PhD internship scheme with De Montfort & Leicester Universities

At De Montfort University, Hugh Aston Building, this lunchtime for the launch of a new PhD internship scheme, jointly offered by De Montfort University and the University of Leicester.

For six weeks in the summer of 2011, Leicester Council of Faiths had the services of a graduate intern provided by De Montfort University. Rahat Ahmed gave a lot to our organisation in that short time and on the basis of that experience we'd back this kind of scheme. We hope we can take advantage of this new internship scheme, either through the Council of Faiths or through the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP's Researcher, Carolyn Pascoe, is here with me). It's a way of tapping into expertise, knowledge and skills that we may not have ourselves, but which can bolster our credibility for bids (e.g. for research projects). Right now, wee're interested in such interns who could assist in marketing and in statistical analysis. We're the only ones representing the Voluntary and Community Sector as potential employers. There are nine other organisations represented at this launch, from the private and public sectors. 

PhD students are recruited from the best quality graduates and spend three or more years researching into a specific area, analysing their findings and generating solutions. They are self-motivated and disciplined individuals who are accustomed to working alone to come up with solutions to problems.  Because of this quality, they will require minimal supervision throughout the project. Although some PhD students subsequently carry on into an academic career, over 50% of doctoral graduates leave university to enter business or public service. In recognition of this, all research students receive extensive key-skills training in areas such as communication, project-management, information technology, etc. The PhD Internship scheme is intended to give research students an opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the workplace, using their skills to address critical issues of commercial or social importance. PhD interns may bring directly relevant knowledge and skills to the area of work, or they may be able to apply portable skills that are relevant and useful across a variety of disciplines and topics.  

Between them the two universities have over 2,000 PhD students. This new PhD internship scheme will have a relatively low-key start, with six internships in the first year, doubling in number in the following year. Any internships starting this year should be completed by 31 December 2012.

The cost to an organisation taking on a PhD student as an intern is £600, which covers 20 days of the PhD intern’s time.  This money will be used to pay travel expenses for the student and any other incidental costs associated with the project as well as the University’s administration costs. The 20 working days can be spread over a period not exceeding six months as agreed between the organisation and the intern.

Seven PhD students who'll be taking part in the internship scheme attended the launch today. They're all in the photo above. Back row, left to right: 

Valasia Sawvidou, University of Leicester, Department of Politics & International Relations. PhD title: The immigration issue and the effect it has on voting in national and European Parliament elections

Joba Akinjo, University of Leicester, Department of Toxicology. PhD title: Side effects of chemicals on male reproductive system

Gemma Mitchell, University of Leicester, Department of Sociology. PhD title: How experts navigate and translate risk knowledges in the "risk society": a case study of social workers

Shujaul Khan, Leicester University, Department of Biology. PhD title: Plant communities classification and vegetation ecosystem services of the Western Himalayas

Front row, left to right:

Eleanor MacKillop, De Montfort University, Department of Politics & Local Government. PhD title: Change in local government understanding of commissioning

Mohamed Maricar, De Montfort University, Department of Electronic Engineering. PhD title: Design of circuit to enhance the performance of high frequency Planar Gunn diode

Ammar Abdulwahab Noorwali, De Montfort University, Faculty of Technology. PhD title: Reducing variability levels in food processing industry

Coverage of event was disappointing

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury (though not on its website):

Coverage of event was disappointing

Catching up with back issues of the Mercury after the Easter break, I was looking forward to reading some good coverage of the recent Choice Unlimited event at Leicester Tigers on Thursday 5 April.

Imagine my disappointment, then, to see the short article, “Ex-tigers hero roars approval for fair” (Mercury, April 7). There are several aspects of the piece that are disappointing: it was unclear what it was all about, but mostly credit was not given where it’s due.

It was reported that Choice Unlimited had the support of Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and Voluntary Action LeicesterShire.

That’s true and they all contributed to preparations and to the success on the day itself, helping showcase products, services, information and guidance available to disabled people and their carers. But Choice Unlimited didn’t spring fully-formed out of thin air.

Someone had to come up with the idea, get it off the ground, enlist support, gather momentum and bring it all to a successful conclusion. And that “someone” was the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP).

