University Updates
5 December 2008
Research
University awarded more than £10m to train scientists and animators of the future
The University has been awarded grants of more than £10 million from the EPSRC to create new training centres in digital media, sustainable chemical technologies and information systems.
Researcher designs robot that jumps like a grasshopper
The ‘Jollbot’, the first robot that can both jump like a grasshopper and roll like a ball, has been created by Rhodri Armour, a PhD student from the the University’s Centre for Biomimetic & Natural Technologies. It is hoped his creation could be used for space exploration or land survey work in the future.
Learning & Teaching
New degree to improve lives of children
The Department of Education has launched a new degree, Childhood, Youth & Education Studies BA (Hons) which will tackle some of societies most challenging issues.
Are you an innovator in teaching or supporting learning?
Colleagues are invited to put themselves or their colleagues forward for
nomination by the University for the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme.
Campus news
Going green: Uni reverses energy consumption trends
The University of Bath has cut its carbon footprint and its contribution to climate change in the last two years conserving more than 1,400 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent to saving the electricity output of more than 500 households each year.
University first to be presented with prestigious security award
Our reputation as being one of the safest campus sites in the UK has received an additional boost this month with the news we have received a national security award. The University of Bath and the University of Bristol are the first universities in the country to achieve the police approved Secured Environments award.
Successful bids for CPD development funding announced
This scheme will improve the way we meet the training and development needs of regional and national employers. It supports applications for large grants (worth up to £10k) to develop new collaborations with employers to the point of delivery, as well as small grants (worth around £500) to explore future potential collaborations.
International students rate University
Results from the Summer 2008 International Student Barometer (ISB) survey show that the University ranks very highly as a ‘good place to be’ in comparison to other institutions taking part in the research and that 88 per cent of international students are satisfied with their experience of living, learning and support.
Information
2009 Pay Negotiations
The implementation of the 5 per cent increase on 1 October 2008 was the last stage of the 2006-09 national pay agreement. As part of this pay agreement there was a commitment to reform national pay bargaining arrangements.
VAT busting offers from Hospitality
Due to the complexity and cost of changing all menus and pricing boards, it has been decided to introduce monthly VAT busting offers in all of our outlets. One of the best top-sellers will be heavily discounted each month, saving customers up to 41 per cent throughout December on selected products.
New starters in November 2008
The new starters update gives the name, job title and department of all new members of staff at the University who started in the previous month.
Equalities & Diversity Committee Annual Report
The Equalities & Diversity Committee’s Annual Report for 2007/8 has been published today. It reports on a year of substantial activity, including the Celebrating Diversity month in February.
Payroll deadlines for 2009
Please note this month's pay date will be 22 December 2008.
BUCS scheduled maintenance weekend
To enable engineering work to take place on our campus network we anticipate that there will be no university network services (including access to the website, email and Moodle) available during the weekend of 13-14 December. This is a planned and necessary interruption to enable vital and widespread upgrade work to be carried out.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Bryn Jones (Social & Policy Sciences) spoke to BBC Radio Bristol about the BBC's 'Britain on the Move' report, describing how the demographics in the South West have changed.
- Nicola Peacock (International Student Support Manager) discussed the International Student Barometer results on Bath FM.
- Rhodri Armour (Mechanical Engineering) appeared on ITV West with his jumping, rolling robot, Jollbot. He also spoke on Bath FM.
- John Hudson (Economics & International Development) was interviewed by BBC Radio Wiltshire about what the new Bank of England interest rates means for savers.
- Phil Willis (Computer Science) talked to GWR FM about the £10m grant awarded for a new Industrial Doctorate Centre in Digital Media, Special Effects and Animation.
- For this week's online media coverage, please see Bath in the Papers.
Training opportunities
- Writing for the web - 10 December
- Negotiation Skills - 11 December
- The 'Art' of Proposal Writing - 15 December
- Free IT training courses for staff
Conferences & workshops
Is it worth conserving? I-SEE to host one-day conference on economics and the environment
I-SEE, in conjunction with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, is hosting a one-day conference on the roll and function of economics in tackling environmental issues. It will be held in 4 East 3.38 on 16 December from 10am until 4pm.
Bath science café: solar cells take a leaf out of nature
Photosynthesis in plants is the model behind new technology to convert sunlight into electricity, says Professor Laurie Peter, who will speak at the next Bath Science Café (7.30pm Monday 8 December in the Raven pub, Queen Street).
