As we welcome the spring sunshine to our beautiful campus, we’re feeling lucky to reside in the happiest place to live in the UK (according to the Royal Mail UK Happiness Index)! In a buzzing month at Winchester, we were ranked in the top 100 universities for environmental and social impact, we supported Winchester Fashion Week, and one of our students won the top military leadership award for officer cadets in the South.
The University’s dedication to sustainability and social responsibility has earned the institution a place in the top 100 of the new Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings.
The ranking recognises universities across the world for their social and economic impact on society, based on their success in delivering the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Winchester is tied at 76th in the overall impact rankings, out of 500 institutions from 75 countries. We also placed 45th globally and second in the UK for Quality Education (SDG 4). We were tied at 39th for Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) and at 46th for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16).
We are delighted to sponsor Winchester Fashion Week (WFW), which takes place this week (Monday 29 April to Saturday 4 May).
This year, Winchester BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing students are acting as fashion ambassadors in the WFW Hub in Parchment Street and are helping with window displays and events. Our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joy Carter CBE, DL will also present a local organisation with the University’s sustainable fashion award at the Grand Finale Catwalk Show at Winchester Guildhall on Saturday 4 May.
The University is hosting a number of events as part of the WFW programme, including a screening of fashion documentary The First Monday In May followed by a Q&A with University fashion and marketing experts on Friday 3 May. Find the full WFW timetable and book your tickets here.
Read our Winchester Fashion Week interview with fashion blogger and creator of The Elgin Avenue here and hear why our BA (Hons) Fashion Marketing course is unique here.
Third year BA (Hons) Forensic Studies student and Senior Under Officer (SUO) Rebecca See has won the top award for military leadership in the South.
The Southampton Military Education Committee (MEC) Leadership Award recognises SUO See’s hugely positive influence on the Southampton University Officers Training Corp (SUOTC), where she coordinates social activities, acts as a mentor for officer cadets and works with staff to ensure training is effectively delivered. SUO See balances her role at the SUOTC with her studies, employment and voluntary Special Constable role with Hampshire Constabulary.
The award and £150 prize was presented to SUO See at the MEC Annual Lecture by Air Vice Marshal Christopher Luck MBE.
A prototype acoustic finger drum kit created by BA (Hons) Music and Sound Production student Dominic Cairns has been featured by world-renowned musician Dame Evelyn Glennie on her blog.
Inspired by Dame Evelyn’s own custom-made musical instruments such as the Barimbulum and the Simtak, Dominic created the prototype as part of a second year module for his degree. The Domindrum took two days to design and 50-60 hours to construct.
Dame Evelyn Glennie is a profoundly deaf musical performer and double GRAMMY award winner and BAFTA nominated composer for film, television and music libraries. She highlights the work of musicians from all backgrounds on her blog as part of her #TeachtheWorldtoListen campaign to help others to listen through profound musical and educational experiences.
In line with our core values of Individuals Matter and Spirituality, whereby we welcome people of all faiths and none, we have become one of the first universities in the UK to sign The Charter for Faith & Belief Inclusion.
The Charter, created by The Faith & Belief Forum, establishes a network of supportive organisations who work together in partnership to promote good relations between people of different beliefs in our communities, workplaces and wider society.
As a signatory, the University commits to promoting interfaith leadership among university students and continuing to support its multi-faith academic and student community.
The University has an active and diverse Chaplaincy team – comprising Buddhist, Christian and Muslim chaplains – who are here to support everyone in our University community.
Find out more about the Charter
Our Victorian Chapel also recently won a Silver Award in the Eco Church Awards for its dedication in caring for the earth and all who live upon it through sustainability initiatives, charity outreach and nature-orientated projects. Find out more
Students and staff harnessed the power of fun to enhance learning and promote wellbeing at the University’s Play and Creativity Festival.
Now in its third year, the three-day festival showcases the ways play and creativity permeate the University’s teaching, research and professional activities.
Activities included everything from Lego, balloons and maggot racing to gamified learning and playful food. There were also opportunities to learn skills and crafts, explore the campus in new and unusual ways and enjoy student performances.
Watch Chancellor Alan Titchmarsh MBE VMH DL talk about the value of play in the video above and read a blog from event organiser Professor Alison James, Director of Academic Quality and Development, here.
In the immediate aftermath of the shocking fire that engulfed the iconic medieval cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris, Dr Katherine Weikert shares her thoughts and emotions around the terrible event from her perspective as a medieval buildings expert. She concludes that Notre-Dame is far from gone and that it is merely entering a new phase of its life.
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