News

New book gets naturalist buzzing

A lifelong fascination in natural history has resulted in a major new comprehensive account of the life of the bumblebee by an Essex sociologist.

Professor Ted Benton, of the Department of Sociology, has combined 15 years of his own field studies of the species with the latest research and findings, to provide a detailed account of the lives of the 25 species of bumblebee found throughout the UK.

Bumblebees are a group of relatively large, colourful and familiar insects. Unlike honey bees, bumblebees work on plants with no nectar, and play a crucial role in the pollination of flowers and vegetables. The farming industry relies heavily on these efficient pollinators: few, if any bean flowers, for example, would set pods unless they were pollinated by bumblebees, and many apple, pear and plum trees rely on visits for a bountiful harvest.

However, as Professor Benton explained, bumblebee populations have recently suffered an alarming decline: 'Three of the UK populations are already extinct and another nine are on the endangered species list. A further decline in numbers could have a serious economic impact on the farming industry, and is a cause for concern for gardeners and conservationists. It is important to raise awareness of their plight.'

Professor Benton’s interest in natural history, which began at school, spreads beyond just bumblebees. He has written, and had photographs published, on butterflies, dragonflies and other groups of insects and flowers. He has just finished a book on European butterflies, the result of field studies conducted over 25 years. During this time Professor Benton has photographed almost all of the 380 species, and is currently working on a book about Essex dragonflies with John Dobson, based on field research over the past five years.

This interest in nature has also influenced Professor Benton's sociological research at Essex. His pioneering research on social theory has increasingly been linked into environmental issues. He said: 'I’ve tried to keep the hobby separate from my work, but the two have got closer over the years. In fact, the environmental sociology influenced the bumblebee book, rather than the reverse.'

Bumblebees is part of the Collins New Naturalist Series and is available in bookshops this month.

HEFCE funding for Essex

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has announced it is to distribute £6,706 million in recurrent funding for 2006-2007 to universities and colleges. This means both good and bad news for Essex.

On the positive side, the University’s research grant is up 6.9 per cent to over £10.4 million. Andrew Connolly, Director of Finance, explained: ‘This is well above inflation and reflects a deliberate policy of concentrating research grant on the highest rated research departments, those with a grade 5, 5* and 6*.'

Andrew continued: 'Our teaching grant is up 5.1 per cent to over £21 million. This reflects additional funded student numbers for Southend, South East Essex College, Suffolk and the Colchester Institute. It also reflects the University’s success in attracting students from less privileged backgrounds.'

However, although the University met its recruitment targets this year, it fell short of the total contracted number of full-time equivalent (FTE) students which includes second and third year undergraduates and taught postgraduates, as well as new first years. Andrew explained: 'We fell short because of an unusual fall in the number of returning students, in part because the exam failure rate was higher than usual. As a result the University is having to return £360,000 of teaching grant this year.'

'For next year we have been awarded £1.3 million of additional funded student numbers, for the University and its partner colleges. HEFCE will also allow us to recover the 2005-2006 holdback of teaching grant, provided we reach our contracted FTE. This means we may recover the £360,000.'

Local pupils fight mock trials

The second Annual Street Law Mock Trial Competition took place in February with over 50 Year 10 pupils from local schools taking part.

The event is organised by the University of Essex Street Law committee, in association with the Law Society.

Taking part were Thurstable School, St Benedict's College, St Helena School and Colchester County High School for Girls. Following four mock trials, all murder or manslaughter cases, Colchester Girls and St Benedict’s continued to the final, with the former winning the event. Awards for Best Barrister and Best Witness were also awarded to the most promising students.

The winning team from Colchester County High School for Girls

Founded in 2003, Street Law, a pro-bono law project, is now in its third year. The volunteers, mostly Law students, attend local high schools and give classes to students on various legal topics, often as part of the Citizenship programme. The project actively engages the community and increases awareness of civil rights and responsibilities.

The committee hopes to extend the mock trial competition to more local schools next year. For further information please contact kasurr@essex.ac.uk or djonesi@essex.ac.uk.

Also in the printed March edition of Wyvern:

• Honorary degree recipients
• New designs for Suffolk
• 150 years of Freud
• East 15 successes
• BSA conference in Essex hands
• Forgotten heritage on display
• New schemes in Computer Science
• Students try creative writing online