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THE UNIVERSITY OF YORK DONOR MAGAZINE 2013

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The next issue of Changing Lives will be published in Autumn 2014. Changing Lives is produced and designed in-house by Sarah Phillips and Joanna Barrow at the University of York. Image credits: Julia Walton (cover), Icon Photomedia, Ian Martindale, John Houlihan, Mark Woodwardand IStock. All information was correct at the time of going to print. All rights reserved. Please recycle this magazine when you have finished reading it.

For 50 years York has set its ethical and intellectual compass by a commitment to excellence in teaching and research, and it is these values which will guide us as, together, we adapt to new opportunities and face new challenges. The investment made by our community of supporters across the disciplines of health and medicine, science and technology, environment and social policy, and culture and the arts has been, and will continue to be, integral to York’s success and we thank you for it. In this anniversary year we have invited graduates and friends to be part of our celebrations, and have been overwhelmed by your response and willingness to demonstrate your allegiance to York by getting in touch and letting us know where you are and what you are doing: mentoring our undergraduate students; joining a society, association or alumni network in order to support

fellow graduates; taking on a volunteer role such as ambassador or membership of an advisory board; or by giving to one of the projects highlighted in this issue of Changing Lives. So far during 2013, one in seven York graduates have helped strengthen our community in one of these ways. We are inspired by your kindness and can look towards the future with confidence in the knowledge that we have the support of a committed community. As York becomes ever more diverse, international in outlook and strives for excellence in all aspects of teaching, research and the experience we offer to our students, the need for your support grows ever greater. Within the magazine you will read about the ways others have helped by providing scholarships, bursaries, equipment and other resources and we hope that you will continue to be inspired to support our fundraising projects. If you haven’t yet made an anniversary gift in 2013, I’d encourage you to do so. Now is a great time to make that commitment. You’ll see on page 10 that new Yorkies members will now have their support matched by the John Murrell Fund. You should feel pride in the difference you have already made and I hope that you will continue playing an active role in York’s future.

Thank you.

Jane GrenvilleDeputy Vice-Chancellor

Welcome

6YORKIES: OUR GIVING COMMUNITY 8BRIDGING THE GAP

10THE MIND OF A MATHEMATICIAN

14CHAMPIONS OF CHANGE 16PROTECTIVEFELLOWSHIPS

18EDUCATING FUTURE GENERATIONS

20INVESTING IN OUR ENVIRONMENT

22YORK FESTIVAL OF IDEAS 24CONSERVING OUR ARCHIVES

28INSPIRING ACTIVITY

30DONATING YOUR TIME

Ever since JB Morrell, Lord Mayor of York and Chairman of the Joseph Rowntree Social Service Trust made the decision

to gift Heslington Hall to the University of York we have been grateful for the vision and support of individuals, charitable trusts and partners from across the business community. As we look to the future and continue to nurture and develop our students to become global, responsible citizens we will need your help more than ever before.

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NURTURING TALENT

ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE BURSARIES

Generous gifts to the Achieving Excellence Bursaries appeal have made it possible for 26 students to receive extra financial help throughout their degree programme.

These bursaries of £1,050 per year are allocated to students whose family income is just above £25,000, at which point they are no longer eligible for a government bursary. Without your help, these students might not be able to reach their potential at York. A further 27 students will be supported by you in 2013/14.

WHO DID YOU FUND IN 2012/13?A whole range of experiences are available to students at York, with over 9,000 students in 2012 taking part

in sport or some activity. This year alumni support funded 73 projects to a total of £184,620. You can find out more about the projects and funds mentioned online at

www.YorkSpace.net/give-now/bepartofit.

As a member of the Disbursement Group, which considers applications for funding from a wide range of

projects twice a year, history graduate and Giving Ambassador Tina Walker (History, Langwith, 1985) sees the impact of gifts by alumni and friends at first hand and shares her experience here. “Our priority is the student support programme and, in particular, the Achieving Excellence Bursaries, which offer support to students throughout their degree. Having being able to commit to a bursary in each department this year, we have done the same for 2013/14 doubling the number of students that we are helping. As well as helping undergraduates from families who just miss out on government funded awards, your gift also provides entrance bursaries for nursing students who have no access to other funding. The number of alumni-funded students at York grows each year – meeting them and watching their progress leaves me in no doubt that this is a worthwhile gift and a way for me to use the fruits of my education to help others. In future, regular e-bulletins will also allow you to see the progress of the beneficiaries of the student programme.

“Being a member of the Disbursement Group highlights the wealth of experience that is available at York through student societies, volunteering, sports and departmental projects in addition to academic programmes. Involvement in extra-curricular life at York gives students important organisational and team experience, which is so important when it comes to finding a job. “We see a wide range of innovative activity and this year have funded 72 projects more than ever before. A full budget and rationale for sustainability must be produced for each project and must demonstrate the widest impact across campus and community. Of course we have finite funds and sometimes making decisions is not easy. It’s impressive to see what can be achieved as a result of our (sometimes) modest grants. As a member of the group I’d like to pass my thanks to you for being part of it.”

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WHO’S WHO? THE RECIPIENTS... 1 New kit for Derwent Rugby Club. 2 CD production support for music ensemble Dark Inventions.3 Conference support for the Bright Futures Society.4 Equipment for the Cricket Club.5 Equipment for the Women’s Rugby Community Link. 6 Equipment for the Lacrosse Club. 7 Equipment for the York Fencing Club.

