11 March 2011
Learning & Teaching
Howard White appointed as QAA Institutional Reviewer
Howard White (European Studies & Modern Languages) has been appointed as an Institutional Reviewer for the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Innovations Day Thursday 12 May
Dai Hounsell, Vice Principal for Academic Enhancement at the University of Edinburgh, will be this year’s keynote speaker at the Annual Learning & Teaching Seminar.
Ranald Macdonald (Professor of Academic Development in the Learning & Teaching Institute, Sheffield Hallam University) will facilitate a workshop on student-led learning. The workshop will run from 12.30 until 2pm and is being held in 8 West 2.34.
Students explore postgrad options at HSS Graduate School open evening
The Graduate School for the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences held its first open evening on Thursday 24 February. Directors of Studies and current postgraduate students from the Faculty’s six departments attended to provide information on programmes and help guide students through the range of study options available.
Support for students affected by global events
Lecturers: If you have an international student that is struggling because of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan or the current political protests in the Middle East, please be aware of the support they can access. Support is also available for staff.
Comments invited:
- Revision of QA53 examination & assessment offences by 7 April 2011
Comments are now invited on the draft revision of QA53 examination and assessment offences intended to apply from 1 October 2011. - QA16 marking, moderation & feedback to students by 14 April 2011
Comments are also now invited on the draft revision of QA16 marking, moderation and feedback to students (proposed for implementation in 2011/12).
Research news
Death expert warns of crisis as baby-boomers reach old age
Kate Woodthorpe (Social & Policy Sciences), an expert in death studies, is warning that Britain is not prepared for the deaths of the post-war baby-boomers. She says that by 2030 there will be an extra 100,000 people dying a year, a 17 percent rise in current figures.
Article awarded hot article status in new RSC journal
Matthew Jones' (Chemistry) paper 'Investigations into the conversion of ethanol into 1,3-butadiene',
which examines how we can reduce our dependency on oil, has been selected as a 'Hot Article' by the Royal Society of Chemistry's new journal Catalysis Science & Technology.
3rd Researchers’ Conference: Let’s talk about Research - 19 April 2011
Details are now available for this year’s Researchers’ Conference which is all about communication and issues such as communicating effectively with the public, industry, your peers, the media and each other.
Other news
Children catapult red noses in the name of science
Children will send red noses flying at the Bath Taps into Science Fair, when they catapult them at targets to learn about the laws of motion on Friday 18 March. The annual hands-on science fair on campus coincides with Red Nose Day this year and the organisers are joining in with the spirit of the day to help local school children discover and enjoy science.
Fairtrade Fortnight - Westwood Nursery contributes to Fairtrade Foundation record attempt
Staff and students across campus have been decorating bunting to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight (28 February to 13 March) as part of the Fairtrade Foundation’s world record bunting attempt. Last week's programme of events culminated in a prize draw for the best designed bunting, with children at the Westwood Nursery on campus taking the team title for the longest bunting.
Student entrepreneurs pitch their business plans to experts
Would-be entrepreneurs Stephen Baldwin (Physics), Lena Chudasama (European Studies & Modern Languages) & Luke Tregidgo (Mechanical Engineering) have recently been pitching their business ideas against students from other universities in the SETsquared partnership at Deloitte in London in a competition to encourage student enterprise.
News from Microscopy & Analysis Suite (MAS)
The latest monthly newsletter from the Microscopy & Analysis Suite (MAS), an integral facility run by the Faculty of Science is now available on their homepage.
Information
Staff Survey launches Monday
Staff should have received an email this week from Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor, inviting you to participate in the forthcoming staff survey. In the message, she explains the background to the survey, how it will be delivered to you and the major themes it covers.
Volunteers wanted! Global Future 2011 4-8 April
Will you help to organise and run the events happening throughout the week? Global Future 2011 is a series of events to be held week commencing Monday 4 April 2011, run by University of Bath students and staff to encourage people to act to protect our future. The aim is to provide people with a glimpse of how lives are going to be affected by sustainability issues and to inspire people to embrace these changes. Please contact Mark Colling or Sally Lampkin.
Death of Stuart Eglinton
We regret to announce that Stuart Eglinton died on 3 March 2011, after a period of ill health. Stuart had worked at the University since 2002 and was a member of the postal team for much of that time. Our thoughts are with Sue, and Catherine, his sister, who both work at the University; Sue is well known as part of the Vice-Chancellor's Office.
