Building back better

Editor's Letter

This is the fourteenth issue of the University of Derby magazine, and the second 'digital-only' issue that we've produced. Removing the need to print and post the magazine was a decision we made earlier this year, one that seems even more sound with COP26 recently taking place and the spotlight firmly on what steps, however small, we can all take to help address the climate crisis the world is facing.

Removing the need to print the magazine seems even more sound with COP26 underway and the spotlight firmly on what steps, however small, we can all take to help address the climate crisis the world is facing.

Rosie Marshalsay

Editor

You can read more in this issue about how the University is aligning its activities to this important agenda, as well as features on teaching the teachers, apprenticeships, business and skills, research and more.

As always, we’d welcome your feedback on this issue and what you’d like to hear about in future ones. To make this as easy as possible you can complete the short form below.

Thank you for taking the time to read this issue – enjoy!

Rosie

Articles

A hedge in the shape of a pound sign with workers around it helping it to grow.

Do we have the green skills to get the green jobs done?

The government's Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution aims to help reach the UK’s climate commitments while creating highly skilled jobs. Sounds great – but how realistic is it?

Opinion

Adam Buss, University of Derby Alumnus and Bid Director for Derby City of Culture 2025, explains why he is passionate about the role that arts and culture can play in all of our lives.

illustration with purple woman running next to a coin and germ merged together

From Olympic glory to Long Covid recovery

The positive impact that sports and exercise science is having on the lives of people experiencing the different extremes of physical health.

Presenter sitting at desk in front of Open Day Live event backdrop in studio

Pandemic proofing events – how innovation kept the show on the road

How the events industry managed to survive and thrive during the pandemic.

Lessons learnt from educating through a pandemic

How do schools, teachers, and those training the next generation of teachers, build on the positive takeaways that have been learnt during the pandemic?

blue ink blot with a lightbulb icon on top with other learning style icons all around it.

The apprenticeship Levy: Four years on

Four years on from its launch, we examine what impact the Apprenticeship Levy has had on the higher education sector and the businesses it was designed to help.

mortar board hat with business icons coming off it

Getting down to business

Here we focus on the positive work the University is doing to support local businesses and the rationale behind the plans for the new iconic Derby Business School.

Research Round-Up

Our recent research looks at how social network analysis could disrupt some of the world’s most dangerous criminal gangs, and a method to predict the development of hypotension during dialysis.

Student success

Lea Barbett, a current PhD Environmental Psychology student at the University and part of the Nature Connectedness Research Group, has been shortlisted for a Green Gown Award for her PhD project.

Our Alumni

How the University of Derby was the making of Derby Museum Director Hannah Fox.

An outline of Derbyshire with a heart on it.

Our Civic Commitment

Over the past year the University has remained committed to supporting the local community and helping meet its needs throughout the pandemic.

Turquoise background with tiny microphones on. White silhouette of a microphone over the top.

Last Word

Professor Keith McLay, Provost - Learning & Teaching, reviews the challenges of the past few months and looks to the future.

We would welcome your feedback