University Updates
13 February 2009
Apologies that there was no e-newsletter last Friday. The weather conditions created some staff resourcing issues. Enjoy the bumper edition below!
Information
University tackles its share of financial challenges facing HE sector
A message from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glynis Breakwell, about how the University intends to secure our future financial sustainability.
Advanced warning of IT maintainance weekend: 27–29 March 2009
There will be no University IT services as of 5.10pm on Friday 27 March (and there may be minor disruptions to the service from 4pm as we prepare for the work). Services will return to normal by 8am on Monday 30 March. Services affected include: Email; bath.ac.uk website; Remote Desktop to office computers; all Library computers; access to the internet from campus; Moodle; SAMIS on the Web. Please warn your students not to plan any computer-based work for that weekend. Additional notifications will appear on the University homepage nearer the time.
Agresso upgrade planned for June 2009
The Agresso project team is working on the first major upgrade of the system to provide improvements and updates across all areas of the system, including enhancements requested in the user survey from November 2008.
The upgrade is due to go live in June 2009, and the team are looking for volunteers to help with general user acceptance testing.
Careers Advisory Service moves to new home
The Vice-Chancellor officially opened the new careers facility this week. The service is now based in Norwood House 2.7 offering more space for staff and students.
Uni awarded official 'Fairtrade' status
Gaining Fairtrade status is an important step for the University and Students' Union, as large institutions have a global responsibility towards ethical trading. We are proud to be a part of the future of Fairtrade and will celebrate fair and ethical trading values during our annual Fairtrade Fortnight, which is due to take place this year from 23 February to 8 March.
Funeral of Professor Frank Wallace rearranged
We have been asked by Frank’s family to circulate details of his funeral, which has had to be rearranged because of the snow last week. It will be held at 1:30 pm on Monday 23 February at the large chapel at Haycombe Crematorium, Bath. A reception will be held afterwards in the Claverton Rooms and all Frank’s friends and colleagues are most welcome to attend.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Research news
University Research Advisers - portfolios & priorities
Following our successful RAE 2008 results, four key priority areas have been identified for the University Research Advisers to focus on: postgraduate research students, research information management, international research partnerships, and communication.
Launch of the University research publications repository - Opus
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research), Jane Millar, introduced the Opus repository service to the University on Tuesday 3 February.
Scientists crack controversial glass mystery
The Department of Physics, along with the universities of Nottingham and California have got a step closer to solving the mystery of why glass behaves like a solid when its molecular structure looks like a liquid.
Physical activity guidelines are too confusing, say researchers
Dylan Thompson from the School for Health has worked with the University of Teesside on research that shows that different countries have conflicting guidelines on the amount of physical activity a person should take to stay healthy.
Professor to join HEFCE Research Excellence Framework expert panel
Barry Potter (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) has been invited by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) to join the recently formed Research Excellence Framework (REF) expert panel.
Understanding social security: issues for policy and practice
The second edition of this popular text, edited by Jane Millar (PVC Research and Professor of Social Policy) has been published by Policy Press.
Learning & teaching
Innovations in Learning & Teaching Week 23-27 February
The theme of this year’s annual Innovations Week is ‘Feedback to students and engagement with students’. The aim of the event is to support enhancement and development of learning and teaching and to provide opportunities for staff to share good practice. A full timetable of events is now available.
L&T Week: Call for posters on ‘Sharing Practice’
A call for posters to facilitate sharing practice at individual and departmental level around the theme, Feedback to Students and Engagement with Students. The posters will be displayed in the Claverton Rooms through the whole of Innovations in L&T Week. A voting system will be in place throughout the week with prizes for the best two posters.
NSS 2009 info for staff
The Learning & Teaching Enhancement Office has created an information page about the recently launched National Student Survey 2009. The page provides staff with background information, promotional materials, a timeline and more about NSS 2009.
FT names Bath School of Management fifth best in world for marketing
One in a series of ‘top 10’ mini-rankings entitled ‘In a league of their own’, the FT's results are compiled through recommendations made by university alumni.
New communication tools
The University is on Twitter!
The University is now on Twitter, the micro-blogging service, updating users on the latest news and research going on at Bath. We now have 430 followers. Why not check it out yourself: http://twitter.com/UniofBath Our Twitter channel came in very useful during the snow last week. It is worth noting that Bath Bus Station also has their own real-time Twitter channel.
New experts guide for journalists?
Academics are invited to be included in a new A-Z guide of experts for journalists that will help raise the profile of the University's work. Please submit your research areas by 20 February.