REDP is a collective of Voluntary and Community Sector organisations working together to promote equality and celebrate diversity.

At its core are four Leicester organisations with a track record of collaborating across different equalities for as long as ten years now. Our influence and engagement has extended in the past few years to embrace the whole East Midlands . The four city-based founder members of REDP are Leicester Council of Faiths; Leicester and Leicestershire Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Centre; The Race Equality Centre and Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living (which took the lead role in Choice Unlimited).

The coverage failed to mention the ground-breaking nature of Choice Unlimited (it was the first of its kind anywhere in the East Midlands) nor was there any indication of the tremendous success of the event. More than 160 exhibitors participated and an estimated 2,500-3,000 service users came through the door – every one of them a potential customer in this new era of personal budgets for care services and products.

REDP is already in advanced discussions to present Choice Unlimited in other parts of the East Midlands. We’d still like it to be known that Leicester was the birthplace of this trail-blazing first presentation.

You might wonder why this matters, two weeks after the event and ten days after the Mercury’s coverage. Choice Unlimited signalled the birth of a new way of doing things for disabled people in the city, county and Rutland – kicking off a new era of choice and control. And at REDP our phone lines and inboxes are still red hot with those keen for information and asking when we’ll be doing it again. And they show no sign of cooling down!

George M Ballentyne

Stoneygate

Setting Religion or Belief Equality Objectives for Leicestershire Police

At The Centre, Alfred Place, this evening for a public meeting organised by The Race Equality Centre (TREC): "Setting Religion or Belief Equality Objectives for Leicestershire Constabulary". The meeting is led by Darren Goddard, one of Leicestershire Constabulary's Diversity Officers (on the right in the photo above).

Is Leicestershire Constabulary able to deliver equality for people of different religions or beliefs? Are all the people of Leicestershire:

• Equally safe from violence?
• Equally safe from burglary?
• Equally stopped by the police?
• Equally recruited by the police?
• Equally treated by the police?

The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on Leicestershire Constabulary to plan to be able to:

• eliminate unlawful discrimination between people from different religions or beliefs,
• advance equality of opportunity for all religions or beliefs,
• and foster good relations between people from different religions or beliefs

The plans that the Police publish should be based on consultation with those communities that could be unfairly treated. This public meeting has been organised to provide an opportunity to meet police representatives and propose equality priorities that the police should implement to meet their Equality Duty. The meeting is open to representatives and practitioners from all communities or organisations of religion or belief and to everyone with an interest in addressing inequality on the grounds of religion or belief.

At the start of the meeting, we're shown a YouTube clip, Leicestershire Police: Taking a Look Back at 2011 (which I saw previously at the Chief and Chair meeting on Thursday 12 January 2012). Darren builds on themes in this presentation, concentrating on relations between Leicestershire Constabulary and faith communities, places of worship, community centres - as well as considering how individuals who identify with particular communities of religion or belief are treated if they're detained in police custody.

We discuss the possible impacts of new arrangements for an elected Police and Crime Commissioner, coming later this year. There's genuine concern and anxiety (verging on alarm) at this development among many in the room. Some of those here are learning of this for the first time and express anxiety about how much candidates for the post might know about their communities. It sounds like a good idea for faith communities to organise a hustings!

There's also concern that Leicestershire Constabulary's Equality Objectives for Religion or Belief should be determined by such a small group as is gathered here this evening. There are a dozen attendees, among us Bahá'ís, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and a couple with no particular religious identity (broadly speaking). Well, that illustrates the importance of engagement and participation! At least one other meeting of a similar nature is to take place in Loughborough and recommendations can be made electronically for a while yet. But the invitation to participate has been extended, even if it's been at fairly short notice. You can lead a horse to water ...

 We're each given a booklet showing Leicestershire Constabulary's employment statistics 2008-2011, which breaks down figures in terms of Protected Characteristics, including Religion or Belief. Here's that part of the booklet:

Within the Constabulary's HR system there are 37 different religions and faiths that staff have self identified. For the purpose of this publication we have collapsed the different denominations in the 20 main headings.

