Tribute to Professor Chris Hawes
We learnt the sad news in July that Professor Chris Hawes had died. Professor Hawes was an internationally recognised researcher and a highly respected colleague who joined the University in 1989.
Professor David Evans, Associate Dean Research and Knowledge Exchange at Oxford Brookes, commented: “Chris made a unique contribution to the development of biological science as well as to the many scientists he worked with, supervised and taught.
“He had a global reputation for the quality of his research and will be greatly missed. Oxford Brookes University will remain committed to building on the legacy of an inspirational colleague.”
Graduate receives prestigious Fulbright Award
An Oxford Brookes University alumna has received a Fulbright Award, one of the most well- regarded and impactful scholarship programmes in the world. Francesca Dunn ’15 has been selected to complete her PhD in Applied Anthropology at the University of South Florida.
Francesca will be working on a new method of age estimation of a living person. This may be requested by courts if their age is unknown. It will utilise multiple regions of the body simultaneously to further increase the precision and accuracy of this practice.
Francesca commented: “The education and support I received at Oxford Brookes has much to do with my academic success since my graduation in 2015. The Department of Social Sciences is filled to the brim with people who are passionate about their area of speciality and it permeated my experience as a student.”
Alumnus and National Student Pride founder receives national award
Oxford Brookes alumnus Tom Guy ’06 received a Points of Light award from the Prime Minister in February 2019 in recognition of his establishment of the largest student-led LGBT event in the UK.
Tom founded National Student Pride in 2005 while a student at the University to promote progressive voices on campus and to tackle homophobia, as featured in a previous issue of Observe.
Since its creation, the event has grown to attract students from more than 170 universities and colleges worldwide to participate in an annual weekend festival of talks, exhibitions, and workshops in London. The event includes a careers fair providing tailored support for LGBT students and aims to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
Game of Thrones star discusses how to break into the creative industries
Maisie Williams, who found global fame with her first acting role as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, provided personal insights into how others might gain their big break.
The University was chosen as a host for the discussion in February 2019 due to its offer of courses specialising in the creative arts. Maisie spoke to the sold-out Headington Campus audience about how to enter the industry, struggles she overcame and how the Daisie app she co-created provides a level playing field for creators by removing the popularity contest and instead putting value on skillset.