The Spring 2008 issue of Subtext, the University’s magazine, is published tomorrow (Tuesday). Although its primary audience is University staff, the production values and presentation, not to mention the range of features, will also appeal to a more general readership and to anyone curious about the lives and work of academics and support staff at Bristol.

Subtext issue 5 covers an eclectic range of people and subjects, including:

• How a bee orchid inspired Simon Hiscock to become a botanist;
• What draws database consultant Maggie Shapland to tinkering with ancient machinery;
• What happened when Dr Ainsley Newson, often interviewed by the media, tried life as a science journalist;
• How two sociologists from very different backgrounds (Professors Tariq Modood and Gregor McLennan) can argue about class, ethnicity and religion, and still remain close friends;
• What Dr Tania String found when she took Henry VIII – or rather, a famous portrait of him – to pieces.

Copies of Subtext are distributed to staff with their payslips. Further copies are available on request. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact the editors (Nick Riddle or Hilary Brown). All issues of Subtext are also available online in PDF format.