15 July 2011
Important updates
OFFA approves our Access Agreement
The Office for Fair Access (OFFA) has announced that it has approved our 2012-13 Access Agreement. As we announced at the end of March, the University set a tuition fee of £9,000 for campus-based, home/EU undergraduates starting courses in 2012/13, and £7,500 for foundation degrees at our partner colleges. By 2015/16 over £3 million will have been committed to a programme of fee waivers and bursaries, which aims to encourage more applications from students from low income families.
Pay negotiations 2011-12
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and the higher education trade unions met on Monday 11 July 2011 for the third time to progress the 2011-12 pay negotiations. Highlighting the current financial background in higher education, the UCEA set out a final offer of £150 on all points on the pay spine. This is in addition to the incremental rises that many staff will receive.
Update from Council – 30 June 2011
A summary of the June meeting of the University’s Council is now available. Topics discussed included the Times Higher Education Table of Tables; the Higher Education White Paper and the Staff Survey 2011.
HEFCE:
HEFCE publish their REF assessment framework and guidance on submissions
This document sets out the general framework for assessment in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) and provides guidance to UK higher education institutions about making submissions to the 2014 REF. It includes guidance on procedures, the data that will be required, and the criteria and definitions that will apply. You can order a hard copy or download a Pdf version. The deadline for submissions is Tuesday 29 November 2013.
'Opportunity, choice and excellence in higher education': HEFCE strategy statement
The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has published a strategy statement setting out its overall approach to implementing the Government's proposals for higher education reform in the recent White Paper. It also identifies a number of high-level objectives in relation to research and knowledge exchange. Opportunity, choice and excellence in higher education' sets out the principles, priorities and practices that will guide HEFCE’s work over the coming months and years.
Research & news
Algae in city’s Roman Baths could fuel the future
Researchers from the University, including PhD student Holly Smith-Baedorf and Dr Rod Scott (Biology & Biochemistry) as well as collaborators from the Department of Chemistry led by Professor Matt Davidson, are looking for ways to make the production of biodiesel from algae commercially viable. The Roman Baths are at the centre of the study which aims to convert the algae growing in the warm waters of the Baths into fuel for our cars. You can also now watch a video about the research.
Scientists explore alternative to antibiotics
Toby Jenkins (Chemistry) has been awarded funding to further a pioneering method for fighting burn infections in children using viruses which destroy disease-causing bacteria. Scientists from the University of Bath in collaboration with Bristol’s Frenchay Hospital and AmpliPhi Biosciences in Bedfordshire have been awarded the grant of £620,000 from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to develop a prototype dressing.
Students share their graduation day celebrations
Get a flavour of the summer graduations, as those participating in the first day of ceremonies at Bath Abbey share their thoughts on their success.
10 KT Champion funding awards made this June
In June KT Champion funding awards were made to assist with showcasing events, secondments and travel. Funding will now be used to promote Cancer Research (CR@Bath), showcase the RepRap printer (Mechanical Engineering) and allow an incoming secondment from the Met Office (Electronic & Electrical Engineering).
In the media
Would you like to receive a daily email of news stories that feature the University? Please email press@bath.ac.uk and include the word 'Headlines' in the subject box. A selection of HE stories in the national media is also included. A more comprehensive list of the University's media coverage is available at www.bath.ac.uk/news/bathinpapers.
- Holly Smith-Baedorf and Dr Rod Scott's (Biology & Biochemistry) research into algae as a potential source of fuel was on BBC Points West. Rod was also interviewed on BBC Radio Bristol [listen again at 00:05:58 and 01:22:12] and BBC Radio Wiltshire [listen again at 00:50:12] and interviews with Holly were broadcast on the bulletins of both Jack FM and The Breeze FM. Articles on the subject were also written in the Irish Independent, Belfast Telegraph, Bath Chronicle and on BBC News Online, MSN and many other more specialist sites.
- Toby Jenkins (Chemistry) spoke about the award of funding to research a new type of burns dressing. He appeared on ITV West Country Tonight and BBC Radio Bristol [Listen again 2:40:15].
- Polly McGuigan (Health) was quoted in an article about the sports scientists who are giving British athletes a cutting edge, Independent.
- Our Psychology degree was recommended and frequently praised in the psychology course guide published by the Daily Telegraph.
