Chester Connections
Welcome from the Vice-Chancellor
I’m really pleased to welcome you to the spring edition of Chester Connections.
A lot has happened since our last issue and I hope you enjoy catching up on some of the brilliant successes and fresh ideas emerging across the University of Chester.
One of the real highlights this spring was welcoming our Chancellor, Dame Jenny Harries, to officially open Bache Hall as the new home of Medical Sciences. It’s a fantastic space and it’s already giving our students an even richer and more inspiring learning experience.
Our students are at the heart of everything we do and this edition is full of their stories - from Zohaib’s impressive research into gluten-free diets to the thoughtful group of students who volunteered their time to help with litter-picking in the Garden Quarter.
Our academics have also been busy pushing boundaries, whether that’s proposing a new treatment to monitor symptoms of sleep apnoea or supporting conservation efforts to help Grenada’s remaining grey doves thrive.
And with our annual Festival of Ideas returning in July, I hope many of you will be able to join us for what promises to be another exciting and engaging programme.
With best wishes,
Professor Eunice Simmons
Image: Vice-Chancellor Professor Eunice Simmons, left, with Chancellor Dame Jenny Harries at the opening of Bache Hall.
Save the date for Chester Festival of Ideas
Clockwise from top left: Greg Jenner; Mariella Frostrup; Prof Gary Younge, Dr Mya-Rose Craig and a Royal Institution science show.
The University-run 2026 Chester Festival of Ideas will feature an exciting mix of free events, from some of the UK’s leading broadcasters sharing insights to spectacular science shows.
The award-winning, four-day annual festival is returning in the summer for the third time, after proving a success with thousands of visitors enjoying its near-to-100 events held each year since its launch.
Created by the University of Chester in collaboration with partners, the festival celebrates imagination, inspiration, learning, culture and community. The city calendar highlight includes talks, exhibitions, performances and workshops, for all ages and interests, and runs from Thursday July 2 to Sunday July 5, at venues across Chester.
Among the names taking to the festival stage this year are journalist, broadcaster, author and campaigner, Mariella Frostrup, and author, broadcaster, former editor-at-large at The Guardian and Professor, Gary Younge.
Adding to the line-up will be Greg Jenner, public historian, author, and broadcaster, known for his work as the historical consultant on the award-winning BBC TV series, Horrible Histories and more. Environmentalist, Dr Mya-Rose Craig also joins the guests, University of Chester Chancellor and former Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England, Dame Jenny Harries will reflect on a life in public service, and the Royal Institution will host a trio of thrilling science shows.
Meanwhile, University of Chester academics, authors from the University of Chester Press, schools and community organisations will lead events.
More is to be announced with a full programme and booking for events opening in May. For further information, please visit: https://festivalofideas.chester.ac.uk/.
To discover more on events run by the University throughout the year, including free lectures and A-Level revision workshops, read more here.
Home of Medical Sciences officially opened
The official opening of Bache Hall.
The University recently celebrated the official opening of Bache Hall by Chancellor Dame Jenny Harries, marking the completion of extensive refurbishment and improvement works that have transformed the building into the new home of Medical Sciences, which sits with the Chester Medical School.
Sleep apnoea
A PhD award-winning report is proposing a more effective treatment to monitor symptoms of sleep apnoea. The wearable technology, which aims to be more comfortable and cost-effective for the patient, was recently highlighted in the BBC’s Morning Live show.
Grenada Doves
Vital research has been carried out to try and save one of the world’s rarest birds, the Grenada Dove, from extinction. Camera traps were used by the University team to detect the critically endangered Doves and their predators on the Caribbean island.
Social media
Stronger policies and accountability measures to safeguard women and girls in sport online are being called for. A new study, which focused on the case of former footballer Joey Barton, analysed event time-frames when he targeted female footballers and a female pundit on X.
Celebrations for the graduating class
The University of Chester hosted its graduation ceremonies at the city’s historic Cathedral, with graduates joined by two honorary guests who received degree awards in recognition of their considerable positive impact on the communities around them.
Esther Ghey, pictured left, received an Honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the mental health of young people and their families, particularly her work with Peace and Mind UK, while Adam Dandy, right, received an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in recognition of his outstanding contribution to local communities, particularly his work with ShareShops UK.
International achievement
The difficulties of sticking to a gluten-free diet for coeliacs living in Pakistan has been the focus of research by a Master’s graduate.
As part of his studies, Zohaib Safdar has written a research paper titled Assessing food insecurity and other barriers to adherence to a gluten-free diet among coeliac disease individuals in Pakistan.
Zohaib, who comes from Pakistan, said he was “deeply thankful” to the University of Chester and the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship Scheme for funding the research.
He added: “A particularly defining moment was being supported to conduct my dissertation remotely in Pakistan, allowing me to generate context-specific evidence while staying academically connected, an experience that truly reflects Chester’s flexible, inclusive, and student-centred approach.”
Image: Zohaib Safdar.
Triple award shortlisting success
The University of Chester is in the running for top accolades across three different award events.
The annual Student Nursing Times Awards, which recognises outstanding achievement, innovation and leadership across its nursing community, has shortlisted the University in the following categories:
- Learner of the Year (Post-registration) - Faye Tierney, MNurs Learning Disability and Mental Health
- Student Nurse or Midwife of the Year: Clinical Research - Alison Walsh, BN Mental Health (Apprenticeship Route with Cheshire and Wirral NHS Partnership)
- Mary Seacole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion - Josh Vella
- Nurse Education Provider of the Year (Post-registration) - Practice Education Team, for collaborative work with Alder Hey on the Professional Nurse Advocate (PNA) programme - Professional Nurse Advocate Developmental Day!