Students
Graduate wins international prize for cricket ball tampering tests
A project to measure the effects of ball tampering in cricket has won a University of Bath graduate first prize in an international sports engineering competition.
Architecture graduate wins European competition
Alastair Crockett, a recent BSc Architecture graduate, has won a prize in a competition for his fourth year final project. The competition was launched by VIZZION Europe s.a., a company based in Brussels that develops and funds architecture projects.
New scholarships for Jordanian students
Hadi Abulrub, post-doctoral researcher in the Centre of Power Transmission & Motion Control, has recently represented the University on a visit to Jordan.
During this visit, an agreement was signed for a joint scholarship scheme with the Minister of Higher Education in Jordan, Dr Omar Shdiefat. The scheme was praised by the minister and publicised in the national press.
Mercer Scholarship for Modern Languages & European Studies students
Richard Roberts, who graduated in the class of 1997, has established the Mercer Scholarship in Modern Languages & European Studies. Worth £1,000 a year to the recipient, the scholarship is to reward students who do that little bit more. Academic achievement is essential but the award is primarily to encourage students to take full advantage of everything that a Bath education has to offer, to the benefit of themselves, the department and the University community.
Scholarships for International Students 2009
High-flying international students entering the University of Bath in 2009 will have access to an even greater number of scholarships and awards thanks to the £240,000 University of Bath International Scholarships Scheme and the generosity of our corporate donors and alumni.
Free activities for the partners of international students
The International Student Partners' Group provides a friendly atmosphere for partners of international students to meet other partners, make friends and learn about British culture. Children are welcome and the ability to speak English fluently is not important!
Awards, bids, nominations
University Teaching Awards 2009
Nominations are now open for a number of University of Bath Teaching Awards, which encourage and recognise significant contributions by staff to the academic lives of students.
Nominations by 20 March 2009.
Chancellor's Prize
The Chancellor's Prize is awarded to the best final year undergraduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence, together with a contribution to the life, academic reputation and general work of the University. Nominations by 30 March 2009.
Second call for bids to the CPD Development Fund
Launched in October by the Task & Finish Group, this fund has been established to improve the way we meet the training and development needs of regional and national employers. Proposals should be submitted by Monday 9 March.
Times Higher awards
The new Times Higher Education Leadership & Management Awards recognise and celebrate the remarkable business and management skills of those running universities across the UK. Submit entries by Friday 20 February.
In the media
- Tony Walter (CDAS) gave an interview on BBC Radio Manchester about his job as Professor of Death Studies and also discussed ghost bikes - bikes painted silver white to mark the spot where a cyclist has been killed, acting as both a memorial and a protest.
- Staff from the School for Health's Sport & Exercise Science Group and the Department of Sports Development have been appearing on Channel 4's 4Sport: Destination 2012 programme - testing various aspects of physical fitness of two former members of the Welsh rap group Goldie Lookin' Chain against elite athletes. The next programme will be shown on Sunday 15 February at 8am.
- The push-start track at the Sports Training Village is set to feature on the BBC 1 documentary Bobsleigh Challenge on Monday 16 February at 10.35pm. The BBC puts four former athletes through their paces in the challenge – Bath Bullet Jason Gardener, former decathlete Dean Macey, rugby World Cup winner Dan Luger and cyclist Craig MacLean.
- Malcolm Johnson (CDAS) discussed assisted dying on BBC1's The Big Question.
- Melanie Welham (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) was interviewed on GWR about her research on stem cells and commented on the report of a new potential treatment for sufferers of multiple sclerosis, using stem cells from a bone marrow transplant on the BBC News channel.
- Roy Jones (RICE) appeared on the two part BBC2 documentary about how Bath honorary graduate Terry Pratchett is living with Alzheimer's.
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Lectures & Seminars
Probing a Hidden Universe
On Wednesday 18 February, Dr Glenn Patrick of Rutherford Appleton Laboratory will discusses how it is possible to probe the 'Hidden Universe' and what particle physics can tell us about its secrets.
Global Uncertainties interdisciplinary research cluster workshop
Academics, researchers and research students interested in the 'Global Uncertainties - security for all in a changing world' theme, are invited to come along to the next Global Uncertainties workshop seminar on Wednesday 18 February. Although this activity is being led by social science and humanities, engineering and science are very welcome and encouraged to participate.
Shaken but not stirred
On Thursday 26 February, the University is hosting two lectures about the seismic damage to buildings during earthquakes. This event is part of the University's showcase presentation series.
