In the News: 12 – 18 January 2018

This week’s round up of University news coverage.

As the rubbish debate tipped from plastics in the oceans to plastics sent to China to a high street latte tax, Professor of Sustainable Wastes Management, Margaret Bates, appeared on BBC Radio to give her verdict on the UK Government’s proposals for a 25-year environment plan (starts 2h 12m).

And we went from wastes to waists, when Head of Fashion, Julie King appeared on BBC Radio Leicester to bemoan the inexplicable revival of the bum-bag as this season’s must have accessory (starts 0h 39m). Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada have all got in on the act. Julie’s verdict on the trend?

“Absolute madness.”

The sober fashion advice didn’t stop there either, as Fiona Dickenson, Subject Lead for Podiatry, was on BBC Radio Northampton’s ‘Ask the Expert Hour’ taking listeners questions about feet related problems on Friday (starts 1h 10m). It’s not just about more sensible shoes though, as how you lace them up can also be an issue, as she explained to one caller.

As the Northants Telegraph reported, we launched our first ever competition whereby local businesses and organisations can win a free intern for a 10-week period, to help make their company more dementia friendly for customers. The competition is open until 28 February and the winner will be announced on 19 March.

A career spent helping shape the news reached what might be its pinnacle on Saturday when Head of PR, Owen Morris, was the ‘prize’ on BBC Three Counties Saturday morning favourite ‘Treasure Quest’. Along with dozens of colleagues, Owen was in the middle of welcoming visitors to the University’s latest Open Day, when treasure hunter Jules grabbed him with just seconds of the programme to spare.

Owen wasn’t the only member of Professional Services staff to appear on radio this week, when, in the wake of stories about bogus universities and fake degrees, Assessment, Ceremonies and Examinations Manager Alex Hardwick explained how this University helps verify degrees for prospective graduate employers (starts 1h 54m).

Also this week: Actress and award winning author of Young Adult fiction, Lisa Williamson, spoke to John Griff on Sunday about her writing and her appearance at the University’s recent ‘Identities in YA’ symposium (starts 2h 4m); Senior Journalism Lecturer Marc Webber gave his thoughts to Good Evening Wales about the Guardian’s tabloid makeover (0h 51m); and John Dale explained the University’s involvement in a yearlong increased physical activity trial with residents in Earls Barton (0h 35m)