- Teaching Innovation of the Year (Curriculum) - Skills and Simulation Team for the Nightshift Placement initiative
- Teaching Innovation of the Year (Curriculum) - Allyship Training Package
Read more about the shortlisting here
In the 12th annual Educate North Awards, which highlight the institution’s growing impact across digital innovation, student support, academic excellence and leadership, the University has been nominated in the following categories:
- Digital and AI Innovation Award - University Sector Micro Learning
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Award - Chaplaincy Preventative Health Initiative
- Student Experience Award - University Sector Chester Credentials Nano‑credentials
- University Student Achievement of the Year - Ramitha Nittore Ramnath
- Leadership and Innovation Award - Ramitha Nittore Ramnath
- Law School of the Year - The University of Chester Law School
Read more about the shortlisting here
And in the prestigious Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs) - the only UK higher education awards entirely voted for and judged by students - the University has been recognised with the following award nominations:
- University of the Year
- Lecturers and Teaching Quality
- International
- Postgraduate
- Student Support
- Halls and Student Accommodation
Partnering with Chester Zoo
As conservation, climate and sustainability sectors continue to evolve at pace, a new seasonal webinar series from the University of Chester and Chester Zoo is helping professionals make sense of this change.
The webinars, delivered through a partnership between the University and the Zoo, bring together leading academics, conservation professionals, sector partners and alumni working across conservation, sustainability and education.
Image: The webinars are being delivered through a partnership between the University and Chester Zoo.
Helping food businesses grow
The University continues to help food businesses flourish with help and expertise, thanks to a comprehensive package of support from the NoWFOOD centre at Exton Park.
Manchester-based Root2Ginger, founded in 2021, makes authentic organic ginger drinks influenced by founder Deanne Blake’s Caribbean heritage. Root2Ginger has been using the facilities at NoWFOOD since 2022 and has been able to upscale production from a homestart to manufacturing. NoWFOOD has provided the business with advice, support and the space to perfect and upscale recipes and develop manufacturing techniques.
As a result, prestigious retailer Fortnum & Mason now permanently lists Root2Ginger. This significant achievement comes on top of all Root2Ginger products earning two-star and three-star Great Taste awards from The Guild of Fine Food, as well as a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot with excellent customer feedback.
Deanne said: “NoWFOOD has been invaluable in upscaling our production and giving us confidence to amend recipes and problem solve issues with manufacturing on a larger scale. We are so grateful that NoWFOOD has been such a significant part of our journey.”
Find out more about how NoWFOOD can support your food business by contacting Commercial Operations at CommercialOperations@chester.ac.uk or call 01244 515880.
Image: Deanne Blake of Root2Ginger.
Students make a difference with volunteering efforts
Students on the litter pick.
University of Chester students gave back to their community by carrying out a litter pick in the city, as part of a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
The students recently joined together to remove litter from the streets of the Garden Quarter, collecting several bags of rubbish.
The session was organised by the University’s Volunteering Team and was one of a series this year in its ‘Give it a Go’ programme, offering students the chance to try out volunteering through a variety of activities.
In addition to giving students volunteering experience and a way to make a difference to their community, the litter pick and wider sessions provide the opportunity to meet other students and take a break from their studies.
Another ‘Give it a Go’ session earlier this year brought together 12 students to make a total of 33 dog toys which have been donated to an animal rescue centre. Also, during National Student Volunteering Week in February, 15 students turned their hands to building bird houses, making 31 which have been put up across the University’s Exton Park site by the Grounds and Gardens Team. Other activities have included wildlife recording and supporting a children’s charity.
Learn more about the sessions and working with the Volunteering Team to offer new opportunities here
Creating employment opportunities - meet the Employer Engagement Team
The Employer Engagement Team, at the University of Chester, is a specialist group of staff dedicated to connecting employers and businesses with students, graduates and academics. In this Q&A, Sally Harding, Employer Engagement and Work Placement Manager, outlines its work and the opportunities it offers.
Alumni corner
A successful children’s author who studied in Chester has collected her MBE.
Susan Graves, who in 1973 qualified from Chester Teacher Training College (now the University of Chester), earned the accolade in recognition of writing books for, and teaching children with special educational needs (SEN).
The children’s author has penned more than 400 books by a variety of mainstream publishers under the name of Sue Graves. Included in those are many educational titles under different ‘Matters’ series, each featuring an animal having an experience, emotion and/or issue which parents and children can discuss.
Titles in the ‘Behaviour Matters’ series, for example, include Tiger Has a Tantrum – A book about feeling angry, and Zebra Can Cope – A book about resilience. The ‘Experiences Matter’ series features stories such as Little Leopard Learns to Swim, Elephant Has a Brother and Grandpa Sloth Needs Help.
The MBE was announced in the King’s Birthday Honours last year, and recently Sue was proud to be honoured at a ceremony hosted by Prince William at Windsor Castle.
Sue said: “It is thanks to the superb training that I received there that I have been able to enjoy both my teaching and writing careers and hopefully to have helped the many children I have met along the way.”
Image: Sue Graves with her MBE.