University Updates
20 March 2009
Academic news
University researchers to develop coatings that kill superbugs
Researchers from Chemistry and Biology & Biochemistry are to be part of a €3 million Europe-wide research collaboration to pioneer research into safer, more effective anti-bacterial plastics and coatings that can be used in items such as food packaging, medical devices to wound dressings, and nappies.
Strict labour market regulation increases global unemployment, study shows
A study by Horst Feldmann (Economics & International Development) has shown that unemployment is increased in countries that have stringent labour market regulations. The research also suggests that the UK’s fairly flexible labour market regulation is likely to strengthen the economy’s resilience to weather the current global financial crisis.
Stem cell scientist to run workshops at the Indian Institute of Science
Vasanta Subramanian (Biology & Biochemistry) is returning to the institute where she did her PhD studies to share her expertise in stem cell research by coordinating a number of workshops for postdoctoral students at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
Visiting Professor wins Prince Philip Designers’ Prize
Max Fordham (Architecture & Civil Engineering) has been awarded the prestigious Prince Philip Designers’ Prize 2008 in recognition of his outstanding lifetime achievement in creating and establishing many of the fundamentals of modern environmental design and sustainable engineering for buildings.
Anna Gilmore receives award at the Mumbai World Conference on Tobacco or Health
The 2009 International Award for Outstanding Use of Tobacco Industry Documents has been awarded to Anna Gilmore (Tobacco Control Research Group). The Public Health Advocacy Institute and University of California, San Francisco Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education praised Dr Gilmore’s significant and well-recognised contribution to public health through the use of internal tobacco industry documents.
Improving next year's L&T Innovations Week
Please can you complete a brief (5-10 minutes) evaluation of Innovations Week 2009.
Your feedback and suggestions will inform the planning of next year's event. Many thanks.
Funding opportunities
The latest funding opportunities have been uploaded on to the University website. Fellowship, Travel and Studentship opportunities are also detailed. The Research Development & Support Office (RDSO) would be happy to assist with any proposals.
Student/alumni news
Bath graduate named Young Woman Engineer of the Year
Bijal Thakore (Aerospace Engineering, 2005) was the winner of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) prize for her service in the engineering sector at the recent Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) award ceremony.
Students take on 900-mile hitchhike challenge to raise money for African children
Peter Markowski (Maths) and Mark Bond (Psychology) are hoping to raise at least £700 for children in Africa by travelling the 900 miles from Bristol to Prague without buying a single ticket.
Student Faye Maher makes first place in Mars national competition
Faye Maher (Management & Languages) has won a national competition run by Mars Incorporated. Mars wanted to connect with students in a new way and went on the hunt for people who could use three Mars Bars to create a work of art. Faye’s chocolatey, nougatty, caramelly family of Mars Baa sheep charmed their way to the top spot, landing a prize of £1,000.
Alumni Relations host House of Lords reception
Over 260 alumni and guests attended a reception in the prestigious surroundings of the House of Lords. Guests enjoyed wine and canapés on the Terrace over looking the Thames and the South Bank. Chancellor, Lord Tugendhat, welcomed everyone and then the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glynis Breakwell, thanked alumni for their continuing support and involvement with the University. Since the event was both a sell-out and a great success, the Alumni Relations team hope to be able to repeat it next year.
Information
No IT services next weekend : please turn off your computer by 5.10pm
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. Phones relying on VoIP technology will also be out of service.
First Bus to terminate 20A/C bus service in May
First Bus will stop running the 20A/C bus service on Sunday 10 May 2009 as part of cuts across First’s network in the west. The University is hopeful that a replacement will be found, and is working with the Students’ Union and B&NES Council to ensure that appropriate services are available to staff and students on the 20A/C route.
Abbey Santander offers staff & students special discounts
In addition to the financial support the bank donates to the University, Abbey Santander is offering Bath’s staff and students some exclusive discounts.
Important new University procedure on defining employment status
The departments of Finance and Human Resources are launching a new policy to help departments make the right engagement decisions when deciding on whether an individual is an employee or a non-employee.
Making the news
You may have noticed some changes to the news pages. This is a result of the launch of a new publishing system which went live this week.