8 Attending Edinburgh Fringe Festival Jackinabox Productions.9 Funding for the running of three Kids’ Camps.10 Funding for the University of York Film Showcase.11 Funding for ‘Great Britten: A Day of Celebrations for Benjamin Britten’s Centenary’.12 Funding for 10 travel bursaries.

"It is with immense gratitude that I can tell you that this bursary has ensured that I can manage to get by on my own financially at York. The bursary has been spent on textbooks and food. Thank you again"

LUKE HEDLEY, MATHEMATICSACHIEVING EXCELLENCE BURSARY STUDENT

THANK YOU! FOR BEING PART OF IT!

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In our 50th year more alumni than ever have joined our giving groups, wishing to give something back and to help students

who follow in their footsteps. Through the groups we are able to keep you in closer touch with the projects that you support. Yorkies was launched in 2006 and our members, those who give regularly by direct debit or Give As You Earn, have grown in number from 120 to over 1300. It’s thanks to these committed supporters and also those who have given a single gift that we have raised a record £288,000 this year. Our Yorkies supporters at all levels are instrumental in ensuring we can plan the support that we provide to students and commit to supporting each Achieving Excellence Bursary student for three years. Whether you would like to give £50 or £1000 each year make 2013 the year you join.

“I’m a Yorkies supporter because I want to help today’s students experience what I did: my time at York was quite literally life-changing, and heavily influenced how I am today in a very positive way. It gave me a career, an enduring network of friends, an obsession with the media and a zest for life – not to mention an appreciation for beautiful countryside and decent beer!”

RICHARD KENYON (BIOLOGY, WENTWORTH, 1977)GIVING AMBASSADOR

Did you know that a gift of £800 is worth £1000 to the University of York with Gift Aid, and will cost a higher rate tax payer £600 a year (or £50 a month)?

This will fund one bursary to help a student like Luke on page 5. Our new giving group, Yorkies+, the Deramore Circle, for donors who give over £500 each year is attracting alumni and friends who wish to make leadership gifts and to inspire others. Thank you to those who have decided to increase their gifts in 2013/14.

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Students made a gift at graduation this year to help those who follow in their footsteps

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Thank you to all who supported us in 2012/13!

Yorkies donors who have a regular payment set up to our Giving to

York programme

Yorkies+ donors gave over £500

Alumni and friends who are now part of the Heslington Circle by leaving a bequest in their

will

Morrell Fellows

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DONOR ROLL

Our full donor roll is now available online.

www.YorkSpace.net/giving/donorroll.

We list our supporters by name except where they have chosen to remain anonymous.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about the Yorkies and Yorkies+, the Deramore Circle at www.YorkSpace.net/giving.

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26Organisations who

supported us philanthropically

NURTURING TALENT

Yorkies - our giving community...

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At York, we are fortunate that the gap between need and the availability of funds

is being bridged by a number of benefactors. Together they have contributed over £3m in financial support over the last six years helping hundreds of scholars to flourish. Despite a UK-wide increase in demand for postgraduate courses, the money available to help the next generation of academics, leaders and innovators has shrunk over the last 10 years. Next year there'll be even less to go round. Research councils, the public bodies that award grants for academic research, will no longer support students taking taught masters degrees, and funding for those on research masters and PhD programmes will also be cut severely. There are two main costs for students undertaking postgraduate study–academic fees and living expenses. Fee levels vary depending upon the students’ chosen programme of study, whereas cost of living depends upon the individual. Despite their undisputed contribution to the prosperity and reputation of the UK, the nation’s future prosperity, it would appear, is severely at risk.

If the UK is to become a globally competitive knowledge-based economy, it is essential that our postgraduate community doesn’t suffer through the lack of funding available to postgraduate students.

50TH ANNIVERSARY SCHOLARSHIPS BENEFACTORS

THE BRIDGE FUND:

SUPPORTING THE NEXT

GENERATION

THE WILD SCHOLARS

THE HOLBECK POSTGRADUATE

MATCHED FUNDING PROGRAMME

THE WOLFSON FOUNDATION

The Bridge Fund aims to attract gifts of £5,000 of more to support our postgraduate community. In particular, those seeking to pursue a taught masters programme at York. Gifts can be pledged over two years, given as a one-off gift or donated by a group of supporters and will be directed towards funding for scholars in 2014 onwards. Please let us know if you’d like to help support the next generation of bright, young minds.

This is the largest match funding scheme in the University’s history and has played a major role in attracting individuals from around the world to come to York. The Holbeck Trust has provided funds to 80 scholars and has had an impact on attracting similarly minded donors to York. The scheme has provided matched funding in some cases or vital top-up awards where full funding has not been available.

Since 2011 the Foundation has funded postgraduate scholarships in the humanities at just nine universities. The aim is to select the individuals who are likely to be the academic leaders and public intellectuals of the future. The scholarships are available in three broad areas: languages, literature and history. York has been awarded the scholarships due to its excellent track record and its commitment to humanities research.

Gifts of £5,000 have been donated by those wishing to mark the anniversary year by supporting the next generation of scholars. In all 12 students will benefit from an anniversary scholarship award and over £100,000 in postgraduate funds have been raised through the generosity and foresight of our donors. The Anniversary Scholars will begin their studies in October 2013.

Benefactor and alumnus Dr Tony Wild continues to support PhD scholars in the Department of Chemistry. Through the Wild Scholarship Programme York is able to offer £7,000 in funding to students studying for a PhD, MPhil or MSc research degree. The programme has helped 39 students since 2005.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about postgraduate bursaries at www.YorkSpace.net/bridgefund.

