In the news: 3-9 April 2020

A round-up of mentions in the media of University staff and students during the past week.

The University’s Mental Health First Aid team are now providing a half-day, mental health awareness course online, as reported in the Chronicle and Echo.

Our ‘Captain Calm’ during the pandemic, Visiting Professor Dr Steve O’Brien, was back on BBC Radio Northampton this morning following Prime Minister Boris Johnson being admitted to Intensive Care. Listen again (he appears at 1:24; 1:47; 2:27:54 and 2:42:42).

Senior Lecturer in Journalism and former Westminster correspondent Kate Ironside has been on BBC radio talking about the latest political developments following the pandemic.

She gave the Government a generous 5 out of 10 for its response to the challenges of coronavirus on BBC Radio Three Counties. Listen to her interview again (starts 7mins).

Kate also spoke with BBC Radio Leicester about the difficulties for Dominic Raab after he took over the reins at Number 10.  (starts 2h 14m in).

She spoke again with BBC Radio Three Counties about the health of the government since Boris Johnson went into hospital (starts 1h 37m).

Strategic Risk expert Dr Mils Hills spoke to BBC Radio Northampton about the way the Civil Service plans to ensure the continuity of Government in a crisis. Listen back (1hr 40mins).

More than 200 second and third year nursing students answered the government’s call to provide extra people hours in the NHS. The story was reported in FE News and the Chronicle and Echo.

We launched a new accommodation bursary to give further financial support to students who are care leavers, as reported by the Further Education News.

Cal Cooper discussed the topic of ‘telephone telepathy’ with Talk Radio’s Howard Hughes (starts 21:30 in).

Our expert team at the Institute for Creative Leather Technologies were mentioned in The Guardian about the circular goat economy and how we helped one firm in Market Harborough develop its business.

Early Years Subject lead Eunice Lumsden blogged for trade publication ‘EYE’ about how understanding, compassion, empathy & talking in person have taken on a new importance for lecturers & students.