University Updates
4 December 2009
Research
Why a short run is better than a long walk in the battle to keep obesity at bay
Researchers from the School for Health have found that it’s the type of exercise you do, rather than the amount, that’s most important to maintain a healthy weight. Using the latest technology, researchers are uncovering evidence of exactly how major a role activity plays in the battle to keep obesity at bay.
University’s research into death and bereavement is highlighted in publication about world-class research
The University's Centre for Death & Society has been showcased in a national publication highlighting how Government-funded research is making a difference to everyday lives.
Bath engineers share in prestigious BP global award
A team of engineers from the University’s Powertrain & Vehicle Research Centre (Mechanical Engineering), BP and the Ford Motor Company has been awarded the BP Helios Progressive Award for a collaborative project to improve the fuel efficiency of diesel cars by eight per cent.
Uni spin-out company NanoGaN is acquired
NanoGan, a spin-out company from the University of Bath, has been acquired by semiconductor wafer manufacturer IQE plc. The company was founded in January 2008 by Wang Nang Wang (Electronic & Electrical Engineering).
Rugby Football Union to use School for Health injuries research
School for Health researchers are monitoring 60 rugby clubs across England to collate data about every injury sustained. The aim is to provide the RFU with statistical analysis to determine whether there are any significant trends.
First Knowledge Transfer Account Project has begun
Following the launch of the University Knowledge Transfer Account on 1 October 2009, a number of Knowledge Transfer Awards have been made.The University was one of just 12 in the country to be chosen to receive a Knowledge Transfer grant from the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of its Knowledge Transfer Accounts (KTA).
Staff news
Bath academic to speak at UN climate change conference
Anil Markandya (Economics) is to present his research on the economic effects of climate change at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next week (7-18 December).
Personal Chairs for Gareth Price & Gregory Sankaran
Two members of staff have been promoted to Personal Chairs in the Faculty of Science: Gregory Sankaran (Mathematical Sciences) and Gareth Price (Chemistry).
Ten Bath academics included in 'top one per cent of all chemists worldwide' list
Citation analysis of papers published over the last ten year period reveals that 961 citations are required for researchers to be included in the top one per cent of all Chemists worldwide. Congratulations to the ten members of staff in the Department of Chemistry who fulfill these criteria.
Student news
Model United Nations Society wins five awards at Nottingham conference
Bath University Model United Nations Society (BUMUN) has won five awards at the Nottingham MUN Conference of 2009 (NottsMUN 09), which was held between 27 and 29 November.
Student demand for interactivity leads to purchase of more ‘clickers’
Following the successful launch of the Audience Response System (ARS) pilot project during the 2008/2009 academic year, the e-learning team has recently purchased an additional 200 TurningPoint RF ResponseCards (or ‘clickers’), thereby doubling the capacity of the system.
Students to take central role in new HE quality arrangements
Students are to take a central role in new arrangements to assure the quality of higher education (HE) in universities and colleges in England and Northern Ireland. A consultation is being launched today to inform improvements in how the education of students in HE is assured, and to help address concerns about quality and standards.
Alumni & Development News
Bath Doctor of Business Administration graduate profiled in The York Press
Bath graduate, Jackie Mathers, features in the Meet the Boss profile in The York Press.
1970s Horticulture graduate/former lecturer publishes new book
Graduate, former lecturer and Director for the Eden Project, Peter Thoday, was mentioned in the Telegraph talking about his research on plant spacing.
Alumni Survey
The Alumni Relations Team is currently carrying out a survey of all graduates of the University. Over 900 have responded so far, and the results will be used to help determine the Alumni Relations Programme of events and communications for graduates.
Agreement signed with Enid Linder Foundation for £25k donation
The Alumni & Development team have signed an agreement with the Enid Linder Foundation for a £25k donation to support research in the Centre for Orthopaedic Biomechanics plus further support for a PhD studentship in the Centre.
