University Updates
12 February 2010
Research
Children’s exposure to second-hand smoke on decline
Second-hand smoke exposure among children has declined markedly in the past 14 years, researchers at the School for Health have found.
Register now for Cancer Research@Bath conference
Open to all staff and students with an interest in Cancer Research. The conference will include a poster session, talks related to cancer, with a coffee break and an informal networking drink.
EPSRC Study Day and Mock Panel
The Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council is holding a Study and Mock Panel day at the University's Council Chamber on Wednesday 17 February.
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council regional meeting in Bath
One of a series of EPSRC Regional Meetings taking place during February and March of this year is being hosted here at Bath. They are open to the entire engineering and physical sciences community with the aim being to share information about our strategies and encourage constructive discussion to help shape our plans for the future.
News
University starts work on new Student Centre
Following recent Planning Approval, the Department of Estates is pleased to announce the commencement of the new £5.5m Student Centre development on campus.
Maths student makes national beauty pageant final
Maths student, Kate Roger, has made it to the final of this year’s Miss University GB beauty pageant and will compete against 18 other girls on Monday 1 March.
Bath & North East Somerset councillor visits campus to learn how the University is changing
Bath & North East Somerset Councillor John Bull was keen to see first-hand how the University has been developing into a major force in the local economy and to understand what we hope to do in the future.
Get-ahead with Twitter and LinkedIn
People in Bath are being given the chance to get ahead using Twitter and LinkedIn. The University is running evening courses in internet training to help people use these sites for business and career development. The courses are open to University staff.
Green technology spin-out receives major funding boost
n-psl, a green technology spin-out company from the University’s Department of Chemical Engineering, has secured new funding from the Royal Society Enterprise Fund which will enable the company to commercialise new ground-breaking nano-porous adsorbent hollow fibre technology.
Fairtrade Producer to give talk on campus
Isabel Antonio, a Fairtrade nut producer from Mozambique, is coming to the University to talk about her work and life.
School of Management news round-up
The e-newsletter contains the latest news about staff, students and alumni in the School.
Staff news
University staff ‘Donate with Love’ to Dorothy House
Staff in the Students’ Union are searching their wardrobes to find items of clothing to ‘Donate with Love’ for Dorothy House on Tuesday 16 February. Staff are invited to bring in good quality items of clothing that they would like to exchange with their colleagues, to raise awareness and funds for Dorothy House (11am-1pm in Elements).
Rob Whalley elected on to Health & Safety Committee
Rob Whalley has been elected from the Management, Specialist and Administration Job Family to serve on the Health & Safety Committee until 31 July 2012. The votes cast for the candidates in the election were Millie Dunk - 99,
Rob Whalley - 198.
Journal included in Citation Index
The journal 'Environmental Education Research' edited by Alan Reid (Education) has been accepted for coverage in the Social Science Citation Index.
Learning & teaching
e-Learning Staff Development Opportunities in February 2010
The Learning & Teaching Enhancement Office have several e-Learning staff development workshops running during February. These include 'Further developing your Moodle skills' and 'Enhancing the learning experience using social network software'. Workshops start from Wednesday 17 February.
February L&T Paper Lunch: paper details now available
The next Learning & Teaching paper lunch is to be held on Thursday 25 February, 12.15 - 1.15pm, in Wessex House 3.36. The discussion will be around 'Enhancing the early student experience'.
New web resource for staff and students interested in student peer mentoring
A new web resource has been developed to provide staff and students with advice and guidance on all aspects of peer mentoring.
Professor Ray Land to speak at Annual Learning & Teaching Enhancement Seminar
This year’s seminar is entitled ‘Overcoming barriers to student understanding: threshold concepts and troublesome knowledge’. The seminar will take place on Wednesday 24 February, 13.30 - 3.30, 6 West 1.1. To book a place please email acdev@bath.ac.uk or telephone extension 4086.
Innovations in Learning & Teaching Week 2010 - 22 - 26 February
- Monday 22 - Innovations Week Launch Event
- Tuesday 23 – Workshop on Peer Mentoring
- Wednesday 24 – Annual Learning and Teaching Enhancement Seminar
- Thursday 25 – Paper Lunch: review of an academic paper on L&T
- Friday 26 – The ‘Dragons’ Den’ presentations and award giving
Information
Bath festival discount and advance tickets available to all staff
Staff can buy tickets for two of the most anticipated events at the Bath International Music Festival in advance of the general availability and at a ten per cent discount, from today. (Friday 12 February).
New 'one stop shop' for all staff travel needs
Ian Allan Travel have been selected as the University's first ever staff Travel Management Company (TMC). The contract commences on Monday 15th February 2010 and will include the launch of the University of Bath Ian Allan Travel web site.
