Perspectives Issue 2 / December 2016

32-33 / 36

33 Perspectives online: Intranet > 'Communications' > 'Perspectives'
The next generation of crime scene investigators?
Our Cranfield Forensic Institute based at Shrivenham has hosted a unique course for teenagers.
These young people from all over the UK were the first group to spend a week with us studying the many aspects of forensic
engineering, as part of the programmes organised by the Smallpeice Trust which encourages their involvement in science, technology,
engineering and maths (STEM).
Thirty Year 10-12 students got to learn about and try a host of forensic disciplines on a residential four-day course. As well as working
with our academics and research students, they got hands-on with a range of forensic techniques as they investigated a burglary
scenario and an abandoned car enquiry. They learned how to analyse the evidence they collected, how to build a case and even the
skills they would need to present their evidence in court.
PhD student Constantinos Franceskides, who devised the course, said: “PhD students tend to get absorbed in the dynamic world of
their research; so what better way to add something different to our routine than teaching young, intelligent and driven students the
fundamentals of our science?
“As with every new project, we had to adapt to the changes that were required in order to ensure the smooth running of the course,
yet not losing focus on what we initially wanted to achieve – to give young people an exciting and interesting introduction to forensic
science.”
The course was part of the University’s ongoing outreach efforts to encourage young people to consider careers in STEM subjects.
This was the first ever forensic engineering course delivered via the Smallpeice Trust, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016.
Who’s been visiting
Cranfield lately?
We often host visits to help
form or strengthen links with
organisations and individuals who
have a particular interest in an
area of our research or teaching
and to influence and inform
opinion leaders.
Some notable visits of late have included:
• Lord Adonis, Chair of the National
Infrastructure Committee
• Dr Hamdi Chaouk, Director General of
Civil Aviation, Lebanon
• His Royal Highness The Duke of Kent,
the University’s official Royal visitor
• Richard Fuller, MP for Bedford
• Mark Lancaster, MP for Milton Keynes
North and Defence Minister (pictured
with Jonathan Pratt, see page 6)
• The Honorable Katrina McFarlane, Acting
Assistant Secretary of the US Army
(Acquisition, Logistics & Technology)
and Army Acquisition Executive
• Vice Admiral Duncan Potts, Royal Navy
• Paul Stein, Director of Research and
Technology at Rolls-Royce
• Iain Stewart, MP for Milton Keynes South
• Tom Williams, Chief Operating Officer,
Airbus.
Getting in on the debate
Ever wondered what is
going on in Westminster,
how you can contribute to
policy debates or how you
can showcase your work
to Government? Then our
Public Affairs Manager
Chris Leaman is here to
help.
Public affairs is a wide-ranging term that means different things to different
organisations but at Cranfield the Public Affairs function aims to be an interface
between the University and elected politicians. Chris works across all levels
of Government from local to European which means working on local projects
with Cranfield Parish Council one day and liaising with the European Parliament
another.
Keeping informed
The latest developments from Parliament and Whitehall are tracked and
disseminated to colleagues as well as published on the Public Affairs page on
the intranet.
Developments may include Government announcements relevant to your field of
work or opportunities to contribute evidence to policy discussions led by Select
Committees and Government departments.
Want to receive these development digests? Contact Chris to subscribe.
Enhancing our profile
Public Affairs is also about enhancing Cranfield’s profile with policymakers and
helping articulate Cranfield’s viewpoint to Government on key issues such as
visas for international students. Often this done through submitting written
evidence to consultations – one of the major projects this year has been the
University’s submission to the National Infrastructure Commission’s ‘Cambridge-
Milton Keynes-Oxford Growth Corridor’ inquiry.
Identifying key political stakeholders, such as a Minister or MP, who we may
want to invite to key events, such as a building opening or a report launch, is
another area that Chris can assist with.
Find out more on the intranet:
Recycling
continues to
improve on the
Cranfield campus
The University is leading thinking in the circular economy
through research and teaching. It makes sense to apply these
principles in the way we manage our own resources.
Considerable efforts to minimise waste and improve recycling facilities across the Cranfield campus have been
made over the last few years.
Thanks to the support of staff and students, we recycled nearly 630 tonnes, or 52% of our total waste, in the last academic year
(2015-16). This exceeded our target of 50%, although our 2020 target of recycling 75% of waste at source is still some way off.
There are opportunities across the campus to improve our targets and we are currently:
• replacing cardboard chimney bins and non-standard bins with our standard range of bin options: White Paper; Mixed Paper; Cans
and Plastics (all plastics not just bottles); and General
• promoting the removal of under-desk bins to encourage recycling
• extending food waste collection facilities
• communicating more widely on our recycling performance in focused areas
• developing ideas for student projects involving campus waste management
• looking at ways of reducing our total waste.
You can support this campaign, and the circular economy, by making sure you are separating your waste and by using the bins
correctly on campus.
If you do not have the correct facilities or need advice on recycling, or want to join a network of Green Team members who act as
champions for recycling on campus, please email
For further recycling information, please visit the intranet homepage:
(right-hand side link).
Big Cranfield Clearout saves 1.6 tonnes from landfill!
The Big Cranfield Clearout is an annual collection of goods
donated by our students leaving campus at the end of their
studies.
This year, more than 1.6 tonnes of clothing, kitchenware and other good
quality items were collected. They were donated to the Emmaus charity,
based in nearby Carlton village, while other items were donated directly to the
Salvation Army drop-off point based in the CSA recycling centre.
Our efforts are likely to raise more than £1,000 for Emmaus, as well as funds
for the Salvation Army and our own student-led SAFAD charity. A ‘big thank
you’ goes out to all the volunteers who helped with sorting the donations. Gareth Ellis, our Energy and Environment Manager, uses
a donated selfie stick to photograph volunteers.