University Updates
20 February 2009
Research news
Academic to brief new US Administration on tackling poverty
Peter Davis (Economics & International Development) is one of a small group of researchers invited to present their latest findings on poverty to key international policymakers at a conference in Washington DC on 26-27 February 2009.
University gets share of funding to research MRSA
Scientists led by Ed Feil (Biology & Biochemistry) are to carry out research into the computational biology of MRSA. They are joining 12 partners across Europe looking at the spread of antibiotic resistance of the superbug in a project worth four million euros over three years.
Professor launches new book - 'Childhood & the Philosophy of Education: An anti-Aristotelian perspective'
Andrew Stables has published a new book which examines and challenges the traditional philosophical accounts of childhood deriving from Plato and Aristotle.
Inaugural researchers’ conference explores new territories
Over 80 researchers from the University of Bath and other South West universities gathered together at the Bath Hilton Hotel for a collaborations conference this week. Invited speakers highlighted the benefits of interdisciplinary working, and workshops ran alongside the talks giving delegates the chance to learn the skills required to do it themselves. Delegates were also invited to make new connections for their research by posting their details on the ‘Collaborations Board’, and the organising team hope that some exciting new interdisciplinary research will come from the seeds sown at this event.
Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council open access decision
A recent decision by EPSRC means that all seven research councils in the UK now mandate that publicly funded research be openly available and accessible. University of Bath researchers are able to meet this mandate by self-archiving a version of their publication in Opus, the University research repository.
Learning & teaching
Innovations in Learning & Teaching Week Next week
Innovations Week 2009 is on the theme of ‘Feedback to students and engagement with students’. Various events will be held on campus throughout the week, which aim to support enhancement and development of learning and teaching. Teaching staff are very welcome to attend one or more of the many events listed in the timetable.
UN pledges new language links with University
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General visited the University on Wednesday 18 February to commit to an outreach training programme for language students at the University.
Over 500 attend first Open Day exclusively for postgrads
The University held its first postgraduate Open Day today. Many thanks to all those involved in the day and to others that made visitors feel welcome on campus.
School for Health's successful online open week to run for extra week
The School for Health online open week has been a great success with nearly all 60 enquirers who pre-registered last week logging into Moodle to explore the world of online distance education. In fact, because of the number of requests from additional enquirers to gain access to the virtual learning environment, staff in the School have decided to extend the opportunity to 'try before you buy' until Friday 27 February.
Information
Suspected case of bacterial meningitis
A student has been admitted to hospital suffering from suspected bacterial meningitis. Please remind yourself of the symptoms of bacterial meningitis and be aware of any symptoms in your students or colleagues.
Advanced warning of IT maintainance weekend: 27–29 March 2009
There will be no University IT services as of 5.10pm on Friday 27 March (and there may be minor disruptions to the service from 4pm as we prepare for the work). Services will return to normal by 8am on Monday 30 March. Services affected include: Email; bath.ac.uk website; Remote Desktop to office computers; all Library computers; access to the internet from campus; Moodle; SAMIS on the Web. Please warn your students not to plan any computer-based work for that weekend. Additional notifications will appear on the University homepage nearer the time.
Treat yourself on International Women's Day
Why not celebrate International Women's Day with a free 15-minute taster session in Indian Head Massage or Hand Reflexology? The treatments are available on a first-come-first-served basis and will be delivered by experienced therapist Pauline Part, MIIR Registered Reflexologist. Sessions begin at 11.15am and your ticket will contain a specific time for your treatment. Please book by contacting equalsdiv@bath.ac.uk or ext 3098.
School of Management update
The School of Management's monthly e-newsletter includes the latest news about staff, students and alumni.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Awards, bids, nominations
University Teaching Awards 2009
Nominations are now open for a number of University of Bath Teaching Awards, which encourage and recognise significant contributions by staff to the academic lives of students.
Nominations by 20 March 2009.
Chancellor's Prize
The Chancellor's Prize is awarded to the best final year undergraduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence, together with a contribution to the life, academic reputation and general work of the University. Nominations by 30 March 2009.
Second call for bids to the CPD Development Fund
Launched in October by the Task & Finish Group, this fund has been established to improve the way we meet the training and development needs of regional and national employers. Proposals should be submitted by 9 March 2009.
British Science Festival Award Lectures
The Award Lectures are a key component of the festival and are prestigious awards given to scientists or engineers in the early stages of their careers who are particularly gifted at presenting their research to a non-specialist audience. They offer excellent science communicators the opportunity to showcase their work at the British Science Festival.
Deadline for nominations: 27 February 2009.
British Science Association: Perspectives
Postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists, engineers and social scientists funded by one of the UK research councils are encouraged to explore the social and ethical implications of their research by entering perspectives - a poster session with a difference. Deadline to apply: 8 May 2009.
In the media
- Andrew Graves (School of Management) commented on the redundancies at the Mini car plant near Oxford on BBC Points West and BBC Radio Wiltshire.
- Ed Feil (Biology & Biochemistry) talked about his research into the superbug MRSA on BBC Radio Bristol.
- Peter Davis (Economics & International Development) spoke to BBC Radio Bristol about his invitation to travel to Washington DC to discuss with policymakers how to tackle chronic poverty.
- Malcolm Johnson (Centre for Death & Society) had an article about assisted dying published in the Times Higher Education.
- Jeff Gavin's (Psychology) research into online dating featured in the Daily Mail, New York Daily News and Melbourne Herald Sun.
