University Updates
29 January 2010
Research
Computer mimics nature by watching TV
Peter Hall and Chris Li (Computer Science) have developed a new program that automatically creates life-like computer animations of trees using video footage of the real thing. This system will make it faster and cheaper for animators and computer games designers to create animated backgrounds that move in a realistic way.
Why wearing a helmet could be bad for a biker’s health
Wearing a crash helmet is essential to a motorcyclist’s safety, but could it actually be harming their health and affecting their riding? That is what Michael Carley (Mechanical Engineering) and Nigel Holt from Bath Spa University are investigating in a new research project funded by the Leverhulme Trust.
News
Taster sessions in online learning
A chance to try out a new online mangement course before enrolling. Taster sessions for the Professional Skills Management Course are being held at the University on Wednesday 24 February between 6pm and 8pm, and on Saturday 27 February between 10am and 12noon.
Visit of the Hong Kong Institute for Higher Education
The President of the Hong Kong Institution of Education (HKIEd), Anthony B.L. Cheung, and a small group of delegates met with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kevin Edge, last week.
Psychology students to get first virtual lecture
Psychology students will be the first at the University to experience a lecture through the virtual world Second Life.
MSc International Construction Management wins scholarships for Zambians
The MSc International Construction Management (ICM) programme has won two sets of 10 Commonwealth Commission full-fee scholarships for Zambian students to undertake the ICM blended distance-learning programme.
Staff news
Watch Margaret Heffernan launch Bath Entrepreneur in Residence scheme
On 17 November 2009, the Bath Entrepreneur in Residence scheme was launched with a presentation at the School of Management by Margaret Heffernan, a well known and successful entrepreneur and Member of the Advisory Board at the University.
Knowledge transfer funds will help businesses cut carbon emissions
A Knowledge Transfer Proof of Concept Award has been given to Peter Reason (School of Management) to help develop ways in which to reduce carbon emissions.
Professor Bernard Silverman
Bernard Silverman FRS, who was Head of the School of Mathematical Sciences at the University between 1988-1991, has been appointed Chief Scientific Adviser to the Home Office.
New SCIE board members
Louise Brown (Social & Policy Sciences) has been appointed as one of three new trustees to the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) board.
Information
Private Flu Clinics – University Medical Centre
The University Medical Centre is able to offer private flu vaccinations to staff who do not automatically qualify for a vaccination for free from their registered GP.
NB! Please keep records of television & radio recordings
During the months of February and May 2010, staff members who record television and radio programmes for teaching purposes (whether on campus or off) must keep records of any recordings they make, and send the details to the Audio Visual Unit as part of an annual survey conducted by the Educational Recording Agency.
Learn a foreign language: reduced rates for staff & students
Learn a foreign language and take advantage of the reduced rates offered to staff. The Foreign Languages Centre has started enrolling for its Spring term language courses on both the community programme and the lunchtime programme.
EPSRC Study Day and Mock Panel
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council are holding their Regional meeting at the University's Council Chamber on Wednesday 17 February.
Buy print copies of Springer e-books held in Library’s collections
The Library is one of the early adopters of Springer e-books, and has full-text access to over 8,000 titles covering several disciplines. In response to academic staff interest, the Library has asked Springer to activate their MyCopy initiative.
Vacancies for external members of Council
Do you know someone - a friend or relative - who would like to play a key role in the running and future development of one of the UK’s leading universities?
Scientists/engineers: Do you want to learn how the media works?
The British Science Association Media Fellowships are intended to create a greater awareness and understanding of the workings of the media among practising scientists, social scientists, clinicians and engineers.
Swap Shop wiki
Save on your departmental budget by asking others for furniture and equipment that they may no longer need.
Jobs
Vacant posts: http://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
Deadlines & nominations
Second call for nominations - staff reps wanted
There are still three vacancies for staff representatives to serve on the Equalities & Diversity or Health & Safety Committe until 31 July 2012. Deadline: 2 February
Teaching staff: Dragon’s Den 2010 - Call for Bids
Dragon’s Den is a competition organised by the Learning & Teaching Enhancement Office as part of Innovations in Learning & Teaching Week 2010. This year, not only are we offering the opportunity to win funding, but you can also win a learning technologist for three days! Teaching staff are invited to apply for either a financial award, or a learning technologist, or both! Deadline: 5 February
Do you know someone worthy of an honorary degree?
Staff and students are being encouraged to nominate people for honorary degrees. The University is accepting new nominations for consideration by the Honorary Degrees Committee from any member of the University or person associated with it. Deadline: 19 February
Nominations now open for University Teaching Awards
Let us know who you think has made a significant contribution to an aspect of teaching at the University by nominating a member of staff for a teaching award. Nominations are welcome from both staff and students and eligible candidates may be teaching and/or learning support staff. Deadline: 12 March
Times Higher to change their rankings methodology - have your say
Times Higher has signed an agreement with Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading research data specialist, to provide all the data for their annual World University Rankings from 2010 and beyond. You can tell them what you think about the change.
In the media
- Peter Hall (Computer Science) spoke to BBC Radio Bristol about a new technique to animate life-like computer-generated trees using video footage of real trees moving in the wind.
- David Wainwright (School for Health) was interviewed by Bath FM about his conference into improving the health, well-being and productivity of the workforce in the South West.
