University Updates
14 September 2007
News
Macho advertisements are putting feminine men off products, research says
Marlboro Man, or his current macho billboard equivalent, is putting off metrosexuals from buying products, research by Brett Martin (School of Management) shows.
Primate behaviour explained by computer ‘agents’
The complex behaviour of primates can be understood using artificially-intelligent computer ‘agents’ that mimic their actions, says new research published in a special edition of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B and presented at the BA Festival of Science in York by Joanna Bryson (Computer Science).
Call for closer examination of brain death as the end of life
The medical diagnosis of brain death is at odds with our traditional view of when death actually occurs, says Allan Kellehear (Social & Policy Sciences) speaking at an international conference on Death, Dying & Disposal held on campus this week. Other research outlined at the conference, which was organised by the University, included:
- Doctors may need support to cope with patient death
Doctors could benefit from support to help them cope with the trauma of patient death. - Celebrity corpses are taking centre stage
The corpses of James Brown, Anna Nicole Smith and Saddam Hussein were voyeuristic spectacles for a public greedy for a last voyeuristic look at celebrity lives. - Returning personal effects in a bin liner must stop
The personal effects of the victims of disasters and terrorist attacks are sometimes returned to relatives in bin liners or withheld for spurious health and safety reasons.
Lord Coe opens £1M sport science lab and national conference
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, opened a new £1 million sport science laboratory and a national conference at the University of Bath on Wednesday.
Scientists highlight benefits of genetic research in sport, but warn of ethical concerns
Genetic research into athletic ability should be encouraged for its potential benefits in both sport and public health, according to a leading group of scientists attending the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences annual meeting on campus.
Recreational football better for you than jogging, study shows
Playing football is a better way of getting fit than running, suggests new research presented at the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences annual meeting at the University this week.
Bath physicist's book hits the bestseller list
A book which gives an overview of an important area of science, written by Stefan Maier, has entered the top 20 physics bestsellers for this year.
Lunchtime lecture explores Wiltshire’s inspirational landscape
The role of Wiltshire’s landscape in inspiring artists through time will be explored in a lunchtime lecture at the University of Bath in Swindon on Tuesday 25 September.
Open day to launch new autumn part-time courses
People in Bath are invited to call in to an open day at Carpenter House in the city centre on Saturday 15 September, to find out more about the University’s new autumn programme of part-time day and evening courses. Term begins on 8 October with enrolment closing at the end of September.
Student survey results, and recent enhancements to the student experience
In the latest National Student Survey results, released this week, the University has improved overall on its scores last year in all the six categories: teaching, assessment and feedback, academic support, organisation and management, learning resources and personal development. It has also improved,, from 4.0 to 4.1 out of 5.0, for overall satisfaction with the quality of its courses and programmes.
Information
Consultation on academic staff appraisal
The University is beginning a consultation on the appraisal of academic staff following clear signs of dissatisfaction with the current system. A consultation paper plus a draft of a new form has been sent to all the academic departments. This is also available online so that any individual members of academic staff can also make a response. Responses should be sent to Professor Ian Jamieson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Vice-Chancellor's Office. Deadline: 26 October 2007.
Checking your personal details - advanced notice
Next week Human Resources will be asking each member of staff to check their own personal details currently held on the University’s main HR system. An email will be sent to all staff with full details and access to the Personal Data Statement, which shows your data including name, personal details, addresses and contacts. The checking process is designed to be easy and is the first stage in ensuring the University holds correct up-to-date information about you. Special arrangements will be made for those without access to email. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Ramadan
Please note that we are currently in the season of Ramadan. This means that Muslim students (and staff) may be fasting during daylight hours. Please be aware that this may effect performance and concentration in lectures and seminars.
4 West reconstruction begins
Work has begun on the long-awaited redevelopment of 4 West. Early stages of the contract will involve further demolition work, the removal of all existing windows and the removal of asbestos from previously inaccessible areas.
University Pocket Diary
A few copies of the University Pocket Diary are still available.