Death of Joshua Carter
We regret to announce the death of Joshua Carter, a second year Mathematics & Statistics undergraduate. Joshua was taken to hospital last weekend suffering from pneumonia and died on Monday.
Wessex Fire & Security have recently been appointed to repair and maintain the University's fire alarm systems. They will be carrying out a full survey of the system. If alarms sound in a short burst, you are not required to vacate the building. However, should it be a continuous long burst, then this is not a test, and you should immediately evacuate the building.
Closure of 3 West Level 2 Foyer
To enable the existing lighting in the Level 2 foyer and stairway landing in 3 West to be replaced under controlled conditions, access to the area will be cordoned off to all users on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 March 2009. Access to all other areas of 3 West can be achieved via 1 West or using the
3 West lift.
If you hear a fire alarm, please call Security on ext 666
As part of the work to transfer the Security Office, the fire alarm central indication system has to be moved, so is not operational at the moment. Therefore on hearing a fire alarm, staff should contact Security on the emergency number extn 666; this will ensure that the Fire Brigade is called and that Security responds to the alarm as normal. Thank you for your co-operation.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Awards, bids, nominations
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.
Learn Spanish in Alicante - free of charge
Under the Cooperation Agreement between the Universities of Bath and Alicante, there are opportunities for members of staff to acquire basic language skills, or to improve those that they already have, whilst learning about Spanish culture. The courses and accommodation are free of charge and run in July and August. For an application form, please email Silvana Stanford. Closing date - 30 March.
The 2009 Staff Recognition Award
Do you know a member of support staff who
has shown initiative; innovation; creativity;
customer care skills (to either internal or external customers);
who has provided high quality services;
or who has worked beyond the call of duty to the benefit of the University? Please nominate them for a Recognition Award. Deadline for nominations - 30 April.
Schinazi International Exchange Programme (SIEP) with Emory University
The Raymond F. Schinazi International Exchange Programme (SIEP), funded for five years, will begin in the 2009-10 academic year to support a faculty and postdoctoral exchange programme between Emory University and the University of Bath, to further research and education in key areas of scientific excellence. Applications by 19 June.
In the media
- Glynis Breakwell, Vice-Chancellor, featured in the Sunday Times where she explains that running a university requires much more than just academic credibility.
- Tim Taylor (Economics & International Development) commented on the impact of climate change on radio station Newstalk (Ireland).
- Ken Judge (School for Health) was interviewed for BBC Radio 4's 'The World This Weekend' about the recent Health Select Committee report on Health Inequalities, to which he contributed evidence.
- Adam Joinson (School of Management) spoke on NPR New York about internet behaviour and privacy
- Ian Walker (Psychology) talked about the safety of cycling helmets on Radio 5 Live.
Training & development
- 'Stand and deliver': How to lecture and present with confidence 25 Mar
- Tools for collaborative teaching and research 25 March
- Running tutorials and seminars workshop 26 March
- Personal impact & networking - research staff 30 March
- Introduction to the News Media 31 March
- Training of trainers for those working with multicultural groups 6 April
- Roadshow about resources available via the national computer grid 15 April
- IT courses - new programme for spring
- Content Management System (CMS) courses March-May
Lectures & seminars
Placing the life and work of Albert Einstein in an historical context
On Wednesday 25 March, two leading physicists, Peter Ford, MBE, and Vincent Smith, MBE, will look at the life and scientific work of Albert Einstein, who is widely regarded as the most influential scientist of the 20th century.
(5:15pm, Lecture Theatre 8 West 1.1)
David Skidmore (Education) will lead a discussion of the poems of Michael Longley, one of Ireland’s most significant contemporary poets, at the Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institute (BRLSI), Queen Square on Wednesday 25 March.
How great entrepreneurs rise from recessions
How great entrepreneurs rise from recessions will be discussed by leading businessman David C W Rogers at a free public lecture on Thursday 26 March. It will be chaired by Professor Richard Elliott, Dean of the School of Management, in Lecture Theatre 3 West North 2.1 at 5.15pm. There will be an exhibition of the University’s enterprise work in the foyer of the lecture theatre from 4.30pm.
