3 June 2011
Research
New clues to how humble painkiller stifles cancer growth
A research team from Pharmacy & Pharmacology have shed light on how a common class of painkillers – which includes ibuprofen – may interact with a key protein that fuels the growth of many different types of cancer.
Publications Mandate - full-text for Opus
The University requires researchers to deposit full-text copies of their peer-reviewed journal articles and papers from published conference proceedings (subject to copyright provisions) in the University's research repository, Opus. This Open Access Full-Text Publications Deposit Mandate signals the University’s intention to make our research publications widely accessible and aims to achieve increased visibility, use and impact.
Research paper from Architecture & Civil Engineering wins award
The journal paper ‘Shear design of circular concrete sections using the Eurocode 2 truss model’, published in The Structural Engineer and authored by John Orr, Dr Antony Darby and Professor Tim Ibell (Architecture & Civil Engineering) together with colleagues from Parsons Brinkerhoff (Bristol) has been awarded a diploma of the Institution of Structural Engineers Henry Adams Award.
SPARK Awards launched for South West SMEs
A new awards scheme will make funding available to assist companies (particularly SMEs) who are struggling to access the materials, research and knowledge offered by institutions such as Bath.
Volunteers required for research studies
Two research studies currently need volunteers:
- Lorraine Linney (Psychology) would like male subjects for her study of the non-verbal communication of emotions. The computer-based study lasts approximately 15 minutes. To get involved, contact Lorraine.
- Volunteers aged 18 to 26 are required to participate in a series of one-hour focus groups about young people’s political activity. If you would like to attend, please first complete this brief survey.
Student & alumni news
Students to celebrate business success 7 June
Students will be showcasing their business achievements at a special SETsquared event at Bath's Holburne Museum. Student businesses and social enterprise projects from across the five universities of the SETsquared partnership hope to impress the judges at the event. A new video showcasing students' entrepreneurial activities at the University's is now available.
Students hope new car will win them Formula Student glory
On Wednesday the Team Bath Racing 2011 student team unveiled the car they hope will regain them the Formula Student title. Our Mechanical Engineering students won the national Student Formula car race consistently from 2007 until 2009, before finishing second in 2010. The 2011 team, named ‘Relentless Team Bath’, are quietly confident they can regain the title at Silverstone in July. Also featured in this week's Bath Chronicle.
New website for Bath alumni and friends
The Development and Alumni Relations Office has launched a new website. It means many of the services they offer to the University’s alumni and friends are now available in one place.
Upcoming events & deadlines
Classical Indian music concert in memory of Senior Lecturer Nandu Kamat - Sunday 5 June
A concert to commemorate the life of Kamat Ramanand (Economics), known as Nandu, is being held in Bath this Sunday. Nandu died at the age of 80 in 2009, having lectured at the University from its formation in the 1960s to his retirement in 1986. St Michael’s Church, Broad Street | doors open 6.30pm | Tickets £13 (includes vegetarian Indian food from Pradir Nandi) all profits go to the Japanese Tsunami Appeal.
HEA Fellows @ Bath Forum - Thursday 9 June
This new forum will be launched at its first workshop to be held on Thursday 9 June 2011 - 12.30-2.00 pm. Further information: Helen King.
Call for bids: HEA Development Funding - Deadline 15 June 2011
The Higher Education Academy is offering bid-based development grant funding to stimulate evidence-based research and encourage innovations in learning and teaching that have the potential for sector-wide impact. The first phase begins with an open call for individual grant scheme bids. If you are intending to submit a bid, you are encouraged to contact the Learning & Teaching Enhancement Office who can provide advice and feedback on your proposal.
ESRC demand management measures Comments by 16 June
The ESRC is introducing an initial programme of measures of improved self-regulation and change to its existing peer review practices and submission policies. It would welcome your views on the potential options.