“The scholarship meant that I can carry on at York in the area of

forensic phonetics, without taking a year out of education in order to save

up. It would have been a struggle to return to academic life after one year

away. I now have a job offer thanks to this scholarship year. My huge thanks

go to anyone who has donated”

SOPHIE WOODMASTERS IN LINGUISTIC SCIENCE

NURTURING TALENT

A successful postgraduate community isn’t only about our home students; also essential to a vibrant postgraduate community are the international scholars who study at York. Not only is the impact of their work felt across the globe but York’s reputation on the international stage is greatly enhanced. While here, our international scholars add to the diversity of our community and later help build our international collaborations and networks.

Bridging the gap...

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Despite his early prowess with numbers (“I was something of a genius toddler. I could add up the darts score before my parents did from the age of three.”), he had initially studied Latin, English and French to A Level, and was planning to go straight into the world of work. However, on the advice of his headmaster, he learned A Level maths over two terms and applied for university instead. After his BA in Mathematics, John went on to take a masters in Pure Mathematics, specialising in Complex and Functional Analysis. He eventually settled into a job with the General Electric Company in 1979 and remained happily employed there until 1985. It is because he was encouraged to university that John wants to support other students who would like to come to York. “I’ve realised that it was only through the help of others that I ended up going on to higher education. I almost didn’t. I know that a bursary is a different kind of encouragement to the advice I was given, but my maths degree opened many doors to me, and I want to ensure that other students have the same kind of opportunities. There should be no financial barriers to further education, and I urge others to donate as well so that students coming to

York can make the most of the experience no matter what their background.” John has been a member of the Yorkies since 2008, joining Yorkies+, the Deramore Circle, our new group when it was launched in February 2013. This summer he has taken that support further by setting up the John Murrell Fund with a transformational gift of £80,000. John is keen to encourage new members of Yorkies, so the fund will match new regular gifts to our Giving to York programme over the next year. Each new regular gift will be matched on a 1:1 basis with the John Murrell Fund contributing £1 to Achieving Excellence Bursaries for every £1 pledge by Direct Debit or Give As You Earn.

Alumnus John Murrell is passionate about helping students to fulfil their potential. His new fund aims to encourage more members of the Yorkies by matching new gifts from this September.

“The John Murrell Fund is a great incentive for people to make a commitment at a level they are comfortable with and we are sure that John’s generosity will inspire others” SUSIE FOTHERGILL (POLITICS, DERWENT, 1982) HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT

1 + 1 = more opportunity

FIND OUT MORE

To take advantage of John’s matched gift simply opt to donate a regular gift to York at www.YorkSpace.net/giveregularly.

NURTURING TALENT

The MIND of a mathematician

John Murrell (Mathematics 1968; MPhil, 1972) didn’t expect to be a mathematician. It was only the smart

intervention of his headmaster that saw him applying for a place in York rather than finding a job after school.

JOHN MURRELL (MATHEMATICS 1968; MPHIL, 1972)

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THE INTERNATIONAL CONNECTIONS FUNDThe University of York has been part of the Santander Universitites network for the past three years and the generous support from the bank has provided a range of placements bursaries and projects with a focus on international and community opportunities. It has given life-changing experiences that will have positive impact on students’ future careers, and it has provided staff with international connections that have the possibility to produce collaborative research. In 2013 there were 17 International Connections Awards, six Formula Santander Scholarships as well as Enterprise Bursaries and on-campus support which broaden horizons and contribute to a lively and stimulating environment for all.

FUNDS IN ACTIONJuliana López Angarita, a postgraduate student from the Environment Department travelled to Colombia to conduct research and establish relationships with the National Natural Parks of Columbia and the Universidad de los Andes. Julia Vaughan, 2nd year nursing student, has a passion to help those with learning disabilities. The International Connections Award funded by Santander enabled Julia to travel to China, to work, and to help disabled children. This was a valuable experience that will help her future career.

Alumni and friends are invited to enhance the international opportunities for students. To find out more, please contact Susie.Fothergill@york.ac.uk.

YOUR HELP FROM THE USAlumni friends and organisations in the US have played an important part in raising the profile of the University of York in North America and in expanding the opportunities for studying and working abroad The University of York in America, our sister organisation in the US leads the way in fundraising and developing partnerships across a range of activities. Alumni have generously supported many aspects of university life including scholarships in Economics, a visiting professorship in the Department of English and Related Literature and our 50 for 50 Scholarship Programme. The new US Alumni Connections Fund aims to build on the successful work started by the Visiting Scholarship Fund (established in 2007), which, thanks to generous alumni, has so far supported over 46 University of York students to make the most out of their transatlantic experience and to embark on this life-changing opportunity.

“At Columbia I have the opportunity to take classes with professors who are leaders in their field, in one of the most exciting and diverse cities in the world. Support from alumni like you has helped to ease the financial burden of everyday living costs in New York City”

EMMA TOMLINSON (ARCHAEOLOGY)VISITING SCHOLAR

The ways in which international experience can be gained by students is expanding and to reflect this the US Alumni Connections Fund will provide support across more areas. As well as supporting students on transatlantic exchanges your gifts can also support students (from the US and the UK) undertaking internships in the US and those who wish to visit the US for academic conferences, research or other developmental opportunities.