- Tom Pellereau (Innovation & Engineering Design graduate) has made the final of The Apprentice on BBC1.
Information
Looking for nursery care? Westwood Nursery places available
Westwood Nursery currently have places available for children in their Baby Room, Nursery Room and Pre-School Room. Situated on-site with good facilities, all children are offered excellent care within a stimulating and structured environment. Those at the University can now also take advantage of the Nursery Plus Scheme which allows staff to exchange a deduction from their salary, prior to tax and national insurance, in return for nursery care.
Single equality scheme revised
Following a consultation the University has revised the single equality scheme, which was approved by Council on 30 June. The scheme takes into account the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 and will be reviewed in due course to take into account aspects of the law which are yet to be brought into force. The scheme replaces the previous Single Equality Scheme and all individual Equality Schemes (Disability, Gender and Race). Contact equalsdiv@bath.ac.uk if you wish to discuss any aspect.
The University welcomes June's new starters
You can now find out who all the new faces on campus were this June, a big welcome to them all.
Jobs
To view vacant posts visit: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
BUCS:
Installation of Windows 7 to GTA rooms nearly complete
Windows 7 software has now been installed onto all of the General Teaching Area PCs, with the exception of 8W which will be done as soon as it is convenient. We are now about to start the process of deploying the software. If you teach/lecture in any of these rooms, and you have not already done so, please fill in the online survey to let us know your software requirements. Staff are also encouraged to contact AV bookings to arrange to try out their presentations before the start of semester.
SAMIS update: most results now available
If your students have been experiencing problems accessing their results this week please be aware that following severe performance issues with SAMIS on Wednesday of this week, individual unit and assessment item results are available. The problems experienced appear to relate to the overall averages section of the results which may still not be available.
Events
Previous:
James Copestake addresses microfinance conference
At the conference of the Dutch Microfinance Network (Micro-Ned), the role of microfinance in global poverty reduction was addressed by James Copestake (Social & Policy Sciences). At the event held at the Head Office of Rabobank in Utrecht on 28 June, James looked at the extent to which microfinance contributes to global poverty reduction, and how much it is adding to global personal indebtedness. The event created debate amongst the leading Dutch social investors present as to whether microfinance is meeting expectations.
CPD workshop hosted for interpreters from Nintendo
Ten staff members from Nintendo visited the University this week to take advantage of the state-of-the-art language laboratories and a CPD course co-ordinated by Julia Tuff (Politics, Languages & International Studies). Practical sessions gave the delegates training on key aspects of interpretation including note-taking skills, public speaking skills as well as consecutive, liaison and simultaneous interpreting, which will help them complete their duties in Japan.
Green impact workshops: give it a go!
If you would like to create a greener office you may be interested that Estates are running a series of environmental workshops over the summer. The sessions are part of the Green Impact scheme and all staff are invited to participate. The workshops include:
- Sharing ideas and brainstorming new criteria - Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 July
- Introduction for new team members - Tuesday 6 September
- The new workbook - Thursday 22 September
Upcoming:
Ideas Sandpit 2: sustainable water Wednesday 21 September / applications by 25 July
The aim of the latest Ideas Sandpit will be to stimulate multidisciplinary research proposals and initiatives in promising areas of research for the University. The event will be based around the theme of sustainable water in the broadest sense.
Discover the pre-historic secrets of the Bath Downs Saturday 30 July
Investigate pre-historic Bath by joining in guided tours of the Downs, finding out more about archaeological surveys, handling artefacts and making coil pots. This event is run by the Arts Barn as part of the British Festival of Archaeology.
Awards
Mike Adams awarded the Kenneth Black Award
Mike Adams (School of Management) has been awarded the Professor Kenneth Black Jr. Distinguished Service Award at the 47th Annual Meeting of the International Insurance Society (IIS) in Toronto, Canada, 19-22 June, 2011. The award recognises Professor Adams’ contribution to the continued growth and development of the International Insurance Society (IIS) and his academic work in the fields of insurance and risk.
Management students awarded for their research
Two MSc Management students, Adam Gayton and Stefan Schneider, have won the Oxford University Press Bryman and Bell Prize 2011 for outstanding research work. The award celebrates the student who has had the most significant achievement with a business research project or shown the greatest improvement over the course of the academic year.
