University Updates
18 July 2008
Apologies that last week's e-news bulletin had to be cancelled due to staff sickness.
News
Bacterial polymers may hold key to curing diseases, say researchers
Richard Cooper (Biology & Biochemistry) and his team have made new discoveries about bacteria which could change the way some diseases are treated.
Nearly 300,000 illegal drug users in England claim state benefits – according to new research
Researchers at the Universities of Bath and Glasgow have found that 270,000 heroin and crack cocaine users in England are claiming state benefits. The study, led by Linda Ball (Social & Policy Sciences) shows is that there is a higher proportion of drug users amongst benefit recipients than there is in the population overall.
New funding for research that targets opioid abuse
A research team led by Stephen Husbands (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) has received over £300,000 funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to target improved treatment agents for opiate dependence.
Bath researcher gives avatars a good laugh
Darren Cosker (Computer Science), together with a colleague at the University of Cardiff, has developed software to automatically recognise "non-linguistic" sounds, such as when we laugh, cry, yawn and sneeze, and generate appropriate facial animation sequences. This could improve the quality of web-based avatars or computer-animated movies. Darren presented the research at the 8th International Symposium on Computer Methods in Biomechanics & Biomedical Engineering held in Porto, Portugal.
Project to encourage healthy lifestyle habits in school leavers
Studies have shown that students who leave school to get a job typically enter low paid employment and are more likely to smoke, eat higher fat foods and be less active. As these factors predispose them to greater risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, the aim of this project run by the School for Health is to help this segment of the population develop good lifestyle habits as they start their working lives.
Male volunteers needed for research into exercise and disease prevention
Researchers from the Sport, Health & Exercise Science group are looking for volunteers who are willing to spend a week adopting the lifestyle of someone who is sedentary and eats too much. They are interested in hearing from active males who exercise at least four times a week and do not smoke. The study will investigate whether a certain form of exercise can overcome the effects of overfeeding and under-activity.
Staff achievements
Staff Recognition Awards
The winners of the 2008 Staff Recognition Awards are Amanda Harper, Department Manager in Biology & Biochemistry, and Tim Greeves, Social Programme Director in the English Language Section of ESML. The Staff Recognition Awards are made annually to members of staff, other than academics, who have shown initiative, innovation, creativity and who have worked beyond the call of duty to the benefit of the University.
Bath lecturer voted winner of online debate by teenagers
Ian Walker (Psychology) has been voted the winner of an online science education debate by young people across the country. Dr Walker took part in I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here! – a nationwide online debate between secondary school pupils and scientists and researchers; he won £500 to be spent on science communication.
International Mathematical Union committee
James Davenport (Computer Science) has been nominated for a four-year term on the International Mathematical Union's (IMU) Committee on Electronic Information & Communication (CEIC).
Royal Society of Chemistry Chemical Biology Medal
Barry Potter (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) has won the 2007 Royal Society of Chemistry Industrially Sponsored Award & Medal in Chemical Biology.
Taking educational initiatives to China
Jack Whitehead (Education) was invited to give a keynote presentation at the Conference of Educational Action Research in TEFL China, at Ningxia Teachers’ University. During his visit Dr Whitehead also held discussions with academics, professors and MA & PhD students from Zhejiang University.
New book published
Richard James (Physics) has co-authored a book entitled Exploring Animal Social Networks.
The book offers a practical guide for researchers, undergraduates, and graduate students in ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behaviour and zoology, to enable researchers to probe animal social structure at all levels, from the individual to the population.
Student & alumni news
‘Lifted’ choir step into the spotlight
An a cappella group from the University has performed on the primetime show, Last Choir Standing. They were invited to record at BBC television centre and their audition was aired on TV and featured on the show’s website.
Postgraduate wins Ede & Ravenscroft Prize for research into diabetes
Shifaan Thowfeequ (Biology & Biochemistry) has been named the winner of the 2008 Ede & Ravenscroft Prize for his research 'Towards a novel therapy for diabetes: A bio-alchemist's approach'.
Alumnus donates scholarship to fund PG research in Computer Science
A new PhD Studentship, the Ashworth Scholarship, has been created for the Department of Computer Science thanks to the generosity of a Bath alumnus, Mike Ashworth. Mike, who graduated in 1983 with a BSc in Economics, Computing & Statistics, lives in New York and is Head of Global Technology Infrastructure for US bank JP Morgan Chase.
Links with the local community
Chemistry pupils to discover why fireflies glow in the dark
One hundred 15-year-olds from schools around the country have been invited to enjoy one of two residential Salters’ Chemistry Camps held at the University of Bath (21-23 July and 23-25 July).
Public invited to view rare art collection by Mary Fedden OBE
Local people are invited to a public viewing at the Vice-Chancellor’s residence in Lansdown Crescent, Bath, to view important works by renowned artist Mary Fedden (24 July 2008, 2-4pm). The exhibition will be followed by a public talk at the University by art critic Mel Gooding (3 West North 2.1, 5-6pm).
Local pupils offered taster of university life on campus
More than 100 pupils from the South West are currently on campus attending one of two free, week-long summer schools aimed at introducing them to student life and higher education (from 15-24 July).
