University Updates
12 March 2010
Research
Size matters! Major grant to study green 'nano-ionic' materials
A research team including Saiful Islam (Chemistry) at the University has secured an EPSRC Programme grant of £1.86 million to work on new nano-materials for clean energy.
Latest funding opportunities now online
Research Funding opportunities covering all disciplines can now be found online. Fellowship opportunities, covering all disciplines, are listed separately. Please note, the funding lists are taken from the current ResearchResearch listings and are updated every two weeks. They are not intended to be a comprehensive list.
Researchers' Conference 2010
Researchers from all disciplines and all stages of their careers came together on Friday 5 March, to take a lively look at impact. They heard from researchers whose work had impacts of many sorts - and not always the ones they expected!
Images of Research
Images of Research is an annual event for research staff, research students and academics to share their research using photographic images. All entries will be displayed in a public exhibition to be held at the Octagon in Milsom Place from Thursday 13 May. An exhibition opening reception will be in the evening of Thursday 13 May.
Santander grants to undertake research in Spain, Portugal or Latin America
Santander is supporting five research grants of up to a maximum of £2,000 for students and staff of the University to undertake research in Spain, Portugal or selected countries in Latin America.
News
University signs sports and academic agreement with Malaysia
The University has formally signed a wide-ranging reciprocal sports and academic agreement with Malaysia that will include covering the build-up to the 2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Local school pupils to discover the link between science and art
Over 650 school children explored the link between science and art at a two-day, hands-on science fair that opened at the University today (Friday 12 March).
Vice-Chancellor advises new report on UK investment in research
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glynis Breakwell, has acted as an advisor to a report published by the Royal Society which looks at the economic impact of research in this country.
Auction raises over £600
On Monday 8 March a Grand Auction took place to raise money for a school in Kibera, Nairobi.
Kibera is the biggest slum in Africa and the school provides vital primary education and meals for kids who would otherwise have neither. The auction raised £670.20.
Staff news
Bath academic speaks on role of culture in creating European identities
Marion Demossier (European Studies & Modern Languages) was invited to present her research on the obstacles to European identity in Miami at a conference entitled “Culture as building block or obstacle to the creation of a transnational European identity?”
Louise Brown nominated for Peter Pribilla Foundation award
Louise Brown (Social & Policy Sciences) has been nominated for an award for a co-authored paper written with Stephen Osborne from Edinburgh Business School.
New online training package launched to enhance and promote excellence and diversity
Do you think the University should ensure it attracts and retains the best staff and students regardless of race, gender, disability or any other difference? These are just some of the issues raised in a new online equalities and diversity training package aimed at all staff.
Richard Britton, Mechanical Section Supervisor, retires
Richard Britton, Mechanical Section Supervisor, has retired today. Richard joined the Department of Estates in June 2004 and his role has brought him into contact with many people in departments right across the campus. The University wishes him a very long and happy retirement.
Alumni
Alumni reception with David Hempleman-Adams OBE
Over 50 Bath alumni gathered at the Garrick Club in London on Thursday 25 February, for a reception and lecture by David Hempleman-Adams OBE.
VC encourages scholars to 'fulfil their promise and make their donors proud'
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glynis Breakwell, paid tribute to around 60 of the University’s brightest students at a special Scholars’ Afternoon Tea held on 9 March. The first and second-year scholars are part of a burgeoning number of students supported by the Alumni Fund, individual donors and trusts and corporate bodies through scholarships and bursaries.
Information
Report of University Council Meeting – 25 February 2010
A number of items were discussed at the recent meeting of University Council, including the refurbishment of Norwood House and the revision of the HEFCE Capital (building) Programme for the University.
New Uni protocol about surveying students
We have evidence from the students of ‘survey fatigue’ and in some cases response rates are falling. Therefore, a protocol for the surveying of students has been approved to cover surveys which meet two conditions.
SAMIS Tracker system makes application process more efficient
After a huge effort in 2009 by BUCS and the Recruitment & Admissions Office, a new SAMIS Application Tracker went live last November. Now nearly six months into the 2010 admissions cycle, the full benefits of the Tracker are clear.
Prior Park Road & Claverton Street (Widcombe High St) close
Due to re-surfacing works, Claverton Street (Widcombe High Street) and Prior Park Road, as far as Prior Park Garden Centre, will be closed from Monday 15 March for five days. The works may be extended if hindered by adverse weather conditions or unforeseen problems.
Jobs
Vacant posts: http://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Deadlines & nominations
The 2010 Staff Recognition Award
Do you know someone who has shown initiative, innovation or creativity? Then nominate them for a Staff Recognition Award. The Award recognises either individual members, or small groups, of support staff who have shown excellence in the way in which they have undertaken their duties, and who have contributed to the broader life of the University.
Do you employ any students? Are they outstanding?
Each year JobLink runs a competition called SEOTY to recognise exceptional students and present them with awards for achievement in the workplace.