Childcare vouchers - important changes for higher rate tax payers
As you may be aware, last year, the Government confirmed that instead of withdrawing Employer Supported Childcare, they would retain the tax relief at the basic rate of tax from April 2011. This change is being introduced to ensure that the tax savings available to you are similar regardless of the rate at which you pay tax. With this in mind, there will be a change to the care-4 scheme for new joiners with effect from 6 April 2011.
Vouchers wanted
Please collect Sainsbury's Active Kids and Tesco for Schools and Clubs vouchers, and send them to the Westwood Nursery. Thank you very much.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
In the media
www.bath.ac.uk/news/bathinpapers/
- VC Glynis Breakwell, with other vice-chancellors, expressed fears about cuts in the numbers of international students allowed to attend UK universities in a letter to the Guardian.
- Ken Bray (Mechanical Engineering) claimed that, contrary to popular belief, footballers have excellent scientific knowledge in an article published in the Daily Mail & Daily Mirror. He was also interviewed on BBC 5Live Drive [Listen again at 0.56.29], Talk Sport [Listen again at 19.20], BBC Radio Bristol, Newcastle [Listen again at 1.26.08] & Birmingham [Listen again at 1.23.40].
- Christian Stadler (Management) wrote an article 'Five ways to keep your company alive' for CNN's Fortune Magazine
- Richard Guy (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) was featured in the UAE National discussing the claims cosmetic companies make about the use of collagen in their skin care products.
- Ian Tonks (Management) was filmed giving advice on how to help people make better retirement choices for Professional Pensions.
Nominations & bids
Teaching Development Fund: by 20 May
The University Learning & Teaching Quality Committee (ULTQC) invites bids for the latest round of teaching development funding totalling approximately £60,000, which is due to be allocated for the academic year 2011/12 on 13 July 2011. Bids to Shaun McGall
Chancellor's Prize by 21 April
If you are teaching an outstanding final year undergraduate student, you may want to nominate them for the Chancellor's Prize.
Work perks
Spring into Fitness with STV's March offer
Throughout March the STV are offering a three-month membership with no joining fee. There are additional concessions if you are a member of staff.
Eastwood Woodland Nature Trail now open!
The Landscape Section has been working extremely hard over the past five weeks to create a new nature trail behind the Eastwood residences. As the warmer weather approaches, why not venture up and take a look on your lunch break!
Learn Spanish in Alicante – free of charge Deadline 1 April 2011
Under the Cooperation Agreement between the Universities of Bath and Alicante, members of staff can attend intensive Spanish language courses free of charge, with free bed & breakfast accommodation.
- University of Bath Gardening Society talk - Dan Hinkley, American gardener & plant explorer - Thursday 17 March, 7.30pm, 8W 2.1.
- WW1 Remembrance & Reflection trip 25-28 March
- Thorpe Park Saturday 25 June
Training & development
- Chairing Recruitment Panels - Monday 28 March
- KTA seminar: Practical networking Tuesday 29 March
- Matlab Academic tour 2011 - Thursday 7 April
- Mental health first aid - Two-day course - Friday 13 & 20 May
- IT skills
- Staff development
- e-Learning courses
- Training opportunities for researchers
Dates for your diary
Last chance to register for 2011 Hydrogen Showcase by Friday 18 March
It is the last opportunity to register for the International Hydrogen Research Showcase 2011 which take place from the 13-15 April. The high profile, three-day symposium will take place at the University of Birmingham. The event is directed by Dr Tim Mays (Chemical Engineering), and run by the UK Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Consortium (UK-SHEC) in conjunction with the UK Energy Research Committee.
Equality Forum 2011 - The inclusive university Wednesday 30 March
A joint Equality Forum taking place at Claverton campus, co-sponsored by the Universities of Bath and Bath Spa.
The morning panel session will consist of an informative, lively debate on the inclusive university. The afternoon will consist of facilitated workshops on aspects of the inclusive environment.
Matlab Academic tour 2011 being hosted at the University of Bath Thursday 7 April
Mathworks will be hosting their MATLAB Academic Tour 2011 in the South West at the University on Thursday 7 April 2011. This event is free and open to anyone with an interest or current knowledge of Matlab, who would like to learn how to use it to enhance their research and curricula. A complimentary lunch and refreshments will also be provided on the day.
