University Updates
5 March 2010
News
University celebrates Amy’s success
Amy Williams made a triumphant return to the University on Wednesday 3 March, to celebrate her Olympic success at the place she says “feels like home”.
Software sniffs out criminals by the shape of their nose
Dr Adrian Evans and Adrian Moorhouse, from the University’s Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, have investigated whether images of people’s noses could be used to recognise individuals.
VC & NUS President to take part in debate on funding of HE
Staff and students from across the University are invited to attend a debate on Tuesday 9 March, about the future funding of Universities, aimed at spreading awareness of the issues surrounding the funding of the Higher Education sector as well as what the relevant stakeholders believe a future funding system should look like.
The cream of Bath fashion hits the catwalk
Students are working with local businesses to stage a spring Fashion Show for charity on Wednesday 17 March at the city’s Assembly Rooms at 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased online from the event website.
Wobble your way to the future
Two days of workshop challenges at Swindon College, in conjunction with the University, aim to encourage school leavers to consider higher education and a career in sports therapy.
International Women's Day: Ladies! Let’s celebrate our successes
It’s International Women’s Day on Monday 8 March and the University's Division of Lifelong Learning is hosting a series of free motivational and inspirational talks in celebration.
Break the chains of addiction to tobacco
The Sports Training Village (STV) is offering a month’s free STV membership for all smokers who sign up with Stop Smoking Advisor, Fay Beck on 10 March and who manage to quit for a whole month as a special offer for No Smoking Day 2010.
Students' Union recognise Sport & Exercise Science exam feedback agreement
Congratulations to members of the Staff/Student Liaison Committee (SSLC) for the BSc in Sport & Exercise Science who were recently recognised by the Students' Union for their feedback agreement initiative.
Hospitality & Accommodation on Campus newsletter
This month you can celebrate St Patrick’s Day at Level 1 and experience an authentic Irish menu and traditional music.
School of Management news round-up
The e-newsletter contains the latest news about staff, students and alumni in the School.
Grand Auction
A grand auction will raise money to buy desks and other basic educational materials on Monday 8 March. A dazzling variety of items will be available in Elements, including a day out for four adults at Longleat; meals for two at the Moon & Sixpence and the Real Italian Kitchen; two portrait vouchers from a local artist as well as many other items.
Staff news
University welcomes its new Pro-Vice-Chancellor
Professor Bernard Morley has taken up his post as the University’s new Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning & Teaching. Professor Morley started on 1 March 2010 and succeeds Professor Ian Jamieson who retired after 24 years of service.
Researchers present findings to European Parliament
Drs Anna Gilmore and Katherine Smith from the School for Health presented their research findings and debated their implications for policy in the European Parliament last week.
Professor debates the role of NATO & whether it has a future
Adrian Hyde-Price of the Department of European Studies & Modern Languages debated the role of NATO at an international workshop held at the Netherlands Defence Academy in Breda Castle from 24-26 February.
BUCS & friends run Bath Half for Derek Nethercote
This year staff from Computing Services and friends from other departments are running the Bath Half Marathon to support Derek Nethercote, a former IT supporter from the University
Learn Spanish in Alicante – free of charge
Under the Cooperation Agreement between the Universities of Bath and Alicante, members of staff can attend intensive Spanish language courses free of charge, with free bed & breakfast accommodation. Apply by 2 April 2010.
Learning & teaching
Learning & Teaching Innovations Week blog
Learning & Teaching Innovations Week took place from 22 - 26 February. The week was packed with opportunities to learn from others and contribute to our understanding of how to enhance the student learning experience. Throughout the week there were a number of people blogging about the events they attended.
Watch video podcast: Ray Land’s Learning & Teaching seminar
The keynote speaker for the 2010 Annual Learning and Teaching Enhancement Seminar was Ray Land, Professor of Higher Education and Head of the Centre for Academic Practice and Learning Enhancement (CAPLE) at the University of Strathclyde. You can watch his seminar now.
Bids to Teaching Development Fund invited
As part of its Learning & Teaching Strategy the University has continued its commitment to a Teaching Development Fund. The Learning & Teaching Committee invites project bids for the latest round of teaching development funding.
Information
Watch Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Report presentation to Court
The Vice-Chancellor recently gave her Annual Report on the 2008/09 session to a meeting of the University’s Court.
