University Updates
7 August 2009
News
New stem cell research could make lab mice redundant
Vasanta Subramanian (Biology & Biochemistry) is embarking on a project to use stem cell technology that could reduce the number of animal experiments used to study conditions such as motor neurone disease. She has been awarded a major three-year grant by the National Centre for Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to study ALS, a form of motor neurone disease in which the nerve cells that control the muscles die.
News from Hospitality
This month's newsletter from the Hospitality team brings news about the 'Food for the Brain' award and what's been happening on campus recently to improve social space for staff and students.
School of Management newsletter
The monthly School of Management e-newsletter brings you the latest news about staff, students and alumni.
Information
No access to email or web search Tue 11 Aug 7-9am
On Tuesday 11 August during the designated 'at risk' period, BUCS will be upgrading the current email server and the web search facility. During this maintenance window there will be NO access to University email and NO web search facility. BUCS apologises for any inconvenience.
ERC call for starting grants for researchers
ERC grants aim to support single research leaders ('Principal Investigators') heading a research team to conduct a frontier research project on the condition that he/she is engaged by a legally established host organisation.
Claverton Rooms open for packed lunches
The Open University will be using 6 West South for their lunches in July and August and during this period the space will not be available to staff and students from 12 noon till 2.30pm. Therefore, those wishing to use a social space to eat their own lunch will be able to use the Claverton Rooms during the period up to 14 August.
Appointment of new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching)
A Search Committee is in the process of appointing a successor for Professor Ian Jamieson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching), who will be retiring from the University in December 2009. Applications from internal candidates are welcome.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Comments invited
Consultation on Corporate PlanMembers of the University community are invited to comment on proposed text relating to the vision, purpose, objectives and values of the University which will feed into the new Corporate Plan for 2009/10, which is currently being drafted. Please send your comments to Nicky Kemp by 9 October.
New Research website
The Web Team have launched a ‘beta test’ version of a new Research website, visible only to the University community, and welcome feedback on it.
Simplifying the EU RTD Framework Programmes
In 2010, the European Commission plans to issue a communication on possibilities for simplifying the implementation of the EU RTD Framework Programmes. To gather ideas, the Commission is holding a first informal consultation.
Changes from 1 August
Revisions to QA Code of Practice
A number of changes have been made to the statements in the Quality Assurance Code of Practice. The QA Committee approved the amendments to be implemented at the start of the academic year (1 August 2009). All the revised statements and associated guidance notes and forms are available on the
LTEO website.
Student Services
A number of changes are taking place in Student Services during August including the structure, naming of individual services and locations. Staff are requested to familiarise themselves with the new information so that they are still able to advise students in need of help.
New Heads of Department for 2009
A list of Heads of Department for the coming academic year is now available online.
New Department of Economics
From 1 August 2009 the Department of Economics & International Development has been renamed to the Department of Economics, reflecting the decision of the University to move nine International Development (ID) staff into the Department of Social & Policy Sciences (DSPS).
In the media
- Linda Bauld's (School for Health) recent report on NHS smoking cessation therapies has been reviewed by the British Medical Journal.
- Sir Stephen Dalton, a Bath alumnus (Aeronautical Engineering), has taken over as Head of the Royal Air Force.
- Christine Griffin (Psychology) was invited to give a feminist view on the upcoming 2009 Miss Universe competition on Radio Somerset.
- Ed Feil (Biology & Biochemistry) explained to Radio Somerset listeners how algae can cause the water in birdbaths to turn red.
Training & development
- Learning & Teaching monthly paper lunch 12 August
- Interview skills 18 August
- Performance management training 24 August
- An introduction to HE - A programme for new managers and administrators 2-4 September 2009
- An introduction to project management 29 September (off-site at Marriott Airport Hotel, Manchester)
- Monthly learning & teaching paper lunches
- IT courses
- Content Management System (CMS) courses
- e-Learning staff development programme
- Opportunity to be involved in project to integrate Intute with Moodle
Forthcoming lectures & conferences
The role of religion in human rights in the future Wednesday 16 September
Staff and students are invited to attend a lecture by the Honourable Mary Robinson, former President of the Republic of Ireland, in Bath Abbey. The lecture, entitled ‘Realising Rights: the role of religion in human rights in the future’, is part of the 1100th anniversary celebrations of the Diocese of Bath & Wells. Free tickets are available from Sheila Willmott.
Cancer Research Symposium Wednesday 30 September
Registration is now open for the first CR@B (Cancer Research at Bath) Symposium. It is open to all academic and clinical staff and students with an interest in cancer research.
Research volunteers wanted
- Exploring your views on Chlamydia Online survey - 20 mins
- Work in HE sector and use Web 2.0 tools? Online survey
- Smokers wanted Join a panel
- Could everyday situations pose privacy concerns? Online survey - 20 mins
- How we relate to our thoughts 45 mins on campus - £5
- Relationships between attention and pain experience 45 mins on campus - £5
- How people respond to the use of mental visualisation 45 mins on campus - £5
- Marketing research survey win £25
- Are you looking forward to a positive event in the near future? 30 mins on campus
- The effects of different thoughts and emotions on the experience of pain 45 mins on campus - chocolate & win £50
- Do you Twitter? Online survey - 10mins
Arts
Concerts and Performances
Lone Twin Speeches | Kensington Meadows, off London Road, Bath | Friday 11 September 6.30pm, Saturday 12 September 2pm & 5pm & Sunday 13 September 2pm & 5pm.
Members of the public living around the much-loved Kensington Meadows are invited to work with a professional speechwriter and Lone Twin, to create a speech linked to the area. Presented as public performances, these speeches give voice to their thoughts and passions, creating a forum where people can listen to privately held thoughts in a publicly shared space.
Sport
The Fromerang charity bike ride
Miles Peyton, Team Bath’s Sales and Marketing Manager, is organising a charity cycle challenge to raise money for a local charity, Positive Action on Cancer. The one day ride in September challenges people to explore the local countryside with a choice of routes in the Frome area. This will be the second charity ride that Miles has organised this year. The first was for Dorothy House Hospice, which raised approximately £12,000.
TeamBath Tennis Academy awarded IHPC status
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has announced that Team Bath Tennis Academy has been awarded International High Performance Centre (IHPC) status, marking the centre out as one of the top four tennis training centres in the country.