There is an active association of Muslim Police, Christian Police Association and Sikh Police Association within the organisation which receives organisational funding and support. The faith based support networks are involved in a number of key organisational meetings and provide support to all staff on a range of faith based issues. In addition the networks actively make links with different faith groups in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

There is also a multi-faith and contemplation room which is supported by the Leicester Council of Faiths within the Headquarters complex. The room which is open to all officers, staff and visitors has washing facilities and separate storage facilities for each faith to store religious texts and other items.

The figures show that for those police officers who have chosen to record their religion or belief 92% have identified as following a Christian based faith, followed by 1.7% identifying as Atheist or Sikh and 1.6% as Hindu or Muslim.

For those police staff who have recorded their religion or belief 85% identified as following a Christian based faith, whilst 5.6% are Hindu, 2.3% Sikh and 2.1% Muslim.

76% of those Special Constables who chose to record the religion or belief identified as following a Christian based faith, 14% Hindu, 3.5% Muslim and 2.1% Sikh.

Police officers

• Agnostic 16
• Atheist 28
• Buddhist 2
• Christian 1,479
• Hindu 25
• Jehovah's Witness 0
• Judaism 1
• Muslim 25
• Sikh 28
• Other 1
• Non-recorded 642

Police staff

• Agnostic 16
• Atheist 14
• Buddhist 0
• Christian 760
• Hindu 50
• Jehovah's Witness 3
• Judaism 1
• Muslim 19
• Sikh 20
• Other 4
• Non-recorded 613

Special Constables

• Agnostic 2
• Atheist 2
• Buddhist 0
• Christian 108
• Hindu 20
• Jehovah's Witness 0
• Judaism 0
• Muslim 5
• Sikh 3
• Other 1
• Non-recorded 103

Equality Act training for South Derbyshire CVS

At Goseley Community Centre, Hartshorne, Derbyshire, this morning, delivering training for the Regional Equality and Diversity Partnership (REDP).

I'm here with Chino Cabon, from The Race Equality Centre (TREC), one of REDP's four Core Partners. We're presenting on the Equality Act 2010 at a staff development day for South Derbyshire CVS. There are 27 attendees, a mix of paid staff and volunteers.

Chino (in the orange shirt, photo above) takes the first session, giving an hour-and-a-half long overview of the Equality Act: its history (including the decades-long back story of equality legislation in this country); innovations and extensions (what's new and what it retains from previous legislation); what's lawful and what's unlawful under its provisions; who it protects and who's responsible for its enforcement.

I do something half that length focusing on disabled people and the Equality Act. Not my specialist area, that's true, but it's part of the deal at REDP that we're able to double up for each other and cover all the Protected Characteristics.

Chino's presentations are always encyclopaedic and rooted firmly in the texts. Mine tend to be a bit looser. Variety is the spice of life!

As soon as my session is finished, we dash off back to Leicester, so I can get to the meeting of REDP's Core Reference Group at Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living. We're leaving here just before the start of lunch; we'll probably get there just as it ends!

Faithful Citizens

Religiosity is often thought of as inherently conservative. But new analysis byDemos reveals that religious people are more likely to support equality, be welcoming of immigrants and self-identify as left-wing. Today Demos publishes Faithful Citizens - the first in a three-report series investigating the role of religion in the 21st century.

Religiosity has always been closely associated with conservatism: the Church of England is sometimes described as "the Conservative party at prayer". In the United States, the Republican party and the religious right have become increasingly interdependent, but a similar trend has not occurred on this side of the Atlantic. This report, based on original analysis of the Citizenship Survey and the European Values Survey, investigates the different relationship between religion and politics in the UK and Europe.

The report presents two key findings. First, religious people are more active citizens – they volunteer more, donate more to charity and are more likely to campaign on political issues. Second, and more counter-intuitively, religious people are more likely to be politically progressive. They put a greater value on equality than the non-religious, are more likely to be welcoming of immigrants as neighbours and when asked are more likely to put themselves on the left of the political spectrum.

Based on this, Faithful Citizens recommends that progressive politicians should work with faith groups on issues which they are particularly engaged, including immigration, women's rights, international development, the environment and youth work. Faith group members, the report argues, will be key to any future, election-winning, progressive coalition.

