In the News: 19 – 25 January 2018

This week’s round up of University news coverage.

Wednesday was Holocaust Memorial Day, and in addition to events held at the University, Senior Lecturer in History, Dr Paul Jackson, spoke to BBC Radio about the rise he’s observed of so called ‘Alt Right’ material online. He told Carson Wishart that almost 80 years on from the horrors of WWII, genocide and ethnic cleansing were still very much a threat in the world (starts 2h 15m).

The University launched its Dementia Friendly Organisations Award last week. Northampton Life Magazine reported how local businesses and other organisations can ‘win’ a free University of Northampton intern to help make their company more dementia friendly (such as recognising and supporting customers with dementia and their carers). Applications close on 28th February.

She Kicks women’s football magazine featured our forthcoming Women in Sport conference (8th Feb), which features a host of big names from the industry. Sky Sports presenter Hayley McQueen heads up an impressive roster of top female sports media and marketing talent appearing at an event at the University, aimed at encouraging the next generation of women wanting to work in the sports industry.

And if journalism isn’t your thing, then The Northamptonshire Telegraph featured our careers information event to be held in Kettering next Wednesday. Subject leaders and lecturers from health and social care courses will be on hand to answer questions about what they involve, the study support on offer and future career prospects.

PhD student Claire Mitchell was delighted to learn she’d made the front page of The (Vet) Times this week. The paper reported on her research (previously featured on ITV) which is attempting to better classify face shape in dogs. This would allow vets to assess whether individual dogs were at risk from head related health problems, such as breathing or eating difficulties. The current classification system was developed for human skulls and only includes three classes. The six-year project also has a large citizen science component, as much of Claire’s data comes from photos sent in by owners.

And from head shape to head banging…Sid Wilson from Grammy Award winning heavy metal band Slipknot is coming to the University to perform and talk to current and prospective music students next month. Senior Lecturer in Popular Music Dr Jasmine Shadrack told the Chronicle and Echo that Slipknot have been one of the most influential metal bands of the last 20 years.

“Sid has a wealth of experience to share, from being part of a band and touring internationally through to forging a solo career and conquering new markets. We can’t wait.”