Students visit Wicken Fen

A group of students recently visited one of Britain’s oldest nature reserves, as part of their studies.

Dr Janet Jackson and students at Wicken Fen

Undergraduates studying Environmental Science, Wildlife Conservation, Biology and Countryside and Wildlife Management spent the day at Wicken Fen, in Cambridgeshire, which was the first reserve cared for by the National Trust, starting in 1899.
 
Wicken Fen is said to be the birthplace of modern ecology, being home to the Godwin Plots, one of the world’s longest-running scientific experiments.

Photos from the visit can be viewed here

Geographers visit the Olympic Park

Dr Alma Clavin took third year geography students to London to explore regeneration in and around the Olympic Park.

The first stop was the Carpenters Housing Estate. We then had a walking tour of the Olympic Park, led by Sarah Birt (Planning and Development Manager at London Legacy Development Corporation). After lunch we had a tour of the Velodrome. There was then just enough time to do a liveability survey of the East Village site (formerly the Athletes' Village).

Third year Geography students outside the Velodrome, Olympic Park, London.

Photos of the visit can be viewed here.

Third year Geography students visit sustainable urban development

Third year Geography students recently visited the new housing development at Upton, Northampton, to learn more about this sustainable urban development.  Dr Chris Holt explained how the sustainable urban drainage system (‘SUDS’) works, and provided contextual information about the on-going housing development.  Students will be carrying out research projects about Upton over the next couple of months.

Third year students at the Upton development, Northampton

Photos from the field visit can be viewed here

Poem written for Geography students

Earlier this term, second year Human geographers were visited by a group of staff, volunteers and clients from Northampton Hope Centre: the town’s largest centre for homeless and vulnerably housed people.

One of the guest speakers, Ambrose – a client, volunteer and resident poet at the Centre – has written a poem inspired by the visit and dedicated ‘for the student body of University of Northampton’…

For the Student Body of University of Northampton

We all share a common thread.

I was young once as you are now, and a university student with all that entails, if you get my drift. We are really not so different. Really!

Here comes the advice part, take it or leave it. Your decision to make, along with a myriad of others to follow. May all yours lead to the fulfilment of all you desire.

All I ask, having shared an experience together recently, is to – in whatever small regard – factor in humanity and be aware that life can sometimes throw you a massive curveball.

…Click here to find out more about the Hope Centre, and ways we can contribute to the work of this charity: http://www.northamptonhopecentre.org.uk/get-involved