University Updates
16 November 2007
News
Research suggests mechanism for acne drug’s link to depression
New research by Sarah Bailey (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) has found that a drug used to treat severe forms of acne reduces the availability of the chemical serotonin, low levels of which have been linked to aggression and clinical depression.
New gene technique helps discover cause of recent leptospirosis outbreak
A single disease-causing clone of the bacterium Leptospira interrogans was behind the recent sustained outbreak of leptospirosis in Thailand, according to a new collaboration investigation by Ed Feil (Biology & Biochemistry) with researchers from universities in Thailand and Australia.
Biopharmaceutical company strengthened by academic expertise
Richard Guy (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) has joined the Scientific Advisory Board of DBV Technologies. In the new appointment, he will increase DBV Technologies’ expertise in percutaneous administration, having contributed to breakthroughs in understanding of the skin and the in vivo evaluation of topical bioavailability.
Scott Thomas advises US on how & why to promote religion overseas
Scott Thomas (Economics & International Development) has recently had a paper published in Foreign Policy in Focus, a 'think tank without walls' (attached to
the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, DC), which provides timely analysis of US foreign policy and international affairs and recommends policy alternatives.
University holds public exhibition on Masterplan issues
The University has begun to prepare a new Masterplan for its Claverton Down campus and is seeking the views of local residents on a range of issues. An exhibition is being held in The Yale Room at the Hilton hotel today and Saturday.
Malaysian Sports Minister visits University
The Minister of Sport for Malaysia visited the campus this week and toured the Sports Training Village to learn more about its training and research facilities.
University hands over its peppercorn rent
The Chancellor of the University paid a peppercorn in land rent to B&NES at the annual ceremony on Tuesday evening.
Four Bath Knowledge Transfer Partnerships nominated for national awards
Four of the University’s recently completed Knowledge Transfer Partnerships have been nominated for the KTP National Awards 2008. The University has a first-class track record with KTP, with 18 partnerships currently running in a variety of companies and public bodies.
New Chair for HERDA SW Business Engagement Group
Jon Hunt, Head of Research Development & Collaborations in Research & Innovation Services, will be appointed Chair of the HERDA SW Business Engagement Group in May 2008.
Students learn the secrets of getting rich and staying happy
Students have been given lessons on how to get rich and stay happy as part of the national Student Enterprise '07 conference that took place at the University this week.
Chemical Engineering prizes awarded to undergraduates
The Department of Chemical Engineering recently hosted a reception to celebrate the excellent achievements of its undergraduate students during the 2006/7 academic year. Department Head Julian Chaudhuri presented prizes, which are sponsored by industrial and institutional endowments.
Information
University Traffic Survey
As part of the University's new Masterplan, a traffic survey will take place throughout the next fortnight. IMA Transport Planning have been commissioned to count all cars, buses, motorbikes, pedal cycles, and so on, that use the campus roads.
Robert Eisenthal memorial celebration
All who knew Robert are warmly invited to attend this event on Friday 7 December at 4.15pm, beginning in 8 West 1.1 with tributes from a number of friends, family and colleagues, and then adjourning to the Claverton Rooms for a reception.
Last chance to complete Staff Survey 2007 - deadline extended
The deadline for the Staff Survey has been extended till Friday 23 November, so you still have chance to give your views. The results will be shared with the University community as well as senior management. The survey is anonymous. If you no longer have the email containing the survey link and your survey password, please email staffsurveys@capita.co.uk or call Capita's helpline number 0800 587 3115 supplying your BUCS username.
New look for University logo
Imaging, Design & Print Services is pleased to announce the launch of a redrawn image for the University logo. The new logo has been inserted automatically into most web pages and the Print Unit will be happy to advise on its use for future hard copy publications. Please use up stationery with the old logo before placing replacement orders.
New MATLAB tools are not just for engineers and scientists!
A free one-day seminar will give research staff the chance to find out about some of the MATLAB tools now available through the new campus-wide licensing agreement. The new tools could prove popular with the staff in the School of Management and School for Health, economists, biologists and social scientists as well as the engineers and scientists who currently make use of the package. Book your place now.