Information
Staff: Please return forms to process in the Award Ceremonies Deadline Friday 17 June
Academic staff are invited to attend and process in the 2011 Summer Award Ceremonies to be held in Bath Abbey on Tuesday 5, Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 July. If you are eligible and would like to be present please return your form to the Events & Ceremonies Office in East Building 2.2 before the deadline above.
Cycle safety in the summer
More people are cycling to and from campus in the summer months. Please can drivers take extra care when passing cyclists, allowing plenty of space for their safety and comfort. Cyclists are also urged to take care when cycling downhill from campus into Bath, particularly on Widcombe Hill and the approach to the bend at Macauley Buildings.
Reference Manager should no longer be used unless under personal licence
The University no longer provides campus wide licences for Reference Manager, meaning it will not be available on networked PCs including the library. If you have a version loaded onto a laptop or non Active Directory PC, you should ensure that it is your own licence and one which you hold in perpetuity, otherwise you should un-install the software.
Summer vacation library loans 2011
You can borrow Library stock during the summer vacation; however, there are differences in the loan period for your books.
Staff news
Andrew Graves hosts key industrialists & academics at CBI dinner
The annual CBI dinner took place last week and Andrew Graves (School of Management) hosted a table of key industrialists including Bath honorary graduate Simon Murray (Chairman, Glencore International & Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur);
Paul MacKenzie (SLR Programme Director, McLaren Automotive Ltd) and Dave Dawson (Engineering & Technology Executive, Rolls-Royce plc).
News from CDAS
This month's issue contains the NAFD Conference 2011 report, Kate Woodthorpe's election to BSA Council and a fond farewell to the centre's director Alan Kellehear who will take up a new post in Canada from this summer.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
Work perks
Staff discounts
The University has arranged a number of discounts & offers for staff at local retailers.
- We still have five spaces for the Wizard of Oz/London Shopping trip on Wednesday 21 September, but you'll have to be quick as we need your money as soon as possible.
- Did you know you can benefit from The University's Theatre Club? Westendtheatre.com has set up a special service for the University, that brings together their latest offers and discounts on West End shows, plus special theatre & dinner packages, and hotel & theatre breaks.
- Make sure you have the date of the Summer Quiz 'Around the World in 80 Questions….. or maybe fewer!' in your diary: 28 June. We would particularly welcome new teams to join us.
In the media
Would you like to receive a daily email of news stories that mention the University? Please email press@bath.ac.uk and include the word 'Headlines' in the subject box. A selection of HE stories in the national media is also included. A more comprehensive list of the University's media coverage is available at www.bath.ac.uk/news/bathinpapers
- Anna Gilmore (Health) commented on the tactics of tobacco giants in the Independent also featured in the NZ Herald. Research by the UK Centre for Tobacco Studies which is based at Bath & Bristol was also featured in the Guardian on the World Health Organisations No Tobacco Day.
- Andrew Graves (Management) spoke about Honda and the future of the car industry on BBC Radio Wiltshire.
- Gregory Schwartz (Management) spoke to Mark O'Donnell about the arrest of Ratko Mladic on BBC Radio Wiltshire [Listen again 00:29:44]
- The research that ‘profens’may slow the growth of cancer cells was featured in the Daily Telegraph (No link), Daily Express, Daily Mail & MSN amongst others, as well as in online medical publications and internationally.
Student & Alumni:
- Hélène Laverdière (PhD in Sociology, 1990) has featured on Yahoo News Canada, in the Montreal Gazette and in the Ottawa Citizen following her election as Member of Parliament for the riding of Laurier—Sainte-Marie in the 2011 Canadian federal election.
- Stuart Rhodes (2003 BSc Hons. Business Administration) manager of M&G Global Dividend Fund was named as one of the top five stars of the investing world by This is Money.
- David Nolan (Natural Sciences student) has embarked on a 323km charity cycle ride in memory of his father - Gulf News Daily
Lectures
Dragon’s Den star to inspire academics 15 June
Dragon’s Den entrepreneur Doug Richard is presenting a lecture to University academics on how to turn research into business ventures. It will be held in the brand new 350-seat lecture theatre located in the recently opened East Building. Places are still available if you would like to Register for one.
