Joyce puts us in the picture
26 Nov 2013
Investing in Success is a £1 million initiative to boost staff development that has resulted in a fascinating array of projects which show just how passionate our people are about their work here at the University.
The success of the University’s online distance courses in Egyptology, attracting students from teenagers to octogenarians around the world, reflects the enduring popular appeal of the subject.
Directing the programme is Dr Joyce Tyldesley, Senior Lecturer in Egyptology in the Faculty of Life Sciences and Honorary Research Associate at the Manchester Museum.
Her IIS award enabled her to make a field trip to Egypt briefly to gather course materials. “It was exhausting, but I came back with more than a thousand clear images of key Egyptian sites,” she says.
She also used the grant to make some short films in the Museum to integrate teaching closely with the collections and expertise there.
As a result, Joyce now has at her disposal a range of unique copyright-free learning materials: photographs, film clips, filmed and recorded interviews. “We can bring Egypt to our students, wherever they are in the world,” she says. “We have a fantastic mix of students of all ages. They are the most enthusiastic and committed students you could wish for. Egyptology is something they’ve always wanted to do.”
Joyce is well known for her books on Egyptology and ancient Egyptian life. Her book on Cleopatra was chosen as Book of the Week on BBC Radio 4. She has also written several TV series.
As it happens, she was inspired about the subject when she was at Bolton School and Professor Rosalie David, who pioneered Egyptology at this University, came to give a talk. Now she is following in her footsteps, since Rosalie, recently retired, also pioneered certificate courses in Egyptology here. And, history repeating itself, Joyce recently was guest speaker herself at Bolton School.
Share your story
Did you receive funding from the Investing in Success initiative? If so, share your story with us by emailing uninews@manchester.ac.uk.