Darwin seminar series
Biology & Biochemistry are holding a series of seminars this year celebrating the bicentenary of the life of Charles Darwin and the 150 year anniversary of the publication of ‘On The Origin of Species’. The seminars will provide the public, staff and students with an opportunity to learn about the diversity of research in the field of evolutionary biology being conducted at the University.
Oxford professor gives lecture at Bath
Professor Andrew Tuberfield from the Physics Department at Oxford University will be giving a lecture provisionally entitled 'DNA Nanotechnology' on Wednesday 18 March at 4.15 in 8W 2.1. Everyone welcome.
Richard Whitman's inaugural lecture
The University photographer has published a gallery of photographs taken at last night's inaugural lecture entitled Muscles from Brussels – a 21st century superpower
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What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 16
13:15 PM BICS Seminar
18:30 PM Faith Forum: Angels in the Abrahamic tradition
18:30 PM Consulting skills workshop - Managing business change
19:30 PM Today's slavery
19:30 PM World energy futures
Tuesday 17
12:15 PM Midweek Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar
Wednesday 18
10:15 AM SPS Placement Conference 2009
12:15 PM Global Uncertainties interdisciplinary research cluster workshop
17:15 PM The hidden universe
Thursday 19
09:00 AM Action Research Conference
12:15 PM Turning good ideas into great business
18:15 PM Developing your mindset to become a millionaire
Friday 20
10:00 AM Postgraduate Open Day
14:15 PM Afghanistan: Context and aid policy
Saturday 21
14:00 PM University Lifesaving Competition
Arts
Concerts and Performances
- Hauser I made you a submarine | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 14 February, 7.30pm
A surreal, multi-layered performance that takes its starting point from a smuggler’s plot to rescue Napoleon from the prison island of St Helena. A poetic reflection on ambition and failure, action and immobility, life and death. - Choral & Orchestral Society Recital | University Hall | Sunday 15 February, 7.30pm
This concert features solo musicians and small ensembles in a variety of performances showcasing some of the very best musical talent the University has to offer. - Bath University Student Theatre Cloud Nine | The Mission Theatre | Wednesday 18-Saturday 21 February 7.30pm
A wickedly funny black comedy, Cloud Nine breaks taboos and challenges expectations as it explores the dark undercurrents of human nature. - Chinese Student Society showcase | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 21 February 7.30pm
This event showcases diverse performances by members of the University’s large Chinese population. Featuring song, dance, music and more.
Workshops and Classes
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Throwing on the Wheel | Studio 2, ICIA Arts Complex | Saturday 21, Sunday 22 & Saturday 28 February, 10am-4pm
An opportunity to focus on throwing techniques in a small group.
Exhibitions
- Swindon College Lines of Enquiry 5 ICIA Art Space 2 | Until Friday 20 March, 10am-5pm
The fifth in a series showing work by graduates of the BA Fine Art Drawing at Swindon College’s School of Art & Design. - University of Bath & Photosoc Student Photography Exhibition ICIA Art Space 3, University Hall Foyer | Until Friday 20 March, 10am-5pm
This lively exhibition showcases selected works from this year’s University of Bath Student Photography Competition which is linked to ICIA’s 2008 theme of arts, spatialisation and memory.
Sport
Half-term Sports Camps for kids
Every school holiday the Team Bath Sports Training Village opens its doors to youngsters for a series of sports and activities camps. Children can choose their desired sport and mix and match or play a single sport for the whole day. There are discounted rates for parents who are staff members. Please enquire on tel: 386915.
Prevention is better than cure
Runners can learn more about the tools that can help them avoid injury at TeamBath’s new Runners’ Workshop taking place in the judo dojo at the Sports Training Village from 11am to 2.15pm on Saturday 28 February.
Mariana helps England secure 5-0 win over Wales
Coach Education & Sports Development student
Mariana Agathangelou made a successful European Team Badminton Championships debut on Thursday.
Top seed bids to retain title
University of Bath students will be among the top seeds when the Barclays BUCS tennis challenge comes to the Sports Training Village at the weekend.
Are you ready for the next big six-a-side kick-off?
Season nine of TeamBath’s six-a-side football league kicks off next month when two evening six-a-side contests will be running at the Sports Training Village – one on Mondays and the other on Wednesdays. Anyone can enter a team for either of the leagues.
Some tough draws saw Bath students Jan Gosiewski, Andy Burns and Mahana Clutha miss out on the medals at last weekend’s International Judo Federation Paris Grand Slam.