University Updates
11 September 2009
Research news
Breakthrough in bubble research at Bath
Ruggero Gabrielli, having recently completed his PhD in Mechanical Engineering, has found a new approach to an old geometric problem of modelling the most efficient way of packing shapes to form a foam.
International research collaboration strengthens with latest rugby project
Researchers in the School for Health have joined forces with the University of Wollongong, Australia in a project looking at evasive running movements in rugby and the links with performance and injuries. Dr Bridget Munro, Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics in the School of Health Sciences, University of Wollongong, won the FE Johnson Memorial Fellowship funded by the New South Wales Sporting Injuries Committee in Australia. This enabled her to travel to the UK and extend the research into injury prevention that the two universities have previously carried out.
Bath experts contribute to government credit crunch report
Dr Sarah Dixon, Professor Klaus Meyer and Dr Steve McGuire of the School of Management have been part of a specially convened think tank of nine eminent UK business experts, brought together recently by the government to advise on how firms can deal with the current economic crisis.
Staff news
Professor Barry Potter wins 2009 GlaxoSmithKline International Achievement Award
Professor Barry Potter, Professor of Medicinal & Biological Chemistry (Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology) has won the prestigious 2009 GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) International Achievement Award for his work on cancer drugs with the late Professor Michael Reed, Professor of Steroid Biochemistry at Imperial College, London.
New Director for Bath Institute of Medical Engineering
Dr Nigel Harris, Head of Clinical Measurement and Imaging at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases NHS Foundation Trust (RNHRD), is to take up the post of Director of the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) in October, following the retirement of Professor Roger Orpwood.
Aki Salo supports bronze medal relay winners
Dr Aki Salo, Senior Lecturer, School for Health was once again part of the GB Athletics team taking part in the World Championships in Berlin last week. Using his expertise in Applied Biomechanics, Dr Salo provided analyses for individual athletes and was heavily involved with the men’s 4×100m relay team, which won the bronze medal at the Championships.
Theatre Royal curtain call for purchasing technician
Lesley Chapman (Biology & Biochemistry) is to take to the stage for one of the lead roles in the Bath Light Operatic Group (BLOG) production of Sweeney Todd at the Theatre Royal Bath later this month.
Other news
School for Health launches Introduction to research event for masters students
This September the School for Health is launching a new Introduction to research event for masters students who are about to embark on their research projects. The first of its kind to be designed specifically at masters level, the two-day course has been devised by Dr Jane Hall, Dr James Bilzon and Polly Clark. It is hoped that similar events can be held for other masters students in the future, raising the profile and quality of the University's research output at the masters level.
Scholarships available for Latin American students
The University has been awarded a prestigious Erasmus Mundus External Cooperation Window project funded by the European Commission.
The project will fund 14 students (from undergraduates to post-doctoral level) from Argentina, Bolivia and Peru to come to Bath.
Information
5,000 expected at University for Open Day
Around 5,000 prospective students and their parents are expected to attend the Undergraduate Open Day on Thursday 17 September. Events will be taking place across the whole campus, including talks and guided tours within each academic department.
New starters in August 2009
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.
New version of University PowerPoint presentation now available
The University has updated the template for PowerPoint presentations that can be used and adapted by staff and students giving lectures and talks. The presentation contains facts and figures agreed by Executive recently as both correct and representative of the University’s work. The template presentation can be downloaded from the Corporate Communications website. Staff and students can then adapt the text and images for their own purposes.
User friendly changes to the vacation message
In response to user feedback and to ensure continuing improvement BUCS has made some important changes to the look and usability of the vacation message tool.
New library website launched
From Monday 7 September, the old Library website will be changing over to the new Content Management System format that has already been widely adopted by other departments across the University. The new website should provide all users with a number of advantages over the existing website such as ease of navigation, Quicklinks to the most frequently used services from the homepage, clearer layouts and content and a Quicksearch option.
New 4W Cafe now open
The new cafe in 4W is open daily from 8:00 until 19:00 Monday to Friday. A takeaway service is available between 8am - 9am. The main restaurant opens at 9am.
Retired Senior Lecturer Nandu Kamat dies
The Department of Economics regrets to announce the death of Professor Kamat Ramanand, known as Nandu, who has died at the age of 81. A funeral service is to be held at Haycombe Crematorium, at 12 noon on Thursday 17 September. Friends and colleagues are welcome to attend.
Take part in the sponsored RICE Memory Trail 20 Sept
Take part in the 16th annual Memory Trail and help support research into Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Click for entry form or telephone 01225 476420 for more information.
Repairs to pedestrian crossing points near STV on Convocation Avenue
Work will commence on Tuesday 1 September 2009 for approximately ten working days to undertake repairs to the main traffic control ramps/crossing points on Convocation Avenue. Work to the road sections will be carried out between 12 midnight and 6.45am to incur minimum inconvenience.
Ramadan: 21 August-19 September 2009
We are currently in the season of Ramadan. This means that Muslim staff and students may be fasting during daylight hours.
Consultation on Corporate Plan
Members of the University community are invited to comment on proposed text relating to the vision, purpose, objectives and values of the University which will feed into the new Corporate Plan for 2009/10, which is currently being drafted. Please send your comments to Nicky Kemp by 9 October.
