University Updates
14 November 2008
New appointments
University Research Advisers
The University has appointed Richard Guy and Geof Wood to work with Jane Millar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research, on the development and implementation of the University’s research strategy.
New Director for Research Support & Development Office
Dr Rob Head will become the new Director for the RSDO in January. Rob, a chemist with a PhD from Sussex University, currently works at the University of Liverpool where he leads knowledge transfer activities and is a member of the team managing their Research & Business Services Department.
New starters in October 2008
The new starters update gives the name, job title and department of all new members of staff at the University who started in the previous month.
Research
Chicks to give scientists clearer picture of fetal development
Cheryll Tickle and a team of researchers (Biology & Biochemistry) are working together with colleagues at Edinburgh, UCL and Trinity to gain a greater understanding of disease and birth defects with a new imaging database that will map the expression of genes that control development.
Department to host workshop on green chemistry in partnership with Chinese university
Tony James (Chemistry) and Professor Jianzhang Zhao, from the Dalian University of Technology in China, will co-host a workshop on campus in December that will explore how chemistry can be used to help the environment.
L&T news
Course in sustainable development is ‘highly commended’ by engineers
A new professional development course in the Department of Chemical Engineering that emphasises the importance of poverty alleviation as part of sustainable development has been ‘Highly Commended’ at the annual awards ceremony of the UK’s Institution of Chemical Engineers.
Successful new course takes Bath students into the heart of the cloud forest
Just before the start of the new semester in October, ten third year BSc Biology students successfully completed Bath’s first ever International Field Course in Ecology, 5,000 feet up in the remote cloud forests of Honduras in Central America.
Other
Global Enterprise Week - 17-23 November
Numerous events will be taking place on campus for staff and students next week to mark Global Enterprise Week.
BUCS has been shortlisted in the category: Excellence in innovation at a local level in the e-Government National Awards 2008. The awards highlight the UK's most effective services which improve citizen and business transactions with councils, central government departments and other public sector organisations. The proposal: Bath, Drains and Web 2.0 involved putting fibres into the sewage infrastructure of the city in order to provide more bandwidth for students on campus.
Academic discusses what it takes to become an astronaut
Iya Whiteley (Computer Science) took part in an expert panel discussion about what makes a good astronaut as part of an event run by the Science Museum’s Dana Centre in London this week.
Sino-Indian relations
Yukteshwar Kumar (MAIT/ESML) was invited to give a lecture at the University of Nottingham entitled "Tagore and Sino-Indian Cultural Interface" about the first Asian noble-laureate, Gurudeva Rabindranath Tagore, who tried to resuscitate the links between China and India.
Your views
Are you an Agresso user? How's it going?
The Agresso team are very keen to have users' feedback now that the new system has been in place for a year. This will help to formulate plans for future developments of the system. Please try and find ten minutes to complete the online questionnaire.
Masterplan consultation
If you have not yet had your say about the proposals for changes to campus, the survey closes at midnight tonight (14 November).
Chlamydia survey
A group of final year Pharmacy students are researching the general knowledge of staff and students about chlamydia. They would be very grateful if you could complete their survey.
LGB&T experiences in HE
In the first national survey of its kind, Equality Challenge Unit has commissioned research into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) staff and students in higher education.
Information
University's thoughts are with injured physics student
The University's thoughts are with second year physics undergraduate Rhys Thomas who is in a serious but stable condition in Frenchay Hospital, after being involved in an accident at Bath Spa train station.
University of Bath Christmas cards
Please place your orders by the end of today (Friday 14 November) for delivery in the first week of December.
Want to process in Winter Award Ceremonies?
Academics: If you wish to be part of the graduation procession, please return your forms to Sheila Willmott by Friday 21 November, as gowns need to be ordered two weeks before the commencement of the ceremonies for them to arrive in time.
Deadline for applications for sabbatical leave
Individuals wishing to apply for sabbatical leave should submit an application via their Head of Department/School by Friday 27 November.
Latest funding opportunities
The lists are taken from the current ResearchResearch listings.
Balanced Living Group launched
A new group has been set up to support staff with any aspect of work-life balance including family-friendly working, caring responsibilities, and work-place stress and to raise the profile of these issues in terms of University policy and practice. The first meeting will take place on Wednesday 19 November 2008 at 1:15pm to 2:05 pm in 8W 2.27
Blackwell bookshop opening extended due to demand
Blackwell bookshop in 3 West 2.8 will be open on campus between 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday until 28 November 2008.
(After Christmas the bookshop will be open from Monday 26 January 2009)
Visit the Christmas markets of Bruges & Lille 28-30 November
Discover the spirit of Christmas and visit two markets in two countries and let your festive spirit run wild! This trip is open to everyone including Non UBSA members, students and friends from outside the University. It costs £144 per person based on two sharing a double/twin room.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Training opportunities
- Appraisal Briefing for Appraisees - 17 November
- What is Learning Support? - 19 November
- Writing for the Web - 21 November, 10 December
- Basics of VAT - 4 December 2008
- e-Learning workshops & seminars
- Free IT training courses for staff
Lectures
Local entrepreneurs to reveal business wins despite credit crunch
Two inspiring local business women will be offering advice on how to become successful despite the difficulties of the current economic climate at a talk on campus. (Wednesday 19 November 2008).
Full programme of University Public Lectures
The programme for 2008/9 is now online. Members of the general public, staff and students are all very welcome to attend. More lectures will be added as details become available.
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 17
13:15 PM BICS seminar
Tuesday 18
12:15 PM Eucharist
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar
Wednesday 19
12:30 PM Women's Enterprise Day lunchtime talk
12:30 PM Women's Enterprise Day: Speed networking event
13:00 PM Riddles of the unspoken
14:30 PM Do we need religion in the 21st century?
Thursday 20
17:20 PM Is it a good idea to be buried in your garden?
Saturday 22
08:30 AM Cardiff Shopping Trip
10:00 AM Throwing on the wheel
19:30 PM University's Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir
Arts
Concerts & performances
- Powerplant Import/Export University Hall | Saturday 15 November 7.30pm
One of the UK’s most imaginative and brilliant percussionists, Joby Burgess is best known for defying categories. Powerplant create a heady mix of hi-octane percussion-led music set against a stunning backdrop of live visuals and film. - Arts Union Show in a Week! ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 15 November 7.30pm
The Arts Societies from across the University join together to perform a cabaret style show after just a week’s rehearsal. - University of Bath's Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir | Saturday 22 November 7.30pm
| St Michael's Church, Broad St, Bath
A joint concert of beautiful classical music brought to you by the University of Bath's Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, featuring Beethoven's 8th Symphony.
Sport
Student Ben Rushgrove amongst UK Athletics top tier for Olympic funding
Sports Performance student Ben Rushgrove, who sprinted his way to a silver medal at this year's Paralympic Games in Beijing, has been named in the top bracket of athletes who will receive lottery-funding towards 2012 by UK Athletics.
Adult recreational netball sessions have returned to the Sports Training Village on Tuesday nights.
Training for the Bath Half?
Are you preparing to run in the Bath Half Marathon? If so, why not ask TeamBath’s experts to help you prepare for the challenge.
At a rain swept Twerton Park on Sunday our student football team finally succumbed in the First Round proper of the FA cup. Highlights of Team Bath FC v Forest Green Rovers are available on the ITV local website.