University Updates
18 April 2008
News
Expressions of interest sought: Research showcase - Sustainable energy & the environment
The University will stage its first Research Showcase event on 17 September 2008 under the theme of ‘Sustainable energy & the environment’, to demonstrate and publicise the breadth and depth of activity within this area to industry, service providers, local government and other stakeholders across the South West. Please register your interest with Gary Hawley as soon as possible.
Good industrial relations keep unemployment down
Research by Horst Feldmann (Economics & Industrial Development) has shown that cooperative industrial relations between employers and their employees lead to lower national unemployment figures.
What does being in work mean for lone mothers & their children?
Two Bath academics have recently completed research into how lone mothers – and their children – are affected when they return to paid work following a period of time out of the labour market.
Community projects cut alcohol disorder
Initiatives to cut alcohol-related disorder problems through community projects have had a “considerable positive impact” in local areas, shows new research presented at a conference at the University on Wednesday 16 April.
Free networking event to reveal secrets of women entrepreneurs
A trio of successful local business women will be offering inspiration and advice to local entrepreneurs at a free lunchtime networking event to be held in Carpenter House, on 21 May (12.30pm-2.30pm).
Information
A36 news: Walkway over viaduct created & Winsley junction reopens on schedule
We have received confirmation from Interroute that the Winsley Road/Brassknocker Hill junction will reopen between 7am-7pm on Sunday 20 April, as scheduled. A walkway over the viaduct is now available for pedestians and dismounted cyclists at the other set of roadworks which are currently taking place.
Death of Dr Melanie Trusselle
The University reports with great sadness that Dr Melanie Trusselle (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) has died peacefully on Tuesday 8 April, after a short battle with cancer, having only been diagnosed in November 2007.
Staff Recognition Award
All staff other than academics are eligible to receive this award which recognises either individual members, or small groups, of support staff who have shown excellence in the way in which they have undertaken their duties, and who have contributed to the broader life of the University. Please consider nominating a colleague. Deadline: Wednesday 30 April.
Tulips in Amsterdam 25-28 April
There are a few places left on UBSA's four-day trip to Holland. The trip, which costs £195, includes free entrance to the world famous Keukenhof Gardens, visits to other attractions, three nights half board accommodation (plus free bar), and transport to and from the University via Dover. Please contact Margaret Pickering for further information or to book. The trip is open to everyone, not just UBSA members.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Funding opportunities
Axa Research Fund
Annual funding of €6 million is available in six different areas. Deadline: 30 April.
Funding opportunity for new academics
EPSRC wishes to encourage new academics to build industrial collaborations early in their research career. Although CASE for new academic appointees was discontinued on 1 April 2008, this financial resource has been transferred to the Industrial CASE scheme. Deadline: 5 September.
Teaching Development Fund
As part of its Learning & Teaching Strategy the University has continued its commitment to a Teaching Development Fund. Bids are invited for the latest round of funding totalling approximately £60,000, which is due to be allocated for the academic year 2008/09 on 10 June. In support of current developments at the University, the themes of this year's allocation will be: academic induction; assessment and feedback; employability; work-based and placement learning. Deadline: 2 May.
Grants for groundbreaking health research
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for Grand Challenges Explorations, a US$100 million initiative to help scientists pursue innovative ideas for solving major global health problems. Deadline: 15 May.
Science Bridges Awards
The Research Councils UK (RCUK) have announced a call to award UK institutions with existing links to the USA, China or India, to develop deepening professional relationships and cutting-edge translational research projects. The aim is to enhance knowledge transfer and to strengthen the links between world class universities and high-tech businesses. Deadline: 24 April.
Funding opportunities
The latest set of new grants, fellowships, travel bursaries and studentship opportunities taken from the current ResearchResearch listings can be viewed online.
Training & development opportunities
- New programme of free IT training courses for staff
- Writing for the web - 21 April
- Supporting students - a workshop for departmental administrators - 21 April
- Workshop: Academic tutoring - A toolkit- 22 April
- VAT - the basics - 23 April
- Lunchtime web sessions: Managing your professional identity
on blogs & social networking sites - 23 April
Forthcoming lectures
Inaugural lecture to explore the possibilities of silicon
Silicon is used in microchips in computers but what else does this element have to offer? Professor Dmitry Kovalev will explore the uses of this versatile metalloid in his inaugural lecture on Wednesday 23 April at 6.15pm in 2 East, 3.1.
Exploring the daily dramas of women through poetry
Women's daily dramas will be explored at an evening of discussion and readings of contemporary Irish poet Eavan Boland at Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution (BRLSI), Queens Square. David Skidmore (Education) will lead the event on Wednesday 23 April at 7.30pm.
