University Updates
3 April 2009
Research news
Bath awarded £3.4 million to help business benefit from its research
The University is one of just 12 in the country to be chosen to receive a Knowledge Transfer Account from the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to help academics share their research findings with the business community.
Ramsay’s no-nonsense style inspires young men in the kitchen
Gordon Ramsay inspires young men to cook more than any other male celebrity chef, researchers in the School of Management led by Brett Martin have found.
Autism linked with stress hormone levels
Some of the symptoms of the autistic condition Asperger Syndrome, such as a need for routine and resistance to change, could be linked to levels of the stress hormone cortisol, suggests new research led by Mark Brosnan and Julie Turner-Cobb (Psychology).
Researchers help save rare venomous mammal from extinction
Scientists from Biology & Biochemistry are working with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust to study the solenodon, an endangered large shrew-like mammal that kills its prey with a venomous bite.
Bath's research: changing lives around the world
The fundamental impact on lives around the world of the research being carried out at the Universities of Bath, Bristol and UWE, and businesses across the West of England, has been highlighted in a new film.
100 not out
Steve Bull and Tony James (Chemistry) are celebrating given that their latest joint authored paper in the New Journal of Chemistry means that they have reached 100 publications.
Funding opportunities
The latest funding opportunities have been uploaded on to the University website. Fellowship, Travel and Studentship opportunities are also detailed. The Research Development & Support Office (RDSO) would be happy to assist with any proposals.
Student news
Environmental Design student wins competition
Peter Armitage, a part-time student on the MSc Architectural Engineering: Environmental Design programme was the team leader of ‘Planet AECOM’, the overall winner of a competition on the theme ‘Cooling the Planet’ which was organised by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Seven students set off for China
Seven Bath students have been selected to take part in the Study China Programme Easter 2009, high numbers in proportion to our student population and putting us in the top 10 among contributing universities. Our students left for Beijing or Shanghai last weekend.
Amity mentor scheme expanded for semester two exchange students
The Amity Mentor programme connects new international students with British students when they first arrive at Bath. It aims to promote integration and friendship, helping new students to settle in and find out more about living and studying in Bath and the UK. This year the International Office was be able to offer this programme to the new second semester exchange students.
Other news
Green gamers win business competition for schools
A team of pupils from Hardenhuish School in Chippenham are celebrating their victory in a Dragons’ Den style enterprise competition held on campus.
Staff and students are invited to waltz their way into the record books, in a world record attempt led by a Bath alumnus for a five minute mass dance of the waltz.
Information
Proposals from professional & support services to reduce expenditure
The University is now entering a period of consultation on plans to reduce expenditure on our professional and support services by £2.5 million in 2009-10
Creating more social & catered space for staff & students
The senior management team has been exploring options for better utilisation of the Claverton Rooms, the SCR (Senior Common Room) and the space currently managed by UBSA (University of Bath Staff Association). A number of changes affecting the management and utilisation of these spaces have now been approved to take effect from 1 July 2009. The SCR has set up a webpage where you can leave comments about the changes.
Closure of pedestrian walkway on south side of Parade
From Monday 6 April 2009 until further notice, the walkway leading to the south entrance of Wessex House, alongside 4 West where the Careers Service was once located, will be cordoned off. This is necessary for Health & Safety reasons associated with erecting scaffolding and depositing waste into skips. Access into Wessex House on Level 2 will still be available via the walkway that fronts the Travel Shop. The Department of Estates apologises for any inconvenience that this may cause.
Hospitality's April newsletter
This month's newsletter includes details about opening times of catering outlets over the Easter vacation, as well as the usual healthy-eating recipe and this month's special offers.
Are you an innovative science communicator? Win £10k
NESTA FameLab is a national competition to find and support talented scientists who can share their enthusiasm and knowledge with the public in an innovative and entertaining way. FameLab is looking for an enthusiastic and exciting three-minute presentation that is scientifically accurate but also engaging to a non-scientific audience.
Abbey Santander offers staff & students special discounts
In addition to the financial support the bank donates to the University, Abbey Santander is offering Bath’s staff and students some exclusive discounts.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/job
Scholarships & legacies
Economics alumnus leaves legacy
Jeff Trendall, who graduated with an Economics & Administration degree in 1970, has left the University a legacy of £25,000 "to assist undergraduates of the future".
Alumnus donates three scholarships to his old department
Stephen Vakil, who graduated in 1983, has donated three scholarships to the Department of Economics & International Development. The Stephen Vakil Scholarships will be awarded on a competitive basis to exceptional students who demonstrate academic excellence while also facing financial need.
Sports scholarships for international athletes
These scholarships are funded by Abbey National / Grupo Santander and aim to assist athletes of outstanding potential who wish to further their studies. Applicants must have first attended, for at least one year, a university within the Santander Universities Network in one of the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay or Venezuela and be prepared to participate in the TeamBath high performance programme relevant to his/her sport.
Awards, bids, nominations
Santander Abbey Research Grants
Santander Abbey is supporting five research grants each of up to £2,000 for staff and students at the University to undertake research in Spain, Portugal or selected countries in Latin America. Closing date for applications - 8 April.
