University Updates
7 December 2007
News
Stop smoking services are reducing the UK’s health gap, shows study
Poorer people are quitting smoking in larger numbers than their better off neighbours, according to a new study by the University's Tobacco Control Research Group.
New book explores the psychology of risk
A new book that provides a comprehensive exploration of the psychology of risk has been written by Professor Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Two e-lounges opened as part of University's strategy on social space
Two University “e-lounges” in 4East and 5West, which offer places for staff and students to use computers, get snacks and chat, were officially opened by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glynis Breakwell, yesterday.
Honorary degrees
One of the founders of the UK’s success in the mobile phone market, Sir Julian Horn-Smith, will be awarded an honorary degree by the University next week. Honorary degrees will also be conferred on University graduate Dr Stephen Huckvale, who is a Vice-President of the engineering firm Moog, and James Sherwin, who was a lawyer in the US and a champion chess player before moving to Bath.
Mobile phone entrepreneur to speak at Bath-India Economic Forum
People interested in the booming Indian market will get the chance to hear some expert opinions at a forum next Wednesday at the University. Leading entrepreneur Sunil Bharti Mittal will be amongst those presenting.
A personal invitation from the University archivist
Have you ever wondered what is in the University archival collections? Have you ever wondered what an archivist actually does? If so, this is your chance to find out. Come and meet the archives (and the archivist, Lizzie Richmond) on Tuesday 18 December between 12 noon and 1pm in the Meeting Room on Level 4 of the Library. Please book a place in advance as spaces are limited. E.Richmond@bath.ac.uk
New student accommodation is environmentally ‘excellent’
New student residences at the Claverton campus have received an award for ‘excellent’ environmental design, marking the project out as one of only three in the country to achieve the status.
Student residences compete to save energy
Students living in University accommodation are going head-to-head to see which complex can save the most electricity, in a competition to cut carbon emissions.
Our Big Energy Challenge reminder
One year on from launching Our Big Energy Challenge, 55 members of staff across all University departments are now trained as energy champions, advising and encouraging colleagues on simple steps to save energy. Simple things like switching off lights, computer monitors and unused electrical appliances make a big difference so please help the University achieve its aim of reducing energy consumption on campus by at least 10 per cent over the next three years.
Yeovil student wins prestigious Jeremy Fry Memorial Scholarship
A student from Yeovil has been awarded a prestigious £5,000 scholarship to help fund his studies at the University of Bath.
Use of blogs by Bath students features in national workshop
The use of blogs by students at Bath featured as part of a national workshop on social networking recently.
School of Management news round-up
The Christmas edition of the School's e-newsletter, which includes the latest stories about staff, students and alumni, is now available online.
Information
No network services next weekend
To enable necessary engineering work to take place, there will be no network services available throughout the weekend of 15/16 December (including email and web access). BUCS apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.
University Christmas Carol Service - Wednesday
The University Chamber Choir have been warming up for Christmas by performing in a number of carol concerts. They will be in good voice by the time they lead the singing at the popular University Carol Service on Wednesday 12 December in Bath Abbey. The Service starts at 7.30pm and doors open at 7pm, so arrive early in order to get a good seat. There will be both biblical and modern readings, congregational carols, as
well as carols from the 13th to the 20th centuries sung by the Choir. The retiring collection will be for the Genesis Trust, which works among the homeless of Bath.
Summary of matters discussed at Council
The University has decided to publish a summary of matters discussed at Council meetings shortly after the meeting. The first summary is now available online.
New starters in November 2007
The New Starters update gives the name, job title and department of all new members of staff who started at the University in the previous month.
Do you need assistance with funding to commercialise your research?
The Research Councils have announced a call for their 'Follow-on Fund', which aims to help bridge the funding gap between traditional research grant funding and commercial funding (commercialising the University's intellectual assets). Research & Innovation Services are able to help academics submit proposals.
Funding opportunities
The latest funding opportunities have been uploaded on to the website in the last few days. Fellowship, Travel and Studentship opportunities are also detailed. The Research Support Unit would be delighted to assist with any proposals. rsu@bath.ac.uk
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Helen Haste (Psychology) spoke on Radio 4's programme Mind changes about the work of Lawrence Kohlberg on moral development.
- Linda Bauld (Social & Policy Sciences) appeared on GWR FM and Bath FM about the study showing that NHS quit-smoking services are helping to reduce the health gap between rich and poor.
