University Updates
12 June 2009
News
Scientists find new antibiotics that kill bacteria in two minutes
Albert Bolhuis (Pharmacy & Pharmacology), working with researchers at the Universities of Warwick and Birmingham, has discovered a compound that can kill bacteria in two minutes. It works by binding to the bacteria’s DNA, and could lead to a new class of drugs that avoids the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
New collaboration to help older people keep fit and active
Afroditi Stathi (School for Health) will be leading the Avon Network for Physical Activity Promotion for Older People in the Community, launched this week. The network brings together academics from the three main universities in the west country: Bath, Bristol and the West of England. The aim of the network is to produce ‘best bet’ policies for helping older people remain active.
PVC represents UK on European expert panel
Jane Millar (Pro-Vice-Chancellor - Research) has been appointed as UK academic representative on the European Union Network of Experts on National Family Policy. An initial meeting took place in Brussels on 11 June, where Jane spoke on 'Policy measures to promote active fatherhood: what is being used and what works?'. The European Alliance for Families
will soon be launching a new web portal, bringing together information on family policy from across EU member states.
Images of research - an exhibition
The University is holding a photography exhibition with a difference. Do you have an image of your research that is eye catching or attractive, and can act as a starting point for you to talk about your research to the general public or other non-experts?
Bath graduate is young engineer of the year
John Bucknall, who graduated from the University with a 2:1 honours in Automotive Engineering, has been chosen as the Royal Academy of Engineering-BP Young Engineer of the Year.
Language Leaders sessions at Bath great success
On Monday twenty Year Ten pupils from Norton Hill School in Midsomer Norton visited the University to discuss language, culture and communication with Steve Wharton of European Studies & Modern Languages as part of the Language Leaders Initiative. A number of Bath graduates are on the teaching team at Norton Hill.
Greener travel in June
National Bike Week: 13-21 June 2009
Bike Week is the UK’s largest mass participation cycling event and provides an annual opportunity to promote cycling as a source of fitness and fun, not to mention an alternative form of transport. Team Bath Sales & Marketing Manager Miles Peyton is organising a bicycle challenge on 20 June to raise money for Dorothy House Hospice. He is leading approximately 20 riders from Dorothy House to the Brecon Beacons.
Jam Busting June competition
Each time during the month of June that you share a journey or travel by a more sustainable mode of transport, you can earn points, and every 30 points you are awarded then qualify you for one prize draw entry. Eligible journeys are made by bus, car sharing, cycling, scooter, train, park and ride, and walking earn five points for each journey. Travelling by motor cycles earns three points for each journey. The University operates its own car share scheme.
Get on your bike and get more out of life...for less money
During the month of June, anyone who cycles up to the Sports Training Village can join and get their joining fee waived (normally £25). Evidence of having cycled is all that is sufficient (cycle helmet, lycra clad or similar!) to qualify.
New secure cycle store at bottom of Bathwick Hill
The secure cycle store located at Canal Wharf, is operated by a programmed library card. The 36 spaces in the store will be allocated to the first 36 staff who apply. If you are interested in having an allocated space, please contact Sarah Haigh, Estates Officer.
Information
Swine Flu: Latest information
Although the World Health Organisation has declared a global flu pandemic, the declaration does not of itself increase the risk of infection, spread or severity of the virus. The University has a well-developed pandemic flu plan and the Emergency Management Team has been making further preparations in recent weeks to mitigate the impact on the University of a pandemic. In July a desk-top simulation will take place, with support from B&NES' Directorate of Public Health.
The new East Building has received unanimous approval from the Bath & North East Somerset Planning Committee. The building will act as a decant facility to allow refurbishment of buildings on the Parade like 1 West; it will also include a 355-seat lecture theatre, and GTA spaces.
Proposals for change to academic structure: consultation
We have recently undertaken a campus-wide consultation on the potential for academic re-structuring. Thank you to everyone who contributed their views. This second consultation paper invites feedback on proposals to improve specific aspects of our efficiency, effectiveness or competitiveness. Once again, we are seeking feedback from all members of our community. Please email comments to Nicky Kemp by noon on Thursday 18 June.
Research Development & Support Office launches new website
The new site aims to provide specific information on the support that the Research Development & Support Office offers to three different audiences: staff, graduates and business.
Nominations for Council
Nominations are requested for the vacancy for one member of non-academic staff to serve on the Council of the University from 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2012.
Greener computing - Reduce your carbon footprint when home-working
BUCS greener computing initiative has introduced Wake on LAN (WoL) a service that enables you to boot your work computer from any remote location. You no longer need to leave your work PC turned on if you want to remote access; WoL enables you to boot your computer yourself whenever you need to and, once you have finished, you can also close the computer down, saving energy and money.