Information
Pay negotiations for 2009-10: Update
The trade unions have undertaken to consult with their respective members on the ACAS ‘Digest on job security: a reference document for Higher Education institutions with input from UCEA and the HE trade unions’ which has been produced. The University of Bath, like most other higher education institutions, is awaiting the outcome of these consultations and not implementing the 0.5% offer at this stage. Once agreed, any pay increase will be backdated to 1 August 2009.
Report of University Council Meeting - 26 November 2009
A number of items were discussed at the recent meeting of University Council including the new Corporate Plan and the Single Equality Scheme.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook!
You can now keep up to date with the University’s news on both Twitter and Facebook.
Agresso user satisfaction survey - answer & win Amazon vouchers
Every year in November the Agresso Team run a satisfaction survey of Agresso users. This provides the project team with an invaluable view of what people think of the system and how it could move forwards, and offers individual users an opportunity to let the team know their feelings. To thank you for completing the survey, Amazon vouchers of £25 and £10 will be drawn.
Nominations for David Parkin Professorship
Submissions are being taken for the David Parkin Professorship. The deadline for Heads of Departments to put forward one nomination to their Dean/Head of School is Friday 22 January 2010.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Christmas Information
Chamber Choir: Music for Advent and Christmas at Winsley
An evening of carols, anthems and readings celebrating Advent and the Christmas season at St Nicholas Church, Winsley on Saturday 5 December, 7.30pm
Send free Christmas e-cards (login required)
Send a free Christmas e-card to family and friends this year. All five images have been selected from the University's 'inPictures' snow on campus gallery.
University Christmas cards available but in short supply
Christmas cards are on sale from Imaging, Design & Print Services, 8 West Room 1.35 - but are in short supply.
Lots of Christmas meal deals to get you in festive mood
Hospitality & Accommodation have lots of Christmas meal deals to get staff in the festive mood.
University Carol Service
The University Carol Service will take place at Bath Abbey on Wednesday 9 December at 7.30pm; doors open at 7pm. All staff and students and their families and friends are welcome.
UBSA Christmas shopping trip to London
See the sights, go Christmas shopping in the West End, take in a show - the choice is yours! This trip is open to all staff, family and friends from outside the University.
Research volunteers wanted
- Volunteers needed for study into the function of deliberate self-harm
Psychology PhD Student Peter Bandalli is looking for volunteers for his study aimed at those who have had personal experience with deliberate self-harm. - Pregnant women needed to take part in labour pain study
The Pan Bath & Swindon Primary Care Research Consortium based at the University hopes to recruit 225 pregnant women from the Bath, Wiltshire and Bristol area to take part in a study into labour pain drugs.
- Judge how well six scenarios describe privacy (5-minute survey)
- Want to vent about a privacy violation that kept you up at night? Fill out our 10-minute survey and tell us how you feel!
In the media
- Ken Bray (Mechanical Engineering) was interviewed by Three Counties Radio about the new ball to be used for the football World Cup.
- BBC Radio Bristol interviewed Chris Riddoch (School for Health) about the Children of the 90s study into obesity and activity in children.
- Sports performance student Ben Rushgrove (Education) was featured on BBC Points West, talking about the 1000 day countdown to the 2012 Paralympics.
Training & development
-
Workshop: Student-led learning Tuesday 8 December
- ILM Level 2 team leading award January-February 2010
- CMS training courses
- Staff Development programme | PDF to print
- e-Learning staff development programme
- Monthly learning & teaching paper lunches
Forthcoming lectures & seminars
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.
I-SEE seminar - 'Towards Local Costing of Climate Change Impacts for Decision Making in Adaptation' | Tuesday 15 December
Dates for your diary
- Winter graduations 15/16 December
What's on
More details - www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on/
Monday 7
14:15 PM Numerical reasoning test
18:15 PM SORTED: Making a poster for a conference
19:30 PM The future of chocolate
19:30 PM The future of chocolate
Tuesday 8
12:00 Noon PricewaterhouseCooper drop in
12:15 PM Mid week Eucharist/HC Service
12:45 PM Oxfam lunch
13:15 PM Gender & Sexuality Research Network seminar
13:15 PM SORTED: Introduction to the Alexander Technique
13:15 PM Interview success
13:15 PM CNM seminar - Using constraint-based techniques to model geological folding
13:15 PM EU foreign policy leaderhsip: New faces, old problems?
