University Updates
5 September 2008
Research news
Researcher awarded Wellcome Trust grant for sabbatical
Vasanta Subramanian (Biology & Biochemistry) has been awarded a six-month grant for a sabbatical to acquire new expertise to complement her current research in the area of motor neurone disease.
New book: Using networks to map the social lives of animals
Dick James (Physics) has published a practical guide for biologists explaining how social network analysis, a method used widely in the social sciences to study interactions among people, can be used to study social structures within animal populations.
Campus news
University Student Internship Scheme enjoys success for second year
The University Student Internship Scheme, coordinated by the Careers Advisory Service and partly funded by the University Strategic Fund, has been running on campus for the second year this summer. Six students have undertaken 10-week placements in various University administrative departments.
New Quarry Road footbridge now in situ - road reopen
The new footbridge over Quarry Road has been installed safely, after arriving by lorry on Tuesday. Work is being carried out to the footpaths on either side of the bridge and the route will soon be open to pedestrians.
Library now open 24/7 every day of the year
The Library & Learning Centre has extended its opening hours so it will be open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This will include days when the University is usually closed, such as Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. The extended hours have been made possible by changes to the University’s security operation, which now has a permanent presence at the Library reception desk.
University wins Bath in Bloom cup for environmental projects
The Landscape Section of the Department of Estates has once again won awards in the Bath in Bloom competition. The Environmental Projects category cup was awarded for design and planting improvements around the Arrivals Square, the extension areas on the south west of the lake, the work at Sham Castle field and the replanting of the swales along the eastern car parks. The Arrivals Square planting itself also won a bronze award.
Volunteers wanted
Would you pass a sports drugs test?
Researchers in the Department of Chemistry and the School for Health are currently recruiting volunteers to investigate the link between various dietary/lifestyle practices and the potential for a positive drugs test according to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list of prohibited substances.
Active volunteers needed - how does your body respond to exercise?
Researchers are investigating the effect of exercise on food intake and energy expenditure and are looking for active young men aged 18-34 who are willing to come to the laboratory to undertake an exercise trial and a rest trial.
Information
University launches website to report on campus development consultation
The University of Bath has launched a new website to publish the collated results of its recent discussions with staff and students, local residents, key stakeholders and consultants on the development of its campus. The next step for the University is to produce a draft campus Masterplan for public consultation later in the year.
New mailing lists created for Directors of Studies
Three new mailing lists have been created for different DoS groups. The original Directors of Studies Postgraduate email address will only be available until today, then all staff and students will need to use the new ones.
Hospitality seeks mystery customers
Hospitality aims to continually improve its services and facilities, so the department will be introducing a mystery customer scheme in October. Every month all outlets (Blues Café, Claverton Rooms, Dolche Vita, Food Direct, Level 1 Café, Parade Bar and Wessex Restaurant) will receive a visit from a mystery customer, who will assess the service and products provided. If you would like to volunteer to be a mystery customer, please email hospitalityoncampus@bath.ac.uk.
Annual testing of the University's fire alarm systems will take place from Monday 8 September until Friday 19 September. The alarms will sound in a short burst and activations will be kept to a minimum. You are not required to leave the building; however, should the alarms sound in a continuous long burst, you should immediately evacuate the building using the safest possible route. Estates apologises for any inconvenience caused.
Blackwell to be new campus book supplier
Blackwell is to provide a flexible service, giving staff and students online access to over three million titles, compared to the thousands it is possible to stock in a traditional campus bookshop. There will also be a temporary bookshop on campus
Times Higher Education subscription offer
The THE has set up a special offer for departments and individual members of staff who wish to take out an annual subscription to the magazine.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Conferences
Sustainable Energy and the Environment 17 September
The University is to stage its first Research Showcase event. The exhibition, to be opened by Mr David Willetts MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities & Skills, will bring together researchers and experts from many disciplines from within the University. It will showcase a range of innovative and cutting-edge research in sustainable energy and the environment.
Russian Jewish Cultural Continuity in the Diaspora: Paris and Berlin 1917-37 8-10 September
Organised by Peter Wagstaff, this conference is taking place with the support of an International Network grant of £60,000 from the Leverhulme Trust. Contributors and participants will include academics and creative writers from Russia, Germany, France, Israel, United States and the UK.
The Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference 9-12 September
The University is to host the DHP annual conference. It attracts a high calibre of research papers, and delegates comprise academic health psychologists, as well as practising health psychologists and students in health psychology. Enquiries to Julie Turner-Cobb
Metals in Synthesis 15 October
As well as speakers from Bath, Oxford and Birmingham, Professor Masakatsu Shibasaki from the University of Tokyo will deliver an RSC Endowed Lecture entitled "Recent Progress in Asymmetric Two-Center Catalysis". Enquiries to John Fossey.
