The University of Essex Podcast

Dr Gerulf Rieger, lecturer in the Department of Psychology at the University of Essex, will present his research findings on sexual attractiveness at Cafe Scientifique in Colchester . How typically someone behaves regarding their sex might be expected to impact on their attractiveness. However research indicates otherwise. Find out more about his appearance at Cafe Scientifique here: www.essex.ac.uk/events/event.aspx?e_id=5578

Fishskin Trousers has been named Critics' Choice by Time Out and received four-star reviews from Time Out and the Guardian. The show inspired by the legend of the Wildman of Orford will be at the Finborough Theatre in London until Saturday 28 September before visits to the Lakeside Theatre in Colchester, the Emporium in Brighton and finally the Church of St Bartholomew in Orford on Saturday 26 October. More information: http://www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk/productions/2013/fishskin-trousers.php

Lauren Brown, from Billericay, came to the University of Essex through clearing in 2010 and graduated this year with a First in Philosophy and Politics - now she is helping others achieve their potential by working on the University’s Clearing Hotline.

In 1961, the Essex County Standard said that “sales of cigarettes and confectionery will boom ... each student will spend an average of £7 10s a week on his keep and amusements.” [Essex County Standard, 26 May 1961]. In the last of our podcasts marking the 50th Anniversary of the University, residents of Wivenhoe and Colchester remember how it felt to have a new university arrive in their midst.

“The decision to fund a University in Colchester is the most important thing since the Emperor Claudius built his temple.”

Lord Alport, former Colchester MP

The interviewees talk about the role of the local community in supporting the development of the University and initial anticipation at the arrival of students. Local residents recall ‘weird characters’ dressed in ‘pink satin breeches’, how the local primary school welcomed new pupils from all over the world, and how sport was uses to help progress town and gown relations.

Stephen Pattison got involved in a staggering range of activities while studying politics and history at Essex including Frontrunners and is now working for a major political party preparing for the next General Election.

Bill Teatheredge spent two decades on the frontline of policing as a Detective Constable then used his investigative skills to achieve outstanding academic success and complete a BA, Masters and PhD in art history at Essex.

Charlotte Morgan graduates this week and is already working at a cutting-edge company in Essex thanks to the support of the Internship team at our Employability and Careers Centre and the experience she gained from being a Frontrunner. She loved her studies, but she also got involved in the University's Dance Society though the Students' Union.

Ana Gheorghiu graduates this week and loves the "warm and supportive" research environment at Essex so much she is staying on to study for a Masters and then a PhD at our Department of Psychology thanks to a scholarship from the Economic and Social Research Council.

Keep calm and contact our Employability and Careers Centre...

Essex graduate Luisa Downey has gained national media interest through her alternative approaches to finding a career from handing out her CV on rush hour trains to creating her own YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnwLepUfSFs. She is now discovering the extra support available to Essex graduates looking to find the right career and working with one of our Employability Co-ordinators Rose Matthews. Many of our graduates find the right role straight after university, but we are always happy to offer help and advice if our graduates need a little extra support. Hear Luisa discusses her experiences with Rose and our Director of Employability Dave Stanbury.

The telegram of support from Jean-Paul Sartre has long since been lost, but many still remember the student uprisings of the late 1960s and early 70s, and “the experience of seeing how a social authority could crumble in the face of opposition and resistance”.

In this podcast, students, academics and Estate staff talk about this “battle of ideas and words”, and how VIPs were sometimes sneaked out through obscure back routes – but some still left covered in flour and eggs. The spirit of the times changed Essex, bringing students into the decision-making process, but also hitting recruitment – yet one interviewee recalls: “They just looked as though they were having fun”.

Interviewees

- Sir John Ashworth, founding Professor of Biological Sciences

- Marie Evers, formerly of Estate Management

- Christine Hinton, Sociology student, 1967-70

- David Morgan, formerly of Estate Management

- Gabriel Pearson, Professor in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies for over 30 years

- Alex Selley, formerly of Estate Management

- Paul Thompson, Research Professor in the Department of Sociology, first came to Essex in 1964

- Peter Townsend, founding Professor of Sociology (died 2009)