The Department of History, Politics and Philosophy at MMU has become one of only a few research institutions in the UK affiliated with EU Non-Proliferation Consortium – the European Network of Independent European Think Tanks.

 

 

In July 2010 the Council of the European Union decided to create a network bringing together foreign policy institutions and research centres from across the EU to encourage political and security-related dialogue and the long-term discussion of measures to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems.

 

The EU Non-Proliferation Consortium is managed jointly by four institutes entrusted with the project, in close cooperation with the representative of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

 

The four institutes are the Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique in Paris, the Peace Research Institute in Frankfurt (HSFK/ PRIF), the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

 

The Consortium began its work in January 2011 and forms the core of a wider network of European non-proliferation “think tanks” and research centres which will be closely associated with the activities of the Consortium. The Department oh History, Politics and Philosophy at MMU is now affiliated with the Consortium through its research on the role of the EU in preventing the proliferation of WMD.

For more information please contact Dr Kamil Zwolski by email: k.zwolski@mmu.ac.uk

January 18th, 2012 - 09:21am

At the beginning of January 2012, students from MMU represented our university and Manchester at the 25th annual State University of New York Model European Union (SUNYMEU) in Exeter, UK. Representing Czech Republic, Adam Min and Dayo Harland experienced how negotiations in the EU actually work!

The task certainly wasn’t easy in the context of the European sovereign debt crisis, but the economy of the EU wasn’t the only topic on the agenda. Member States were also considering creating a standing EU task force and cross-border drug trafficking.

MMU students did a fantastic job representing one of the smaller member states of the EU and in the end our delegation was recognised as one of the most active ones.
Adam: Participating in the SUNY Model EU is a great opportunity not only to learn more about how different European Union institutions work, but also to enhance leadership skills, learn how to compromise and accomplish over many difficult challenges on and off the political arena. Above all, it is the place where everyone interacts and socialise. You can make friendships to last.

Dayo: Being part of the Model EU was an amazing experience. I got to put my knowledge of the EU into practice and get a real perspective on how things might be done in the EU. I made some fantastic connections and got to share ideas with people of diverse backgrounds and world view. Exeter is a beautiful university and they where a fantastic host. The Press Corp also made a huge impression on me – a small team but they made up for it by being very well organised and dedicated.

For more information please contact Dr Kamil Zwolski: k.zw...@mmu.ac.uk

January 17th, 2012 - 14:23pm

Following another  successful sixth annual  Workshops held in Manchester, September 2009, at which  a hundred and fifty papers were given by participants from over twenty countries, we are pleased to announce the details of  this year’s conference.  These workshops reflect the wide diversity of interests and idioms within the discipline and give delegates plenty of time to discuss their papers in a relaxed setting as well as to attend other panels. There will be a conference web-sit e (www.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/politicaltheory) where papers and conference details will be posted. Read more »

November 25th, 2010 - 14:40pm

The team, led by Acting Head Jonathan Willson, beat around 40 MMU departments in the inaugural I Love My Lecturer Awards hosted by the Student Union.

Around 1,000 students nominated their lecturers for efforts “beyond the call of duty” enhancing the experience of University.

Information and Communications was described as a “big happy family”, an “amazing course” and the home of “supportive academics” by students.

Collecting the award on behalf of the department, Jonathan said: “People often do not know what we offer, because we are social scientists teaching a technical subject.”

“But we are very successful and obviously good at what we do”.

He had special thanks for Seamus Simpson and Dick Hartley, and Dean of Faculty Ann Holmes.

Philosophy, described as “fantastic fun” and “inspiring” was nominated for ‘Best Course’, while there were two awards for the School of Law; Edwina Higgins (Outstanding Innovation in Teaching, Winner) and Cath Little (Best Personal Tutor, nominee).

October 25th, 2010 - 11:32am

MMU’s Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy has written a poem about the electoral crisis.

Voters delivered the first ‘hung parliament’ for a generation after going to the polls on May 6.

And within 24 hours, Professor Duffy had penned an exclusive poem for The Guardian, which she read on the BBC’s Today programme yesterday.