Catalysis & sensing for our environment
Dr Tony James, in the Department of Chemistry, and Professor Jianzhang Zhao, from the Dalian University of Technology, China will co-host a workshop on campus next week (9-10 December 2008) that will explore how chemistry can be used to help the environment.
The Technologies for Healthy Living & Wellbeing Interdisciplinary Research Cluster will host a networking event for clinicians and academics at the RUH on 12 January 2009.
Annual UK Research Office visit
The University of Bath's annual UKRO event will be taking place on 22 January 2009. The day will be presented by Emma Carey, the new European Advisor for the UK Research Councils European Office.
This BioImaging conference will take place on Friday 16 January 2009.
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 8
10:30 AM Charity Christmas Knitting Sale
19:30 PM Death of a cloud forest - cities, climates & changes in fashion
Tuesday 9
09:30 AM Catalysts & sensing for our environment (CASE08)
10:00 AM Award Ceremonies
12:15 PM Eucharist
12:15 PM Oxfam Lunch
12:30 PM UBSA Christmas bingo
13:15 PM CNM seminar
16:30 PM Climate change, deforestation and the fate of the Amazon forest
Wednesday 10
10:00 AM Award Ceremonies
13:00 PM Poems with a dash of the world
13:00 PM University of Bath Staff Association Annual General Meeting
13:00 PM Medsin-Bath introductory talk
19:30 PM University Carol Service
19:30 PM Frank Auerbach - An appreciation
19:30 PM Science & technology in China
Thursday 11
12:15 PM An introduction to consultancy skills - for academia
12:30 PM Women’s Development Network: Eating for health & vitality
12:30 PM UBSA Lunchtime Horse Races
17:15 PM End of Life Care: What does it mean to you?
Friday 12
19:30 PM Middlemarch: George Elliot - Decisions that alter lives
Saturday 13
13:30 PM Save A Baby's Life course
19:30 PM UBSA Christmas party
Arts
Exhibitions
- Anne Tallentire Dimora ICIA Art Space 2 | Until Friday 12 December,
10am-5pm
Dimora meaning dwelling or residence looks at how objects, in this space are carefully arranged to create a functioning social arena, workspace or decoy. - Uriel Orlow In This Great Time ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday 13 February, 10am-5pm
Uriel Orlow’s new multi-media installation uses video, photography, drawing and text to investigate where history, place and memory intersect and resonate in the present. - University of Bath & Photosoc Student Photography Exhibition | ICIA Art Space 3, University Hall Foyer |
Until Friday
20 March, 10am-5pm
This lively exhibition showcases selected works from this year’s University of Bath Student Photography Competition which is linked to ICIA’s 2008 theme of arts, spatialisation and memory. This year's winners are Ilyas Kassam, Myrela Bauman, Xun Qiu and staff winner Rachael Eldritch-Böersen.
Concerts and Performances
- Bath University Student Theatre Tonight at
8.30 | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 6 December 7.30pm
Noel Coward takes us back to the glamour of 1930s London society in this triple-bill of one-act comedies. - Bath University Student Musicals Society The
Last Five Years | Mission Theatre | Saturday 6 December 7.30pm
BUSMS stage this fantastic one act, two-character musical from Chicago. Funny and uplifting, this show captures the heartbreaking and universally-felt moments of a relationship. - University Chamber Choir Music for Advent & Christmas
| St Julian’s Church, Wellow | Saturday 6 December 7.30pm
Enjoy an evening of traditional carols and readings from the University Chamber Choir. - University of Bath Concert
Band and BUBBA Big Band | ICIA Arts Theatre |
Sunday 7 December 7.30pm
A double-bill featuring the resonant sounds of the University’s Concert band followed by swinging numbers from the foot-tapping BUBBA Big Band. - Choral & Orchestral Society Christmas Concert Oldfield Park Baptist Church | Thursday 11 December, 7.30pm
A festive programme of carols, hymns and joyful music at the annual Christmas Concert.
Sport
Athletes of the month
Badminton player Richard Vaughan and judo player Michelle Holt are the latest Team Bath Athletes of the Month – an award supported by the Fat Face store in Bath.
Students prepare for Olympic challenge
Four University of Bath students are preparing to represent Great Britain at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival, which takes place in Sydney next month. Hockey players Harriet Pearce and Lewis Prosser have been named in the GB squads for the event, while Jake Sheaf and Adam Smith will compete in the beach volleyball tournament.
Olympic and Paralympic swimmers will be among the athletes in action at this weekend’s University of Bath Grand Prix. To be held in the STV, it got underway today and concludes on Sunday.