You can download a free PDF copy of Faithful Citizens from the Demos website. As well as the report itself, you can read an entry about the research on the Demos blog.

Demos is a think-tank focused on power and politics. Their unique approach challenges the traditional, “ivory tower” model of policymaking by giving a voice to people and communities, and involving them closely in their research.

Ex-Tigers hero roars his approval for fair

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Ex-Tigers hero roars his approval for fair

Ex-Tigers player Matt Hampson supported a fair showcasing services for disabled people.

National changes in the provision of care means disabled people are now given personalised budgets to spend instead of councils paying for services.

Choice Unlimited took place at the Leicester Tigers Stadium on Wednesday, to show people what services and products are available.

Former Tigers and England prop Matt Hampson, who is confined to a wheelchair after his neck was broken in a training session, made a special appearance.

He said: "Events like this give disabled people a voice and enable them to steer their lives in the direction they wish it to go."

Choice Unlimited provided information about accommodation, domestic support and education services to help the disabled make informed decisions about their spending.

The event was supported by Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, and Voluntary Action LeicesterShire.

David Barsby, development officer at Voluntary Action LeicesterShire, said: "This was a great opportunity for local providers to meet potential customers."

That's Matt in the photo above, with Steve Cooper, Chief Exec of Leicestershire Centre for Integrated Living. Regrettably, the article makes no mention of REDP as the event organiser and conveys nothing of the spirit or success of the event - and it gets the day wrong.

No solution to a big fat gypsy dilemma

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

No solution to a big fat gypsy dilemma

Attempts to create new legal traveller sites have proved controversial, but David Maclean says the city mayor deserves credit for grabbing this political hot potato

It's the city council's big fat gypsy problem – where do you put scores of travellers without upsetting the local community? Last month the authority came up with three preferred sites – all in Beaumont Leys.

Then, earlier this week, the full shortlist from which those were whittled down was revealed. It showed that a further four sites in Beaumont Leys had been shortlisted as suitable sites by the council, as well as one in Aylestone.

All eight sites are now in play, after public outcry over the original three sites sent the council back to the drawing board.

Behind the push to create new legal traveller sites is city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, and his name is surely mud among some of the residents who could see travellers living next door.

However, he is right to persevere with his plans.

There's no political gain to be had here, no sweetener for potential voters. It's a headache he's enduring through principle.

At the moment, if gypsies pitch up illegally in an area, the council can move them on – but it makes no sense moving them on if their only option is to set up camp at another illegal site.

Seeing gypsies kicked from pillar to post might satisfy some residents who harbour a misguided view that, if travellers are moved on and hassled enough, they will eventually settle down in a nice semi-detached house somewhere.

But that won't ever happen.

Of course I'd feel unhappy if a traveller site was proposed right next door to me and I sympathise with those who are concerned.

But I'd certainly be more tolerant if there was a nice belt of grassland between a gypsy site and my house, as some of these proposed sites have.

When the proposed sites were announced, I drove out to each of them.

One of them already had travellers pitched illegally there. Up at Greengate Lane, the site which has provoked the most public outrage so far, there are caravans and other vehicles parked up.

It's being used as a traveller camp now, so why not formalise it, manage it properly, and make sure the council can bring in some income through rent and council tax?

It's a fair distance from nearby homes, and it really is difficult for me to see what additional disruption would be caused compared to what's already there.

Campaigners against the sites have showered the city council with freedom of information requests about its existing legal site at Meynell's Gorse in a bid to try to find new angles to oppose the moves.

For example, they have asked for the rate of rent defaults. But it turns out they're about the same as council tenants across the city. And they've asked how many gypsies have been evicted from the site in recent years, but the answer is none.

The site at Meynell's Gorse is so well-managed that some people I spoke to in the area didn't even know there was a camp nearby.

The people of the city are being given a choice – the current situation sees travellers randomly selecting plots of council land and setting up, potentially causing disruption, then being pushed on.

The option now on the table is three fixed sites, well-hidden by shrubbery and trees, managed directly by the authority, with council tax and other charges levied on those using the site.

Nonetheless, putting gypsy sites in a Labour stronghold such as Beaumont Leys will do nothing but lose Sir Peter and his colleagues popularity.

