Elise Metcalf

Exeter University celebrates International Women’s Day

Exeter University is joining today’s International Women’s Day celebrations by welcoming guest speakers and various society events.

International Women’s Day celebrates the social, economic and political achievements of women around the world, as well as raising awareness to the progress and action still needed to accelerate gender parity.

Events include a talk from two female professors, discussing their experiences working in academia, a film screening of a female-orientated documentary shedding light on the founders of the modern women’s movement, and a Women of Colour Poetry Night at the Grove Diner.

Honorary graduate of Exeter University and current Client Account Manager for Stonewall Mandy McBain has also been invited to campus to speak tomorrow.

Stonewall is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Equality Charity, which focuses on empowering individuals, by allowing them to be themselves, flourish and reach their full potential.

Mandy is a powerful advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion, and was awarded an MBE in the 2012 New Year Honours list for her contributions to the inclusivity agenda for the Naval Service and developed the first Naval Service Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Forum.

The talk will be held at 11am on March 9th at Streatham Court 0.28, and will include a Q&A session, refreshments, and a chance to hear about her experiences as an advocate for equal rights and opportunity.

Exeter student and gender-equality activist Elizabeth told Exeposé: “I think International Women’s Day is a great opportunity to recognise strong women around the world and inspire other’s to reach their potential.

“It’s wonderful to able to get involved with the celebrations at Exeter, and I’m looking forward to attending some of the talks.”

A list of events taking place and further resources can be found on the Exeter University Guild Website.

AU invites LGBT students to share their story

he final phase of the University of Exeter’s Athletic Union’s ‘Come Out an Play’ initiative was launched online last week.

The latest development invites lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students to share their stories and experiences of sport in Exeter as an LGBT individual.

The aim is to show that the majority of LGBT students have positive experiences of sport at university, and to encourage others to get involved.

Athletic Union President Jack Bristow told Exeposé: “In my experience, the majority of LGBT students who get involved in sport at Exeter have a positive experience.

“This part of the campaign is about sharing those experiences to show people that you can be open about your sexuality and still enjoy sport.”

One of the major focuses in Jack’s manifesto upon becoming Athletic Union President was to empower LGBT students in sport.

The ‘Come Out and Play’ campaign was established in an effort to fulfil this, aiming to challenge the idea that sport is an unwelcoming environment for people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBTQ+) and raise awareness of the issues faced by LGBTQ+ students.

Alicia Gibbs, Ladies Football Club Captain shared her story. She said: “The ladies football club has always been diverse, and includes people of all sorts of backgrounds and identities.

“I am very pleased to say that any member’s sexuality has always been accepted on the same basis as any other part of their identity, and has never led to anyone being treated differently within the club.”

‘Come Out and Play’ stories can be found on the Guild website, and all students are welcome to share their own stories and experiences.

Development of Princesshay Leisure to be discussed by council

lans to develop a Leisure Centre in what is now Exeter Bus Station have been recommended for approval by council officers.

Exeter could soon be home to ‘Princesshay Leisure’, providing residents and visitors with additional shops, restaurants, a cinema and a bus terminal.

This new addition is thought to take two years to construct and could provide up to 750 jobs.

This week saw the first release of the artist’s impressions of the scheme, showing modern rounded buildings and outside seating areas.

The council, who have already received 202 objections from residents over the proposed plans, will make a decision as to whether to proceed next week.

Concerns were also expressed over the proposed size of the bus terminal, and National Express and Exeter Civic Society were among the objectors.

Exeter university student and resident Sophie Murrison told Éxepose: “The proposed plans seem a little unnecessary in my opinion. Exeter already has a lot of Leisure Centres and this development could put some of the smaller ones out of business.”

Planning officers have laid out 41 conditions, regarding drainage, use of materials, outdoor lighting, use of floor space and the specifics of the bus station.

The developers commented: “This will create employment opportunities in the construction process over approximately a two year period, followed by new part time and full time permanent jobs when the development is completed.”

Princesshay Leisure would sit alongside the city council’s £26m new swimming pool and gym, and plans will to be discussed by the city council on Wednesday 20 January.

TEDx event to be held at University of Exeter

TEDx Exeter is set to be held at Exeter University’s Northcott Theatre, with tickets to go on sale next week.

Tickets for the event, which will take place on 15th April 2016, are expected to sell out in less than a day. Last year, tickets were gone within two hours.

The title of the conference is ‘Dreams to Reality’ with the event website stating: “We want to encapsulate the idea of movement…that grappling with humanity’s toughest questions requires first a vision, a dream, and then action.”

The conference will be simultaneously live-streamed to Exeter’s Alumni Auditorium.

Claire Kennedy, TEDxExeter licensee and curator commented: “We hope to reach a wider range of people this year. The expansion into the Alumni Auditorium enables us to offer many more tickets at a concessionary rate.

“Both audiences will join together in the breaks and at lunchtime to share reactions, reflections and ideas, as well as refreshments and the chance to talk with speaker.”

Tickets will go on sale on 1st December at 10am and can be purchased from the Exeter Northcott Theatre Box Office.

Tickets are £60 to see the conference live in the theatre and £20 to watch the simultaneous livestream at Exeter University’s Alumni Auditorium.