Genetics Society Conference 5 September
Professor Matthew Meselson, discoverer of the mechanism by which DNA replicates and recipient of the 2004 Albert Lasker Award for Special Achievement in Medical Science, was guest of honour at a conference hosted by the Department of Biology & Biochemistry today. Professor Meselson from Harvard (USA) was presented with the Genetics Society 2008 Mendel Medal by conference organisers Professor Laurence Hurst (Biology & Biochemistry) and Professor Roger Butlin (University of Sheffield).
Biological Weapons
Alexander Kelle (ESML) was invited to present his research to an international diplomatic conference on biological weapons and biosafety. Alexander described the findings of an EU FP6 funded research project called SYNBIOSAFE (www.synbiosafe.eu), which is the first European project to look into the ethical, safety and security aspects of synthetic biology. It's aims were to raise the awareness of diplomats about the security implications of synthetic biology and how this relates to the implementation of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). Over 120 people participated in the seminar, including representatives of 38 BWC states.
In the media
- Anna Bull (ESML) was invited to speak on Flemish-language Radio Klara as part of a series of programmes entitled ‘Berlusconi’s Italy: Cunning and Privilege’. She discussed the Naples garbage crisis as well as her recent book on Italian Neofascism and the politics of non-reconciliation.
- Jennifer Joynt (Architecture/Corporate Communications) talked to Bath FM about the outcome of the Masterplan consultation process.
- Denise Taylor (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) appeared on BBC Points West talking about how to take paracetamol safely after inquest into death of woman who accidentally overdosed.
- Delia Slucutt (Division for Lifelong Learning) publicised various women's enterprise events on GWR.
- Julie Turner-Cobb (Psychology) spoke on Radio 5 Live about stress levels in children starting school.
Training opportunities
- Free training at Science Media Centre: Monday 29 September, 1-5pm, Royal Institution in London
A beginner’s guide to the way the UK news media works. Much of the tension between scientists and journalists is caused by a lack of mutual understanding and this event will give you an insight into a day in the life of a journalist. You will get a whistle stop tour of news media, hearing from journalists, scientists and press officers. - Fire extinguisher training 9 September
- Email: Resolving Information Overload 19 September
- Leadership Foundation course: Intro to project management 21 October
- The monthly Introduction to the University of Bath for new staff has been updated and improved and now includes sessions targeted at specific staff groups.
What's on next week
Science Café: synthetic biology - hype and hope
Synthetic biology and the controversial role it could play in understanding the building blocks of life and producing life-saving drugs will be the subject of the next Bath Science Café on Monday 8 September.
University academics to speak at arthritis information day
The Arthritis Research Campaign is hosting a free information afternoon at The Royal Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases on Friday 12 September, 1.30-4.30pm. Speakers will include Professor David Blake, Professor of Bone and Joint Medicine (School for Health) and senior lecturer in rheumatology nursing Dr Candy McCabe.
Arts
Booking for Autumn 2008 Season
Booking for ICIA's new Autumn season opens on Monday 8 September at 9.30am. For further information or to sign up to our e-bulletin, please phone the box office on 01225 386777, email ICIAinfo@bath.ac.uk or view our website at www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Exhibitions
- Alison Marchant Charged Atmospheres | ICIA Art Space 1 | Till Friday 31 October
Alison Marchant’s fading photographs of once grand interiors, now abandoned and decaying, emphasise the passing of time.
Sport
Bath athletes prepare for Beijing Paralympics
Two Bath students will be competing in the Beijing Paralympics which start tomorrow. Ben Rushgrove (Sports Performance) will take part in the T36 100m and 200m events. Coach education and sports development student Kate Grey will be swimming in the SB9 100m breaststroke and the SM9 200m individual medley. In addition, Team Bath athlete Darren Harris
will be competing for judo and Rob Ellchuk, who is currently studying for a masters in research in Education at the University, is a member of the GB athletics coaching team in Beijing.
Students second half comeback secures point at Dorchester
Team Bath FC came back from two goals down to salvage a point away at Dorchester on Tuesday night.
Bath and Bristol host hugely successful UK School Games
Last Sunday’s Closing Ceremony at the University marked the end of a hugely successful 2008 UK School Games, where around 1500 talented young athletes from all over the country competed in a range of sports across venues in Bath and Bristol.