Expert talks about how US policy in the Caribbean nearly caused the end of the world 15 June
Historian Alex von Tunzelmann will talk about the largely secret war fought by the US against communism in Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 5.15pm in 8W1.1.
Monte Carlo or bust: smart simulation for serious science 15 June
In his inaugural lecture Professor Nigel Wilding will explore the computer simulation of changes of state in models for atoms and complex molecules. Free tickets, please email the Faculty of Science on extension 3647.
Drinking, music, having fun and stuff: The importance of identity and belonging in young people's lives 30 June
Christine Griffin (Psychology) will discuss how the activities of young people have often been the focus for adult anxiety, disapproval – and fascination - in her inaugural lecture. Drawing on material from several collaborative research projects she'll consider how adult concerns about young people’s alcohol consumption, sexuality, appearance, unemployment, mental health and taste in music, are not always shared by the young people themselves. 6.15pm in 5W 2.1.
Podcast:
Inaugural lecture: Crystals, particles & powders 31 May
Rob Price (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) delivers his inaugural lecture about his research in the field of aerosol science. Download MP3 [29MB] | Press release
Training & development
Staff Development & Performance Review - the Development Toolkit
With many about to take part in their Staff Development & Performance Review (SDPR), it's timely to remind all staff about the University's online Development Toolkit. During the SDPR, you may identify personal development areas for which the toolkit can provide a cost effective solution - articles, advice, tips, diagnostics at your desk; written by experts and collated for you, so you don't even have to use Google.
Upcoming dates:
- Recruiting casual student staff - Tuesday 21 June
- Retirement - planning for the future - Wednesday 22 June
- Visit of the EPSRC - Wednesday 22 June
- IT skills
- Staff development
- e-Learning courses
- Training opportunities for researchers
What's on
www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on
Monday 6 June
19:30 PM: The life & times of Corderan – French soldier of the sea, 1755-1804
Tuesday 7 June
14:15 PM Agresso Marketplace demo session
Wednesday 8 June
19:30 PM Chemistry on the nanoscale - small things solving big problems
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Exhibitions:
- Artist-in-Residence Janek Schaefer | ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday 17 June
Janek Schaefer is a sound artist, musician and composer. As the Olympics approach, Schaefer explores the University’s Sports Training Village via his camera lens and microphones to create a mixed-media installation that responds to ICIA’s 2011 theme Set in Play. - Artist-in-Residence Tom Marshman | ICIA Art Space 2 | Until Friday 17 June
This multi-media exhibition marks the conclusion of Tom’s residency. Inhabiting the gallery space, Tom creates a domestic dwelling; combining real furniture from students’ rooms with simple, life-size, wall drawings of interiors, interwoven with video and photography from interactions on campus. - Photography Exhibition University of Bath & Photosoc | ICIA Art Space 3, University Hall Foyer | Until Until Friday 17 June
A chance to see the winning entries and runners-up from the University’s competition based on ICIA’s 2011 theme “Set in Play…” - Heart of Darkness exhibition sponsored by the ICIA | North Vaults, Green Park, Bath | Until Sunday 12 June
Taken from the title of the classic work by Joseph Conrad, this exhibition aims to explore the various forms of darkness that may be encountered regarding some thing, act, or event that one has witnessed or been involved in. A workshop on night landscape photography will run alongside the exhibition on 3 June.
Sport
Netballers’ campaign to win fifth Superleague title ends in play-offs
TeamBath Netball’s bid for a historic fifth Fiat Netball Superleague title ended with a 57-53 defeat to Surrey Storm in a pulsating play-off match at the University of Bath Sports Training Village last Friday (27 May). The contest lived up to the classic that everyone had hoped for between the two closely matched teams. TeamBath went into the final quarter five goals up, but a battling display saw the visitors snatch progress in the play-offs.