Book early for ERC events
The UK Research Office (UKRO) will be holding two regional information events for researchers, taking place on campus on Friday 18 January 2008. The aim of each session is to provide participants with an overview of the ERC in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Early booking is recommended as these events are likely to be over-subscribed.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Sarah Bailey (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) was interviewed on Bath FM and BBC Radio 5 Live about her research connecting depression and aggression with medication prescribed for acne.
- Tony Walter (Centre for Death & Society) was quoted at length in The Times in an article about how to tackle the modern crisis of the disposal of dead bodies.
Training & development opportunities
- IT training courses - updated list
- Seminar on the new MATLAB tools available on campus - 20 November
- Planning for Retirement - 5 December
- International Strategy Update - 6 December
Lectures
Public lectures at the University
A full list of forthcoming lectures is available on the web. Please send any additions to g.smith@bath.ac.uk
Composing music for natural history
The art of composing music for wildlife documentaries will be revealed in a free public lecture on Wednesday 21 November.
The birth of photography and the art of making photograms
Local people can learn about the history of photography and how a leading artist takes pictures without using a camera at a free public lecture at the University of Bath in Swindon on Wednesday 21 November.
Madame Palatine: ignorant German or victim of French immorality?
The intriguing history of Madame Palatine, sister-in-law of the French King Louis XIV, will be discussed in an inaugural lecture by William Brooks, Professor of French, on Wednesday 21 November at 6.15pm.
What's on next week
Monday 19
13:15 PM BICS seminar
19:30 PM Our population predicament has five fathers
Tuesday 20
09:30 AM Matlab: accelerating research & teaching
12:15 PM Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar
13:15 PM Women's Studies seminar
16:30 PM Hydrogen & fuel cells - part of a sustainable energy future
19:30 PM French piano music 1890-1918 Debussy & Ravel
19:30 AM Dig it up and throw it out
Wednesday 21
10:15 AM Environmental psychology & sustainable development
12:30 PM Physical activity & subjective well-being in later life
13:15 PM Solo and Chamber lunchtime concert
16:10 PM Pharmacy & Pharmacology centenary seminar
17:15 PM GULP Lecture: Wild about music
17:30 PM Capturing light - Fox Talbot and natural photograms
18:15 PM Inaugural Lecture
Thursday 22
13:00 PM Silent Zone
20:00 PM UBSA salsa night
Friday 23
19:30 PM A day at the races : The role of mass spectrometry in sports drug surveillance
Saturday 24
07:00 AM UBSA coach trip to London
Exhibitions
Gogolin | Holburne exhibition, until 9 December
This film and installation has been created by award-winning Bristol-based artist Andrew Mania and explores the ways in which memories can be inherited, adopted and woven into a personal narrative.
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.
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Imitating the dog & Pete Brooks: KellerMan
Sat 17 Nov, 7.30pm | £9, £7 concs
Five days ago Harry’s wife and child were killed. At least this is what he thinks…Through a fusion of spectacular live theatre, digital media and design, KellerMan creates an off-kilter world.
Solo & Chamber Lunchtime Concert
Wed 21 Nov | 1.15pm | Holburne Museum of Art, Bath
Lunchtime recital in the Museum's stunning top gallery. Museum entrance fees apply
Janek Schaefer
Sat 24 Nov, 7.30pm | £9, Concs £7 & University staff
One of the UK’s most compelling sound artists, Janek Schaefer, creates immersive, involving environments that dissolve the boundary between musician and listener, artist and spectator.
Making large scale work
Sat 17, Sun 18 Nov & Sat 1 Dec, 10am-4pm | Studio 2, ICIA Arts Complex | £68, £48 concs & University staff
A chance to explore ceramic hand-building techniques and produce pieces for the garden and for interiors.
Sport
Team Bath fairytale ends in Chasetown defeat
Team Bath FC’s hopes of securing a coveted place in the second round of the FA Cup for their first time in their short history ended in a 2-0 defeat at home to a plucky Chasetown.
Under strength Team Bath netballers suffer second defeat
Team Bath, who are without the services of six key players through world championships duty or injury, lost away to Team Northumbria in their third match of the Superleague season.
Team Bath players help England power to World Champs semis
Team Bath shooters Pamela Cookey and Tamsin Greenway were in outstanding form to help England book a place in netball’s World Championships semi-finals.