The ticket includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.

For more information, visit the TEDx website.

Syrian children’s artwork on exhibition in Exeter

This Saturday 31st October, a gallery in Exeter will be exhibiting the artwork of young Syrian refugees.

The exhibition, named ‘From Syria with Love’ will be on show for one day only at the Art Gallery at 89 South Street.

Organised by University of Exeter Syrian student, Baraa Ehsaan Kouja, there is to be around 25 prints of paintings and drawings made by Syrian children aged 12-18 and currently living in Al-Abrar refugee camp in Lebanon.

Baraa commented: “There is now a lost generation of Syrian children – children who are losing their education, who have been forced to think about war and destruction rather than peace and love.

“These paintings show something of the awful reality that Syrians have endured, but also their dreams. I have lived in Exeter for a year, and have met many wonderful people working for the relief of refugees, both at the university and in the town. This exhibition complements that work by showing the real experiences of real refugees”.

Each picture will be accompanied by the title and name of the artist, a photo of the tent they are currently living in, and a brief statement of that child’s dream.

The exhibition will be open from 12 noon till 9pm on Saturday 31^st October. Light refreshments will be available.

Prince Edward meets Exeter students

rince Edward met a group of Exeter University students during his visit to Exeter last Saturday.

The Royal attended a military service at Exeter Cathedral in remembrance of the 43 Brigade’s efforts during the Second World War.

All members of Exeter University’s Officer Training Corps (EUOTC), the students had the opportunity to meet and speak with the Prince during his visit.

EUOTC member and third-year student Fleur Peoples told Exeposé: “It was a very unexpected and surreal experience but lovely to have the chance to talk to the Prince. He was very engaging and down to earth.”

The EUOTC officer cadets escorted the Lord Lieutenants in attendance at the ceremony and paid their respects to those that served in the brigade.

Tom Conlon, also a member of the EUOTC and in his second year at the University, commented: “I was able to have a really good chat with Prince Edward. He was interested in the EUOTC and how it fits into university life.”

Officer Training Corps operate in a number of UK universities and present university students with the opportunity to partake in military exercises and adventurous training alongside their studies.

Exeter is no stranger to royal visits this month, with Prince Harry having attended a Rugby World Cup match in Exeter’s Sandy Park just last week.

Rare footage of ‘Paddington Bear’ captured by Exeter University biologist in Peru

An Exeter University biologist was part of the expedition team to capture some of the first ever footage of incredibly rare and endangered animals.

The critically endangered bird, the Sira Currasow, and the spectacled bear on which the character Paddington Bear was based, were caught on camera by the biologists whilst on an expedition in Peru.

The expedition’s aim was to survey and document animal life in the Cerros del Sira, a rural, high-altitude forest situated in central Peru.

22 crowd funded camera traps were deployed in March 2015 and stayed in place until last week when the team returned.

30 other species of mammal, 145 species of bird, 41 species of amphibian, 10 species of lizard and 7 species of snake were also captured on film by the hidden cameras.

Dr Chris Beirne, from the Centre for Ecology and Conservation at Exeter University’s Penryn Campus, attended the expedition. He commented: “The results of our expedition and these incredible videos highlight the importance of the Sira Communal Reserve in maintaining biodiversity in the region.

“Capturing the first ever camera trap footage of the Sira Currasow is an important proof-of-concept for this technology. It is clearly going to be invaluable in the future to help us understand more about the ecology and limited distribution of this critically endangered bird as well as other little known species.”

Andrew Whitworth from the Crees Foundation and the University of Glasgow was also on the expedition. He said: “We have fantastic videos of these charismatic bears – they were very playful with the camera traps, the footage shows them sniffing, licking and nosing the cameras.

“This is much needed good news story for this threatened species; something we need to hear more of in conservation.”

Cerros del Sira is located close to the Peruvian Andes but is isolated, meaning that it hosts a unique range of species, however, at this moment they are poorly understood.

The expedition was supported by The Neville Schulman Challenge Award from The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), IdeaWild and CrowdFunder, with HandyKam providing discounts on camera equipment.

Hundreds expected to turn out in Exeter in support of refugees this weekend

Hundreds are expected to gather outside Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 12^th September in support of refugees.

Two hundred people have signed up to the event within 48 hours of it being created, with the rally supporting local charity ‘Refugee Support Devon’.

This show of compassion comes in the midst of the escalating European refugee crisis, which has affected hundreds of thousands of lives.

One of the organisers, Christine Singfield, said: “This is truly a communal event. It is amazing to see the speed at which individuals and local groups have come together to show that they care about what is happening to the refugees.

“It is a chance to remind the government that these people are not numbers or statistics but our fellow human beings who need our help.”

The UN refugee agency estimates that over 320,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean since the start of the year in an effort to escape war and persecution, with almost 3,000 people having drowned during the crossing.

The rally will take place in front of Exeter Cathedral between Midday and 1:30pm on Saturday 12th September.

A variety of speakers will be present including Pete Edwards Leader of Exeter City Council and Bara Ehssan Kouja a Syrian speaking about his experiences of working with refugees in Syria.