In her familiar mischievous style, the Poet Laureate, who is based at MMU’s Writing School, makes reference to the scandal of voters being turned away at polling stations, to politics ‘in the raw’ of the post-election wheeling and dealing; and to the inevitable sacrifice (albeit three days hence) of the Prime Minister.

The verse, called Democracy, is Duffy’s latest ‘public’ poem as Laureate. In 2009, she tackled the MPs expenses scandal and then wrote The Twelve Days of Christmas about events such as species extinction, climate change and the banking crisis.

In March this year, she again tapped into popular feeling in Achilles about a foot injury that dumped England footballer David Beckham out of the World Cup.

Democracy

Here’s a boat that cannot float.
Here’s a queue that cannot vote.
Here’s a line you cannot quote.
Here’s a deal you cannot note …
and here’s a sacrificial goat,
here’s a cut, here’s a throat,
here’s a drawbridge, here’s a moat …
What’s your hurry? Here’s your coat.

Listen to the Poet Laureate here http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8671000/8671860.stm

If members of the University or the public would like to see Carol Ann read, there are still tickets available for this event: www.hlss.mmu.ac.uk/english/news/article.php?id=345

Manchester Writing School

October 25th, 2010 - 11:31am

OUTSTANDING academics were honoured last night at the Students Union’s inaugural I Love My Lecturer Awards.

More than 1,000 students nominated lecturers, tutors and supervisors for 10 awards at a glittering ceremony attended by Vice Chancellor John Brooks and NUS president-elect Aaron Porter.

The Best Teacher accolade went to podcast pioneer Kieran Maguire (MMUBS), whose approach to teaching was described as “inspirational and innovative”. Kieran recently produced 220 revision DVDs for his accountancy students raising money for charity in the process.

Janet Rooney (Physiotherapy), who admitted to crying when students graduate, won thePresident’s Awardfor outstanding teaching , with her students calling her “the best teacher we’ve ever had”. “I am what I am because of the people I work with,” she said.

Amazing courses

Best Department was won by Information and Communications, which boasted “amazing courses”, “supportive academics” and was described as a big, happy family”. Acting Head Jonathan Willson paid tribute to all his colleagues, particularly Seamus Simpson and Dick Hartley.

Best Course went to Cheshire, to the Outdoor Studies team, represented by Dan Jones who said: “We are very passionate about what we do and about the fact that our students become highly employable”.

The award for Outstanding Innovation in Teaching was scooped by Edwina Higgins (School of Law) for her drive and inspiration. Edwina “turned her classroom into a drama” to teach students about life in the courtroom. She said: “It’s great to get feedback, particularly good feedback”.

Mike Lowe, (Leisure Management, Cheshire) won the Outstanding Teaching for Employability award, for his remarkable understanding of how all experiences, academic and pastoral help form work-ready students. “We do everything to maximise students’ chances of getting a job,” he said.

Secret of success

Dr Christopher Goldspink (Biology) won the Outstanding Feedback award for his dedication to improving grades, understanding of the subject and his communication skills.

Best Personal Tutor went to Joanne Ashman (Physiotherapy) with one of her students simply stating: “I feel safe at university because Joanne is my tutor.” She said the secret of the department’s success was balancing academic support with pastoral care.

Another biology lecturer Dr Nessar Ahmed walked away with the award for Best Supervisor. Nessar, described as calm and reassuring, had “helped many excel through his generosity and wisdom.”

Nursing student Rachelle Sutton was voted Best Course Representative.

The awards, which are set to be an annual event, were described by outgoing Union president Rob Boardman as “one of the best campaigns” of his time in office, and senior officer David Saxton said: “We have some truly remarkable people working at the University.”

Transform lives

Guest of honour Aaron Porter, who is the next President of the National Union of Students, said: “It is so heartening to come to a university where so much good practice is being celebrated, where lives are being transformed by dedicated academics.

“Good teaching can make so much difference to a student’s education and to their future.”

Picture: Kate Appleby, BA Photography student, MMU

October 25th, 2010 - 11:28am

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May 7th, 2010 - 12:30pm