12 August 2011
News
Bath research into JK Rowling family contributes to BBC programme
Research by Hanna Diamond (Politics, Languages & International Studies) into the family history of J.K Rowling has contributed to the hit BBC programme ‘who do you think you are?’ The programme her research contributed to will be aired on BBC One on Wednesday 17 August at 9pm, with a segment where Hanna had the rare opportunity to meet the acclaimed author in Paris released on the ‘who do you think you are?’ website soon afterwards.
Patients and carers asked to help develop new health technology
Researchers including Christopher Eccleston and Sarah Rook (Health) have developed new interactive technology to help improve the lives of those with dementia, the elderly and disabled people. Two new applications, In Touch and If Only have been produced. The team are now seeking feedback on the products from patients and their carers. If you would like to be involved, visit this site or contact Sarah by email or phone ext.3897.
Bath students star on University Challenge
Four of our students Steven Pagett (3rd year MMaths), Adam Melling-Smith (3rd year BA French and Politics), Dorian Lidell (4th year MMaths), and Sam Causer (4th year BSc Physics) starred on University Challenge taking on Christ Church Oxford. They unfortunately were unable to overcome their opponents to secure a place in the second round, but the show is now available on the BBC iplayer.
Bath alumnus lands job at rare earth mining project in South Africa
John Selby (BSc Industrial Chemistry graduate 1969) has been appointed by the Great Western Minerals Group as a Monazite Processing Expert. He will advise on the processing of additional monazite streams to be used as feedstock in the companies rare earth processing and separation facilities in and around Steenkampskraal, South Africa.
Research
New research studentship established to work with Professor Paul Cornish
Following the appointment of Paul Cornish the recently renamed department of Politics, Languages & International Studies is offering a new University Research Studentship (URS). It will allow students interested in undertaking an MPhil/PhD research project to investigate one of the following topics: international cyber-security; the transatlantic strategic partnership; or strategic communications.
Chemistry Professor is guest editor of special issue of top journal
Saiful Islam (Chemistry) and Professor Linda Nazar of the University of Waterloo, Canada, are the invited Guest Editors of a special themed issue on ‘Advanced materials for lithium batteries’ in a top Royal Society of Chemistry journal. The importance of clean energy storage has grown tremendously in the past decade and this themed issue of the RSC Journal of Materials Chemistry will highlight some of the recent state-of-the-art research on lithium battery materials by renowned international scientists and engineers.
Information
Closure times of Fresh and Student Centre shop Monday 22 August until Wednesday 14 September
Please note that due to updating and refurbishment works the following retail outlet closures will take place:
- The Student Centre shop will close Friday 12 August 5.30pm until Monday 22 August 7.30am. During this time the Fresh grocery store will remain open as usual.
- Fresh grocery store will close Sunday 21 August 4pm until Wednesday 14 September 7.30am. During this time the Student Centre shop will stock a wider range of grocery products and be open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 7pm and on Saturday and Sunday 9am to 4pm.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Bath Ventures staff join Research Development Support Office
Bath Ventures has been integrated into RDSO formally recognising the close collaboration already in place between them in supporting the full continuum of the research and knowledge transfer lifecycle. The decision was accepted by the Vice Chancellor’s Group on the recommendation of a Review Group.
Welcome to new staff who joined the University in July
Find out who all the new faces on campus were last month.
Jobs
To view vacant posts visit: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
In the media
Would you like to receive a daily email of news stories that feature the University? Please email press@bath.ac.uk and include the word 'Headlines' in the subject box. A selection of HE stories in the national media is also included. A more comprehensive list of the University's media coverage is available at www.bath.ac.uk/news/bathinpapers.
- Bath students take on Christ Church College Oxford on BBC 2's University Challenge.
- Michael Carley (Mechanical Engineering) discusses how his research into the noise experienced by motorbike riders could lead to better-designed helmets and motorcycles - The Engineer.
- Ingolflur Blühdorn (Politics, Languages & International Studies) debated the implications of the recent riots on the Mark O'Donnell show on BBC Radio Wiltshire [listen again at 00:05:40].
- Hanna Diamond (Politics, Languages & International Studies)
Work perks
- Enjoy lunchtime away from your desk. 6WS is available for staff to bring their own lunch every day from 15 August until 16 September 12.15pm to 2.30pm. The balcony is a great place to be when the sun is shining.
- Interested in a quick lunchtime board game? Come to 6WS on Fridays during August and September. Contact John Mitchels for more information.
- Come and buy the cheapest paperbacks in Bath! Every Wednesday outside the library until mid September 12:30pm until 1.45pm. Book donations always welcome.
- Check out our events programme:
*Now booking *
NEW deep sea fishing charter Saturday 3 September
Fascinating Aida - show at Theatre Royal Bath Sunday 30 October.
Santa canal cruise - starts from Bradford-on-Avon Sunday 18 December.
Peter Pan panto - Bristol Hippodrome Sunday 8 January.
Get a free one-day trial at the STV expires Monday 5 September
To celebrate the opening of the newly refurbished Fitness Suite, Team Bath is offering a free one-day trial. Limited places are available so for further information or to book a place contact our memberships team ext. 3597 and quote 'website fitness offer'.
