDonald
of the State University of New York, Binghamton University.
Also in the printed June edition of Wyvern:
- Child law experts win LSC contract
- Top swimmer to launch heart disease clinic
- Conference reviews pioneering studies
- Campaigning for nuclear disarmament
- National posts for Essex SU officers
- Healthy audience