NURTURING TALENT

International opportunities

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While on campus, the defenders also have a chance to study subjects to support their work. Journalists, lawyers, students and community leaders from a range of countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Kenya, Colombia and Myanmar, are just some of the people who have taken part in the scheme so far. Inspired by their time at York, many have returned to their countries to set up new projects and programmes to develop valuable human rights work in their own communities. Professor Paul Gready, Director of the Centre for Applied Human Rights, which is managing the fellowships, said, “In many countries, human rights defenders can face imprisonment without charge, torture and threats of death

to themselves and their families. Their outspokenness may also limit their educational and employment opportunities.” As well as providing a safe roof over their heads, the scheme encourages the Protective Fellows to share and discuss their experience with students and staff in a two-way process that encourages insight and understanding.

Human rights defenders from some of the world’s most repressive regimes are being offered sanctuary at the University in a unique scheme which provides a safe haven for people facing persecution.

“The knowledge I am gaining at York will

allow me to help more people when I return

home”

Karak Denyok

“We believe that human rights defenders are key agents in creating more socially just societies around the world and they deserve our support”

CREATING A FAIRER AND JUST SOCIETY

CHAMPIONS of change

York’s innovative Protective Fellowship Scheme for Human Rights Defenders at Risk – the first of its type in a UK

university – provides 10 places each year to human rights activists from around the world. Each fellowship, which lasts up to six months, offers a life-changing opportunity to rest and reflect in safe surroundings for people who may be facing imprisonment or intimidation as a result of their human rights work.

KARAK DENYOK

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Inspirational human rights defender Karak Denyok has overcome intimidation and threats to help over 12,000 women escape poverty in her home country of South Sudan by returning to her farming roots. Karak has set up two projects based around commercial farms where women gain basic agricultural skills enabling them to feed their families and earn money from selling the produce they grow. The women, many of them refugees or victims of domestic violence, also learn business and literacy skills to help overcome a lack of formal education. She is using her time at York to learn about human rights legislation and how it could help her work in South Sudan. “Sometimes I can’t believe I am here in York, mixing with students from all around the world and having access to classes and a huge library,” says Karak. “At first I was scared of gaining such a large amount of knowledge – in my country that would be a dangerous thing for a woman to do – but now I can see how valuable it is to understand how human rights and government systems work. “The main focus of my work in South Sudan has been women, but now I want to extend my work with children, many of whom live on the streets. I want to create a drop-in centre maybe with a school and a health clinic. We need to create a family for these children,” she explains.

Karak’s considerable achievements have been gained at a high personal cost. Her husband, a journalist, fled to the US after seven months in jail when he was beaten and tortured. As a result of continuing threats, Karak moved her five children, aged two to 14, to Uganda where they are looked after by her mother and friends. She also oversees the care of eight foster children. In the course of her work she has been ambushed at gunpoint, and intimidated by local leaders opposed to her efforts to empower women. Her work received international recognition recently when she was invited to join the New York-based Synergos Fellowship, a global leadership programme which encourages ‘change agents’ to challenge poverty and social injustice around the world. Karak won the Van Heuven Goedhart International Award in 2004, which she donated to the women of the Nuba Mountains in South Sudan. The award recognised her contribution towards improving refugee life, plus her courage and ability to overcome difficulties. “The job I do is not easy. South Sudan is not safe but I believe in the power of knowledge, particularly for women and children, as a way to create more peaceful and stable communities. The knowledge I am gaining at York will allow me to help more people when I return home,” she says.

The programme has also been embraced by many in the local York community with particularly strong links to the local Amnesty International group and other local organisations. Some of the defenders were invited to spend Christmas with local families last year. A planned new Friends of the Fellowship scheme aims to strengthen these local connections. Human rights workers are nominated for the fellowships by organisations such as Amnesty International. The programme is funded by grant support from organisations including the Sigrid Rausing Trust, the Alan and Babette Sainsbury Charitable Fund and the Open Society Institute, backed by support from the University. The programme has been further expanded with a new ten-week online course – Working Safely: Managing Risk and Strengthening Protection, which provides practical

guidance for human rights workers in the field. One of the scheme’s many success stories is Guleid Osman from Somaliland who took up a fellowship in spring 2012 while working for a national organisation providing care and support for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS. He got in touch with the University shortly after completing his fellowship to say that, using knowledge and contacts gained during his time at York, he helped his organisation gain funds from the United Nations Development Programme to support a nine-month project helping over 100 people living with HIV.

It was a great honour to add alumna of York (History, 1986), notable academic, publisher and philanthropist Sigrid

Rausing to our list of Morrell Fellows in April 2013. Generous support from the Sigrid Rausing Trust (founded by Sigrid in 1995) helped to found the Centre for Applied Human Rights at York. The trust continues to support the Centre and in particular the Protective Fellowship scheme, supporting human rights defenders from around the world and giving them the opportunity to come to York for a period of training and respite. Sigrid maintains a close interest in the work of the Centre and in promoting and supporting the work of our human rights Fellows. She has received numerous awards for her human rights work and philanthropy, including joint winner of the International Service Human Rights Award, a Beacon Special Award for philanthropy and the Women’s Funding Network's ‘Changing the Face of Philanthropy’ Award. She is also a member of the jury of the Per Anger Prize for human rights defenders, and the Order of the Teaspoon, a Swedish organisation against political and religious extremism. She was the judge of the Amnesty Media Awards in 2009 and 2010 and Index on Censorship Media Awards in 2012. In addition, Sigrid serves on the advisory board of the Coalition for the International Criminal Court, and is an emeritus member of the international board of Human Rights Watch.