Changes to Points Based Immigration System – Important info for staff
The University is required to ensure that all students who are issued with a Certificate of Acceptance (CAS) are engaging with their studies. We are legally required to report to UKBA any changes which will affect the conditions of a student’s visa. Student Records & Examinations Office will soon be offering training in this area.
Uni launches e-Recruitment site
The first phase of the University’s new e-recruitment system has now been launched for all new vacancies posted from 3 March. Existing vacancies will appear on the website, but will continue to use the old application forms. This phase focuses on the application process and will greatly improve the way that job applicants are able to apply for vacancies and be kept informed about the progress of their application.
Implementing proposals for re-organisation: Appointment of Deans of Faculty and Directors of Administration
As part of the ongoing re-organisation of the faculty structure, three deans have been appointed. Gary Hawley (Engineering & Design), Roger Eatwell (Humanities & Social Sciences) and David Bird (Science).
Over fifty teaching rooms to be upgraded this year
As a result of feedback from students, the University is making a substantial investment in the quality of its teaching rooms, and we are pleased to announce that University Council has agreed to upgrade over 50 more general teaching rooms during 2010.
Jobs
Vacant posts: http://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
Deadlines & nominations
Do you employ any students? Are they outstanding?
Each year JobLink runs a competition called SEOTY to recognise exceptional students and present them with awards for achievement in the workplace.
Pilot Sabbatical Leave Scheme - next deadline 7 March
Call for applications for the next Pilot Sabbatical Leave Scheme are now being taken.
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
Training & development
- Training for the Occasional Trainer - 11 Mar
- Performance Management: Part 2: Skills and Techniques - 18 Mar/ 9 Jun
- Grant Applications workshop (run by Research Design Service - South West) - 18 Mar
- Performance Management 2: Skills & Techniques - 18 Mar
- Interview Skills for Academic & Research Staff - 24 Mar
- SW Institutions' Middle Managers (Deadline: 20 January) - 24 - 26 Mar
- Introduction to Project Management (Manchester) - 29 Apr /17 June
- Open Programme of Events | PDF to print
- Staff: Improve your IT skills, new timetable available
- CMS training courses
- e-Learning staff development programme
In the media
- Adrian Evans (Electronic & Electrical Engineering) spoke to Bath FM, BBC Radio Bristol, Heart FM, BBC Radio Glasgow, BBC Radio Wiltshire, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 5 Live about software that sniffs out criminals by the shape of their nose. He also was interviewed by ITV Westcountry Tonight and BBC Points West.
- Will Marsh (Corporate Communications) spoke to BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio 5 Live about the welcome home celebrations for Amy Williams. Stephen Baddeley (Sports Development and Recreation) was interviewed by BBC Points West.
- Richard Whitman (European Studies & Modern Languages) was featured in BBC News commenting on the EU's new foreign policy chief.
- Students Chris Hannaway (School of Management) and Will Hammersley (Physics) were featured in the Express, talking about their product Arctic Farm being stocked in Sainsbury's
Lectures & seminars
LabVIEW seminar for inexperienced users
A technical Labview Academic Field Engineer (Adam Bakehouse) will be at the University on Monday 19 April. He will be giving two free half-day seminars aimed at inexperienced LabView users.
Public Lecture: An introduction to Islamic art and architecture
Local people are invited to a free public lecture on Wednesday 10 March, which will explore the art and architecture of Islam. The lecture begins at 5.15pm in Lecture Theatre 8 West 1.1.
Bath Science Café: Understanding pain without injury
Local people are invited to the next Bath Science Café on Monday 8 March (Raven Pub) to hear about a brain-centred pain phenomenon that isn’t caused by injury and is unresponsive to painkillers. Professor David Blake from Bath’s Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases will speak at 8pm at the informal gathering for science enthusiasts.
Register now for Cancer Research@Bath conference
Open to all staff and students with an interest in Cancer Research. The conference is on Tuesday 30 March and will include a poster session, talks related to cancer, with a coffee break and an informal networking drink.
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
Monday 8
11:15 AM Head massage & hand reflexology taster sessions
12:15 PM Interview success (50mins)
12:15 PM International Women's Day - Behind the boardroom door
13:00 PM International Women's Day- managing your maternity leave
14:00 PM International Women's Day: Entrepreneur with passion, energy and ethics
17:00 PM No ideas for Mother's Day?
18:30 PM Grand Auction
19:15 PM A spotlight on Britain's education system
Tuesday 9
12:15 PM Mid week Eucharist/H C Service
12:45 PM Oxfam lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar - How do shapes fill space?
