Centenary conference keynote looks back. . . and forward
Richard Hoggart – the world-famous author of The Uses of Literacy – will give the keynote address at the Centenary Conference on Wednesday May 12. In ‘Leeds University: yesterday; today – and tomorrow’. Professor Hoggart will share memories of studying English in the late-1930s and offer his thoughts on the University’s future. His keynote will open a day of discussion by present and former staff of the local, national and international role of the University. To register for the conference (price £15) contact Carol Would c.would@leeds.ac.uk or ext 33232. Further details at www.leeds.ac.uk/heritage/

Exploring the role of performance in Africa
The Leeds University Centre for African Studies will hold its Performing Africa conference on May 14-16. The conference will explore the role of performance as a vehicle for political debate, development and cultural identity. Papers and workshops will look at theatre and related arts as a major source of information and change in Africa. There will be keynote speakers from Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Tanzania and the conference will also be the occasion for the centenary play ‘Encounters with Africa’. For more information see www.leeds.ac.uk/lucas/ or email: african-studies@leeds.ac.uk

Interested in becoming a magistrate?
Anyone interested in becoming a magistrate can come along to a drop-in session on May 13 between 9.30 and 1.30 in the Great Hall. About 95 per cent of criminal cases are heard in magistrates’ courts. Training is provided and it is not necessary to have formal qualifications, legal training, or experience of the legal system. Being a magistrate is a responsible and rewarding role, which plays a vital part in the judicial system. Lay magistrates are not paid for their duties, but may claim for travel and loss of earnings. For more information contact Amanda Jackson on 34073 or a.m.jackson@adm.leeds.ac.uk

A hearty challenge
The National Heart Research Fund is looking for staff at Leeds to take part in this year’s Yorkshire three peaks challenge on June 19 to raise money for research into heart disease. For more information please contact the Heart Research team on 0113 234 7474 or fundraising@heartresearch.org.uk

Historic organ to open Armley festival
Professor Graham Barber of the school of music will play the newly-restored Schulze organ (see page 12) at the Armley Spring Organ Festival which takes place from May 28-31 at St Bartholemew’s church. The festival opens with a grand recital at 8pm on May 28. The organ dates from 1869 and was brought to Leeds from Germany and installed at St Bartholemew’s in the late 19th century. It was restored with £420,000 of Heritage Lottery Funds awarded in 2000 and first heard again in February. Further details of the festival and the organ’s history are at www.armley-schulze.freeserve.co.uk

Refugee project makes a big difference
A refugee-support project run by the University of Leeds has scooped a Big Difference Award 2004 for helping refugee children in Leeds with language skills. Nominated projects were required to demonstrate innovation and respond to identified needs with visible outcomes or lasting benefits for the community. The Big Life Company, sponsors of the awards, is home of The Big Issue in the North magazine. The refugee-support project was established in December 2002. There has been a huge response across the University, from students and staff, with more than 50 volunteers involved in the project so far.

Foundation degree places allocated
The University has been allocated 150 places for part time foundation degrees over the two years 2004-6. Courses will be delivered by the schools of process, environmental and materials engineering and continuing education. For more, see http://www.hefce.ac.uk/Pubs/hefce/2004/04_15/

BMJ article wins award
Professor Chris Wild, Dr Paul Turner and Dr Yunyun Gong have won the Outstanding Scientific Article Award from the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research. The article in the British Medical Journal (see Reporter 492) argued that simple changes in how crops are dried and stored could prevent large numbers of childhood deaths in the developing world from diseases like malaria, diarrhoea, hepatitis B and liver cancer. The research identified a food toxin called aflatoxin as being responsible for impaired growth which makes children more susceptible to disease.