University Updates
7 March 2008
News
Transport Survey 2008 - Last chance to have your say
1,221 staff have now completed the survey - thank you very much. Together with the 2,004 students who have responded, this brings the total to 3,225. The survey closes at midnight tonight (Friday 7 March) so if you want your views on transport issues on and around campus to be taken into account, this is your last chance. Your participation is very much appreciated and the results the survey will be important when considering future transport policies and initiatives. https://www.survey.bath.ac.uk/transport-survey
A36 closure
Two sets of roadworks will take place from 31 March. The road junction from Winsley to Brassknocker Hill will close completely for three weeks from 31 March. This will be followed by five weeks of single lane traffic. Another scheme of roadworks will close the viaduct section of the A36 for 12 weeks. The road will be impassable for everyone including cyclists and pedestrians due to the extensive works and the large machinery to be used.
Staff with difficult journeys to work: [A message from the Director of HR] The University is conscious that the A36 closure will cause many staff to have longer and more difficult journeys to work during this period, especially during the three weeks when Winsley Road and Brassknocker Hill are closed as well as the A36. Departments are being asked to be as flexible as possible, such as by accommodating different work hours or some working from home where the job allows. If you will be substantially affected, you are encouraged to discuss the position with your line manager.
No network services available 15-16 March
To enable necessary engineering work to be carried out, there will be no network services available throughout the weekend of 15-16 March.
This means that a number of services will be unavailable from 7am Saturday till 5pm Sunday, including remote access, webmail and the University website.
Research
New research could improve everything from mayonnaise to drug delivery systems
Nigel Wilding (Physics) has been awarded £297,000 by the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council for theoretical studies of the effects of adding nanoparticles to colloidal dispersions.
School for Health research showcased to MPs
Research into assistive technologies, involving Chris Eccleston and Roger Orpwood from the School for Health, was highlighted at a special event at the House of Commons this week.
Inaugural lecture on toll-like receptors
The Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology will host the inaugural UCB-Prize Lecture, to be given by Professor Luke O’Neill from Trinity College Dublin and co-founder of Opsona Therapeutics, at 4.15pm on Wednesday 12 March in 3WN 2.1. Professor O’Neill will talk about toll-like receptors, the front-line receptors that trigger the body’s innate immune response and promote inflammation.
I’m a scientist, get me out of here!
‘I’m a scientist, get me out of here!’ is an online, interactive event taking place in June 2008, where scientists compete for a prize of £500 to publicise their work.
News about students
Frozen yoghurt idea wins ‘Dragon’s Den’ style national campaign
Two students from the University of Bath have won £5,000 and business backing in a national enterprise competition to develop their idea for producing healthy frozen yoghurt.
Business plan competition: enterprising finalists chosen
The judging panel of the annual business plan competition gave the finalists constructive feedback on their two-minute pitches at a networking event held at Carpenter House. The student finalists were named as Nilima Ajakumar, Alex Simpson, Chirag Gosain and Andy Liszewski.
Placement students help launch graduate recruitment drive
Two BBA students are helping to organise the latest graduate recruitment scheme on campus as part of their third year placement.
DBA student interviewed about community cohesion
Chauhdry Shafique, a student on the DBA in Higher Education Management programme, has been quoted in the Times Higher Education. The article looked at the issue of extremism and the worry it causes in communities, both on and off campus. Universities are now looking at ways to foster cultural awareness and understanding in their local areas.
Students' Union wins volunteering award
The Students’ Union has achieved the Investing in Volunteers award, the UK Quality Standard for volunteer management. In order to get the Investing in Volunteers award, BUSU had to demonstrate that it met the required standard in ten indicators measuring the way it recruits, supports and values volunteers and have the written policies and procedures in place.
Alumni news
Double graduate brings ‘Strictly Ballroom’ to Bath
Dr James Whitehead, who graduated from Bath with a PhD in Engineering in 2005, has set up a monthly dance in the grandeur of the main ballroom of the Bath Assembly Rooms starting this Sunday 9 March 2008, 3-5pm.
Katy Livingston profiled in The Telegraph
The Telegraph interviewed Katy Livingston, a Bath alumna (Coach Education & Sports Development) who is in the GB modern pentathlete team.
The blog, the Frog & la Petite Anglaise
Catherine Sanderson, ESML graduate, was featured in the Sunday Times, the Telegraph, the Times and the Daily Mail as she has launched her new book published by Penguin.
Information
New staff
The new starters update gives the name, job title and department of all new members of staff at the University who started in February 2008.
UBSA trip to Amsterdam & Keukenhof Gardens
There are a few places left on this three-night trip to Holland that leaves Bath on 25 April. It costs £197, which includes half board accommodation (with free evening bar) and entrance to a number of attractions. Email M.Pickering@bath.ac.uk
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Nominations & deadlines
Chancellor's Prize
The nominated student should have demonstrated academic excellence, together with a contribution to the life, academic reputation and general work of the University. Deadline: Monday 17 March.
Staff Recognition Award
All staff other than academics are eligible to receive this award which recognises either individual members, or small groups, of support staff who have shown excellence in the way in which they have undertaken their duties, and who have contributed to the broader life of the University. Please consider nominating a colleague. Deadline: Wednesday 30 April.