Training & development
- Update: Visa regulations for international students 24 February
- Consultancy in academia 26 February
- Accommodation Facilities & Resident Tutor Service 4 March
- Women's Development Lunch: Motivation for March...and beyond 5 March
- Training of trainers for those working with multicultural groups 6 April
- IT courses - new programme for spring
Lectures & seminars
Meet a Fairtrade producer
Claudia Iris Sorto Lopez, a Faritrade producer of sesame seeds and kidney beans is visiting campus on Tuesday 24 February (at 1.15pm) to talk about the effect working with Fairtrade has had on her family and local community. Spaces at the talk are limited, please contact cb370@bath.ac.uk
Uranus and beyond
Michael Lemonick will be looking at Herschel’s discoveries and those of his sister Caroline, who helped him construct theories on the nature of the universe, at a lecture on Wednesday 25 February at 5.15pm in 8 West 1.1.
Shaken but not stirred
On Thursday 26 February, Dina D’Ayala and Andrew Plummer will deliver two lectures about the seismic damage caused to buildings during earthquakes. (2.30pm in 3 West North 3.7). Free tickets from Sheila Willmott on ext 6631.
The trouble with kids today
A seminar entitled The Trouble with Kids Today: Rethinking Contemporary Childhood, which will look at the challenges facing children and families in British society today, is being held on Thursday 26 February from 4.15pm to 6.30pm in Room 3 West North 2.1
Special events next week
- National Student Volunteering Week
- RAG Week
- Fairtrade Fortnight
- Innovations in Learning & Teaching Week
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 23
12:00 Noon Innovations Week: Launch
13:15 PM BICS seminar
13:30 PM Funeral of Professor Frank Wallace at Haycombe
Tuesday 24
10:00 AM L&T Week: Exhibitions of external organisations
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM Seminar - Ana Clavel’s multimedia narratives of sex & desire
13:15 PM Rescheduled CNM seminar
16:30 PM The sun shines...
Wednesday 25
12:15 PM Service for Ash Wednesday
13:15 PM The fascination of drug discovery: from Bath to Basel?
18:15 PM Who do you think I am?
19:00 PM Research into Alzheimer's Disease: a local perspective
Thursday 26
11:15 AM DAFT - Delamination & folding team day
12:15 PM LGBT History Month 2009 lecture
12:15 PM Consulting in academia - an overview of the procedures
16:15 PM COUNCIL
17:15 PM Perceiving the natural burial ground landscape
17:30 PM Business plan competition networking event
19:00 PM Dumfries House - A work in progress
Friday 27
12:15 PM Hidcote back to Johnston
13:15 PM Financialisation and vulnerability in the current global crisis
14:15 PM A green new deal: Economic & environmental renewal under Obama
16:15 PM Maths Landscape Talk
19:30 PM Imperfection of the fossil record - Updating 'The Origin'
Arts
Concerts and Performances
- Chinese Student Society showcase | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 21 February 7.30pm
This event showcases diverse performances by members of the University’s large Chinese population. Featuring song, dance, music and more. - Bath University Student Theatre: Cloud Nine | The Mission Theatre | Until Saturday 21 February 7.30pm
A wickedly funny black comedy, Cloud Nine breaks taboos and challenges expectations as it explores the dark undercurrents of human nature. - Singularities: Phillip Henry (Dobro, Hawaiian Lap Steel & Slide Guitar) | Music Room, University Hall | Thursday 26 February, 8pm
Phillip Henry’s dazzling technique and originality showcases careful study of numerous modern slide guitar styles, combined with a strong grounding in traditional music of the British Isles. - John ffitch | Music Room, University Hall | Friday 27 February 7.30pm
A major figure in abstract electronic music, ffitch curates a number of electronic pieces with live acoustic performance; sound artist Steven Cornford performs an opening piece. - Gravity Vomit The Bath UpChuck | Day Event: Saturday 28 February 11am-8pm, Founders Sports Hall | Evening Performance: Saturday 28 February 7.30pm, ICIA Arts Theatre
The Bath UpChuck is a unique one day juggling convention organised by the University’s juggling society, Gravity Vomit.
Exhibitions
- Swindon College Lines of Enquiry 5 ICIA Art Space 2 | Until Friday 20 March, 10am-5pm
The fifth in a series showing work by graduates of the BA Fine Art Drawing at Swindon College’s School of Art & Design. - University of Bath & Photosoc Student Photography Exhibition ICIA Art Space 3, University Hall Foyer | Until Friday 20 March, 10am-5pm
This lively exhibition showcases selected works from this year’s University of Bath Student Photography Competition which is linked to ICIA’s 2008 theme of arts, spatialisation and memory.
Sport
Judo: Gold for Leonardo
University of Bath Sociology student and judo player Ed Leonardo won gold in the Portuguese Federation Senior Open Judo Championships in Portimao.
Badminton: European team silver for Mariana
Coach Education & Sports Development student Mariana Agathangelou collected a silver medal for England at badminton’s European Team Championships.
Athletics: Cossins storms to 200m indoor silver
Sports Performance student Dan Cossins set two personal bests as he stormed to the 200m silver medal at the Aviva UK Indoor Championships and European Trials.
Rowing: Bath graduate takes top lightweight honours
Natural Sciences graduate (2006) Adam Freeman-Pask won the lightweight men’s single scull title at the third GB Winter Assessment Trials.
Ball boys and girls sought for international tennis event
Youngsters are being sought to help out at Bath’s annual international tennis tournament taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March.