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06ProGress 2012BusinessLayingthe foundationsfor leadershipStudying at the University gave John Thurlbeck –who had become a youth worker ‘almost by accident’ –the grounding and inspiration to progress toleadership and management.Before studying at the University, Johnwas working as District Manager of whatwas then the Hereford and WorcesterCounty Youth Service. After hearinggreat things about the course fromseveral of his colleagues, who had beenfunded by the local authority to studyfor diplomas at Birmingham CityUniversity, John applied to do the same.It turned out to be an excellent decision.“It was great fun and the quality anddirection of the thinking and learning wassuperb. I loved the course, the content andthe tutors. It was one of the most fantasticlearning experiences I have ever undertaken.”Having gained so much from hisexperience, John was encouraged by histutors to continue studying for a Master’sin one of our management programmes.This was to be no mean feat, as it meantconvincing his employers of the benefits ofpart-funding him to complete further studyand finding time to complete assignmentsand a thesis, alongside a full-time job at atime when his son was just three years old.Luckily, it all paid off and John gained adistinction in 1996.www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduateHis studies left a “real impact” onJohn, instilling “a strong set of beliefs inleadership and management” that he stillholds to this day. As his course was drawingto an end, John spotted a job opportunityas Head of Youth Service in his hometownof Sunderland and was thrilled to get a job“with the chance to make a big difference tothe lives of young people in Sunderland.”John spent seven years there, beforeleaving to fulfil his dream of runninghis own consultancy. As for the future,his ethos remains the same – hewants to continue “making a difference”;to “keep working as long as peoplethink I can provide something ofvalue”; and, to see more of the world.He’s even considering completing aPhD one day, as first suggested byhis tutor at the University. A clearindication that he lives by anothersaying he picked up during hisstudies first time around – “if youstop learning, you stop leading!”07ProGress 2012BusinessAn inspiredventure from anenterprising studentJordan AtchisonOur popular postgraduate businesscourses attract a lot of internationalstudents – and they now have evenmore opportunities to get to knowBirmingham City Business School(BCBS) and each other after Americanpostgraduate student, Jordan Atchison,had the bright idea for a BusinessSchool Postgraduate Society.“The original idea was for socialinteraction between students, faculty andlocal industry; to give an extra forum foreveryone to interact within different disciplinesand courses,” he explains. “It’s been verysuccessful: lots of interaction and a goodturnout – most students get pretty excitedabout the events.”The combination of social events, guestspeakers and corporate tours of majorlocally-based companies such as JaguarLand Rover is proving a big hit. The tours givepostgraduate business students from all overthe world a key insight into how successful UKbusinesses are run.So what attracted Jordan, a marketinggraduate, to join our MSc Marketing andManagement in the first place? “I’d read a lotof good reviews of Birmingham City Universityonline and a lot about the city in general,” heexplains. “I’ve really enjoyed being here.Birmingham is very diverse; I get to meetpeople from everywhere.”And the future? Jordan is spoilt forchoice. He’d like to carry on studying herein the UK or elsewhere before returningto the US – and he’s currently applyingfor a PhD.Paint it pinkto put off thethievesLarge diggers used on building sitesshould be painted a Barbie-shadeof pink to put off would-be thieves,according to two experts from theUniversity’s Birmingham CityBusiness School.Professors David Edwards and Gary Holthave been working with industry to helpsuggest solutions to the problem of buildingsite theft. Despite covert and highly technicalanti-theft devices available to vehicle owners,one of the Professors’ conclusions was that ifa piece of equipment is painted a conspicuouscolour it will make it a less attractive targetfor a criminal.They have drawn their conclusionfollowing close discussions with stakeholdersthrough field studies. They believe that thieveswill be deterred from stealing the vehiclebecause it would have to be repainted beforeselling it on, which takes time and incursinconvenience and cost.www.bcu.ac.uk/bcbswww.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