Training & development
- Performance Management: Part 2: Skills and Techniques - 18 Mar/ 9 Jun
- Grant Applications workshop (run by Research Design Service - South West) - 18 Mar
- Performance Management 2: Skills & Techniques - 18 Mar
- Interview Skills for Academic & Research Staff - 24 Mar
- SW Institutions' Middle Managers (Deadline: 20 January) - 24 - 26 Mar
- Chairing Recruitment Panels - 30 Mar
- Research and Industry - 14 Apr - 29 Oct
- Coaching Conversations - 14 Apr
- Introduction to Project Management (Manchester) - 29 Apr /17 June
- Open Programme of Events | PDF to print
- Staff: Improve your IT skills, new timetable available
- CMS training courses
- e-Learning staff development programme
In the media
- Stephen Baddeley (Sports Development and Recreation) was interviewed by BBC Points West, BBC Radio Bristol and Bath FM about the sports and academic agreement with Malaysia for the 2012 Olympic Games and 2014 Commonwealth Games.
- Tony Walter (CDAS) was featued on BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour talking about death and dying.
- The Bath University Racing Submarine Team (Mechanical Engineering) will be featured on Channel 5's gadget show on Monday 15 March at 8pm. Gadget Show's Suzi Perry will race SeaBomb, a human-powered submarine designed by students, in the University's 25m pool.
- Chris Budd (Mathematics) spoke to Bath FM about the Bath Taps into Science fair held at the University.
- Amy Williams will appear on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross tonight (Friday 12 March).
Lectures
Public Lecture: Nuclear explosives – the technology of destruction
Local people are invited to a free public lecture at the University of Bath on Wednesday 17 March, which will explore the problems the world faces, now that Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) are back on the political agenda.
New Poetry Readings & discussion of poems by Derek Mahon
David Skidmore (Education), member of the Poetry Book Society will read and discuss poems created by David Mahon on Wednesday 24 March. The lecture starts at 7.30pm and takes place at the Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution. Entrance fee for visitors is £4. For members and students the fee is £2.
Register now for Cancer Research@Bath conference
Open to all staff and students with an interest in Cancer Research. The conference is on Tuesday 30 March and will include a poster session, talks related to cancer, with a coffee break and an informal networking drink.
LabVIEW seminar for inexperienced users
A technical Labview Academic Field Engineer (Adam Bakehouse) will be at the University on Monday 19 April. He will be giving two free half-day seminars aimed at inexperienced LabView users.
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: Social Complexity: looking out & in for black swans
18:30 PM Demystifying Islam
19:30 PM World food futures - the next 40 years
Tuesday 16
12:15 PM Mid week Eucharist/H C Service
12:45 PM Oxfam lunch 13:15 PM CNM seminar: Structural optimization with the presence of stability constraints
14:15 PM Quality Assurance Committee
18:30 PM Assessment centres (90mins)
Wednesday 17
17:15 PM Nuclear explosives - the technology of destruction
19:30 PM Couscous (La Graine et le Mulet)
19:30 PM BUST - Footloose
19:30 PM Bath Fashion Show
Thursday 18
10:15 AM Aptitude tests (135mins)
12:15 PM Using Visual Methods in Quanlitative Research
13:15 PM Interview success (50mins)
19:30 PM Primo Levi - Scientist & Writer
Friday 19
12:15 PM Open day for Japanese Interpreting and Translating
19:30 PM RESCHEDULED: Energy efficient solid state lighting - coming soon?
Saturday 20
19:30 PM University of Bath Students' Union Chamber Choir
Sunday 21
19:30 PM Chinese Student Society
19:30 PM Choral & Orchestral Society - Spring Concert
Arts
Concerts and Performances:
The Global Evening celebrates the diversity of the University’s community. The two-hour programme includes dance, song, music and theatre in a spectacular show.
BATH UNIVERSITY STUDENT MUSICALS SOCIETY - Footloose | ICIA Arts Theatre | Wednesday 17 – Saturday 20 March, 7.30pm
Footloose, the smash hit West-End musical, tells the story of Ren, a city kid, struggles to adapt his life from the bustling city to an ultra-conservative backwater Midwestern town. He soon ends up leading the town’s teenagers in a rebellion against a ‘no dancing’ law.
Films:
Couscous (La Graine et le Mulet) | Lecture Theatre: 3WN 2.1 | Wednesday 17 March, 7.30pm
Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the Venice Film Festival 2007 and the 2008 César Award for Best French film, Couscous is a family drama focusing on the travails of an ageing North African émigré who attempts to realise his dream of opening a restaurant. Abdel Kechiche, France 2007, 154 mins, subtitles (15)
Sport
Sport Relief 2010 - Team Bath fundraiser
The Department of Sports Development & Recreation is organising a fundraiser for Sport Relief 2010. This event starts on Monday 1 March and runs until Friday 19 March, when the Sport Relief weekend begins.
Team Bath in 56-40 win over Loughborough
Tim Davenport netted his second hat-trick in successive games to help TeamBath Buccaneers men’s firsts to a 3-2 victory over Guildford.
International Tennis Returns to Bath
Some of the rising stars of tennis will be in action at this year’s international tournament taking place at the University of Bath next week (14-21 March).