Pétain and popcorn: documentary film in France, 1940-1944
Steve Wharton (European Studies & Modern Languages) will examine the history and development of documentary during the German Occupation of France, with print and film examples from the time. BRLSI, Queen Square, Tuesday 29 April at 7.30pm.
Climate change debate at Bath Abbey
Four eminent speakers (including Anil Markandya, Economics & International Development) will summarise the present state of the climate change debate, and give their views about what organisations and individuals need to do to respond. In particular there will be discussion about how Bath can move towards being an ‘eco city’ following the example of ‘transition towns’ Bristol and Totnes, amongst many others. Tuesday 29 April, 7.30pm.
New lunchtime lectures programme for Bath
Learn more about the archaeology of airfields, creating digital art and working at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in the latest lunchtime public lecture series.
What's on next week
Monday 21
13:15 PM BICS seminar
19:30 PM Shaping a truly global response to climate change
Tuesday 22
12:15 PM Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar
16:30 PM Morals, markets & sustainable investments
Wednesday 23
12:15 PM The Web Sessions: Managing your professional identity
Thursday 24
12:00 Noon SF Reading Group
16:15 PM Health risks & their social representation
Friday 25
19:30 PM New insight from chemical imaging
Saturday 26
09:00 AM National volleyball finals
15:00 PM Student accommodation spring carnival
Arts
Concerts and Performances
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Lunchtime Concert Studio 1, ICIA Arts Complex | Friday 25 April, 1.15pm
Brighten up your lunch hour at these solo and chamber ensemble performances. Presented by the Choral and Orchestral Society. Open to all. Concerts finish by 2pm. - The Radio Science Orchestra with special guest Ken Hollings: Memories of the Future ICIA Arts Theatre | Friday 25 April, 7.30pm
The Radio Science Orchestra performs a live score to a series of short films of ‘radio scientific’ subjects. The Orchestra line-up includes performances by the theremin, the world’s first practical electronic instrument, the only one today to be played without being touched. - Choral Society and Orchestra Concerto Concert St Michael’s Church, Bath | Saturday 26 April, 7.30pm
The flourishing University Orchestra accompany the ever popular choral society in a series of well known pieces. The Orchestra also makes its annual presentation supporting talented soloists in this year’s concerto performance. - Wind Band, GASP & BUBBA ICIA Arts Theatre, University of Bath | Sunday 27 April, 7.30pm
Swinging big band jazz, lilting wind band pieces and up-beat, roof raising gospel, pop and soul tracks from the 50-strong GASP choir.
Exhibitions
- Polly Gould Peninsular ICIA Art Space 1 | Till Friday 20 June
Peninsular documents Gould’s journey to the Antarctic Peninsular taking with her the drawings she made of her father as he lay dying among the white expanse of bed sheets. - Tim Brennan Great Northern Coalfield ICIA Art Space 2 | Saturday 19 April - Friday 1 August
A series of atmospheric photographs taken on a low-resolution mobile phone camera depict the North Sea, where most of the north's un-mined coal still resides. Enlarged beyond clear definition, the images become hazy, impressionistic, glowing with colour.
Symposium & talks
- so far…Arts, Spatialisation and Memory University of Bath | Saturday 19 April, 10am-5pm
Space is a central interest to many contemporary arts practitioners, and spans many other disciplines. ICIA’s Symposium unites academics, students and those working in the visual arts, music, theatre, dance, cultural studies, architecture, cultural geography and literature areas. Speakers include Dr Anna Fenemore, Pigeon Theatre & University of Leeds; Tim Brennan, artist & University of Sunderland; Dr Peg Rawes, The Bartlett, UCL; and Dr Axel Goodbody, University of Bath. - Artist’s Talk: Uriel Orlow BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath | Saturday 26 April, 2.30-4pmUsing a wide variety of media, from video and sound to photography, billboard posters, text and drawing - Uriel Orlow's work explores different ways in which histories and memories are embedded in architectural spaces, landscapes or the human body.
Workshops
- Raku Studio 2, ICIA Arts Complex | Saturday 26 April & Saturday 10 May, 10am-4pm
A chance to make, fire and glaze pots traditional Japanese rapid firing process where pots are removed red-hot from the kiln.
Sport
Medals for University of Bath swimmers
Mark Foster’s 50m freestyle silver medal was one of the highlights of the World Short Course Championships in Manchester. And Sports Performance student Cameron Gibson was a member of the New Zealand quartet that won the bronze medal in the 4×100m medley relay, behind Russia and the USA.
Team Bath kept their title hopes alive when they fought back from 2 – 0 down to seal victory against a spirited Gloucester City side at Twerton Park. Final Score: Team Bath 4 Gloucester City 2.