News

Designs on widening participation

Published 27 January 2012

A cutting edge political illustrator has designed a fun new character who will spearhead attempts to reach out to young children across the Brighton area who would not normally consider going to university.

Chris Riddell, who did his degree in Graphic Design BA(Hons) at the University of Brighton, is the acclaimed political illustrator of The Observer and an award-winning children's author. He wanted to give something back to his university and joined the university's Alumni Advice Network, which was set up to utilise the talents of the university's alumni body.

The university's Development and Alumni Office was seeking someone to work with it on a project aimed at encouraging more children from deprived backgrounds to go into higher education. Chris, who has won the Kate Greenaway Medal twice and the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize seven times for his children's books, seemed the perfect person for the job.

In consultation with university colleagues he devised the character of Professor C Gull to represent the university's five coastal campuses across Brighton, Eastbourne and Hastings. Professor C Gull will be used in a number of ways, for example as a character in a booklet, across the local region to raise awareness about higher education and its benefits.

Chris Riddell at Moulsecoomb Primary School

Chris Riddell said: "Working on 'Professor C Gull's Guide To University' was a real pleasure. I hope the characters in the booklet make the concept of university accessible to primary school children, and get them thinking about further education as a real possibility. It would be great if Professor C Gull inspired kids to spread their wings!"

Director of Development and Alumni Sam Davies, said: "Looking at the bigger picture, you cannot put a price on the value of Chris's generosity through his time and skills in creating Professor C Gull. Aside from the excellent expert illustration that we did not have the budget to commission, the character signifies a legacy in alumni philanthropy. We (the University of Brighton) are exceptionally lucky in having a wide network of talented alumni who, like Chris, give back in so many ways to the institution that helped set them on their career paths."

Chris Riddell with Moulsecoomb Primary School children holding copies of Professor C Gull's Guide To University

Widening Participation Coordinator, Michelle Tarling, said: "It is fantastic that Chris Riddell has agreed to be involved in the creation of Professor C Gull and the development of a new comic for our primary school project. The comic is an important feature in the materials we provide. It is easily accessible for the children and thoroughly engages them. Professor C Gull will also be a striking and recognisable mascot and we are sure, will be a great hit with all the children."