Booking for Tribe summer holiday camps
The STV’s Tribe summer holiday camps focus on using a fun environment to develop the skills and fundamentals children require for participation in sport. A brochure is now available and camps can be booked by calling ext. 6915 between 9am-5pm.
Events
Alumni, staff, students and friends are invited to University golf day Thursday 22 September
Alumni, staff, students and friends of the University are again invited to get together for a day of golf at Bath Golf Course. Our third golf day will start with coffee and bacon rolls on arrival and tee times will begin from 9am. The games will be rounded off with lunch in the Clubhouse and the prize giving. The day costs £50, or £20 for Bath Golf Club members. The price includes your green fees, refreshments and lunch. To book download a booking form or phone the Alumni Relations team ext.3984.
Green impact workshops: give it a go!
If you would like to create a greener office you may be interested to know that Estates are running a series of environmental workshops over the summer. The sessions are part of the Green Impact scheme and all staff are invited to participate. The workshops include:
- Introduction for new team members - Tuesday 6 September
- The new workbook - Thursday 22 September
Applications
Newly announced European opportunities in latest Funding@Bath
The RDSO have published the latest Funding@Bath newsletter which includes opportunities with the Ministry of Defence, Cancer Research UK and in Europe.
Do you need funding to help build relationships with external organisations? To be spent by Tuesday 30 September 2012
The Knowledge Transfer Account KT Champion funding is available to all academics, non-academic (e.g. research managers) and research staff to support relationship building with external organisations. The funding has supported travel to attend advisory boards or meet organisations, industrial conferences at Bath, scoping studies for further research funding, website development, mentoring, plus events with policy makers and practitioners in Bath and in London. Funding is now available to be spent by the above date. See the KTA KT Champion webpage for details on how to apply.
Learning & teaching
Moodle integration completed ahead of schedule
The e-Learning Team (LTEO) together with colleagues from BUCS have worked hard over many months to complete the integration of Moodle with Turnitin (plagiarism detection software) and SAMIS. Further information, questions and/or comments can be directed to e-Learning@bath.ac.uk.
Quality Assurance Agency institutional review dates Monday 29 April 2013
A review from the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) has been scheduled. The QAA will be replacing the previously known, 'institutional audit' with an institutional review, with effect from September 2011. Detailed information about the revised approach and methodology is available on the QAA web site. Contact James Macdonald (Learning & Teaching Enhancement Office) with any general enquiries.
Training & development
Forthcoming conference: developing writing in STEM disciplines Monday 12 September
The Learning & Teaching Enhancement Office is delighted to announce that the University will be hosting a South West Higher Education STEM Conference, which will primarily aim to outline employers expectations of STEM graduates and how universities should address these expectations. To book a place contact Nadine Grimmett (Learning & Teaching Enhancement Office).
New e-learning module: writing your thesis
Produced by the Researcher Development Unit, the new ‘Writing your Thesis’ course brings together expertise and advice from academics, skills development staff and research students from the Universities of Bath, Bristol and Exeter (Researcher Development Online collaboration). Expert advice has also been provided by the University of Bath’s writing coach, Dr Trevor Day. A full list of courses is available.
Researchers: new online course to help you find careers beyond academia
The Researcher Development Unit has launched a new e-Learning module, giving advice and information to researchers on careers outside academia. On the course researchers will be encouraged to broaden their horizons in terms of career choices and they will gain practical tips to help secure their ideal job.
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
ICIA's new season starts in September with booking for all events and classes opening on 12 September at 9.30am - Box Office ext. 6777
Upcoming events:
- Entitled a new work by Quarantine theatre company | TBC | 21 September
- A photography exhibition by Wendy McMurdo | TBC | 12 October
This exhibition explores the psychological world of the child, expressed through play. - Artist-in-Residence Jem Finer | Computer Science Department | from mid-September
Our new artist in residence develops his project Mobile Sinfonia.
Sign up for ICIA's e-bulletin for all the latest news or keep up to date on Facebook or on Twitter @iciabath
Sport
New Performance Gym gives timely boost to 2012 hopes for Bath athletes
Michael Jamieson (Sports Performance student), Freyja Prentice (Biology student) and gold medallist Amy Williams (Sports Performance graduate) have opened a new £100,000 Performance Gym. Dedicated to the requirements of world class athletes at the University the new gym has been developed and funded by a partnership between the University, the English Institute of Sport (EIS), Sport England, UK Sport and TASS to give athletes in Bath and the South West a boost ahead of London 2012. The new gym is in an extension to the existing Fitness Suite, which has just been fully refurbished.
Six Bath athletes named in GB World Championships team
Six University of Bath-based athletes, including Danny Talbot (sports performance student) and reigning Commonwealth and European champion hurdler Dai Greene, have been named in the Aviva Great Britain and Northern Ireland team to compete at the IAAF World Championships in South Korea. Renowned coach Malcolm Arnold coaches five of those who will feature. The championships take place at Daegu in South Korea from Saturday 27 August through to Sunday 4 September.