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 23
13:15 PM BICS seminar
17:15 PM Pizza and Cola Night
Tuesday 24
12:15 PM Midweek Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:30 PM UBSA mad March bingo
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM Schooling passion by Dr Véronique Bénéi
13:15 PM CNM seminar
16:30 PM Can the industrial system be sustainable
19:30 PM Choral & Orchestral Society - spring concert
Wednesday 25
15:15 PM Italy's external citizenship policies in historical perspective
16:15 PM Leukocyte transmigration through venular walls: New insights into old barriers
17:15 PM Einstein's 1905 revolution in physics
18:30 PM The Holburne reveals its plans for the future
Thursday 26
11:30 AM Preparing for transfer
12:15 PM Innovations for researchers
12:30 PM UBSA lunchtime horse races
17:15 PM Bereavement in Japan: contemporary responses to traditional forms
17:15 PM Creativity in the face of crisis - How great entrepreneurs rise from recessions
18:15 PM Making successful job applications and surviving an interview
Friday 27
12:20 PM Stations of the Cross
17:15 PM BUCS maintenance weekend starts
19:30 PM Bath Area Malaysian & Singaporean Association arts showcase
Saturday 28
12:00 Noon Boat Club hog roast - for alumni
Arts
Staff Music Tuition
Are you a member of staff at the University of Bath? If so, would you be interested in having music lessons? We are thinking of offering some staff music tuition places to complement our existing student scheme. If you're interested, please send your name and contact details to ICIAinfo@bath.ac.uk stating your interest.
Concerts and Performances
- Bath University Student Musicals Society Little Shop of Horrors ICIA Arts Theatre | Till Saturday 21 March 7.30pm
Down-and-out floral assistant Seymour becomes an overnight sensation when he discovers an exotic plant with a mysterious craving for fresh blood. Soon ‘Audrey II’ grows into an ill-tempered, foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore… - University of Bath Concert Band, BUBBA Big Band & Pop Choir ICIA Arts Theatre | Sunday 22 March, 7.30pm
A triple-bill featuring the resonant sounds of the Concert Band followed by swinging numbers from the foot-tapping BUBBA big band and pop choir. - Choral and Orchestral Society Spring Concert Oldfield Park Baptist Church, Bath | Tuesday 24 March, 7.30pm
An informal evening, featuring a wide variety of music from the Society’s ensembles. - Bath Area Malaysian & Singaporean Association ICIA Arts Theatre | Friday 27 March, 7.30pm
The rich Malaysian and Singaporean culture contains a range of races, cultures and nationalities showcased through the performing arts.
Exhibitions
- Tea Brown Fields, Blue Skies | ICIA Art Space 1 | Until Friday 12 June, 10am-5pm
Tea is a collaborative group of visual artists who search for the unfamiliar in familiar places. In this project they document their ‘occupation’ of a wasteland, Widnes Waterfront poised for regeneration.
Sport
Tickets available for clash of Titans: Team Bath vs Lightning
Team Bath’s netballers are aiming to score an important psychological victory over Loughborough Lightning when the two teams meet in the first round of the Co-operative Superleague play-offs at the ST V on Monday (23 March) night. Tickets are available for the game.
Spring into Fitness - New group exercise timetable
Following the success of the Group Exercise schedule and feedback from customers, the Sports Training Village has revamped its schedule with many exciting additions. The new programme will start on Monday 23 March.
Are you up to the boot camp challenge?
Team Bath is marking the launch of its boot camps with a FREE boot camp mass training session on Monday 30 March from 5.30pm to 6.30pm. The session is open to all aged 18 or over, giving you the opportunity to get fit in a high-intensity training environment. It takes place on the grass just opposite the Sports Training Village main entrance - please meet in the STV reception just before 5.30pm.
Emergency First Aid for Sport
The course is running on Sunday 5 April, 10:00-17:00
and is aimed at players and coaches of all levels. It will provide candidates with the knowledge to identify an injury and the skills to manage the injury with first aid care. The course is tailored to deal with injuries that are common in the sporting environment.
Judo players excel at BUCS Championships
The University of Bath judo squad achieved their best results yet at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championships winning both the men’s and women’s team titles, both regional titles and a huge haul of individual medals: 35 gold, four silver and seven bronze medals.
Free admission to international tennis tournament this weekend
The Bath International Pro-Series tennis tournament reaches its climax at the Sports Training Village this weekend.