08ProGress 2012LawSpreadingthe word09ProGress 2012Social SciencesGrabbingopportunitieswith bothhandsRachelle HarrisonSophie Grace RoweIf the mark of a successful student isone who feels inspired to promote theUniversity and our courses to others,Rachelle Harrison is surely a shiningexample.EnhancedExperienceAmy WaltonWhen law graduate Amy Walton cameto our Open Day, it was the emphasison extra ways to enhance her CV thatreally clinched it for her. And sincethen she’s certainly taken fulladvantage of everything on offer Alongside an intensive Legal Practice Course,(LPC) Amy’s still found time to gain someinvaluable experience. Regular pro bonowork at a local Employment Advice Centre hasgiven her a fantastic insight into the skillsshe’ll need as a solicitor. “I’ve had caseworkexperience I might not otherwise have had,learning to run my own case and deal withtime limits. I’ve been to tribunals andrepresented clients – it’s great experience.”Amy has also been heavily involved in aStudent Academic Partnership project tocreate more opportunities for law studentsto volunteer. Working closely with her DeputyCourse Director, Louise Costello, she haspinpointed local businesses, charities andadvice centres that can offer students valuableplacements and work experience.Amy’s managed all this alongside apart-time job in a local farm shop. “TheLPC is a big investment and that focusesyou – especially if you pay for it yourself”,she says. “I’ve really enjoyed it. The teachinggroups are small, so you know the tutorsand they know you. You can go to themabout anything.”Most of all, she’s really relished thechance to get hands-on experience. “Law isall about your CV,” explains Amy. “If you’reproactive, it’s amazing what experience youcan get!”Rachelle undertook her LLB Law degreefrom 2007-10, where she was ‘Head Mooter’in the Mooting Society for students to practisetheir debating skills; a student representative forher course; a student ambassador and a mentorto younger students.Since returning to complete an LLM Master’sin Law with International Human Rights, shehas been asked by the Law School careerstutor to hold career sessions for undergraduateLLB students and has obtained a number ofpublic speaking engagements where she hashad to talk about certain aspects of law and herjourney to where she is today.She said: “I was drawn to the University bythe opportunities to gain a practical applicationof the law. The teachers were so friendly andwelcoming, and any time I needed help theirdoors were always open.”Rachelle built her skills by takingpart in mooting competitions in front of realjudges and, as a result of her performancein one competition, she was invited to shadowJudge Martin Cardinal for a period of time.And as part of her dissertation, she got tospend time working at a top criminal lawfirm in New York.She said: “I’ve undertaken a lot of legalresearch that has been used throughout a trial,taken part in trial preparation, interviewingwitnesses and attended court on numerousoccasions. I’m able to use this experience foracademic credit towards my Master’s.”Having achieved her aim of becoming abarrister, Rachelle remains ambitious for moresuccess, and hopes to achieve Queen’s Counselstatus in future.“I intend to practise in criminal andfamily law, but I always wanted to havea diverse practice so I am open to differentareas of law. I’ve also considered undertakinga PhD, so I will have to see what thefuture teFrom the moment she started herCriminology degree, Sophie GraceRowe was determined to takeadvantage of everything her timewith us had to offer.Her enthusiasm, hard work and commitmenthave led to awards and opportunities,which have given her a great foundationfor future success.Sophie graduated in 2011 with a FirstClass Honours Degree in Criminology. Shewas then awarded the Howard League Bursary,from the charitable penal reform organisation,and is now studying towards her Master’s inCriminology, under the guidance of leadingCriminologist Professor David Wilson.She has also taken over the HowardLeague Society at the University, attractingincreased funding, recruiting over 150 newmembers and organising events and speakers,including ex-convicts such as reformedoffender Noel ‘Razor’ Smith.But that’s just the start. Alongside herstudies Sophie has managed several rolesincluding, Student Liaison Officer, AimhigherAssociate, Senior Student Ambassador,Support Worker, Student Representative andcommittee member for the national StudentLearning and Teaching Network.In addition, she is Chair of theBirmingham branch of the New Bridgebefriending organisation, writing to andvisiting prisoners, and a member of theWarwickshire Youth Offender Panel, whichworks to help young offenders understandthe consequences of what they have doneand assigns reparation tasks.As a result of her extensive involvementin criminal justice-related organisationsshe has been granted professionalmembership to the Institute of CommunityJustice Professionals.There is no doubting Sophie’s strongwork ethic. “When I was studying myundergraduate course I had five part-timejobs. The knowledge I learnt through myvolunteering roles definitely helped meachieve a First Class degree and I enjoywhat I do.”During her time on the course, Sophiehas been filmed for Channel 5’s Killers BehindBars programme; her appearance impressedthe