Inaugural University of Bath Alumni Golf Day
Staff & students are welcome to join graduates at the first ever University of Bath Alumni Golf Day, which will take place on 18 September.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Brian Neve (ESML) participated in a discussion on the European Elections on Radio Bristol. Listen again - Brian speaks at 4mins 50, and 35mins 10.
- Ken Bray (Mechanical Engineering) analysed free kicks in an article called Ronaldo for beginners on the BBC News website.
- Rhodri Armour (PhD Research in Mechanical Engineering) had his Jollbot robot featured in the Telegraph
- Yukteshwar Kumar (ESML) had an article published about the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square events in China and recent developments in New Indian Express, a leading South Indian newspaper.
Training & development
- Managers' Forum 16 June
- Researchers' Forum 17 June
- Consultancy in academia - an overview 22 June
- Developing management skills June 2009-May 2010
- Management skills for researchers 1 & 2 July (off-site at Bailbrook House)
- Performance Review - Getting the most out of your review (Support Staff) 2 July
- An intro to HE - A programme for new managers and administrators 2-4 September 2009
- An introduction to project management 29 September (off-site at Marriott Airport Hotel, Manchester)
- Agresso familiarisation courses
- IT courses
- Content Management System (CMS) courses
- Summer e-learning staff development programme
Forthcoming lectures & conferences
View all University Public Lectures
At the Court of the Great Moghul Wednesday 17 June
Author and academic Nicholas Fogg will give a public lecture about Jala ud-din Muhammad Akbar, the 16th century Moghul Emperor.
Equality Forum Wednesday 17 June
This event aims to involve others in the preparation of a single equality scheme for the University. Simon Fanshawe, a writer, broadcaster and a non-exec director in the public and private sector, will be the keynote speaker.
Sustaining future ecosystem services – From understanding to action - Friday 26 June
This is the fifth and final conference in the series of interdisciplinary conferences organised by the Institute for Sustainable Energy & the Environment (I-SEE), held at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London. Speakers will review understanding from the four seminars to date, and explore policy and practical implications. The conference is being sponsored by a grant from ESRC/NERC and is free to all participants.
Internationalisation of Higher Education and Higher Education Management - Friday 3 July
This third annual seminar will provide the opportunity to discuss the Internationalisation of Higher Education. It will take place in 6 East 2.2. Please refer any queries to Joanna Al-Youssef
Effective technology for mathematics & statistics support - Thursday 9 July
As well as
featuring talks on the use of different technologies for mathematics and statistics support, the meeting will see a sigma-sw discussion forum with reflection on 2008/09 activities and planning for 2009/10.
Product Lifecycle Management 2009 (PLM09) 6-8 July
The University is to host the sixth international PLM conference, the first to be held in the United Kingdom. Some 68 full papers will be presented at the conference, together with 20 keynote and industrial presentations from companies such as BAE Systems, BMW, Eurostep, HP, IBM, Rolls-Royce and Samsung. Industrial presentations have will be concentrated on Tuesday 7 July to encourage one-day delegates to attend. The Conference organising team is being led by Chris McMahon (Director of the Innovative Design and Manufacturing Research Centre).
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 15
19:30 PM The idea of a sustainable school - Dreams, hopes & realities
Tuesday 16
19:30 PM GPO films - From Realism to Utopia
Wednesday 17
10:30 AM Equality Forum 2009
12:30 PM Researchers' forum
17:15 PM At the Court of the Great Moghul
Thursday 18
12:30 PM: UBSA 's quiz of quizzes
UBSA trips - open to everyone
- Trip to Cotswold steam railway & Cheltenham 25 July | £20
- Four-day tour of Ireland through County Cork / County Kerry / Killarney and the Ring of Kerry 4 September | £269
Sport
New Summer Fitness Class Timetable
As the warm weather approaches and you start thinking about your summer holiday, what better way to get in shape than to join one of our group exercise classes that take place in the STV?
TeamBath through to FA Futsal Cup Finals
TeamBath Futsal Club have reached the FA Futsal Cup Finals for the first time and will now battle it out with another 15 clubs in the finals at Sheffield in early July.
More than 600 pupils attend K3 games
The University hosted the third K3 Games today, when over 600 secondary school pupils and young leaders from the B&NES Authority took part in 16 sports ranging from fencing to floorball.
University of Bath pair win Student Cup
Students Jake Sheaf and Josh Randall won beach volleyball’s national Student Cup in their first tournament playing together.
Paralympic Games and World Championship gold medallist Liz Johnson is the latest world-class athlete to make the University of Bath her training base.