Teaching Development Fund
As part of its Learning & Teaching Strategy the University has continued its commitment to a Teaching Development Fund. Bids are invited for the latest round of funding totalling approximately £60,000, which is due to be allocated for the academic year 2008/09 on 10 June. In support of current developments at the University, the themes of this year's allocation will be: academic induction; assessment and feedback; employability; work-based and placement learning. Deadline: Friday 2 May.
Learn Spanish in Alicante free of charge
Under the Cooperation Agreement between the Universities of Bath and Alicante, there are opportunities for members of staff to acquire basic language skills, or to improve those that they already have, whilst learning about Spanish culture. The courses and accommodation are free of charge and run in July and August. For information and application forms, email S.Stanford@bath.ac.uk Closing date for applications is 21 March.
In the media
- John ffitch (Computer Science) was interviewed on Deutschlandradio about his presentation at the Linux Audio Conference.
- Chris Budd (Mathematica Sciences) appeared on GWR talking about the Bath Taps into Science fair
- Tom Loney (School for Health) talked on Bath FM about the research that suggests that acne may prevent people from participating in sport and exercise.
Training & development opportunities
- Managing a diverse team - horses for courses - 12 March
- L&T: Questioning & reflecting on practice - 12 March
- Handling difficult situations - 13 March
- Team Leading (ILM Level 2) - April/May
- South West Institutions' Middle Managers' Programme (SWIMM 2008) 14/15/16 May
What's on next week
Monday 10
13:15 PM BICS seminar
19:30 PM Bath Science Cafe: So you think you can believe your eyes?
Tuesday 11
12:15 PM Mid week Eucharist
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar
16:30 PM Saving carbon, by day and night
19:30 PM Consciousness
Wednesday 12
11:00 AM Politics Placement Conference 2008
13:15 PM Philosophy & the science of consciousness
16:15 PM Words versus The Word
16:15 PM Toll-like receptor signal transduction in inflammation and immunity
17:15 PM Bristol's music & musicians in the region, nation & empire
17:30 PM Man-made wonders of the west
19:30 PM Intimate interiors
Thursday 13
14:15 PM Students' learning and conceptual change
15:30 PM Large scale measurement in aerospace assembly
18:30 PM The Medlock Lecture
19:30 PM Grasses & perennials for the modern garden
Friday 14
11:15 AM Science Communication Seminar
19:30 PM Alexander Balanescu & Adea Milea- The Island
Saturday 15
19:30 PM What is a thing? Quantum theory & the concept of reality
Exhibitions
- Polly Gould's
Peninsular | ICIA Art Space 1, 1 March-20 June
In Peninsular, international artist Polly Gould explores mourning, melancholia, and the romantic theme of the artist’s lonely journey into awesome and sublime nature. Peninsular documents Gould’s journey to the Antarctic Peninsular taking with her the drawings she made of her father as he lay dying among the white expanse of the bed sheets. - Lines of Enquiry 4 | ICIA Art Space 2, until 4 April
A showcase of work by graduates of BA Fine Art Drawing School of Art & Design, Swindon College, investigating drawing and its role in contemporary art. - Seventy Years of Penguin Design | Holburne Museum, until 24 March
This fascinating exhibition from the Penguin archives examines the history of the Penguin book cover, tracing its design from the iconic triple-banded and colour-coded early covers to the multifarious covers of today. Free entrance to University staff.
Arts
- Bath University Student Musicals Society Godspell ICIA Arts Theatre | Wednesday 5 - Saturday 8 March, 7.30pm
This sensational show turns the gospel into an all-singing, all-dancing comic musical starring Jesus, with his disciples portrayed as the seven deadly sins. - Global Group ICIA Arts Theatre | Tuesday 11 March, 7.30pm
A showcase of performances from around the world by the student group set up to promote links between International and British students. - Bath Area Malaysian & Singaporean Association ICIA Arts Theatre | Thursday 13 March, 7.30pm
The rich Malaysian and Singaporean culture contains a range of races, cultures and nationalities showcased through the performing arts at this one-off performance. - Alexander Balenescu and Ada Milea The Island ICIA Arts Theatre | Friday 14 March, 7.30pm
Ada Milea gives a startling stage performance, capitalising on her unique story-telling abilities alongside Alex Balanescu’s extraordinary violin performance and gift for melody. Raising questions about identity and memory, the pair create a moving parable, totally outside of normal music performance.
Sport
Students compete at World Championships in Spain
University of Bath-based athletes are set to compete at the World Indoor Championships, which get underway in Valencia today. Steve Green (PhD in Mathematics) runs in the 400m and is a member of the Great Britain 4×400m squad. Sports & Exercise Science graduate Dale Garland joins him in the 4×400m relay squad.
Civil Engineering student James Brewer was named as a reserve for the GB team for the 1500m.
Marilyn Okoro (French & Politics graduate) contests the 800m for GB.
Ant & Dec at the STV
Some of the stars of prime time television came to the University for the filming of last week's team challenge on the popular Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway programme.
Ant and Dec’s teams spent a day at the Sports Training Village in preparation for a bobsleigh challenge arranged with the Royal Marines at the Igls track in Austria.
Last-gasp winner stuns Team Bath FC
Team Bath FC went down to a dramatic last-gasp Tiverton winner at Twerton Park last Saturday. The result leaves the University of Bath side second in the league on goal difference but level on points with a game in hand over leaders King’s Lynn.
Team Bath Buccaneers returned to winning ways with a 4-2 victory over Guildford.