University Updates
19 March 2010
Research
UK films still encouraging teens to light up
Tobacco imagery and product placement in best-selling films is nearly twice as likely to occur in those which originate from the UK than internationally, a study by the UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies has found.
Images of Research
Images of Research is an annual event for research staff, students and academics to communicate their research using photographic images. All entries will be displayed in a public exhibition to be held at the Octagon in Milsom Place from Thursday 13 May. An exhibition opening reception will be in the evening of Thursday 13 May.
News
No Smoking Day
The Safety, Health & Environment Unit’s stall in the Library on No Smoking Day was busy with both staff and student visitors. Four people signed up to quit smoking. Those who quit for at least a month will be able to claim their reward of a month’s free use of the Sports Training Village’s Fitness Suite.
ResearchResearch.com to be rebranded as 'Research Professional'
The new universal name for ResearchResearch.com, the database for research funding information, will be Research Professional as of 29 March 2010.
Staff news
John Troyer discusses 'Euthanasia: mercy or murder' with King Ed's pupils
John Troyer (Centre for Death & Society) took part in a discussion called "Euthanasia: Mercy or Murder" on Tuesday 9 March, which was hosted by King Edward's School.
World Congress on Children’s Pain opened by Bath Academic
Christopher Eccleston, a psychologist and Director of the Centre for Pain Research based in the School for Health, opened the 8th International Symposium of Pediatric Pain which took place in Acapulco, Mexico.
Royal Society funding strengthens China-UK fluorescent sensors project
Tony James (Chemistry) and Professor Jianzhang Zhao from Dalian University of Technology have been been awarded £12,000 by the Royal Society and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), to work-together on a two-year project to develop fluorescent sensors.
Death of Derek Nethercote
It is with great regret that we announce the death of Derek Nethercote on Thursday 18 March. He was a Computer Technician in the University from 1987 until his retirement on grounds of ill health at the end of October 2009. Many of Derek’s former BUCS colleagues took part in the Bath Half Marathon two weeks ago to raise money for a fund for his daughter, Emily. Details of the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Death of Mervyn Peters & funeral arrangements
We regret to announce the death of Mervyn Peters, who was the University’s Audio-Visual Technician for 27 years until his retirement in 1992. The funeral will take place at Bristol South Crematorium at 2pm on Thursday 25 March.
Bath International Music Festival discount for staff
University staff can buy tickets for the Bath International Music Festival (26 May to 6 June) in advance of the general availability and at a ten per cent discount. Call the Box Office on 01225 463362 and quote ‘University of Bath staff member.’
Learn Spanish in Alicante – free of charge
Under the Cooperation Agreement between the Universities of Bath and Alicante, members of staff can attend intensive Spanish language courses free of charge, with free bed & breakfast accommodation. Apply by 2 April 2010.
New starters in February 2010
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.
Student News
Bath engineer scoops top research prize
Julian Rose, from the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, has won the £3,000 first prize for Engineering and the prestigious Westminster Medal at the SET for the Britain national poster competition at the House of Commons for his work with GPS systems.
Students to invite their neighbours round to get gardening
Residents in Bath’s Oldfield Park may soon have the chance to grow more of their own vegetables, thanks to a garden-sharing initiative by students from the University. The group would like to hear from students and landlords in Oldfield Park with good gardening space and residents who would like to get involved.
Information
Watch VC's Court presentation
The Vice-Chancellor recently gave her Annual Report on the 2008/09 session to a meeting of the University’s Court. Professor Breakwell outlined key aspects of the University’s new Corporate Plan. You can now watch this online.
Web expenses introduction
If you use Agresso you will soon be able to manage your expenses directly over the web. A successful pilot has been completed with several departments prior to the general release on Monday 19 April.
QR bar-codes help to manage student assignments in Faculty of Engineering & Design
A number of departments in the Faculty of Engineering & Design have been piloting the use of bar codes (QR Codes) to improve the management of student assignments submitted manually through departmental offices. This pilot has involved working closely with the e-Learning Team (LTEO), Registry and BUCS.
Do you use The Avenue (Cats & Dogs Home and American Museum)?
For the safety of local residents and other drivers & cyclists, please can all staff and students using this route ensure that they maintain a sensible speed and are in a position to stop safely should the need arise.
Jobs
Vacant posts: http://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
Deadlines & nominations
Deadline extended: Nominations for John Willis Teaching Award
The John Willis Award recognises dedication to the academic and personal lives of students combined with a significant contribution to teaching and accomplishment in research. Extended to 24 March
Do you employ any students? Are they outstanding?
Each year JobLink runs a competition called SEOTY to recognise exceptional students and present them with awards for achievement in the workplace. 26 March
Chancellor's Prize
The Chancellor's Prize is awarded annually to the best final year undergraduate student. It was established in 1992 through the generosity of Lord Kearton, the University's second Chancellor. 29 March
Nominations now open for Ede & Ravenscroft Prize for postgrads
The Ede & Ravenscroft Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding postgraduate research student by Senate on the recommendation of the Ede & Ravenscroft Prize Committee. 21 April
Bids for Teaching Development Fund
As part of its Learning & Teaching Strategy the University has continued its commitment to a Teaching Development Fund. The Learning & Teaching Committee invites project bids for the latest round of teaching development funding (approximately £60,000). 30 April
The 2010 Staff Recognition Award
Do you know someone who has shown initiative, innovation or creativity? Then nominate them for a Staff Recognition Award. The Award 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. 30 April
Training & development
- Staff: What can e-learning do for me? 23 Mar
- Interview Skills for Academic & Research Staff - 24 Mar
- SW Institutions' Middle Managers (Deadline: 20 January) - 24 - 26 Mar
- Chairing Recruitment Panels - 30 Mar
- Research and Industry - 14 Apr - 29 Oct
- Coaching Conversations - 14 Apr
- Introduction to Project Management (Manchester) - 29 Apr /17 June
- Performance Management: Part 2: Skills and Techniques - 9 Jun
- Open Programme of Events | PDF to print
- Staff: Improve your IT skills, new timetable available
- CMS training courses
- e-Learning staff development programme
In the media
- Chris Budd (Mathematics) spoke to BBC Radio Bristol about the Bath Taps into Science fair held at the University last week.