Lectures
Bath Science Café: How much does the sun contribute to climate change? Monday 14 March
The next Bath Science Café will look at the contribution to climate change made by the sun, when it meets at the Raven 7.30pm.
Clutching at random straws | Wednesday 16 March
‘Stand-up mathematician’ Matt Parker, who says his life goal is to make people more excited about maths, will take to the stage to deliver the annual Bath Taps into Science lecture.
Europe’s Great Witch Hunt | Wednesday 16 March
Professor Ronald Hutton, from the University of Bristol, will talk about witch hunts between the 15th and 18th centuries in a free public lecture on campus.
Watts new with clean energy materials?
- batteries included | Wednesday 16 March | BRSLI
Saiful Islam (Chemistry) is giving a free talk (with 3D specs!) at the
Bath Royal Literary & Science Institution (BRLSI),
16-18 Queen Sq. (Joint RSC / IoP / IoM event).
University death expert to take part in public debate about organ donation | Thursday 17 March | Watershed
John Troyer (Social & Policy Sciences) will be discussing organ donation at a public debate at the Watershed in Bristol this month.
Seamus Heaney - Human Chain | Wednesday 23 March | BRSLI
David Skidmore (Education) will lead a discussion at the BRLSI about Seamus Heaney's latest collection of poetry, which has received critical acclaim from many prominent reviewers.
The crossroads of capitalist globalisation | Wednesday 13 April | Graduate Schools Open Lecture Series
Humanity stands at a crossroads. The era of ‘wild capitalist globalisation’ has drawn to a close, hastened by the global financial crisis. The contradictions of capitalism in the early twenty-first century are, for the first time, global in nature. For tickets Jose DiBella
Public lecture photo galleries:
- The Paralympic Legacy - research in disability sport & exercise (Council Showcase)
- Will Hutton: Them & Us: Changing Britain why we need a fairer society (Bath Literature Festival)
Podcasts:
A number of lectures have been added to the Uni's podcast page:
- The science of drug politics - Professor David Nutt
- Robots with emotions - do we need them? - Dr Joanna Bryson
- The pre-history of Bathampton Down - Bath's sacred landscape - Dr Rod Thomas
What's on
www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on
Tuesday 15 March
12:15 PM L&T paper lunch
12:15 PM Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
20:00 PM Comedy stage hypnotist - Adam Night
Thursday 17 March
19:30 PM A theory on the creation of American policy agendas
Friday 18 March
19:30 PM Seeing beneath the waves
Saturday 19 March
10:00 AM Workshop: Guerrilla knitting
10:30 AM Talking & being present
Sunday 20 March
10:00 AM Workshop: Knitting jewellery
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Concerts & performances:
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Bryony Kimmings Sex Idiot ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 12 March, 7.30pm
Join Bryony on a tour through her true-life sexual misadventures and self-realisations, told through vignettes of performance, dance, song and spoken word.
18+ Contains strong language, nudity and alcohol.
Exhibitions:
- Swindon College Lines of Enquiry 7 | ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday 18 March
The seventh in a series showing work by graduates of the BA Fine Art Drawing at Swindon College’s School of Art & Design. - University of Bath & Photosoc Photography Exhibition | ICIA Art Space 3, University Hall Foyer | Until Thursday 21 April
A chance to see the winning entries and runners-up from the University’s competition. Categories include landscape, documentary and portraiture, plus an overall staff winner.
Talks:
-
Tom Marshman & Deborah Aguirre Jones in Conversation | ICIA Art Space 2 | Wednesday 16 March
Artist Tom Marshman marks the opening of his new multi-media installation by discussing his residency at the University, its relation to his other work and ICIA’s 2011 theme- "Set in Play..."
Sport
Top class tennis tournament comes to STV
Bath’s first ATP Challenger Tour international tennis tournament and home netball fixtures against two of the top teams in the Fiat Superleague are the highlights of a month of stunning sporting action at the Sports Training Village in March. The ATP event will feature among others Wimbledon's marathon man Nicolas Mahut
Jamieson and Tadd land British titles
Michael Jamieson (Sports Performance student) and Stacey Tadd (Sport Development & Recreation) both collected their second titles of the British Championships in Manchester last night (Thursday).
Thunder steal Team Bath’s full-house home show
A devastating second quarter slump played its part in Team Bath Netball’s first home defeat of the 2011 Fiat Superleague season. The reigning champions in the end went down 49-52, to Northern Thunder in front of a capacity crowd.