- Michael Carley (Mechanical Engineering) spoke to Heart FM about a new research project that looks into hearing damage created by motorcycle helmets.
- Polly McGuigan (School for Health) was featured on BBC Breakfast talking about the benefits of running barefoot compared with wearing trainers. You can watch the clip on the University's Play page.
Training & development
- Mandatory training: Chairing recruitment panels - 10 Feb
- Presentation Skills Parts 1 & 2 - 22 Feb & 5 March
- Grant Applications workshop (run by Research Design Service - South West) - 18 Mar
- SW Institutions' Middle Managers (Deadline: 20 January) - 24 - 26 March
- Introduction to Project Management (Manchester) - 29 Apr /17 June
- I’m a scientist, get me out of here!
- Open Programme of Events | PDF to print
- Staff: Improve your IT skills, new timetable available
- Training for Technical Staff - HEaTED
- CMS training courses
- Staff Development programme | PDF to print
- e-Learning staff development programme
- Monthly learning & teaching paper lunches
Lectures, seminars & workshops
Public lecture explores genes that jump
Stephen Bush, a Bath PhD student, is giving the first of a new series of public lectures on research at the Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution (BRLSI) on Thursday 4 February.
Faculty of H&SS Research Seminars
Faculty Research Seminars have been arranged for the academic year 2009-2010, starting on Thursday 25 February. In this seminar Jonathan Goodhand from University of London will talk on 'Afghan State-building Viewed from the Margins'.
LGBT history month 2010 lunch lecture
All are welcome to attend this lunchtime lecture as part of the LGBT History Month series. On Tuesday 16 February Eric Anderson (Education) discusses the strengths and limitations of the labelling of sexual identities, concerning their political purposes.
Professor Ray Land to speak at Annual Learning and Teaching Enhancement Seminar
This year’s seminar is entitled ‘Overcoming barriers to student understanding: threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge’. The seminar will take place on Wednesday 24 February, 13.30 - 3.30, 6 West 1.1. To book a place please email acdev@bath.ac.uk or telephone extension 4086.
Public lectures
The programme of free lectures open for staff, students and the general public is available online.
Podcasts
Catch up on any lectures you may have missed.
What's on
Thursday 4
13:00 PM Exploding the myth of the 'bog standard comprehensive'
19:30 PM The ecology of jumping genes - exploring the dynamics of DNA parasite
Arts
Concerts and Performances:
Bonachela Dance Company - The Land of Yes and The Land of No | ICIA Arts Theatre | Sunday 7 February, 7pm
Bonachela delves into the world of signs and symbols that rule our everyday lives and spark our hidden memories. Award-winning Bonachela is renowned for his instinctive, dynamic and highly physical movement.
Catherine Laws - Hammered! and other things | Music Room, University Hall | Thursday 18 February, 8pm
By turns explosive, playful and meditative, Catherine Laws explores the expressiveness of the piano. Includes the premiere of a new work by Damien Harron. Followed by a free Post-Concert Conversation with Catherine Laws and Damien Harron.
Exhibitions:
Alex Pearl - Goodbye to most of the daydreams | ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday 19 February, Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm
Alex Pearl applied to the British Antarctic Survey proposing not to go to the South Pole. He then documented his non-journey. Both haunting and humorous, his mini epic films, texts, drawings and sculptures carry an acceptance of failure and disappointment as important parts of the human condition.
Swindon College - Lines of Enquiry | 6 ICIA Art Space 2, 3WN 2.1 | Thursday 21 January – Friday 19 March
The sixth in a series of exhibitions showing work by graduates of the BA Fine Art Drawing at Swindon College’s School of Art & Design.
Music Workshops
Creative Sound Factory - Weekend Workshop | Studio 1, ICIA Arts Barn | Friday 19 – Sunday 21 February
Creative Sound Factory is the most exciting music workshop around. Over one weekend up to sixty talented musicians are guided by seven pros through improvising and composing an original piece of music, with a rousing final performance on the Sunday evening. All types of musicians welcome. For those aged 16+. Music reading not required. Apply online by 12 February.
Conducting with Richard Gonski Music Room | University Hall | Wednesday 17 February, 4pm-6pm
This is a chance for aspiring conductors to learn the craft and for those with experience to hone their technique with leading conductor, Richard Gonski. Ability to read music required.
Booking now open for all ICIA classes and events - Spring 2010
Booking is now open for all ICIA classes and events.
ICIA runs classes and workshops in music, dance and visual arts for all levels. Classes open to all include:
Music:
DJ Skills, Samba Drumming, String Workshops
Dance:
Contemporary, Street Dance, Jazz Dance, Ballet, Flamenco, Tap
Visual Arts:
Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Life Drawing, Stained Glass, Creative Sculpture, Botanical Illustration, Digital Art, Photography, Portrait Studies
Classes start the week of 8 February.
Check out www.bath.ac.uk/icia for further details.
Sport
Chinese Olympic gold swimmer trains at Bath
Liu Zige, one of the world’s top swimmers and China’s only swimming gold medallist at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, has spent two weeks training at the University.
Snowboarder Zoe selected for Vancouver 2010
Snowboarder Zoe Gillings, who does some of her training at the University, has been selected for Team GB to compete at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Three named in England senior squad
Three TeamBath netball players have been named in the 12-strong England squad to take on world champions Australia in a three-match series next month.