Pilot Sabbatical Leave Scheme - next deadline 7 March
Operation and call for applications for the next Pilot Sabbatical Leave Scheme are now being taken.
Specialist tour of the WW2 battlefields of Normandy
The University Staff Association invite you to discover the most poignant locations of the Normandy Landings, including the landing beaches of Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah; key War Museums and Battlefields of WW2. This 4-day, 3-night stay is open to all University staff, family and friends from outside the University.
Private Flu Clinics – University Medical Centre
The University Medical Centre is able to offer private flu vaccinations to staff who do not automatically qualify for a vaccination for free from their registered GP.
NB! Please keep records of television & radio recordings
During the months of February and May 2010, staff members who record television and radio programmes for teaching purposes (whether on campus or off) must keep records of any recordings they make, and send the details to the Audio Visual Unit as part of an annual survey conducted by the Educational Recording Agency.
Scientists/engineers: Do you want to learn how the media works?
The British Science Association Media Fellowships are intended to create a greater awareness and understanding of the workings of the media among practising scientists, social scientists, clinicians and engineers.
Swap Shop wiki
Save on your departmental budget by asking others for furniture and equipment that they may no longer need.
Jobs
Vacant posts: http://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
Deadlines & nominations
Do you know someone worthy of an honorary degree?
Staff and students are being encouraged to nominate people for honorary degrees. The University is accepting new nominations for consideration by the Honorary Degrees Committee from any member of the University or person associated with it. Deadline: 19 February
Nominations now open for University Teaching Awards
Let us know who you think has made a significant contribution to an aspect of teaching at the University by nominating a member of staff for a teaching award. Nominations are welcome from both staff and students and eligible candidates may be teaching and/or learning support staff. Deadline: 12 March
Times Higher to change their rankings methodology - have your say
Times Higher has signed an agreement with Thomson Reuters, the world’s leading research data specialist, to provide all the data for their annual World University Rankings from 2010 and beyond. You can tell them what you think about the change.
Training & development
- Managers' Forum - 16 Feb
- Presentation Skills Parts 1 & 2 - 22 Feb & 5 March
- Grant Applications workshop (run by Research Design Service - South West) - 18 Mar
- SW Institutions' Middle Managers (Deadline: 20 January) - 24 - 26 March
- Introduction to Project Management (Manchester) - 29 Apr /17 June
- I’m a scientist, get me out of here!
- Open Programme of Events | PDF to print
- Staff: Improve your IT skills, new timetable available
- Training for Technical Staff - HEaTED
- CMS training courses
- Staff Development programme | PDF to print
- e-Learning staff development programme
- Monthly learning & teaching paper lunches
In the media
- Michelle Sims (School for Health) spoke to Heart FM about the decline in the number of children being exposed to secondhand smoke.
- John Troyer (CDAS/Social & Policy Sciences) spoke to BBC Radio York about Sikh funerals and the practice of them in the UK.
- Guy Standing (Social & Policy Sciences) was featured in the Guardian voicing his concerns over the Ukraine elections.
- Cathryn Mitchell (Electronic & Electrical Engineering) was featured on the BBC News website and The Telegraph, warning a stronger sun may interfere with sat-navs.
- Bath Alumni Steve Borthwick was featured in The Times regarding his England captaincy.
Lectures & seminars
Labview engineer to host seminar on campus
Adam Bakehouse, a technical Labview Academic Field Engineer will be at the University on Tuesday 16 February. He will be here to answer technical questions, provide hands on advice and explain the new features of version 2010, which will be available on campus in academic year 2010/2011.
LGBT history month 2010 lunch lecture
All are welcome to attend this lunchtime lecture as part of the LGBT History Month series. On Tuesday 16 February Eric Anderson (Education) discusses the strengths and limitations of the labelling of sexual identities, concerning their political purposes.
Public Lecture: The Kingship of Henry VIII
Henry VIII has probably made a bigger impact on the English historical imagination than any other king the nation has known. At a lecture on Wednesday 17 February at the University, Professor Ronald Hutton from the University of Bristol, will attempt to go behind the famous image portrayed and will ask what sort of person, and ruler, Henry VIII really was.
Faculty of H&SS Research Seminars
Faculty Research Seminars have been arranged for the academic year 2009-2010, starting on Thursday 25 February. In this seminar Jonathan Goodhand from University of London will talk on 'Afghan State-building Viewed from the Margins'.
Public lectures
The programme of free lectures open for staff, students and the general public is available online.
Podcasts
Catch up on any lectures you may have missed.
What's on
Monday 15
13:15 PM Finding summer vacation work (50mins)
13:15 PM Complexity seminar - Systems of systems of systems
13:15 PM Placements in PWC -CHILE
13:15 PM Writing for different audiences
14:15 PM Aptitude tests (135mins)
18:15 PM Sorted training - Self defence
19:30 PM Climate change. After Copenhagen what now?