2009 Staff Recognition Award
Do you know a member of support staff who
has shown initiative; innovation; creativity;
customer care skills (to either internal or external customers);
who has provided high quality services;
or who has worked beyond the call of duty to the benefit of the University? Please nominate them for a Recognition Award. Deadline for nominations - 30 April.
Bids invited to Teaching Development Fund
The Learning & Teaching Committee has agreed that no single theme be adopted for 2009/10. It is expected that project bids will include explicit consideration of inclusivity and diversity issues, but it is not intended that this is the main focus of individual proposals. Deadline for bids - 1 May.
Schinazi International Exchange Programme (SIEP) with Emory University
The Raymond F. Schinazi International Exchange Programme (SIEP), funded for five years, will begin in the 2009-10 academic year to support a faculty and postdoctoral exchange programme between Emory University and the University of Bath, to further research and education in key areas of scientific excellence. Applications by 19 June.
In the media
- Mark Brosnan (Psychology) discussed his new research that suggests autism may be linked to levels of the stress hormone cortisol on BBC Radio Bristol.
- Brett Martin (School of Management) talked to BBC Radio Bristol about the reasons why Gordon Ramsay inspires young men to cook.
- Bath graduate James Wong (School of Management) is presenting a new BBC2 series called 'Grow your own drugs'.
- Alex Nicholson-Evans, President of the Students' Union, had her monthly column published in the Bath Chronicle.
Training & development
- Training of trainers for those working with multicultural groups 6 April
- Roadshow about resources available via the national computer grid 15 April
- Voice projection & presentation skills workshop 22 April
- Enhancing learning using emotional intelligence workshop 28 April
- Intellectual property 23 April
- Step up to management - 3 part course - 28 April, 11 May, 28 May
- IT courses
- Content Management System (CMS) courses
What's on next week
More details about events below
19:30 PM Treepies & tigers of Northern India
Tuesday 7
19:30 PM Darwin's memes - Evolution in the cosmos
Wednesday 8
10:30 AM A better future - Our future planet
12:15 PM Unison/Unite meeting on redundancies at University of Bath
19:30 PM Art from evolution
Arts
Staff music tuition
Are you a member of staff at the University of Bath? If so, would you be interested in having music lessons? We are thinking of offering some staff music tuition places to complement our existing student scheme. If you're interested, please send your name and contact details to ICIAinfo@bath.ac.uk stating your interest.
Concerts and Performances
- Icebreaker | Komedia, Bath | Thursday 30 April, 8pm
One of the UK’s finest new music ensembles, this virtuosic 14-piece group features a mix of panpipes, electric guitars, keyboards, accordion, electric strings and saxes. Icebreaker’s unique sound takes you from exhilarating frenzy to soaring sonorities. - Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 9 May, 7.30pm
Highly respected for imaginative and critically acclaimed work that gives cultural diversity a unique spin, award-winning choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh’s latest piece playfully explores cross-cultural eating.
Exhibitions
- Tea Brown Fields, Blue Skies | ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday 12 June, 10am-5pm
Tea is a collaborative group of visual artists who search for the unfamiliar in familiar places. In this project they document their ‘occupation’ of a wasteland, Widnes Waterfront poised for regeneration. - Pam Skelton Dwelling in the Space of Conspiracy | ICIA Art Space 2 | Wednesday 29 April - Friday 5 June, 10am-5pm
Using video, photography and mapping, Skelton plots out patterns of surveillance to retrace the stasi spy network in the last decade of the German Democratic Republic. She constructs an unsettling portrait of a city with 483 spy cells for monitoring citizens.
Invitation to participate
- Bath theatre company invites you to an open meeting about food production
Kilter, Bath’s unique outdoor theatre company, is seeking help from local groups and individuals interested in issues around food for its new open air production, Roots, which premieres at this year’s Bath Fringe Festival from Thursday 28 May until Sunday 7 June. It is performed on the allotment site managed by Bath Organic Group in Royal Victoria Park and is commissioned by ICIA. Kilter are holding an open meeting and invite interested people to come along to the upstairs room at The Rummer Pub, on Monday 6 April, 6pm to 8pm (6 New Market Row, Bath, overlooking the weir). Alternatively, for those who would like to be involved but are unable to attend, please email thoughts to Kilter’s garden gnome, dumitheinspirer@kiltertheatre.org, or visit www.kiltertheatre.org to find out more.
Sport
Easter sports camps for kids
During the Easter school holiday the Sports Training Village will be opening its doors to a series of sports and activities camps for youngsters aged 7-14 and 4-6 years.
Team Bath raring to go for Superleague grand final
Team Bath’s netballers are raring to ahead of tomorrow’s (Saturday) Co-operative Superleague grand final against last year’s champions Mavericks in a 7.30pm start at the Skydome Arena in Coventry.
Team Bath go into the game with a 100 per cent record having won all 17 of their games this season.
The campaign by Team Bath Buccaneers women’s firsts to win promotion to England Hockey League Conference West for the first time in their history has received a boost. The West Women’s League have reversed a decision about about game that Clifton won in February due to two of Clifton's players being ineligible for selection.
Emergency First Aid for Sport
The course is running on Sunday 5 April, 10:00-17:00
and is aimed at players and coaches of all levels. It will provide candidates with the knowledge to identify an injury and the skills to manage the injury with first aid care. The course is tailored to deal with injuries that are common in the sporting environment.