Statutes, Ordinances & Regulations of the University - revised
The Statutes, Ordinances and Regulations of the University have been reviewed during the past year by Council and Senate. The new versions of the documents, with effect from 1 August 2009, are available online.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Nick Hall (Bath Institue for Rheumatic Diseases) was interviewed by Bath FM about the Institute's free information day on rheumatoid arthiritis.
- Mathew Penrose (Mathematical Sciences) spoke to Radio Bristol about probabilities, following Derren Brown's prediction of the lottery numbers.
- Eric Anderson (Education) spoke to CTV Olympics about how attitudes to homosexual athletes are changing, in the run-up to the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
Training & development
- Lifting and carrying course 17 September
- Find out about research careers available in the South West 16 September
- How we prepare students and enhance their learning 22 September
- Research Postgraduates - new courses to help plan your career
- New IT training timetable for staff and postgraduates
- Performance Review - Conducting an effective review of support & technical staff 15 September AM
- Performance Review - Getting the most out of your review (for support & technical staff) 15 September PM
- Time management 16 September
- Workshop for those new to teaching at the Uni of Bath 16 & 18 September
- An introduction to project management 29 September (off-site at Marriott Airport Hotel, Manchester)
- Free beginner’s guide to the media for scientists and engineers 4 November (at the Royal Institution in London)
- Leadership, research & you - Various dates: September-December
- New Staff Development programme | Download PDF to print
- e-Learning staff development programme
- Monthly learning & teaching paper lunches
Forthcoming lectures & conferences
New lecture series on researching human behaviour in engineering & computer science
Over many years researchers from the Social Sciences and Management communities have developed robust techniques by which to research human behaviour. However, research in the domain of developing technology from areas such as engineering, computer science and even management often struggle to implement and make best use of these techniques. This lecture series aims to transfer knowledge across disciplines to improve research rigour.
The role of religion in human rights in the future Wednesday 16 September
Staff and students are invited to attend a lecture by the Honourable Mary Robinson, former President of the Republic of Ireland, in Bath Abbey. The lecture, entitled ‘Realising Rights: the role of religion in human rights in the future’, is part of the 1100th anniversary celebrations of the Diocese of Bath & Wells. Free tickets are available from Sheila Willmott.
Bath Biosensor Network Wednesday 23 September
The first Bath interdisciplinary meeting on Biosensors will be held on Wednesday 23 September, 11:50am - 5:30pm, in the foyer and lecture theatre of 3WN. Please register your interest.
Cancer Research Symposium Wednesday 30 September
Registration is now open for the first CR@B (Cancer Research at Bath) Symposium. It is open to all academic and clinical staff and students with an interest in cancer research.
Research volunteers wanted
- What do we mean when we use the word privacy? Online survey 15-20
- Rugby players wanted for international research project
- Exploring your views on Chlamydia Online survey - 20 mins
- Work in HE sector and use Web 2.0 tools? Online survey
- Smokers wanted Join a panel
- How we relate to our thoughts 45 mins on campus - £5
- Relationships between attention and pain experience 45 mins on campus - £5
- How people respond to the use of mental visualisation 45 mins on campus - £5
- Marketing research survey win £25
- Are you looking forward to a positive event in the near future? 30 mins on campus
- The effects of different thoughts and emotions on the experience of pain 45 mins on campus - chocolate & win £50
What's on
More details - www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on/
Tuesday 15
19:30 PM Art & Argument - Modern art in context
19:30 PM Angela Easterling
Wednesday 16
18:00 PM Honorary Degree Ceremony and Lecture in Bath Abbey
18:30 PM Johann Zoffany: artist of the Enlightenment
Thursday 17
University Open Day
Friday 18
09:00 AM Staff, student & alumni golf day
Arts
Concerts and Performances
Lone Twin Speeches Kensington Meadows, off London Road, Bath | Friday 11 September 6.30pm, Saturday 12 September 2pm & 5pm & Sunday 13 September 2pm & 5pm.
Members of the public living around the much-loved Kensington Meadows are invited to work with a professional speechwriter and Lone Twin, to create a speech linked to the area. Presented as public performances, these speeches give voice to their thoughts and passions, creating a forum where people can listen to privately held thoughts in a publicly shared space.
SINGULARITIES: ATTAB HADDAD Oud Music Room, University Hall | Thursday 8 October, 8pm
Attab Haddad brings a new approach to the age-old traditions of the Oud, an Arabic instrument that precedes the lute. He infuses elements of flamenco, Middle Eastern classical, jazz, classical and experimental music to create spell-binding rhythms.
Booking now open for all ICIA classes and events - Autumn 2009
ICIA runs classes and workshops in music, dance and visual arts for all levels. Classes open to all include:
Music:
DJ Skills
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 12 October
Check out the website for further details www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Sport
TeamBath athletes of the month named
Rower Vicky Thornley and swimmer Chris Walker-Hebborn were today (Friday) named the latest winners of the TeamBath athlete of the month awards, which are jointly sponsored by Oakley and Vousden Opticians. The pair both train at the University of Bath and have rapidly established themselves as outstanding prospects in their respective sports.
Top-flight international netball comes to University of Bath
The top three netball teams in the world will be in action at the University of Bath next month when England play international matches against Australia and New Zealand. England will face world number one team and reigning world champions Australia at the Sports Training Village on Tuesday 13 October.