University Updates
11 January 2008
News
2008 New Year Honours List
Peter Ford, who retired from the Department of Physics last year, was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours List. Ivor Powell, football coach in the Sports Training Village, was awarded an MBE for services to sport. Two of Bath's honorary graduates were also recognised: Jacqueline Wilson (Honorary DLitt, 2005) received a DBE for services to literature and
Philip Frederick Williamson (Honorary DBA, 2006) was given a CBE for services to the finance industry. Bath alumnus David William Butler (BSc Mathematics, 1973) who is
Chief Executive of the National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations, received an OBE for services to the community and to education. Team Bath Olympian Kate Allenby was awarded an MBE; she represented Great Britain in the modern pentathlon at both the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics, winning a bronze medal in Sydney.
Report considers EU/Ukraine ties
Richard Whitman (European Studies & Modern Languages) and Amanda Akçakoca (European Policy Centre) have published a new report analysing the likely impact of recent developments in both Ukraine and the EU on their relationship, and considers what both sides need to do to forge closer ties. The report can be seen in full at: http://tinyurl.com/3xj8gl
Science Café: Artificial intelligence is here to stay
Machines that have their own artificial intelligence are often thought of as science fiction but they are already all around us, says Joanna Bryson (Computer Science) who will be speaking at the next Bath Science Café.
Innovations, a magazine which gives a taste of recent research projects at the University, is being distributed around campus this week. The magazine looks at some of the research the University carried out in 2006/7 which could soon begin to change the everyday lives of people. It is divided into sections on health, transport, world, business and home. For addtional copies (for use at open days, exhibitions, visits to external clients), please contact Claire Hornshaw
Video gives potential students an idea of life at Bath
The University has created an introductory video for students considering coming to Bath to study. The video was shot in high definition and can be saved on DVD or used as a background video at events. Please contact AV Services for a copy of the DVD. The website also has a downloadable version at http://www.bath.ac.uk/multimedia/univideo
Information
Message about the norovirus stomach bug
The Department of Human Resources has published guidance about how to avoid the norovirus stomach bug and what to do should you catch it.
Exams start next week
Students have been reminded to disclose mitigating circumstances in advance of sitting their exams.
2008 David Parkin Awards for student scholarships for summer research projects & a visiting professorship
The University and the Esther Parkin Trust are delighted to offer these two schemes for 2008. The deadlines are 15 & 31 January respectively.
UK Research Office to give presentations on campus
The UK Research Office – in its capacity as UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the European Research Council (ERC), in partnership with the University of Bath - is to hold two information events for researchers on Friday 18 January 2008.
New staff who joined the University in December 2007
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.
The SCR and Claverton Rooms closed until 20 January
The SCR and Claverton Rooms will be closed until Sunday 20 January 2008 to allow the floor to be refurbished. The Wessex Restaurant will be open for tea and coffee from 8am-12noon and 3pm-5pm during January, and the UBSA Committee extended an open invitation to all SCR members to use the UBSA facilities throughout January.
PensionPlus for USS members implemented from 1 January 2008
The University recently contacted all USS members to advise them of the proposal to implement PensionPlus. The consultation process indicated that the participation rate in PensionPlus will be 93%. The Project Board reviewed this together with the system changes required to implement the scheme, and concluded that PensionPlus should start from 1 January 2008, which will be reflected in January's payroll. The next opportunity for USS members to opt in/out will be during March 2008 (effective from April 2008). If you have any questions regarding PensionPlus, please contact the Pensions Office, ext 3768.
Who should get an honorary degree next year?
The Honorary Degrees Committee is pleased to receive nominations from any member of the University or person associated with it. In particular, it welcomes proposals that reflect the cultural diversity and international character of the University and promotes its commitment to gender equality. The deadline for nominations is 14 January 2008.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
New websites
Computing Services
Computing Services (BUCS) launched its new website on Monday. The new site has been developed by the Web Services Team and BUCS using a variety of usability methods, with a focus on 'everyday' usage. A new content management system and an editorial board has been used for the main site, with the aim of keeping it informative while remaining concise.
Find out the results of University surveys on a new wiki
The Library Web Team has set up a University surveys wiki. This will enable students and staff to access a wide range of survey results relating to the University. Coverage includes: the National Student Survey, Student Experience Survey, International Student Barometer and Postgraduate Research Survey, as well as departmental surveys for the Library and Computing Services.
Training & development opportunities
Fancy a new challenge for 2008? Learn a language
Staff who work 0.5 FTE are entitled to a 75 per cent discount on all language courses.
Part-time courses for spring
The chance to go to a Hogwarts for adults’ magic school or crack a crime scene investigation are two of the unusual leisure and learning opportunities on offer in this spring’s new programme of part-time courses run by the University in Bath. Discounts are available for staff.
- IT training courses
- Writing persuasive reports - 16 January
- Examination Boards - training for chairs & secretaries - 17 January
What's On next week
Monday 14
19:30 PM Lecture on World Water Speed Record
19:30 PM Art in botany - Nature's minute beauty & infinite diversity
19:30 PM Science Café: Can we build artificial intelligence - and should we?
Wednesday 16
12:15 PM Inequalities in infant mortality: trends, policies and emerging issues
Thursday 17
10:15 AM HERA redundancies at University of Bath?
17:30 PM Lines of Enquiry 4
Exhibitions
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.
Lines of Enquiry 4 | ICIA Art Space 2, 17 January-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.
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
New 2008 season – booking now open
Concessionary prices available to University staff. Email ICIAinfo@bath.ac.uk to receive your brochure through internal post.
ICIA Classes & Workshops
- Sign up for classes / workshops in dance, music and visual arts. Try something new or improve skills under the guidance of professional tutors.
- Dance courses include jazz, tap, contemporary, urban fusion, flamenco, street dance and ballet and start from 14 January.
- Music courses include DJ skills, the BUBBA big band workshop and a one-off workshop with leading experimental sound artists.
- Visual Arts includes ceramics, drawing, painting, life drawing and stained glass. Specialist weekend workshop in large scale pots, raku and throwing.
Concerts & Performances
- I Am The Mighty Jungulator Elements, Sat 9 Feb, 8.30pm
Glistening electronic textures, rich soundscapes and live visuals are synced, created and mixed into a complete live performance. - Artists’ Talk: Curious BRLSI, Sat 2 Feb, 2.30-4.30pm
Performance artists show their three short films entitled Lost & Found, filmed on location at Lost Property, Baker Street; the Black Country, West Midlands: and Shanghai, China. - Carol Brown Dances Dancing Aloud ICIA Arts Theatre, Sat 16 Feb, 7.30pm
Internationally regarded choreographer Carol Brown moves through memories, re-drawing a map of choreographies from Philadelphia to Finland, and from Cork to Calcutta.
Sport
Swimmer achieves Beijing qualifying standard
Sports Performance student Andrei Cross took a big step towards competing at his first Olympic Games by achieving a qualifying standard for Beijing 2008.
The Barbados swimmer clocked a time of 1:03.64 for the 100m breaststroke at a meet in Slovenia. His time was a long course personal best and well within the B qualifying standard for Beijing of 1:03.72.
Buccs bid for indoor promotion
Team Bath Buccaneers are aiming to reach Division One of the Indoor English Hockey League for the first time in their history. Buccs won the Division Two South league last weekend to book a place in the play-offs in Kidderminster this coming weekend.
Team Bath’s netballers hope to extend their winning run to four games when they host Mavericks in the Co-operative Superleague at the Sports Training Village tomorrow (Saturday).