University Updates
21 November 2008
Research
New research will seal the future of green packaging
Ben Hicks, Glen Mullineux and Jason Matthews (Mechanical Engineering) are working as part of a consortium including Campden BRI, HayssenSandiacre Europe, Amcor Flexibles Food and United Biscuits on a project to create a new high speed environmentally-friendly packaging process that will use recycled materials and reduce the amount of plastic used. The aim is to cut the amount of waste that goes into landfill.
Collaboration to help protect children living in a war zone
Patrick O'Leary (Social & Policy Sciences) is collaborating with humanitarian aid organisation Terres des hommes (Tdh), Lausanne, Switzerland to write a new manual for child protection workers in war zones and places struck by natural disasters.
It's dad's job to keep the bed warm - in the bird world at least
Student researcher Jeni Matthews together with a colleague from the University of Auckland have studied the habits of the Australasian gannet, Morus serrator, and identified that the male bird supplies seaweed to line the nest, providing an insulating layer.
BBSRC revises strategic priorities & funding structures
Following consultation with the research community, the BBSRC has recently announced a revision of its future strategic priorities and funding structures. Whilst responsive mode will remain the major route for funding these changes reflect an increasing focus on multi-disciplinary approaches.
Other
Professor awarded US fellowship
Vaughan Hart (Architecture & Civil Engineering) has been awarded a Visiting Senior Fellowship in the Centre for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
New member of ESRC Research Resources Board
Liz Lyon, Director of UKOLN, has been appointed to the ESRC Research Resources Board, which has the responsibility to ensure that the social science community has access to the research resources needed to underpin high quality research. This covers resources such as data collection and analysis; archiving and provision; research methods; large scale surveys; libraries and bibliographies; and translation of results into usable outputs. Liz's role as an Associate Director for the Digital Curation Centre and relevant expertise in the research data context will prove valuable in the post, as well as her information science activity at UKOLN.
New staff reps (clerical & manual) elected to serve on Court
Giles Peters, Room Bookings Officer from the Student Records & Examinations Office, has been elected to represent the administrative and clerical staff on Court for the period ending 31 July 2011. And Karol Kutný, Food & Beverage Assistant in the Catering Department, has been elected unopposed as the representative of the manual staff.
Two members of staff run New York marathon and raise £2,000 for charity
Chris Lineham (Accommodation & Hospitality Services) and Mark Edwards (BUCS) have recently completed the New York Marathon raising over £2,000 for Children with Leukaemia. It is not too late to make a donation.
Information
Important reminder about Meningitis
As you may be aware, a first-year student at the University of Bristol has recently died from meningitis, so it is important that staff and students are familiar with the symptoms and action to be taken.
Proposed closure of north services road
Estates needs to carry out resurfacing work to the northern access road, which runs from the Founders Hall at one end, up past the Department of Estates, 3 East, 1 West North, 3 West North, the Accommodation Services Centre, Westwood Nursery, 7 West and down the side of 9 West. This will involve the temporary closure of all car parks and parking facilities along the road, and the loss of access for all delivery and service areas leading off the North Road. It is proposed to undertake these works during week commencing 15 December 2008, as this is out of term time and therefore a quieter period than usual. We would welcome feedback whether this proposal will cause significant difficulties to any group or individual.
University Council Meeting - 23 October 2008
Notes of the items discussed at the recent meeting of Council are now available online.
Executive Committee - 24 September 2008
The summary notes of the Executive Committee held on 24 September 2008 have now been approved and are available online.
Free writing resources for your students
Writing Tips for Students is a fold-out, credit-card size guide which takes students briefly through the steps of effective assignment writing, from purpose and audience, through planning, composing, referencing and reviewing to final checks. The LTEO is pleased to provide each department with the first 100 guides free of charge.
David Parkin Visiting Professorship: guidelines for application 
Departments and schools are invited to bid for a Visiting Professorship by mid-November 2008. Heads of Departments (or Group leaders in Schools) will then be asked to put forward one nomination to their Dean/Head of School by Friday 23 January 2009.
Deadline for applications for sabbatical leave
Individuals wishing to apply for sabbatical leave should submit an application via their Head of Department/School by Friday 27 November.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Geoff Smith (Mathematics) has been giving a series of talks on The Science Show, the flagship science programme of ABC Radio National in Australia, about his experiences leading a team in the International Mathematical Olympiad.
- David Hicks (Chemical Engineering) commented in the Independent about people who are changing careers to become environmental consultants or training in order to incorporate "greener" issues into their current workplace.