MORRELL FELLOWSHIP AWARDED TO HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPORTER

KARAK DENYOK FROM SOUTH SUDAN TOOK UP A SIX MONTH PROTECTIVE FELLOWSHIP AT YORK IN 2012

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SUPPORTING HUMAN RIGHTS AT YORK

Each scholarship costs £10,000 to cover living costs and travel, and enables an individual from a country affected by conflict to gain skills so that they are able to work effectively towards peaceful and sustainable development of their homeland. For futher information or to support the work of our fellows, please contact Sarah Sylvester at sarah.sylvester@york.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 1904 32 4555.

CREATING A FAIRER AND JUST SOCIETY

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The IEE is working to establish what works in teaching and learning - and why.

The support the IEE receives from the Bowland Trust has contributed to its research in a range of important areas, including literacy, mathematics, science, educational technology, and social and emotional learning. Bowland has also directly funded three additional positions within the Institute, increasing the breadth of its work. These are a Chair in international development and education, a Reader in enhancing parental input in supporting children’s success, and a Reader in overcoming educational disadvantage. Support from Bowland also contributes to the IEE’s dissemination work. This includes the magazine Better: Evidence-based Education and the e-newsletter Best Evidence in Brief, which aim to get the latest research developments directly into the hands of those who need The Institute for Effective Education

(IEE) has established itself as one of the leading education research units in

the UK, and is also leading the field in disseminating ‘what works’. It was founded in 2007 with the support of the Bowland Trust. The Trust, funded by entrepreneur Tony Cann, is the University’s largest single donor, and continues to play an important role in the IEE.All children should have the opportunity to succeed in school but many fail to reach their potential, and this is particularly true of children from underprivileged backgrounds. The IEE is working to establish what programmes and practices are effective, conducting scientifically rigorous evaluations, often randomised controlled trials, and systematic reviews of existing research. This work goes hand-in-hand with a commitment to building support for evidence-based education amongst practitioners and policymakers, and making research findings accessible and relevant.

A shared vision for evidence-based change at the Institute for Effective Education.

them, and the annual IEE conference which brings together practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to share their perspectives on evidence in education. The IEE is helping to create the next generation of education researchers, and has a growing number of postgraduate students within the Institute. The subjects of their dissertations range from the role of basic education in rebuilding communities following the 2008 post-election violence in Kenya, to employer and employee perceptions of GCSE mathematics. Every year, one IEE student benefits from a Fee Waiver which is funded by the Bowland Trust.

“The education of our children is too important to be left to

fads and untested theories”

ESTELLE MORRISCHAIR OF THE IEE EXECUTIVE GROUP

The IEE is based in the impressive Berrick Saul Building at the heart of the University of York’s Heslington West campus. The Bowland Trust and Tony Cann played a major role in the creation of this space, providing substantial funding. Since opening in 2009 the building has won a number of architectural awards, and is a valuable and much-used addition to the University.

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about the IEE online at www.york.ac.uk/iee or subscribe to Better magazine at www.betterevidence.org.

GREG DYKE, CHANCELLOR, PRESENTS TONY CANN WITH A MORRELL FELLOWSHIP IN 2012

BERRICK SAUL BUILDING, HOME TO THE IEE AT YORK

Educating future generations

CREATING A FAIRER AND JUST SOCIETY

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INVESTING IN OUR

ENVIRONMENT

At York, a guiding principle of our research has always been our duty and responsibility to play a role in finding solutions to the challenges faced by society - that is why between 2013 and 2020 the University of York plans to make a major investment across the Departments of Environment and Biology, on the University’s Heslington West campus, creating the York Centre for Global Environment and Health. The first phase of expansion will begin with the creation of a new £6.5m Biomedical Sciences building and a £12m building to house the Department of Environment. These two capital projects, together with the major investment

made by the University over the last 15 years to the Departments of Chemistry and Biology, in particular the creation of the Centres for Immunology and Infection and Novel Agricultural Products and the Wolfson Atmospheric Chemistry Laboratory amount to over £100m invested in the infrastructure and people necessary to deliver York’s vision. The York Centre for Global Environment and Health will co-locate policy-making with basic laboratory science and healthcare centres of excellence. The complete footprint for the centre will be approximately 23,000 square metres of teaching and research space dedicated to environmental and life sciences. The University has committed to investing £42m to deliver this overarching vision over the next seven years and is seeking funding for the remainder of the campaign. Drawing together expertise in biology, chemistry, bio-archaeology and health sciences as well as expertise from the Stockholm Environment Institute at York, the York Centre for Global Environment and Health will become one of the largest physical clusters of environmental and life scientists in the UK.

Addressing the challenge of environmental change and its impact on human health.

CAN YOU HELP?

We need like minded people to help us invest in equipment, buildings and research, and to support our growing academic community. If you can help or would like to suport the project, please contact Mary Haworth via email at mary.haworth@york.ac.uk.

PROTECTING PEOPLE AND THE PLANET

The path taken by the world’s leading economies, particularly in the last 50 years, presents major environmental

challenges for society. Around the world, the biophysical environment is being damaged at unsustainable rates through unprecedented extraction of natural resources, and by degradation of marine and land-based environments, as a result the health of human societies and the ecosystems on which they depend are being threatened.

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North and South come together for the York Festival of Ideas...The 2013 York Festival of Ideas, led by the University of York, was an outstanding success and attracted record participation on a theme of ‘North and South’ at venues across the city and the University campus. The Festival was established in 2011 to demonstrate the contribution of the University to the cultural, social and economic life of the city of York. The Festival encapsulates the strength and depth of research at the University of York as well as providing a platform to celebrate the power of ideas through a programme embracing arts, science, politics, culture, economics and much more. Delivered in partnership with 22 city of York organisations and eight national organisations including the British Library, the Institute of Engineering and Technology, York Minster, York Museums Trust, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the V&A, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, BBC Radio 3 and Granta Magazine, the 2013 festival

featured the most impressive line up of presenters and speakers to date.