Learning programme pilot to launch in Swindon
Advance, a new learning club, has been set up to provide educational support to workers in Wiltshire. It will be launched on 24 July at New College, Swindon, by the University in association with unionlearn South West and the Wiltshire Trade Union Studies Centre.
Bath pupils shine at Rolls Royce Innovation Awards 2008
Four pupils from Oldfield School have scooped a major science accolade at the Rolls Royce Innovation Awards, hosted by the University.
HE sector reports
- UUK report assesses impact of demographic changes for universities
- UUK reconises current degree classifaction system has "reached the end of its ‘display-by’ date"
- University admissions processes under reform UUK report
- HEFCE report shows that universities' influence on economy grows
- HEFCE award £9.84 million to safeguard UK's research journals and provide central access point for academic community
Information
Vice-Chancellor chairs new steering group
The Vice-Chancellor has established a new steering group to review the University’s business processes.
University Council Meeting
A report of the items discussed at the meeting of University Council held on 3 July are now available to view.
Executive Committee
Summary notes of the Executive Committee held on 11 June are now available online.
Technical staff rep sought to serve on Equalities & Diversity Committee
Nominations are requested for the vacancy of Technical Staff representative to serve on the Equalities & Diversity Committee from 1 August 2008 until 31 July 2009. Nominations should be submitted no later than 15 August.
Please tell Purchasing how satisfied you are with their services
In an effort to improve the services that Purchasing Services offer to University departments, they have introduced Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that seek to annually measure departmental satisfaction with the services provided.
In order to be able to do this effectively they would welcome your support through completion of a short survey.
Staff discount on physio and massage treatments at STV
Members of University staff are entitled to a 15% discount on all physiotherapy treatment, massage and all fitness testing at the Sports Injury Clinic & Human Performance Centre, in the Sports Training Village.
New support arrangements for research and enterprise
Following a review of the functions of the Department of Research & Innovation Services, two new units will be launched on 1 August 2008:
- Bath Ventures (BV) will be responsible for maximising the return on the University’s intellectual assets with IP licensing, spin out companies and consultancy.
- Research Development & Support Office (RDSO) will be responsible for advancing the University’s international reputation for research by growing externally funded research, improving grant application success rates and enhancing strategic and operational support to academic departments.
Take a trip on the Forest of Dean steam railway | Saturday 26 July 2008
The Dean Forest Railway – based near Lydney in Gloucestershire – provides the sight, sounds and smells of travel on a rural branch line from a bygone era. The round trip is over eight miles. Day Rover tickets allow you to hop on and off the train as you wish - or of course stay on there all day! Norchard Station has a free museum, gift shop and café.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Training opportunities
- Free IT training courses for staff July & August
- Leadership Foundation course: Intro to project management 21 October
- Intro to Higher Education for new managers & administrators 3-5 September
In the media
- Bonekickers, the BBC drama filmed on campus, is being aired on Tuesday nights, BBC1, 9pm. Bonekickers is based at the fictional Wessex University; scenes from the six-part series were shot around the campus on the Parade, in the library, by the lake and in the office of Professor Nick Mitchell, in the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering (2E 2.10)
- James Copestake (Department of Economics & International Development) appeared on Radio Ulster in a Sunday Sequence discussion entitled 'Did the G8 forget the world's poor at their summit this week?'
- Ellie Barker, a Sociology alumna who now works for ITV took part in a feature called I Love the West which was broadcast as part of The Six O'clock news on Wednesday. Ellie chose to revisit the campus and look at how things have changed since she was here in the mid-nineties.
Arts
Exhibitions on campus
- Tim Brennan Great Northern Coalfield | ICIA Art Space 2 | Till 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. - Alison Marchant Charged Atmospheres | ICIA Art Space 1 | Till Friday 31 October
Alison Marchant’s fading photographs of once grand interiors, now abandoned and decaying, emphasise the passing of time.
Lecture
Mel Gooding Vision & Design: The Art of Mary Fedden 3 West North 2.1 | Thursday 24 July, 5pm-6pm
This special lecture marks the recent donation by Mary Fedden of her new work The Feather to the University Art Collection. The talk will include an introduction by Professor Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor, and a film message from Mary Fedden. Admission free, all welcome but please reserve a place in advance by calling ICIA's Box Office on 01225 386777 or email ICIAinfo@bath.ac.uk
Sport
Bath student to carry Maltese flag at 2008 Olympic Games
TeamBath judo player Marcon Bezzina (Foundation Degree in Sports Performance) has been handed the honour of carrying the Maltese flag at the opening ceremony to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Sport & Exercise Science student Craig Pickering has been selected to compete at his first Olympic Games next month. The 21-year-old has been named in the Great Britain 4×100m squad.
Bath graduate selected to run 800m at Olympics
French & Politics graduate Marilyn Okoro has earned a place in the GB athletics team for Beijing. Okoro, who graduated a year ago, is named for the 800m after winning the event in the trials.
Forest put through their paces ahead of Championship campaign
Nottingham Forest are the latest Football League side to train at the University’s state-of-the-art facilities. Forest manager Colin Calderwood brought a 34-man squad to the campus for a three-day training camp. “The facilities are first class,” said Calderwood. “The gym facilities are superb."
Army judo team train at TeamBath
The Army judo team had an intensive two-week training stint at our high performance judo centre in preparation for the Judo National Team Championship.