Monthly Archives: March 2013

Newcastle University Business School retains its EQUIS accreditation

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Newcastle University Business School is delighted to announce that it has been re-accredited by EQUIS for a further three years. EQUIS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Education (EFMD) is held by an elite group of only 142 schools worldwide and is held to be one of the best and most complete ways to certify the quality of a business school. The Business School was first accredited in 2010.

Business schools that are accredited by EQUIS must demonstrate not only high general quality in all dimensions of their activities, but also a high degree of internationalisation. EQUIS schools reflect academic quality combined with professional relevance; a strong interface with business; and an effective learning environment that favours the development of students’ managerial and entrepreneurial skills combined with a global perspective.

EQUIS re-accreditation involves an extensive self-assessment by the School, the visit of an international review team who spend several days interviewing many stakeholders of the School, and finally an evaluation by a highly experienced panel of the assessment and findings of the review team, to determine whether the School should be granted accreditation. More information on EQUIS is available at www.efmd.org/equis.

Professor John Wilson, Director of Newcastle University Business School, said “One of my first challenges as the new Director of the School was to host the EQUIS re-accreditation visit last December and I am delighted that we have been successful. The achievement of re-accreditation is testimony to the quality of our staff, students, alumni and partners and provides an ideal foundation for the further development of the School”.

 

Budget reaction from Professor John Wilson

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Penny for your thoughts 

As with any budget, the devil is in the detail.

And after watching today’s Budget for an ‘aspirational nation’, I feel that while the political analysis takes up the margins of our newspapers, as a region and nation we must stick together to make this work for us.

I am a business historian and have analysed many fiscal policies and Budget announcements over the last sixty years; I’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly.

What is clear from Osborne’s budget today is the need to ‘fix’ our state through monetary activism, supply-side reform and fiscal policy.

From curing the ethics within our banks to attracting new businesses to our shores, as a nation we need to be ensuring that confidence in investment is the foundation on which we build our reformed state.  And how do we get this confidence? Through innovation stimuli, is how. Innovation acts as a bedrock for demand, job creation and, ultimately, assurance in the system that generates real wealth.

Many commentators will be discussing the implications of Osborne’s policies, but I want to talk about what we can control.  And that is our networks and knowledge economy.

As part of a civic university, the Business School needs to work with business and regional policy makers to build an industrial and business strategy that can work for us.  From cutting edge research, leadership and management training to harnessing innovation, the Business School’s doors are open to support the needs of the region to help us grow again.

In this spirit, open collaboration between higher education and businesses can lead to some of the most disruptive and ingenious work: bringing with it vital market share and wealth creation.

The importance of academia, industry and commerce working together as a triple helix for success can also be seen in Heseltine’s review ‘No stone unturned in pursuit of growth’.  And with Osborne’s nod to Heseltine’s suggestion of creating a single funding pot for skills, housing and transport, I am looking forward to further details being released.  Regions need to know how much and when to expect this to be implemented.

Moreover, with emerging business models like employee ownership and cooperatives operating in a rapidly changing business world, universities and businesses need to work together to decide how we can best do things differently.

As Osborne said today ‘Britain is open for business’, but what I would like to stress is that, yes the economic and fiscal policies outlined today will have some impact in the coming months and years, but we are the people who can add value through being ‘truly’ open for business through collaborative networks leading to innovation.

The wonder of Professor Brian Cox and female role models

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Comment by Professor Pooran Wynarczyk:

 I am sure there are few people who don’t know who Professor Brian Cox is but how many have heard of Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock?

Since 2011 there has been a surge in the take up of science and maths A- Levels, and this has been attributed to the popularity of the physics professor and TV presenter, Brian Cox, a prime example of the effect exposure to positive role models can have. 

And as International Women’s Day approaches I have one message: we must stop focussing on the under representation of women in business, and celebrate the great role models we have to get more women into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects.

When people asked to name a female scientist, most come up with ‘Marie Curie’. This is not to  deny the fact  that she was truly a  remarkable  woman  but there are many other  women around the world whose  accomplishments  should be made more visible.

I have picked five inspirational women to highlight the great work and impact women are making to our scientific world:

1. Pamela Ann Melroy (Former NASA Astronaut)
2. Maggie Aderin-Pocock (TV Presenter, Do We Need the Moon?)
3. Dr Helen Czerski  (Physicist,    TV Presenter, Orbit: Earth’s Extraordinary Journey)
4. Professor Alice Roberts (Anatomist, Author and  TV Presenter,  Incredible Human Journey) 
5. Dr Aarathi Prasad (Former research scientist in cancer genetics who now works in science policy and journalism)

A key area of my research interest – or rather a ‘wonder’ – is the reasons behind the gender divide in the take up of STEM subjects.  And from my and many others’ research one key reason is clear: a severe lack of visible female role models. 

An issue at the heart of the debate over the gender divide in STEM subjects is the portrayal of female role models: they are largely invisible, and have been for a long time. 

We need to open our eyes and see the adverse effect negative labelling of women in scientific and technological fields, and in turn the lack of female role models, is having on the current labour market. A lack of exposure, as well as a lack of genuine representation, risks a very dangerous self-fulfilling prophecy. That is to say, if we focus too much on under-representation, we miss the opportunity to inspire the next generation through shining examples of women in science and technology.

Existing research claims that exposure to positive  role models during the critical junctures, i.e. earlier years of education, has a positive influence on self efficacy and, hence, inspiring future career choices. 
Female role models are incredibly important as they allow individuals to showcase their achievements and could encourage more girls to get involved in business – especially in areas such as science and technology which have traditionally been associated with men.
 
More often than not, the news that is hitting the headlines focuses on gender imbalance, stereotype beliefs and the under-representation of women in business. This in itself can mask advancements that are being made, which in turn discourages women from reaching high positions beyond the glass ceiling.  

If existing women scientists continue to remain largely ‘invisible’ and not seen to be enjoying a rewarding and progressive career, combined with being unrecognised for their contribution to scientific and technological advancement, they are unlikely to be able to act as role models and serve the purpose of further recruitment and retention.

Some may argue that by highlighting the under-representation and barriers to participation for women entering STEM subjects and careers, aids awareness and policy making. 

I would say that this provides little support to those employed, or planning to enter STEM   professions. On the contrary, it can have an adverse effect, and may actually discourage girls and women from pursuing education and careers in these fields.

My research has revealed the ambitious, invisible, female role models that can be engaged to promote a greater uptake of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

And with International Woman’s Day in mind, I want to call out for more inspirational woman to seize the spot light like Brian Cox. 

Who would make your top five?