But elected mayors with guaranteed four-year terms were created, in part, to brave the difficult decisions which council leaders often balked at.

By grabbing one of the biggest hot potatoes in local government, Sir Peter is showing his mettle.

Big Society: More than just a soundbite?

This piece (Big Society: More than just a soundbite?), published on the BBC Politics website on 11 February 2011, is one of the best things on Big Society I've read to date.

The irony comes from the contrast between the article and the comments that follow it (not that I need to tell you how to detect irony, of course).

If you're going to stick your head above the parapet you shouldn't be surprised to find that there are plenty of willing and able marksmen ready to draw a bead on it.

Thanks to @David_Harney for tweeting this gem, on the day that Big Society Capital (AKA the Big Society Bank) opens for business.

Passion play to draw crowds

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Passion play to draw crowds

Up to 10,000 people are expected to gather in the city centre on Good Friday for a dramatic retelling of the Easter story.

The annual Christ in the Centre passion play, which will be held in Humberstone Gate, will portray the events of Holy Week – from Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his trial, crucifixion and resurrection.

A cast of more than 40 amateurs will be led by Australian-born professional actor James Mathison-Kelly in the role of Jesus.

Mr Mathison-Kelly said: "The challenge to the whole cast is to honour that powerful script and explain why Jesus did what he did.

"I am always conscious that there will be people in the audience who know little or nothing of the story, so we need to tell them what it is about as well. Whenever I read the Easter story, I get a sense of energy from it. Being part of the cast makes you think about it more seriously."

The annual event, which regularly draws a crowd of up to 10,000 people, usually features a procession through the city centre before the play.

However, organisers have said that, due to a drop in funds, they have decided to drop the procession and focus on the play in Humberstone Gate instead.

The event will cost up to £40,000 to stage.

Group spokesman Jonathan Wheeler said: "We were very conscious of the economic situation and cut our cloth accordingly.

"We decided to base all the activity in Humberstone Gate so that we can invest in the staging and communications.

"We are very grateful to the people and organisations who have generously donated to the running costs of this year's event."

Canon Barry Naylor, who chairs the event's organising committee, said this year's event was about spreading a message of hope.

He said: "We know from the fabulous feedback we get every year what a special place Christ in the Centre holds in people's hearts.

"Every year it generates an extraordinary response from the audience, and reminds all those who witness it of the true meaning of Easter.

"In the current economic climate, and with so many people worrying about the future, the message of hope for the future is very relevant."

For more information, visit: www.christinthecentre.co.uk

Gay centre has £80,000 refit

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Gay centre has £80,000 refit

More than 200 people were entertained by stilt walkers and drag queens at the re-launch of Leicester's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender centre.

The Leicester LGBT headquarters, in Wellington Street, in the city centre, has had an £80,000 refit, including new foyer, cafe and social room.

Saturday saw the centre's official reopening, which was given a splash of colour and entertainment via drag queens Miss Marty and Miss Penny, who greeted visitors.

Martyn Parker, organiser of the Leicester Pride parade, said: "We want to get the word out that we're here and that we offer services such as health advice and support for a number of issues."

The social room will host the centre's groups, which include 1st Out – a Thursday night club for teenagers.

Tim Peters, youth worker at the centre, said: "We're a very inclusive club. We say we're the LGBTQ youth group – the Q stands for questioning.

"If there's young people who aren't sure of their sexuality they're very welcome and if they turn round one day and say they're straight were not going to kick them out or anything."

Rainbow and Dove owner James Cockerill provided free food and drink. He said: "The centre provides a lot of support for a lot of people."

The centre, which employs four full-time members of staff, is a registered charity. For details call 0116 254 7412.

TAFKAR

Radio 4's Today programme this morning has a feature discussing the pros and cons of regional planning )starting around 0855). The Coalition government is agin it, favouring its Localism agenda. Other voices on the programme argue in favour of it, that it will need to be brought back sooner or later. A correspondent states that opposition to regionalism become so ingrained in the Department for Communities and Local Governemnt that staff there have been instructed to use the acronym TAFKAR: "The Areas Formerly Known As Regions". Nuff said!