- Alistair Brandon-Jones (School of Management) appeared as an academic expert on a panel discussion for the launch of the National Audit Office's 'Successful Commissioning Guide'.
- The Bath University Racing Submarine Team (Mechanical Engineering) was featured on Channel 5's Gadget Show when presenter Suzi Perry raced SeaBomb, the human-powered submarine designed by students, in the University's 25m pool. You can watch the race online now.
- Andrew Millington (School of Management) was featured in Human Resources talking about the link between diversity and being eco-friendly.
Lectures
New Poetry Readings & discussion of poems by Derek Mahon
David Skidmore (Education), member of the Poetry Book Society will read and discuss poems created by David Mahon on Wednesday 24 March. The lecture starts at 7.30pm and takes place at the Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution. Entrance fee for visitors is £4. For members and students the fee is £2.
Register now for Cancer Research@Bath conference
Open to all staff and students with an interest in Cancer Research. The conference is on Tuesday 30 March and will include a poster session, talks related to cancer, with a coffee break and an informal networking drink.
LabVIEW seminar for inexperienced users
A technical Labview Academic Field Engineer (Adam Bakehouse) will be at the University on Monday 19 April. He will be giving two free half-day seminars aimed at inexperienced LabView users.
Public lectures
The programme of free lectures open for staff, students and the general public is available online.
Podcasts
Catch up on any lectures you may have missed.
What's on
Monday 22
13:15 PM Complexity seminar
19:30 PM Britain's first information revolution
Tuesday 23
Patent or be damned?
12:15 PM Mid week Eucharist/H C Service
12:45 PM Oxfam lunch
13:15 PM CNM Seminar
13:15 PM Gender & Sexuality Research Network seminar
13:15 PM What can e-Learning do for me?
15:45 PM Gabrielle Lowe's retirement party
16:30 PM Natural fibre composites & their role in engineering
Wednesday 24
14:30 PM LGBT in America
14:30 PM School for Health research student seminar
15:30 PM Alumni Fund Telethon open day
17:15 PM Climate change: Challenge or swindle?
Thursday 25
13:30 PM Prof Brian Street 'Social Literacies' & the LETTER project
19:00 PM JESBI: the Jurassic ecosystem of strawberry bank
19:30 PM BUST - You Never Can Tell
Saturday 27
1001 Muslim Inventions exhibition
12:00 Noon Latin Dance Festival
Arts
Concerts and Performances:
BATH UNIVERSITY STUDENT MUSICALS SOCIETY - Footloose | ICIA Arts Theatre | Wednesday 17 – Saturday 20 March, 7.30pm
Footloose, the smash hit West-End musical, tells the story of Ren, a city kid, struggling to adapt to his life from the bustling city to an ultra-conservative backwater Midwestern town. He soon ends up leading the town’s teenagers in a rebellion against a ‘no dancing’ law.
Chinese Student Society | ICIA Arts Theatre | Sunday 21 March, 7.30pm
This event showcases diverse performances by members of the University’s large Chinese population. Featuring song, dance, music and more.
CHORAL & ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY - Spring Concert | Holy Trinity Church Combe Down, Bath | Sunday 21 March, 7.30pm
Enjoy an informal evening featuring a wide variety of music from the Society’s ensembles.
BATH UNIVERSITY STUDENT THEATRE -You Never Can Tell by George Bernard Shaw | Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Rd, Bath | Thursday 25 – Saturday 27 March, 7.30pm
Written in 1897, You Never Can Tell is a four act comedy of errors. Set in a seaside town, it tells the story of the Clandon family following their return to England after eighteen years in Madeira.
Lone Twin Theatre - The Festival | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 27 March, 7.30pm
Lone Twin Theatre’s new piece forms part of the Catastrophe Trilogy; a series of touching, comic and resolutely hopeful work that share a common interest in acts of heroism.
Music Workshops:
Singing Workshop with Northern Harmony | Chaplaincy Centre | Thursday 25 March, 2pm-4pm
Members of this dynamic American acappella ensemble run a workshop for students and staff prior to their gig at Wiltshire Music Centre. The singers begin by illustrating some styles before working on material from their repertoire, including South African dance songs, quartet gospel songs and a Georgian or Corsican song.
Sport
Kelly just misses out on podium in Vancouver
Bath graduate Kelly Gallagher just missed out on the medals in the visually-impaired giant slalom at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Games, finishing fourth.
Get on your marks for TeamBath Speed School
A new TeamBath Tribe Speed School is helping talented young athletes to unlock the secret of increasing their pace and agility.
Trio of young players help England to victory
Three young TeamBath netballers helped England teams to comprehensive victories in the European Netball Under-19 and Under-17 competitions.