- Colin Lawson (Economics) had a letter published in the Financial Times about the the Bank of England monetary policy committee.
- Anna Bull & Roger Eatwell (ESML) were quoted in an article in the New Statesman about the rise of the far right in Italy.
- Malcolm Johnson (CDAS)gave an interview on BBC Radio 4's 'You & Yours' programme on the right to die.
- Tony Walter (CDAS) talked to BBC Radio 4's 'Woman's Hour' about the feminisation of the funeral industry.
- John Hudson (Economics & International Development) spoke on the BBC's Six o'clock news about how the recession will affect sales this Christmas. He also appeared on GWR twice talking about how many shops are bringing their January sales forward to before Christmas and how different regions will be affected differently by the economic crisis.
Training opportunities
- e-learning Practitioners Forum: Feedback & assessment 26 November
- Basics of VAT - 4 December
- Writing for the web - 10 December
- Free IT training courses for staff
Your views
How do you like your coffee?
Hospitality is currently reviewing its supply chain to ensure customers receive the best quality, ethically sourced, value for money products. Coffee is the top selling product on campus across our outlets and it is therefore important we gather our customers' views when considering changes. Please complete the questionnaire about what influences you when you buy a cup of coffee on campus. Deadline: 5 December.
Are you an Agresso user? How's it going?
The Agresso team are very keen to have users' feedback now that the new system has been in place for a year. This will help to formulate plans for future developments of the system. Please try and find ten minutes to complete the online questionnaire - there will be a draw for three Amazon vouchers if you supply your user name. The questionnaire has been modified so it is no longer necessary to supply your gender and age. Deadline: 21 November.
Chlamydia survey
A group of final year Pharmacy students are researching the general knowledge of staff and students about chlamydia. They would be very grateful if you could complete their survey.
LGB&T experiences in HE
In the first national survey of its kind, Equality Challenge Unit has commissioned research into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) staff and students in higher education. Deadline: 9 December.
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 24
13:15 PM BICS seminar
Tuesday 25
12:15 PM Eucharist
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM Women's Studies Seminar
13:15 PM CNM seminar
16:30 PM Good quality rivers + no health risk + zero pollution +maximum confidence
19:30 PM The Severn Barrage - A good way to spend green billions?
Wednesday 26
15:30 PM Native woodlands
Thursday 27
08:00 AM Staff Fitness Open Day
11:00 AM CMS news demo
16:00 PM South West design programme technology & the user workshop
Friday 28
18:30 PM Cathsoc Christmas Meal
19:00 PM Bath vs Loughborough Varsity Fight Night
19:30 PM All smoke & mirrors - Chirality - The twist of life
Arts
Concerts & performances
- University of Bath's Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir | Saturday 22 November 7.30pm
| St Michael's Church, Broad St, Bath
A joint concert of beautiful classical music brought to you by the University of Bath's Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, featuring Beethoven's 8th Symphony.
Exhibitions
- Anne Tallentire Dimora ICIA Art Space 2 | Until Friday 12 December, 10am-5pm
Dimora meaning Dwelling or residence looks at how objects, in this space are carefully arranged to create a functioning social arena, workspace or decoy. - Uriel Orlow In This Great Time ICIA Art Space 1 | Thursday 27 November - Friday 13 February, 10am-5pm
Uriel Orlow’s new multi-media installation uses video, photography, drawing and text to investigate where history, place and memory intersect and resonate in the present.
Workshops
- Throwing on the Wheel Studio 2, ICIA Arts Complex | Saturday 22, Sunday 23 & Saturday 29 November, 10am-4pm
An opportunity to focus on throwing techniques in a small group.
Talks
- Uriel Orlow & Marcus Verhagen in Conversation Claverton Rooms | Thursday 27 November 7pm-8pm
Using 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.
Sport
Exclusive Staff Fitness Open Day - Thursday 27 November
Never trained in a gym before? Worried about the commitment to exercise? The STV has the answer….a free day's trial of the Fitness Suite and the X-bikes! This offer is exclusive to staff at the University. Register by calling ext 3597 or emailing rtt20@bath.ac.uk
Buccs hockey players win hard earned point
Team Bath Buccaneers won a valuable league point away to Bournville last Sunday (16 November).
The University of Bath finished in second place in the final standings of the BUCS Short Course Swimming Championships held last weekend at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. The University were up against stiff competition from a total of 72 universities.