They included Nobel Laureate, Seamus Heaney;

broadcaster, novelist and polymath, Melvyn Bragg;

screenwriter of Cranford and Call the Midwife, Heidi Thomas; and archaeologists

and broadcasters Michael Wood and Michael C Scott.

A stellar line-up of novelists also made the trip to York and included Judith O’Reilly and Jenni Fagan. Journalists and commentators included Paul Morley, Peter Hitchens, Harriet Sergeant, Zoe Williams and Steve Richards who enjoyed engaging in the debate. Jonathan Portes, Paul Johnson, and Lord Sainsbury were all keynote contributors to a themed day on local and global economic issues.

INNOVATION IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE

Writer in Residence Alumnus John Tilney (Economics and Economic History, 1976) became a Morrell Fellow in April 2013 in recognition of his long-term commitment to a range of projects at York. Most recently, John’s philanthropic support has focused on the Writer in Residence project within the Department of English. This scheme enables students studying English to benefit from creative writing classes led by novelists, poets, screenwriters or playwrights. With John’s support we have been able to attract a number of acclaimed writers, including Gillian Slovo, Kamila Shamsie and Adam Foulds. For students at York the opportunity to learn from eminent and successful authors and writers is unparalleled and a number of York students have gone on to publish their own writing. John, who had a successful career in finance and investment, is also supporting a number of masters scholarships at York through the 50th Anniversary appeal.

“We believe passionately that ideas and education are what empowers people and societies to live better lives and we hope to be able to continue providing many free events through the Festival programme in order to stimulate debate and shared ideas”

JOAN CONCANNON DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS AT YORK

GREG DYKE, CHANCELLOR, PRESENTS JOHN TILNEY WITH A MORRELL FELLOWSHIP IN 2013

Joan Concannon, Director of the Festival and Director of External Relations at the University of York says, “We are pleased that so many city and national partners joined forces with the Festival to deliver events which ensured we attracted the largest ever number of Festival attendees. We are particularly grateful for our sponsors’ continued support. Sponsorship from The Holbeck Charitable Trust, The Shepherd Group, Santander Universities, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Institute of Engineering and Technology and Quorn Foods as well as a generous donation from an anonymous alumnus, ensured that we could continue to deliver the major part of the programme free to audiences.” Next year’s theme of ‘Order and Chaos’ will explore the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War 1, issues around cultural identity and national sovereignty, the best writers, history, science, astronomy and discovery, health and the impact of the internet and much more.

ARTS AND

CULTURE

MELVYN BRAGG

SEAMUS HEANEY WILLIAM SITWELL

FIND OUT MORE

Visit www.york.ac.uk/english/undergraduate/creative-writing for more information.

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Students, staff and alumni have pulled together under the York@50 banner to make a difference to young people in

York and to celebrate the University’s 50th anniversary. Through a fundraising bike ride, sponsored events and gifts from university suppliers and friends, over £30,000 has been raised for Project Snowball and Achieving Excellence Bursaries. The partnership aimed to renovate the Snowball Plantation, Scouting’s outdoor activity centre close to York, home of the Student Union’s flagship volunteering project, Kids’ Camp. It was kickstarted by a £1,400 collection from friends, staff and the community at the 50th Anniversary Minster Service in February. The York@50 bike ride led by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Jane Grenville, was the University’s first ever, with cyclists riding either a 25-mile or 50-mile route that started at the new facilities at York Sport Village and saw team of riders from Santander raise £1,600. In addition to fundraising, a team of volunteers gave over 500 hours of labour to the project. Using funds raised to buy

materials, the team have dug, sanded, cleared and painted to give the Snowball Plantation a new lease of life.

Fundraising STEPS UP A GEAR!

INNOVATION IN THE ARTS AND CULTURE

The Fleming Conservation Fund in the Borthwick Institute for Archives was set up by alumnus Andrew Fleming

(History, Goodricke, 2002) in 2011 with the aims of enabling conservation of the Borthwick’s own archives and records, and ensuring that the archives remain accessible to researchers, students and the wider community. The secret to this is having the right equipment.

Now in its final year the fund has certainly achieved all that it set out to do and much of this is down to a much valued, hand-built and customised suction table which was delivered to the institute in December 2012. The table, according to Institute Director, Chris Webb, “is essential for the sort of highly skilled work undertaken by the conversation team, who deal with large quantities of parchment documents of international importance.” Parchment is recognised as being a difficult material to work with in all kinds of ways, but a principal challenge is persuading parchment to lie flat, and then to stay flat, while conservation work is performed. Conservators can now concentrate fully on the delicate and skilled repair work without the distraction of holding parchment in a stable condition. And the table will in fact enable staff to take

forward the Borthwick’s plan to become a national instructing office in parchment repair. Other materials that are difficult to control can also now be carefully positioned on to the table and it has enabled the team to experiment with fragile, tissue-based architectural plans and drawings (as part of a project funded by the Patricia and Donald Shepherd Charitable Trust). These plans are generally acidic and brittle, which causes them to become friable and prone to fracture. Holding them flat in order to effect a repair has always been difficult, but the table has removed a large part of the difficulty by stabilising the document before work commences. The Borthwick’s prized piece of equipment has therefore greatly assisted progress on another externally funded project. It will unquestionably be a key piece of equipment for work on future projects and materials.