director and she hopes to do furthercommentary work in the future. “There areso many opportunities for the future. It’svery exciting,” she says.www.bcu.ac.uk/socialsciencesAcademic winsprestigioustravelling awardAn academic from the University was theonly person in the West Midlands to receivea prestigious Winston Churchill TravellingFellowship.Criminologist Martin Glynn used the grantfrom the Fellowship to travel to Baltimore in theUSA to examine the impact of fatherlessness inanti-social behaviour.Martin explains: “My current work incriminology has identified fatherlessness,father hunger and father deficit as some keyindicators and contributory factors, motivatingsome young men to seek and find solacein gangs, live risky lifestyles, and engagein anti-social behaviour.”Martin’s research assisted in theunderstanding of issues affecting youngblack men in the region as well as informinghis current PhD ‘The Sankofa Paradigm –Towards a Critical Race Theory of Desistance’.EVALUATING USEOF ART IN PRISONSSenior Lecturer in Criminal and ForensicPsychology, Dr Laura Caulfield, has beenawarded a grant to investigate the effects ofartistic and creative activities in prisons.The funding from the Economic and SocialResearch Council (ESRC) will support a seriesof seminars on enrichment activities in thecriminal justice system, involving a mixtureof academic and practitioner input, withhighly-respected speakers from the UK and US.As a leading expert in evaluating enrichmentactivities in prisons and course director for ourMSc Forensic Psychology programme, Laurawas an obvious candidate to drive the projectforward. She said: “We hope the seminars willallow us to share best practice in deliveringand evaluating arts based projects in criminaljustice systems around the world.“It will be a valuable opportunity for peopleto learn from experts who have taken part incriminal justice based initiatives and to drawon competing and complementary views.”www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

10ProGress 2012EducationAward-winning teachingUsing lifeexperienceto helpothersbeenA former teaching student hasof rofession after receivinlogyhnoTecandignDestoNewcomerhnologyAward from the Design and TecAssociation (DATA).Marcia ShakespeareA former student, whose daughter was aninnocent victim of gangland violence, haslaunched a new charity in her daughter’smemory, which will attempt to steer otheryoung people away from gang culture.Marcia Shakespeare is the mother ofLetisha Shakespeare who was tragicallygunned down outside a New Year’s partyin Aston during January 2003. Her charity‘The Precious Trust’ – using Letisha’smiddle name – was set up to providepractical help to vulnerable youngwomen aged between 16 and 19.She has worked with South BirminghamCollege to devise courses in areas such ashair and beauty, media and fashion. The first15 students are due to start in September andwill be referred by organisations that work withpeople in disadvantaged communities who areinvolved, or at risk of becoming involved, ingangs. As well as gaining a qualification,the students will also receive one-to-onementoring and support from Marcia, in hercapacity as a qualified lecturer.After the death of Letisha and her friendCharlene Ellis, Marcia became a prominentcampaigner against gun violence, taking hermessage to politicians and speaking at schoolswww.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduatearound the Midlands and elsewhere.She also returned to education, taking adegree in Sociology and Psychology at theUniversity from 2006-09 followed by a PGCEPost-Compulsory Education and Trainingqualification from 2010-11.She said: “Most of the people on thecourse were closer to my daughter’s agethan mine and at first I felt a little out ofplace, but I realised that I was bringing mylife experience to the course, which wasperhaps different to some of the otherstudents, and we were learning off andsupporting each other. Within a couple ofmonths, I felt very comfortable.“I loved my time at university and I learnedso much. There is a lot of help if you ask forit, whether it’s financial advice from StudentServices or the Students’ Union or informationon how to use the library.”On completing her PGCE, Marcia felt shehad the knowledge and experience she neededto move forward with her ambition of settingup a charity which could help keep young11ProGress 2012Educationwomen away from the dangers of gang culture.Marcia added: “I wanted to helpdisadvantaged people by providingeducational opportunities, and to do that Ineeded to get more qualifications myself.What I’ve learned is that anyone can do auniversity-level qualification, whateverbackground you’re from – you just need topersevere, realise that no one is looking atyou or judging you, and ask for help whereyou need it.