13:15 PM Gender & Sexuality Research Network seminar
16:30 PM CSAT seminar: Sisters' stories: a psychosocial perspective on families, peers...
16:30 PM Achieving the 2ºC target in the Copenhagen Accord'
18:00 PM Where’s the silver lining?
18:15 PM Dissertation - planning your research
19:30 PM Balehause - the zero carbon housing solution
Wednesday 10
11:00 AM National No Smoking Day event
13:00 PM Contemporary Arabic literature
13:15 PM Politics Undergraduate Placement Conference 2010
14:00 PM Sorted training: Access version 2003
14:15 PM Aptitude tests (135mins)
17:15 PM An introduction to Islamic art and architecture
18:00 PM Zimbabwean Song with Chartwell Dutiro
18:15 PM War, peace & justice: the dilemmas of international security
18:15 PM PwC developing & applying commercial awareness
18:30 PM Antarctica - Bath Taps into Science lecture
19:30 PM Carmen Francesca Banciu
Thursday 11
13:15 PM Interview skills for international students (110mins)
13:15 PM Interested in studying in the US? (Fulbright Commission - 50 mins)
16:15 PM Sorted training - Referencing: a beginners guide
17:30 PM Sorted training - Advanced Word (version 2003)
20:00 PM Spirit Talk Mbira with Chartwell Dutiro
Friday 12
09:00 AM SmartGrid
14:00 PM Sorted training: British culture
14:15 PM Assessment centre workshop (110mins)
15:15 PM Maths revision/ tuition for numeracy tests (50mins)
17:15 PM Growing up in Ceausescu’s Romania’: childhood memory & the quest for the self
19:30 PM BUST - Global Evening Saturday 13 10:00 AM Raku workshop
15:00 PM Can you believe your eyes? Art & Illusion
15:00 PM Can you believe your eyes? Illusion & Art
Arts
Concerts and Performances:
BATH UNIVERSITY STUDENT THEATRE And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie | The Mission Theatre, Bath | Friday 5 – Sunday 7 March, 7.30pm
Ten strangers are brought together to an Indian Island by invitation from an unknown party. By the end of the first evening one of them is dead. Is the killer one of the group, or an outside force?
National Dance Network - Dance3 | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 6 March, 7.30pm
Touring the UK, National Dance Network showcases the best up-and-coming choreographers and their collaborators, each with an exceptional track record. Works include 4m2 by Claire Cunningham & Jose Agudo, Cabin Fever by Tom Dale and A Mind as Beautiful by Douglas Thorpe.
Spirit Talk Mbira with Chartwell Dutiro | ICIA Arts Theatre | Thursday 11 March, 8pm
Spirit Talk Mbira, a vibrant seven-piece band fronted by singer and master mbira player Chartwell Dutiro, launch their brand new CD DENDERE NGOMA (Music Nest). Inspirational sounds from the deep roots of Africa blended with elements of western music today.
BATH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ UNION - Global Evening | ICIA Arts Theatre | Friday 12 March, 7.30pm
The Global Evening celebrates the diversity of the University’s community. The two-hour programme includes dance, song, music and theatre in a spectacular show.
Music Workshops:
Zimbabwean Song with Chartwell Dutiro | Studio 1, ICIA Arts Barn | Wednesday 10 March, 6pm-8pm
Chartwell Dutiro, Zimbabwean singer and mbira player extraordinaire, leads a workshop prior to his gig the following night at ICIA. Under Dutiro’s inspiring direction, learn Chaminuka, a traditional Shona song and find out about the country’s music, culture and life.
Sport
Team Bath face Loughborough tomorrow in first of four crunch home matches
TeamBath take on long-time rivals Loughborough Lightning tomorrow at 5.30pm at the University’s Sports Training Village in the first of four big home matches this month in the Cooperative netball superleague.
Green is U19 national champ after all-Bath final
Josh Green is the new U19 National men’s singles badminton champion but he had to beat his colleague and training partner, Ben Tier, in the national final to lift the trophy in Milton Keynes recently.
Golden Girl Amy arrives back to warm welcome
Golden girl Amy Williams and her fellow University of Bath-based British Olympic Winter Games athletes have returned to Bath. Amy became Team GB’s first individual Olympic Winter Games gold medallist for 30 years when she topped the podium in the skeleton at the Vancouver 2010 Games.