Forever Keele eZine Winter 2019-20 | Page 5

Forever Keele 5 Now, the letters are set to be published in a new compilation, which is being edited by Reader in English Literature at Keele, Dr Nicholas Seager. The project, which has been funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), will see 280 letters - mostly from Defoe and some sent to him - published by Cambridge University Press in a new edition featuring the complete surviving correspondence of Defoe. Dr Seager said: “Defoe is one of the most important commentators on early eighteenth-century British history. He was employed and entrusted by leading politicians in the reigns of William III, Anne, and George I. “The letters are a crucial source for people interested not just in Defoe - the man and writer - but those interested in how Britain became 'modern', through political and financial systems that have lasted to this day, through the Union of parliaments in 1707, and through new colonial ventures. “I hope that this edition of Defoe's correspondence will stimulate further research, as well as bringing the 'other' Defoe to new readers." media for training and research, and safer PCI through the radial approach. Professor Mamas and his team have also developed a new national model to predict the risk of complications in patients undergoing complex heart valve procedures that is used nationally. The Keele Cardiovascular research group has published over 60 peer- reviewed publications in the last 12 months focussing on outcomes of patients with cardiovascular disease, using data derived from up to six million patients, with studies focussed around cancer, comorbidity and unplanned readmissions. Earlier this year, as part of Universities UK’s Made at Uni campaign, Professor Mamas was named as a “Nation’s Lifesaver” in recognition of his excellent contributions to advancing healthcare. Professor Mamas said: “Presenting the research on behalf of the UHNM and Keele University Cardiovascular Research Group has been an honour and recognises the hard work of many people in partnership with the group. “Our research utilising electronic national healthcare records has contributed to improvements in patient safety both nationally and internationally, and has placed UHNM and Keele University at the forefront of interventional cardiological practice internationally.” Keele cardiology research showcased internationally Cardiology research undertaken by Keele University and University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has been on show at major international cardiology events in over 15 different countries this year alone. Professor Mamas Mamas, Professor of Cardiology at Keele University and Consultant Cardiologist at UHNM, has presented his pioneering research across the world, including USA, India, France, Greece and Saudi Arabia and has more upcoming trips. Each presentation showcased world- class work undertaken by researchers at UHNM and Keele University Cardiovascular Research Group, such as using electronic healthcare data to improve clinical care of patients with cardiovascular disease, using social Student midwives from Keele University have been praised for their professionalism following their contribution to recent international research. Dr Angela Hancock and Joanne Cookson, from Keele’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, have been working alongside Associate Professor Stacey Van Gelderen from the School of Nursing at Minnesota State University, USA, whose Van Gelderen Family Care Rubric (VGFCR) was originally developed and validated to measure students’ communication and family caring skills. Professor Van Gelderen spent time at Keele in August 2018 with second-year midwifery students, who contributed to her research by completing clinical simulations of obstetric emergencies while their peers watched via a video link, using the rubric to score them and give them constructive feedback. Now, one year after Professor Van Gelderen’s visit, Dr Hancock was invited to Washington DC to help present the findings from Keele’s side of the research, including leading a simulation workshop at Children’s National Hospital and giving a podium presentation focused on an element of the research conducted at Keele to validate the rubric. Dr Hancock said: “It has been a great experience to collaborate with international education and simulation experts on this project. Not only did this provide a fantastic learning opportunity for Keele student midwives who participated in the project but will also help develop and inform future work in this area at Keele. “Disseminating this work to an international audience at the International Family Nursing Association Conference strengthened this international collaboration and provided networking opportunities to learn about the many inspiring ways that family-focused care is embedded in health education and practice around the world.” Professor Van Gelderen added: “I have been so appreciative of the opportunity to conduct an international research project with expert academics, Dr Angela Hancock and Mrs Joanne Cookson. I have felt very welcomed and the students were so engaged and committed when participating in the study. Keele University should be so proud of its students’ abilities to provide excellent family-centred care.” Pictured left (L-R): Dr Amanda Garrow, a Children’s nurse from the UK and Associate Professor / Simulation Specialist at Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC; Dr Angela Hancock from Keele University; and Associate Professor Stacey Van Gelderen from the School of Nursing at Minnesota State University, USA. www.keele.ac.uk/news