Tuesday 16
12:15 PM Midweek Eucharist/H C service
12:15 PM LGBT history month 2010 lunch lecture
12:45 PM Oxfam lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar - Existence and stability of spatial solitons in periodic nanostruct
13:15 PM Interview success
16:15 PM Democracy as a foundational idea of Mercosur
18:15 PM The commonest fatal errors in job applications
Wednesday 17
16:00 PM Conducting with Richard Gonski
17:15 PM The kingship of Henry VIII
Thursday 18
10:00 AM Meet Ian Allan Travel
11:00 AM Vacation work & volunteering fair
13:15 PM Extra Complexity seminar - From individual interactions to hierarchical models
14:30 PM Travel Management Contract presentation
20:00 PM Catherine Laws - Hammered! and other things
Friday 19
09:00 AM Seminar - Power down
10:15 AM Numerical reasoning test (50mins)
14:15 PM Assessment centre workshop (110mins)
18:30 PM Creative Sound Factory weekend workshop
19:30 PM Energy efficient solid state lighting-coming soon?
Saturday 20
10:00 AM Throwing on the wheel
19:30 PM Choral & Orchestral Society - recital
Sunday 21
19:30 PM Creative Sound Factory performance
Arts
Concerts and Performances:
Catherine Laws - Hammered! and other things | Music Room, University Hall | Thursday 18 February, 8pm
By turns explosive, playful and meditative, Catherine Laws explores the expressiveness of the piano. Includes the premiere of a new work by Damien Harron. Followed by a free Post-Concert Conversation with Catherine Laws and Damien Harron.
Choral & Orchestral Society Recital | University Hall | Saturday 20 February, 7.30pm
Featuring solo ensembles and chamber performances, showcasing the talent of students from one of the University’s most popular societies.
Exhibitions:
Alex Pearl - Goodbye to most of the daydreams | ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday 19 February, Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm
Alex Pearl applied to the British Antarctic Survey proposing not to go to the South Pole. He then documented his non-journey. Both haunting and humorous, his mini epic films, texts, drawings and sculptures carry an acceptance of failure and disappointment as important parts of the human condition.
Swindon College - Lines of Enquiry | 6 ICIA Art Space 2, 3WN 2.1 | Thursday 21 January – Friday 19 March
The sixth in a series of exhibitions 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 | Thursday 11 February - Friday 26 March, Monday - Saturday 10am-5pm
The winning entries and runners-up from this year’s competition go on show, revealing a varied and intriguing response to this year’s theme the place of work. Includes an on-screen slide show of all the entries submitted. The student winners are Tomos Porter, Elias Rizopoulos and Gilbert Leung. The overall staff winner is Jens Roesner.
Music Workshops
Creative Sound Factory - Weekend Workshop | Studio 1, ICIA Arts Barn | Friday 19 – Sunday 21 February
Creative Sound Factory is the most exciting music workshop around. Over one weekend up to sixty talented musicians are guided by seven pros through improvising and composing an original piece of music, with a rousing final performance on the Sunday evening. All types of musicians welcome. For those aged 16+. Music reading not required. Apply online by 12 February.
Conducting with Richard Gonski Music Room | University Hall | Wednesday 17 February, 4pm-6pm
This is a chance for aspiring conductors to learn the craft and for those with experience to hone their technique with leading conductor, Richard Gonski. Ability to read music required.
Weekly String Workshops with Robert Turrell | Music Room, University Hall | 8 weeks: 17 February-21 April, Wednesdays, 7pm-9pm
Learn the principles of chamber ensemble playing, including techniques to improve sight reading, speed learning, bow control, posture and performing with confidence. Turrell teaches violin, viola and chamber music at The Royal Academy of Music, London, is principal conductor of The Philomusica of London and guest conductor with many international orchestras.Grade 6+, bring your own instrument.
Weekly Samba Drumming Workshops with Robbie Verrechia | Studio1, ICIA Arts Barn | 6 Weeks: 17 February-24 March, Wednesdays, 5pm-7pm
Learn those irresistible samba rhythms! Choose from a range of percussion instruments and simply join in! Robbie Verrechia from Bath School of Samba is an experienced samba drummer, band mestre/leader and workshop teacher. No previous experience required.
Sport
TeamBath beat Leeds Carnegie by 20 goals
TeamBath got back to winning ways with a 62-42 victory over Leeds Carnegie in the Co-operative Netball Superleague.
Buccs battle back to salvage a point
TeamBath Buccaneers men’s firsts overturned a three-goal deficit with 15 minutes of Sunday’s game against Fareham remaining to salvage a point in a 3-3 draw.