The University’s annual meeting of Court on Thursday 23 April will showcase research projects from across the University, while also thanking two former members of staff for their long standing service with an honorary fellowship.

In light of Essex's excellent Research Assessment Exercise results last December (which saw the University ranked ninth in the UK by The Times, The Independent and The Guardian) there will be a showcase of research from across the four faculties to Court members. This will take the form of a poster presentation, before the meeting, highlighting how research at Essex is making a difference locally, nationally and globally.

Research includes a study by Dr Steffen Böhm, of the Essex Business School, on how carbon offsetting schemes actually have a detrimental effect on poorer communities, research by a PhD student, from the Department of Language and Linguistics, on how children understand spoken language and projects by the Right to Health Unit based within the University’s Human Rights Centre.

During the meeting of Court, honorary fellowships will be presented to two former members of staff, Moira Collett and Professor John Oliver. Moira Collett retired from the University last April, after almost 30 years service. She joined Essex as a Senior Administrative Assistant in May 1979, achieving promotion to Assistant Registrar three years later. Amongst various posts, Moira served as Liaison Officer in the International Programmes Office, Admissions Office, and in the Dean of Students’ Office. She was appointed Academic Registrar in 1995.

Professor Oliver retired as Director of the International Office in October 2006, although he continues on a part-time basis as a Senior Consultant. Professor Oliver joined the University in 1968. He took on the role of Proctor between 1975 and 1981, during a particularly troubled period at the University, and was Head of the Department of Computer Science for six years.

The University's annual meeting of Court provides a forum for official receipt of the University’s Annual Review and Financial Statements, while encouraging people from the local area to have an interest in the University. Court membership includes a wide range of representatives from the regional community, appointed on the basis of their interests, expertise or connection with the University, and drawn from a variety of fields.

Ends

Notes to editors:
Members of the media are invited to attend the annual meeting of Court on Thursday 23 April 2009. The programme for the event is:
3.30pm – 4.55pm: Research poster showcase
4pm - 4.55pm: Reception and afternoon tea event for members of Court
5pm – 6.30pm: Annual meeting of Court

For more information, please contact the University of Essex Communications Office on telephone: 01206 872807 or e-mail: comms@essex.ac.uk