Conserving OUR ARCHIVES

FIND OUT MORE

You can find out more about the Borthwick Institute for Archives online at www.york.ac.uk/library/borthwick.

WITH HELP FROM ALUMNI

GET INVOLVED

Building on the success of our ride in 2013, we will launch a new annual event next year, in advance of the arrival of the Tour de France in Yorkshire. Supported by the University of York Cycle Club, the event takes place on Sunday 8 June 2014 and riders can choose a 50km or 125 km route to raise funds for opportunities at York. To register visit www.YorkSpace.net/give/bikeride.

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

JUST GIVING

If you’re undertaking a personal challenge and would like to support the University, you can set up your own page on the JustGiving website. Simply link to www.justgiving.com/universityofyork.

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Your legacy,

Heslington Circle event in 2013 The next Heslington Circle event will be held on Saturday 26 October 2013. Join emerita Professor Felicity Riddy and Dr Jane Grenville, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for lunch and a tour the new facilities at the Morrell Library and Borthwick Institute for Archives. Alumni and friends who would like to learn more about making a gift are welcome to attend alongside our Heslington Circle members. Visit www.YorkSpace.net/legacy to book your place.

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

Donate in memory or celebrationA gift made in memory of a respected colleague or a beloved friend or family member is a wonderful way to celebrate their life. It is a really positive way to make their memory last and to create a legacy by providing direct assistance to current students or projects at the University of York.

“We decided to create a lasting memorial to our daughter Olivia at York as it was a place that was very special to her and where she made many friends. Olivia wanted to become a teacher so that she could pass on her passion for English and she was strongly influenced by her participation in the York Students in Schools scheme. Therefore Olivia’s time at York had a great impact on the future direction of her all too short life”

MICHAEL AND PHYLLIS TOUBKIN

your priorities Through the Heslington Circle we work in partnership with those who support York with a gift in their will.

FIND OUT MORE

Making a gift in your will allows you to look after the people and places that matter most to you, and to reduce the burden of taxation on your estate.

If you’re thinking of making a legacy gift, or have already done so, then please get in contact with Susie Fothergill at susie.fothergill@york.ac.uk.

PROFESSOR NORMAN MAITLAND AND HIS TEAM AT THE YCR CANCER RESEARCH UNIT

A confidential discussion helps to ensure the University is aware of your wishes and the area that you’d like to support. The Heslington Circle aims to keep you up-to-date with developments in your chosen area during your lifetime.

A bequest in actionCancer is a cause close to the heart of many people, and the University of York is home to three different research teams working to unlock the puzzle of this disease. In 2011 the University was fortunate to receive a gift of £100,000 from the estate of Dr Edward Stout. Dr Stout had been a donor to the Cancer Research Unit within the Department of Biology during his lifetime, and had helped to fund important pieces of equipment. He was a retired GP from York who took an interest in the Unit’s work and its staff, and in particular Professor Norman Maitland’s work in the field of prostate cancer. Having become familiar with this work, it was to this research that the late Dr Edward Stout chose to direct his transformational legacy of £100,000 to be used at the discretion of the Unit and his only condition was that it had to be used within a year of receiving the gift. This type of designated gift, with fairly broad conditions, meant that as well as the purchase of other equipment, the Unit was able to react to an opportunity to bring over to York a Swedish scientist who was working on related areas of research. The decision about how to designate your gift ideally should be a meeting of priorities between the donor and the University whether that is with a particular department as in the case of Dr Stout, or for a broader area of work such as postgraduate scholarships.

Heslington Circle welcomes 50th memberFollowing the launch of our new legacy supporters group, the Heslington Circle, in February last year, it is really fitting that the Alumni Celebration Weekend for York’s 50th Anniversary in June saw the 50th member committing their support. Kitty Corrigan (English and Related Literature, Derwent, 1975) was inspired to revisit her will after attending our gathering for donors held in the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall foyer in the Department of Music, and after hearing from Jane Grenville, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and student bursary recipient Elisha Bradley she decided to leave a gift to York. “I hope, like me, others will be inspired to give to support such a great university with a wonderful, inclusive and liberal ethos.”

KITTY CORRIGAN HESLINGTON CIRCLE MEMBER

Gifts can be directed to the area of the University which matters to you most (our Giving to York programme, or to a particular department). When you give in memory, a note may be sent to the family, as directed by the donor, which tells of the gift and how important the gift is to York. In celebrating life events, big birthdays or anniversaries, many people choose to forego gifts in favour of donations to a cause which is close to their hearts. The University would be glad to hear if you’d like to support us in this way. For more information on special donations, please visit www.YorkSpace.net/tribute.

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Inspiring activity There has always been wide access to

sport at the University. The thriving College Sport programme alongside

the student sports clubs, ensures that there is something for everyone. Alongside the 2500 students involved in the University sports programme and 2500-3000 members in College Sport, last year a new scheme ‘Get into Sport’ aimed at complete beginners attracted 900 students, so there is a substantial appetite for involvement. Each year our Giving to York programme provides vital support for sporting projects, with 55 awards totalling nearly £150,000 income over the past eight years. These grants are pivotal to the success of sports and have paid for equipment upgrades, the capital costs of which cannot be found through students’ sports subscriptions as well as access to coaching and competitions. The new facilities at the York Sport Village and upgrading of the existing sports centre have recently been completed and the York Sport partnership has ambitious plans to take sport at York to the next level, while maintaining the inclusive ethos which is at its heart.