Applications
Call for Marie Curie Fellowship applications Thursday 11 August
Those wishing to apply to the RDSO for the Marie Curie fellowship should be aware that all applications must be received by the above deadline. Contact Ritchie Head if you require any assistance or practical help in building your proposal or refining your draft. Details of the fellowship can be found via the UK Research Office (UKRO) website.
Do you need funding to help build relationships with external organisations? To be spent by Tuesday 30 September 2012
The Knowledge Transfer Account KT Champion funding is available to all academics, non-academic (e.g. research managers) and research staff to support relationship building with external organisations. The funding has supported travel to attend advisory boards or meet organisations, industrial conferences at Bath, scoping studies for further research funding, website development, mentoring, plus events with policy makers and practitioners in Bath and in London. Funding is now available to be spent by the above date. See the KTA KT Champion webpage for details on how to apply.
Volunteering
Call for research participants: earn £5 for one hour of your time
David Moore (Health) is investigating relationships between attention and pain experience. He is offering £5 to all staff and students who volunteer to participate in an experiment which takes no more than two hours and involves computerised reaction time tasks, and a mildly painful heat sensation. Those interested should contact David. It is important participants are not suffering from a chronic pain condition and are not currently in pain.
Volunteers required: would you like to know your hormone response to resistance exercise?
A research study into hormone response to resistance exercise is currently being run by the Sport, Health & Exercise Science Group (Health). They are looking to recruit male participants aged between 18 and 35 years old who have been weight training regularly for at least the last two years. Participants will be asked to complete two resistance training protocols four times each with testing conducted before and after the sessions.
Work perks
- Good news for staff we have the use of 6WS (the old UBSA space) at lunchtimes on the following days in July: Friday 15; Monday/Tuesday 18/19; Friday 22 and Friday 29. Please use the space to bring your own lunch and eat with colleagues.
- The book sale continues every Wednesday outside the library 12.30pm - 1.45pm. Book donations always welcome.
- We have a brand new programme of events for the coming year. Download your copy.
*Now booking *
Wizard of Oz Show and London Shopping Trip - there are still a couple of tickets left for this event 21 September.
Fascinating Aida - show at Theatre Royal Bath 30 October.
Santa Canal Cruise - starts from Bradford-on-Avon 18 December.
Peter Pan Panto - Bristol Hippodrome 8 January.
Training & development
Researchers: new online course to help you find careers beyond academia
The Researcher Development Unit have launched a new e-Learning module, giving advice and information to researchers on careers outside academia. On the course researchers will be encouraged to broaden their horizons in terms of career choices and they will gain practical tips to help secure their ideal job.
PhD supervision: the process - Tuesday 19 July
This course will help (potential) research supervisors investigate the process of supervision from selection to viva. Participants will work in small groups and complete plenary sessions on topics including planning and monitoring the supervision process and ways of supporting their research students.
The workshop takes place from 10am - 4pm in 3 East 4.17. To book a place email acdev@bath.ac.uk.
Do you want to train as a mediator? - Applications by Sunday 31 July
If you are a student or staff member at the University of Bath who is interested in learning how to mediate in difficult situations in a work/study setting then training is now available. To obtain an application form contact equalsdiv@bath.ac.uk.
Lights, camera, action! KTA media training course - Tuesday 6 September
Places are still available for our final hands-on media training course, commissioned by the Knowledge Transfer Account (KTA). The session puts academics in the media spotlight and will be held on the above date. To register contact Will Marsh (Corporate Communications).
What's on
www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on
Tuesday 19 July
07.30 PM A portrait of Franz Liszt, 1811-1886
Wednesday 20 July
IT training: Oracle calendar
Sport
Spence fifth at World Cup Final
Graduate Mhairi Spence (Coach Education & Sports Development graduate) finished just outside the medals at the Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final in London last Sunday (10 July). Spence who trains at the University's Pentathlon GB High Performance Centre finished fifth at the competition. She was followed closely by Beijing 2008 Olympic silver medallist Heather Fell, who came seventh, and by Biology student Freyja Prentice in 12th.
Woodbridge wins historic bronze
Nick Woodbridge won the bronze medal at the Modern Pentathlon World Cup Final in London on Saturday (9 July).Woodbridge who trains at the Pentathlon GB High Performance Centre at the University, became the first British man to win a World Cup Final medal. 20-year-old Jamie Cooke also had a terrific ninth placed finish on his World Cup Final debut.