University Updates
09 January 2009
Research
Volunteers offered free gym membership to kick start a healthier lifestyle
The School for Health is offering six months free gym membership to volunteers who take part in a trial to measure the benefits of exercise on reducing the risk of heart disease.
Who we find attractive could have implications for the prevalence of autism, say researchers
Previous studies have shown that men across the world generally find women with a lower waist-hip ratio more attractive. However, new research from the Department of Psychology suggests that fathers of autistic children do not share this waist-hip ratio preference, adding evidence to the proposed theory of assortative mating.
The oche is the home of the true maths greats
Ken Bray (Mechanical Engineering) has completed some new research that shows how darts champions have to master geometry, physics and algebra to get a top score. The research coincides with the British Darts Organisation’s (BDO) Lakeside World Professional Darts Championships and is part of the Government's Get On campaign that encourages people to brush up on their maths skills.
JISC to significantly increase UKOLN funding from 2009
The Joint Information Systems Committee, JISC, is significantly increasing its finding to UKOLN this year. This increase is both a mark of confidence in the work of UKOLN but also a recognition of the increasing importance of investment in a national e-infrastructure to support the UK's global competitiveness in science, research and innovation.
New research suggests less risk in entrepreneurship
New research by UK Business Incubation (UKBI) says that starting a business is now less risky than employment in the corporate technology sector.
Learning & Teaching
New model of University calculator now available for use in the library 
There is a new model of the University calculator that is permitted to be used in University exams.
Staff News
University student and staff member starts second year without shopping
Christine Bone, an administrator and student on the School of Management’s MSc in Responsibility and Business Practice is starting her second year of abstaining from shopping, in a bid to do her bit for the environment.
Professor Andrew Pettigrew receives OBE
Andrew Pettigrew, who retired from the University at the end of September 2008, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours list for services to higher education.
Continuing Professional Development Support & Development Office launched
The University is delighted to announce the launch of the Continuing Professional Development Support and Development Office (CPDSDO), based on the 5th floor of Wessex House.
Information
Free staff Wellbeing Fayre (Mon 12th Jan)
To help staff have a healthy start to 2009 the University is launching a new Wellbeing Week starting on Monday 12th January with a host of free activities on offer.
Private flu vaccinations for University staff at the Medical Centre
The University Medical Centre is offering private flu vaccinations to staff who are not registered patients of the practice.
Essential maintenance work on the telephone system
Essential maintenance work will be carried out on the University's telephone system tomorrow (Saturday 10 January). Work will start at 9.00am and may cause some disruption to normal service for a short period.
Latest news from hospitality in January newsletter
All the latest news, offers and events from Hosptiality
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Ken Bray (Mechanical Engineering) commented in The Times on how maths can help with the perfect darts throw. He also spoke to Southern Counties Radio.
- Mark Brosnan (Psychology) commented in the Daily Mail on the link between who we find attractive and the prevelance of autism
- Natalie Dixon (Sport & Exercise Science) gave an interview on BBC Radio Bristol about a trial to measure the benefits of exercise on reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Paul Stallard (School for Health) was interviewed by Bath FM about a national positive thinking trial that starts this school term.
- Christine Bone (School of Management) gave interviews to Bath FM and BBC Radio Bristol about giving up buying new things to save money and the environment.
- Trevor Day (Dept of Education), who coaches science and engineering students in writing skills, has just had articles published in UK's Real Travel magazine and in Diver magazine. Trevor, originally a marine biologist, researched the articles last July off South Africa's Wild Coast.
Training opportunities
- One-day course: Introduction to Questionnaire Design - 14 January
- Free IT training courses for staff
Conferences & workshops
Exploring new territories: one day research conference
A one day conference, organised to meet the demand of growing interest in national and international interdisciplinary collaboration.
New frontiers in cellular signalling
One day conference on 16 January being held at the University.
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 12
14:00 PM USS pension fund - 2009 Member presentation
19:30 PM What's your poison?
Tuesday 13
12:15 PM Eucharist
19:15 PM 'Compacting' talk at Transition Bath Open Forum
Wednesday 14
13:15 PM Regulation of antioxidant genes by transcription factor Nrf2
Thursday 15
17:30 PM Court
Arts
Weekly Classes and Workshops
ICIA New Season - Booking now open!
Booking is now open for ICIA's new Spring season. ICIA runs classes and workshops in music, dance and visual arts for all levels. Classes open to all include:
- Music: DJ Skills, Bath University Big Band, Pop Choir
- Dance: Contemporary, Street Dance, Jazz Dance, Ballet, Flamenco, Tap
- Visual Arts: Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Life Drawing, Stained Glass, Creative Sculpture, Botanical Illustration, Creative Digital Art, Photography, Portrait Studies, Mixing 2D Media
Classes start the week of 19 January 2009
Check out the website for further details www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Concerts and Performances
- Jem Finer Work In Progress ICIA Arts Theatre | Friday 16 January, 7.30pm
Celebrated artist, musician and composer, Jem Finer joins ICIA for a week as Artist in Residence, leading to a work in progress performance, as part of a project to explore the relationship between sound and the moving image.
- Tom Sapsford Regina ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 31 January, 7.30pm
A compelling portrait of Elizabeth 1 by Tom Sapsford, acclaimed performer and award-winning choreographer. Fusing dance, drama and projection, Regina explores the many facets of this famous figure. -
Exhibitions 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.