Two important initiatives in this new strategy:

YORK SPORT SCHOLARSHIPS are tailored to meet the needs of any University of York student who is performing to national, or junior international standard level. This scheme was piloted with a modest grant from Giving to York, but to meet demand we are seeking support at the next level.

FOCUS SPORTS PROGRAMME aims to support the performance and development of some of the University’s highest achieving clubs. Fencing, men’s rugby union, rowing and swimming were awarded focus sport status last year based on the quality of their organisation, ability to achieve results at British Universitites College Sport (BUCS) level and other competitive success. An important feature is access to high quality coaching as well as other support, which includes sports nutrition, psychology, strength and conditioning, and physiotherapy consultancy. Investment in equipment and facilities is also pivotal.

The University Boat Club (UYBC) founded in the first month of the University, has come a long way and given many

young people the great experience of being part of a team - so important in today’s world. We are proud that in the club at present is a women’s coxed four crew achieving water and land performances to reach the final at Henley Womens’ Regatta, a Men’s novice squad with four candidates capable of being selected in the 2014 GB Under-23 squad, eight of them capable of bringing the Temple Cup back to Britain in 2015, and three with the physiology to win an Olympic gold medal in 2020. While time has moved on, the key elements which underpin UYBC’s success have not: our base on the River Ouse; the need to nurture young talent; an environment to attract the best people; the need for world-class coaching and access to the very best facilities and equipment are all essential.

By making rowing a Focus Sport we’ve signalled our desire to widen participation in the sport, develop a growing team and have our sights set on success at GB and international level. In conjunction with the UYBC a development plan has been devised which needs the help of our friends – just as we did in those early years.

OUR AIM IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS IS TO PROVIDE:

• Improved boat house facilities and equipment • A rowing development coordinator • UK and international scholarship support.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HELP?

If you can help us achieve our goals in any way, or would like to support Sport at York, please contact Mary Haworth via email at mary.haworth@york.ac.uk.

Did you know? The York Sport Union has over 60 active sports clubs including well-known sports like football and cricket, as well as less common ones such as pole exercise and octopush.

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

Our vision for...

ROWING

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The University of York is lucky to have an active and dynamic alumni community who are happy to

volunteer their time and expertise to help students with their career choices. Many of these programmes are designed to support connections with alumni for professional advice, mentoring and to enable students to access placements and internships. Such opportunities can be hard to come by in today’s crowded graduate market, so the time that our alumni give often proves to be invaluable. Although opportunities to benefit from the programmes are available to all students, many are actively targeted at those who receive bursary support. It is often the case that those students are less likely to have access to leading professionals in their own personal social networks, but through our volunteering programmes and networking events, York Alumni can help bridge the gap. Jarrod Kay (Politics, Vanbrugh, 1994) is one of our mentors and volunteers with our Professional Connect programme as well as being an active member of the North West Alumni Group. “On the day of my graduation Jocelyn Bell Burnell addressed the graduands, saying that each and every one of us would forever be a part of the University. Her words have always stayed with me. I have, indeed, always felt a part of the University, no matter how remote.”

Our volunteering programmes are professionally run and recognise the importance of making the best use of volunteers’ time and locations. However,importantly, many alumni find that taking part in the volunteer programme is a good development opportunity for themselves.

Jarrod is certain that the work he has done has been highly rewarding, “In helping [students and graduates] I have gained considerable business benefits. In many cases I have renewed old friendships in my business network in the course of seeking out opportunities for work placements for my mentees. Many of my mentees have become good friends, and it’s a joy to see them carving out careers for themselves, with just a little bit of help from me.”

Donating

“I feel immensely privileged to have benefited from an outstanding education, from an outstanding university, and I want to give a helping hand to others”

JARROD KAY ALUMNUS VOLUNTEER

There are many ways to get involved with York, all of which take into account how much time alumni are willing to commit. You can help out by becoming a mentor, joining a regional Alumni group or attending one of our Professional Connect events. Take a look at www.YorkSpace.net/give/time to see the latest opportunities and case studies of alumni who are already involved.

BUILDING OUR FUTURE

your timeANNIVERSARY BONE

CHINA MUG

Limited edition in aid of student bursaries.

BUY NOW AT WWW.YORKSPACE.NET/SHOP.

ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE BURSARIES

Thanks for your support!

FIND OUT MORE AT WWW.YORKSPACE.NET/GIVE.

UNIVERSITY OF YORK www.york.ac.uk/news

TWITTER‘GivingtoYork’

GIVING TO YORKwww.YorkSpace.net/giving

UPDATE YOUR DETAILS www.YorkSpace.net

STAY IN TOUCH

The QR codes featured here will link you to key York websites via your smartphone. Download one of the widely available barcode reader apps to scan the code with your phone.

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University of York Alumni House5 Main StreetHeslingtonYork, UK, YO10 5DD

Mary Haworth Director of Development Phone: 00 44 (0) 1904 322090 Email: mary.haworth@york.ac.uk

Susie Fothergill Head of Development Phone: 00 44 (0) 1904 32 4794 Email: susie.fothergill@york.ac.uk

Paul Tyack Development ManagerPhone: 00 44 (0) 1904 32 4486Email: paul.tyack@york.ac.uk

Sarah Sylvester Development Officer Phone: 00 44 (0) 1904 32 4555 Email: sarah.sylvester@york.ac.uk

Ellie Haines Annual Fund Officer Phone: 00 44 (0) 1904 32 4463 Email: ellie.haines@york.ac.uk

To keep in touch with us and to receive details of future donor events, please remember to keep us up to date with your contact details. You can update your details online at www.YorkSpace.net or email us at giving@york.ac.uk.

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