- Matthew Dustan (Mechanical Engineering student) was interviewed on BBC Somerset about winning the prestigious Jeremy Fry memorial scholarship
- Pete Phelps (Estates) talked on Bath FM about the launch of an energy-saving competition in the student residences.
- Research by the Vice-Chancellor, Glynis Breakwell, on the subject of headhunters recruiting vice-chancellors was quoted in The Times.
- The Team Bath football programme at the University came under the spotlight in Thursday's Daily Mail.
- Hanna Diamond (European Studies & Modern Languages) received a favourable review for her book Fleeing Hitler: France 1940 in the New York Review of Books.
Training & development opportunities
- IT training courses - updated list
- Understanding and working with equality & diversity issues - 12 December
Lectures
Public lectures at the University
A full list of forthcoming lectures is available on the web. Please send any additions to g.smith@bath.ac.uk
Why do people put things in graves? An archaeological perspective
Dr Heinrich Härke will explore the archaeology of graves at a public lecture on Thursday 13 December 2007, 5.15-6.45pm in 3 East 2.20.
Vaccines – heroes of health care
The vaccines that we are given as children or when we go on holiday are some of the most underappreciated contributions to modern heath care, says the speaker at the next Bath Science Café on Monday 10 December 2007, 7.30pm, in The Raven pub, Queen Street.
What's on next week
Monday 10
19:30 PM Liquid assets - wetlands in a changing world
Tuesday 11
10:00 AM Award Ceremonies
12:15 PM Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:30 PM UBSA Christmas bingo
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM Seminar
16:30 PM Modernising regulation
Wednesday 12
09:30 AM Bath India Economic Forum
10:00 AM Award Ceremonies
19:30 PM University Carol Service
19:30 PM The workings of an artist printmaker
Thursday 13
12:30 PM UBSA lunchtime horse races
13:00 PM Silent Zone
16:15 PM A revolution of values: psychological research on materialism & its alternatives
Friday 14
09:30 AM Organisations, work, leadership and change: Research away day
Exhibitions
Gogolin | Holburne exhibition, until 9 December
This film and installation has been created by award-winning Bristol-based artist Andrew Mania and explores the ways in which memories can be inherited, adopted and woven into a personal narrative.
Margareta Kern - Clothes for Death | ICIA Art Space 2, until 4 January
This interdisciplinary artist presents powerful and intimate photographs as a personal response to a tradition in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina of women preparing clothes for their own burial.
Photography Exhibition | ICIA Art Space 1, until 16 February, 10am-5pm
A showcase of selected works from this year’s
University of Bath Photography Competition.
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Choral Society & Orchestra
Sat 8 Dec, 7.30pm | St
Mary’s Church, Bathwick, Bath | £5, £3 concs
These two groups join together to present a mixed and enchanting
programme of sweeping orchestral scores and traditional choral music.
University Chamber Choir concert
Sat 8 Dec, 7.30pm | Holt United Reformed Church, near Bradford-on-Avon | £5
Music for Advent and Christmas, old and new, sung by the University's renowned Chamber Choir, accompanied by organist Mark Swinton. Conductor Michael Painting.
Wind Band & BUBBA
Sun 9 Dec, 7.30pm | ICIA Arts Theatre | £5, £3 concs
A double-bill featuring the resonant sounds of the University’s Wind Band followed by swinging numbers from the 40-strong, foot-tapping BUBBA Big Band.
Orchestra, Wind Band, Choral Society & Barbers
Thur 13 Dec, 7.30pm | Oldfield Park Baptist Church, Bath | £5, £3 concs
Join the University’s music groups as they get into the festive mood with this alternative celebration to the usual Christmas carol concert.
Sport
Laura reaches Welsh badminton semis
Laura Cousins, a first year Sports Performance student, reached the semi-finals of the women’s doubles competition at the Yonex Welsh International tournament last weekend.
Team Bath FC top table
Team Bath FC top the BGB Premier Division after beating Yate Town 2-0 away on Tuesday.
Walker collects junior & senior titles
Team Bath judo player Kate Walker (Pharmacy) completed an impressive double by winning both the junior and senior titles at the British Elite Performance Trials last weekend.
Rowers provide charity cash boost
University of Bath rowers raised hundreds of pounds for charity and set an unofficial record in Saturday’s marathon fund-raising effort. Ten rowers completed a 100km relay row in just four hours 59 minutes and 14 seconds. Their efforts yielded almost £500 for the Stroke Association.