Book your Christmas lunch early
Wessex Restaurant is now taking Christmas bookings. The Christmas lunch menu is available from 3 December until 21 December. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Call ext: 5345.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Online resources
New! Guidance for new staff & their managers
This new web resource contains general information for new staff and their managers/supervisors including a useful induction checklist and two additional documents: 'Guidance for new staff' and 'Guidance for managers'.
If you are responsible for inducting others you may also be interested in putting your name down on the waiting list for the next related Staff Development course.
Guidelines for personal tutors
The information on these webpages has been
has been updated.
Training & development opportunities
- Staff development programme
The autumn programme of training courses run by Staff Development is now available.
- Enrol now on reduced rate part-time courses
Song writing, yoga, drawing, garden design or photography - these are some of the courses on offer in Bath in the autumn. Reductions are available for staff. There is also a range of courses taking place at the Swindon campus. - Learn a language with 75 per cent discount
The Foreign Languages Centre is now enrolling for its autumn term language courses on both the community programme and the lunchtime programme. Staff who work at least 0.5 FTE are entitled to a 75 per cent discount which means 11-week courses cost £31.25 and lunchtime courses cost £13.75.
In the media
- Keith Stokes (School for Health) talked on GWR FM about the British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences annual conference taking place on campus.
- Alan Kellehear (Social & policy sciences) was interviewed on BBC Radio 5 Live about his study into whether or not 'brain death' is the end of life.
- Judi Marshall (School of Management) spoke to BBC Radio Bristol, Bath FM and GWR about the links Dame Anita Roddick, who died this week, had with the University.
Exhibitions
Judith
Tucker - Resort | ICIA Art Space 1, Claverton Rooms foyer, till
12 October
Judith Tucker's haunting drawings of the Baltic seaside resort of
Ahlbeck are inspired by photographs her grandmother brought with her
when she fled Nazi Germany to England in 1938. The charcoal drawings are infused with a sense of loss that shimmer with regret and yearning. Through melancholic coastal settings, the exhibition evokes memories of a vanished past.
Margareta Kern - Clothes for Death | ICIA Art Space 2, till 4 January
Interdisciplinary artist presents powerful and intimate photographs as a personal response to a tradition in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina of women preparing clothes for their own burial.
Canaletto & the
English Pleasure Garden | Holburne Museum, till
30 September
Two magnificent paintings by Canaletto form the centre-piece of an exhibition which explores the phenomenon of the Georgian pleasure gardens. The Holburne's building was the gateway to Sydney Gardens where Jane Austen once strolled and this exhibition both celebrates its position and offers an enticing glimpse into eighteenth-century leisure.
Arts
New arts complex design competition enters final phase
In June 2007 five architects were selected to put forward their concept ideas for the planned Interdisciplinary Arts Complex at the Claverton Down campus. The design competition has now moved into the final stage. Members of staff and students are encouraged to give feedback on the proposed plans either by email to ICIAfeedback@bath.ac.uk or by completing a ballot card at the exhibition of designs which will be displayed in the University Hall foyer from 17-21 September. All feedback will be submitted to the jury before the formal presentations to be made by the architects on Thursday 20 September. The jury includes representatives from the University and relevant external experts.
ICIA classes - booking now open
Classes open to all include:
Music: DJ Skills, Bath University Big Band, University Choral Society
Dance: contemporary, street dance, jazz dance, ballet, samba
Visual Arts: ceramics, drawing, painting, life drawing, stained glass
Booking is now open and classes start the week of 8 October. See the website for further details
Sport
Bid for signed England shirt to raise funds for Zambia project
Rugby fans have an opportunity to own a piece of sporting history and help a good cause by bidding for an England rugby shirt signed by members of the 2007 Six Nations squad. There is also a pair of tickets for the Wales v Australia Rugby World Cup match up for grabs. Money raised from both auctions will go towards Team Bath’s Zambia project.
Look to the future, says football coach Tillson
Team Bath FC head coach Andy Tillson is urging his young players to look to the future rather than back at the past in their first qualifying round match in the FA Cup, sponsored by E.ON, this Saturday.
AFC Team Bath Ladies won their first match playing in Team Bath colours last Sunday (9th September) – and they did it in style by putting a dozen goals past Reading Royals.