“I went through a journey from being avictim of a violent crime to looking at howI could put something positive into thecommunity and trying to make it stop.This is about saving people’s lives and ifI can save one life, I will have achievedwhat I set out to do.”For more information about the charity,email Preparingteachers for21st centurystudentsLouise WheatcroftOur academic staff are at the centre ofthe latest thinking on their specialistsubjects. Here, senior lecturer in PrimaryEnglish Louise Wheatcroft says thatpolicy makers should be looking tomake more of an effort to recognise theimportance of preparing teachers forthe next generation of students: one thatis both digitally literate and net-savvy.What we are beginning to see now is a gapappearing between the experiences of digitalliteracy that primary school children haveoutside of school and their experiences oftechnology in the classroom.ksAndrew Hartshorn currently worherewhe,hullSoliinat Langley istrakeen to try new and excitingintoand incorporate new technologies.hingteachisto hisHe attributes much of his successtoablewasherewhetyersiUnivtime at theewhilcerienbuild his knowledge and expeols in theon placement at two different schors.tutohisfromninglearaswellcity, asCityaminghHe said: “I chose Birmit is theUniversity, quite frankly gside previous students andit isusebecamectedattraThe courseed up by lotschallenging yet supportive, backt amountof experience and there is a grea.hereedtraingbeinintigeof presit“I was expecting it to be tough anddone,everI’vesecourhesttoughas been theedgainhavebut also the most rewarding – IIt was almost 20 years ago when educationpioneer Seymour Papert commented thatchildren have entered into a love affair with thecomputer. We cannot ignore the pace of digitaltechnology. Increasingly, children and youngpeople are becoming more proficient withtechnology than their parents.Nearly every classroom I have taught inhas an interactive whiteboard, and I have alsofound that laptops and tablet computers havebegun to replace the class computer. It shouldcome as no surprise then that our teachers willneed relevant training to operate in this newteaching environment.Many experts are now of the opinion thatthere is a generational divide between peoplewho have grown up in a digital world andpeople who were born before the internetbecame commonplace.One might assume that today’s youngteachers are already ‘digital natives’ and aretherefore already equipped with the digitalliteracy and skills needed to teach in the 21stcentury classroom. However, I would warn thatit is unhelpful to make such assumptions.Andrew Hartshornonal linksnew skills and developed professier.”carethat will help me through myhing postteacfirsthisringAs well as secualsowasrewAndty,ersiUnivtheatwhile stilltheofheadtherasked to write for DATA afteascitycapaherinhimrvedassociation obsese.courtheofinerexamrnalexte; sheHe added: “My tutor was amazingwasShe!pinsPopyMaryscarawas just likeordayoftimealways there no matter whatgivetoinglookysalwanight it was, and wasleft me inme the chance to do my best. Sheand themeofctedno doubt of what was expefor.estrivtoedneedIshigh standard“The most important thing is tocourse,remember why you are doing ther. Theytutoyourtotalkandingkeep smilyou thehave seen it all before and can giveCityaminghBirm.ughwords to get throity; it’sUniversity gives you the opportunit.”ofup to you to make the mostResearch shows that a significant numberof young people actually have limited accessto technology and limited skills and are nottransferring their personal experiences ofdigital literacy into their professional rolesas teachers.www.bcu.ac.uk/postgraduate

12ProGress 2012HealthFormerstudent returns asProfessorSheddinglighton cityhistoryFiona JosephProfessor Mark RadfordA graduate of the University’spostgraduate creative writingprogramme has shed new light on thehistory of Birmingham’s Cadbury familyby telling the little-known story of theheiress to the chocolate empire whoturned her back on the family fortune.When Professor Mark Radfordundertook his degree course in 1991,he was one of just 15 nursing studentsin his year.Now Deputy Director of Nursing at UniversityHospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, he alsoreturns to his place of study as a visitinglecturer and has seen vast changes, withthousands of students now on a nursingcourses at the Faculty of Health.“I was able to experience a great universityand a great city,” he says. “Ever since I qualifiedI have worked as a visiting lecturer and morerecently as a professor so I have been involvedas a student, academic and clinician.“Staff here really take responsibility foryour career and development beyond yourinitial degree.”Mark took up his nursing career straightafter graduating but also furthered his studieswith a Postgraduate Diploma and PhD atthe University,

reputation for design and innovation, was the perfect home for an alternative retail venture. The store sells a range of creative products and accessories from the arts, lifestyle, fashion and homeware sectors, and includes everything from kitsch handbags to vintage trinkets. ympic hopeful Mimi Cesar ProGress 2012 04 News