University Updates
14 December 2007
Research news
Anti-drinking campaign ads may be 'catastrophically misconceived'
Some anti-drinking advertising campaigns may be 'catastrophically misconceived' because they play on the entertaining ‘drinking stories’ that young people use to mark their social identity, say researchers from the Department of Psychology who have just completed a three-year study of the subject.
Project to look at best way to find defects in aircraft and racing cars
An Anglo-Indian initiative is to be launched to look at the efficiency of new ways of detecting dangerous defects in vehicles including aircraft, racing cars and spacecraft.
Women persist in beauty treatments that are not working
Women are more likely to persist with using creams, supplements and plastic surgery to look younger if they feel these are not yet working, new research says.
Light is shed on new fibre's potential to change technology
Photonic crystal fibre’s ability to create broad spectra of light, which will be the basis for important developments in technology, has been explained for the first time.
Online game created to stop dangerously-loaded caravans
A new web-based game has been created that could help caravan owners avoid loading their vehicles in a dangerous way.
Birds with precocious chicks more likely to trade parenting for new mates
Birds that have precocious chicks are more likely to desert their young and remate when the opportunity presents itself, says a study of 200 species of birds by researchers in the Department of Biology & Biochemistry.
New project to investigate gut stem cells
New research from the Department of Biology & Biochemistry is hoping to shed light on the stem cells that help maintain the surfaces of the gut.
Other news
University of Bath chooses architects for campus arts complex
The University of Bath has chosen architects firm McInnes Usher McKnight Architects (MUMA) to develop designs for its proposed new interdisciplinary arts complex on campus.
Bath’s profile raised in Argentina
The University was invited to formally participate in the 9th Annual Social Meeting of the Fundacion ALFA (the Alumni Foundation of Argentina), which was held in Buenos Aires recently.
Project aimed at bridging gap between engineering, computing and maths holds important event
The first major event of a UK programme to bridge the gap between researchers in engineering, computer science and mathematics took place on campus this week.
Staff to go online to save energy
University staff can now go online to find out how they can play an important part in the city of Bath’s bid to cut carbon emissions.
New part-time courses for spring
The chance to go to a Hogwarts for adults’ magic school or crack a crime scene investigation are just two of the unusual leisure and learning opportunities on offer in next spring’s new programme of part-time courses run by the University.
Winter award ceremonies - graduate vox pop
Winter graduation ceremonies took place on Tuesday and Wednesday at the Assembly Rooms. Students spoke after the ceremony about how much they had enjoyed the day.
Who should get an honorary degree next year?
The Honorary Degrees Committee is pleased to receive nominations from any member of the University or person associated with it. In particular, it welcomes proposals that reflect the cultural diversity and international character of the University and promotes its commitment to gender equality.
Double doctor
Olga Tabachnikova has an unusual distinction of having been awarded doctorates by the University of Bath in both mathematics and the humanities. Her mathematics PhD was awarded in 1995, and this week she received a PhD in Modern Languages.
A smoove act: Bath students create first ever pedal-powered smoothie-maker
Two Bath students, Daniel Spencer and Charlie Stephenson, who are currently studying in the Faculty of Business Administration at ORT University in Montevideo, Uruguay, can proudly claim to have invented the world’s first “bicycle–liquidiser”!
Information
UK Future TV approaches
A number of scientists at the University have been approached by UK Future TV requesting interviews on their research in January. Those contacted are free to give interviews but should be aware that the University is not associated with the project in any way, and does not believe it fits in with our strategy for communicating our excellence in research. To discuss the issue further, please contact the press office at: press@lists.bath.ac.uk or call ext 4220.
New member of technical and research staff appointed to Court
Iryna Withington (Biology & Biochemistry) has been elected as a representative of the technical and research staff to serve on Court for the period ending 31 July 2010, subject to remaining a full-time member of staff.
Publish your own RSS feeds and podcasts
Students and staff members of the University now have the facility to publish their own RSS feeds and podcasts in the LMF.
No network services this weekend
To enable necessary engineering work to take place, there will be no network services available throughout this weekend (15/16 December). This includes email and web access. BUCS apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Tim Bullamore (Centre for Death & Society), who is a former councillor in Bath & North East Somerset, appeared on the Jeremy Vine programme on BBC Radio 2 to discuss the report published by the Councillors Commission.
- Christine Griffin (Psychology) spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live and Kiss 101 and Andrew Bengry-Howell (Psychology) was interviewed on ITV West about the research on anti-drinking advertising campaigns targeted at young people.
- Tony Trueman (Marketing & Communications) appeared on BathFM to talk about the European award given to the University for its podcasts.
Training & development opportunities
- IT training courses - updated list
- Writing persuasive reports - 16 January 2008
What's on
An invitation from the University archivist - Tuesday 18 December
Have you ever wondered what is in the University archival collections? Have you ever wondered what an archivist actually does? If so, this is your chance to find out. Come and meet the archives (and the archivist, Lizzie Richmond) on Tuesday 18 December between 12 noon and 1pm in the Meeting Room on Level 4 of the Library. Please book a place in advance as spaces are limited. E.Richmond@bath.ac.uk
Hospitality Services open day - Tuesday 18 December
The hospitality staff will be holding an open day next Tuesday in the Level 1 Café which will run from 12 noon until 2pm. Team leaders from each of the campus outlets will be there to listen to your suggestions and to answer any questions you may have.
Exhibitions
Margareta Kern - Clothes for Death | ICIA Art Space 2, until 4 January
This 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.
Photography Exhibition | ICIA Art Space 1, until 16 February, 10am-5pm
A showcase of selected works from this year’s
University of Bath Photography Competition.
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
New season
Booking opens from Monday 7 January
Sign up for classes and workshops in dance, music and visual arts.
Next season's highlights include Joanna MacGregor, Alexander Balanescu and Carol Brown Dances.
Email ICIAinfo@bath.ac.uk to receive your brochure through internal post.
Sport
New beach supports volleyball athletes’ Olympic ambitions
Work is now complete on the new outdoor beach volleyball facility at the Sports Training Village.
It will be a key part in the development of Britain’s beach volleyball players up to and beyond the London 2012 Olympic Games, after the British Volleyball Federation chose Bath as home for the GB beach volleyball team.
BUSA tennis championships get underway in Bath
The country’s top university tennis players will be in action at the Sports Training Village over the next few days as the University of Bath hosts the Barclays BUSA individual championships.
Janne completes golden hat-trick
TeamBath swimmer Janne Schaefer (School of Management) completed a terrific hat-trick by winning the 50m breaststroke gold for the third year running at the European Short Course Championships.
Sport and Exercise Science student Susie Hignett helped the Norwich Union Great Britain and Northern Ireland team strike gold at the European Cross Country Championships in Spain. The 21-year-old came 18th overall in the women’s under-23 race, helping the Great Britain to top the rankings in the under-23 team event.