14:15 PM CANCELLED: Council/Senate/Students' Union Committee
19:15 PM BEAMES - Nigel Lamb Talk
19:15 PM Film: Views of contemporary Latin America
19:30 PM Why trams? - Trams aren't just buses on rails
Wednesday 9
12:30 PM More Russian poetry
13:15 PM ‘Evaluating the impacts of England's smokefree legislation: using secondary data
19:15 PM BEAMES - Red Arrows talk
19:30 PM University Carol Service
19:30 PM Bath University Student Theatre - Twelfth Night
19:30 PM Captain Fitzroy's 'Painting Men' & the Voyage of HMS Beagle (1831-6)
Thursday 10
12:30 PM CANCELLED: UBSA lunchtime horse races
14:15 PM Verbal reasoning test
18:15 PM SORTED: Working in a deaf environment
19:30 PM Bath University Student Theatre - Twelfth Night
Friday 11
19:30 PM Bath University Student Theatre - Twelfth Night
19:30 PM Is Evolution Over?
Saturday 12
19:30 PM Bath University Student Theatre - Twelfth Night
Sunday 13
19:30 PM Choral & Orchestral Society - Christmas Concert
Arts
Full details: www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Concerts and Performances:
John Foxx - The Quiet Man | University Hall | Saturday 5 December, 7.30pm
The former Ultravox! front man and electronic music pioneer presents his multi-media event The Quiet Man exploring modern city life. Performing with grand piano, electronics, and sampled sounds, Foxx improvises with visuals cut together from images and film clips on multiple screens.
University of Bath Chamber Choir - Music for advent & Christmas | St Nicholas Church, Winsley | Saturday 5 December, 7.30pm
An evening of carols, anthems and readings celebrating Advent and the Christmas season.
Bath University Student Theatre - Twelfth Night | ICIA Arts Theatre | Wednesday 9 - Saturday 12 December, 7.30pm
In Shakespeare’s light-hearted romantic comedy love is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, as tricks are played and identities are mistaken.
Choral and Orchestral Society with special guests Bath Spa Band - Christmas Concert | ICIA Arts Theatre | Sunday 13 December, 7.30pm
A festive programme of carols, hymns and joyful music at this annual Christmas Concert by the University of Bath Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert Band and Choir with a special guest performance from The Bath Spa Band.
Exhibitions:
Lucy Harrison - Remains | ICIA Art Space 2 | Until Friday 18 December
Remains is a new body of work which explores demolition sites and brings
together material from East London, East Germany and the University
campus. Harrison's work combines photographs, observations and chance
encounters with published documents.
Alex Pearl - Goodbye to most of the daydreams | ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday
19 February
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.
Talks:
John Foxx & Iain Sinclair in Conversation | University Hall | Saturday 5 December, 9.30pm
This discussion follows the multimedia event The Quiet Man and brings together Foxx and acclaimed author, Iain Sinclair to explore its conceptual issues.
Sport
Uni hosts BBC West Sports Personality of the Year ceremony
Athletes, coaches and teams based at the University of Bath feature on the shortlists for half of the awards at the BBC West Sports Personality of the Year ceremony. The winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony which, for the second year running, takes place at the University's Sports Training Village.
Silver medal for student swimmer at IPC World Champs
University swimmer and student Kate Grey (Coach Education & Sports Development) set a British record to take silver in the SB9 100m breaststroke. TeamBath swimmers, Liz Johnson and David Hill, also achieved podium places.
Fab ticket deal for netball fans as Bath prepares to tackle England
Netball Superleague champions TeamBath are set to go head-to-head with the England national team in another feast of top-flight international action at the University on Tuesday 15th December. TeamBath is offering discounts for adults who want to buy tickets for both the Northern Thunder and England games.