24 June 2011
Student successes
Formula racing students’ success in States
Our student Formula racing team has scooped an impressive fifth place in an international race beating 75 other teams. Relentless Team Bath Racing finished with an overall points tally of 716 out of 1,000, despite blowing an engine during a dynamic event.
Students help to build supersonic car
Engineering students from the University have been working on a project to build a super-sonic car, which is aiming to reach the 1,000mph mark. They have joined forces with the Western Vocational Lifelong Learning Network and the BLOODHOUND Project to support the progression of apprentices and vocational learners into higher level learning.
Woodland court students win energy saving competition
Woodland Court E (on campus) and John Wood Building (off campus) students have won the Student Switch Off energy-saving competition 2010-11 and bagged themselves a beer and curry night in the Claverton Rooms. Around a third of student residents from all the University of Bath halls embraced the campaign and electricity use in John Wood Building was reduced by 13 per cent compared to the same period last year and by 16 per cent in Woodland Court E.
Do you know a student with a graduation story to tell?
Is there a student graduating in your depatment who has had to overcome challenges or personal difficulty to graduate this winter? Is there someone with an unusual, inspiring or heart-warming story to tell? The University Press Office is looking for students who are willing to share their stories with the local media, as part of its publicity plans for the summer graduations.
News
Vice-Chancellor returns from link-building visit to Brazil with Deputy Prime Minister
Glynis Breakwell (Vice-Chancellor) has today returned from a three-day visit to Brazil with the Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg. The visit built on the growing links between the UK and Brazil and focused on five key areas including: trade & investment; science & technology; education; sport; and the green economy.
University of Bath alumni attend an exclusive reception at the House of Lords
Following last year's sell-out success, University alumni were once again invited to attend an exclusive reception at the House of Lords on Friday 17 June. Guests enjoyed drinks and canapés, before hearing short speeches on University developments from the Rt Hon Lord Tugendhat, the University’s Chancellor, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Bath alumnus Professor Kevin Edge.
Undertakers of the deep
Jonathan Cox (Chemistry) is investigating the hagfish’s unique sense of smell, with a paper on the research being published recently in the Anatomical Record. The research team found that Pacific hagfish have several curious features distributed along their nasal passageway that may enhance their sense of smell. They are continuing their research to determine exactly how these features work.
University Fundraising Team scoops top award
The University’s Fundraising Team have won a THE Leadership & Management Award. Siôn Lutley and Gavin Maggs (Development & Alumni Relations) collected the award at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Thursday 16 June. The team impressed the judges with their exceptional year in 2009-10, which saw philanthropic donations raised by the University totalling £4.3 million.
School of Management news:
Alumnus Justin King awarded CBE
Sainsbury’s CEO Justin King (BSc Business Administration graduate) has been awarded a CBE for his services to retail in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2011. Justin took over as CEO at Sainsbury’s from Peter Davis in 2004 and has helped the supermarket gain market share and significantly boost profits.
Bath ranked in Financial Times’ Masters in Finance ranking
The University's School of Management has been ranked in the Financial Times' inaugural Global Masters in Finance ranking. This new ranking rates the top 30 programmes from around the world which provide a pre-experience (i.e before a student has embarked on their career) Masters in Finance programme. The full ranking can be viewed on the FT's website.
Students enjoy inaugural Postgraduate Ball
Last week, postgraduate students from the School of Management gathered to enjoy the first ever School of Management Postgraduate Ball, held in the grandeur of the city’s Roman Baths and Pump Rooms. The event was organised by the students and the students of the year were announced for each respective course:
- MSc in Management, Rajesh Vasudevan
- MSc in Accounting and Finance, Elena Reichert
- MSc in Marketing, Kenny Diack
- MSc in Advanced Management Practice, Saylee Sholapurkar
- MSc in Innovation & Technology Management, Nathan Kannan
- MSc in International Management, Romaric Beylie
Volunteering
Volunteers required for sport, disability and art project - Thursday 7 July
Academics from our Education department have begun a project working with artists to help express what sport and physical activity means to disabled people through a variety of different artistic mediums. They are looking to recruit young disabled people, and those who work with them, to an innovative project that will develop understanding of the relationships between sport, health, physical activity and identity. Those interested in taking part are invited to attend a briefing meeting on the afternoon of Thursday 7 July. For more information please email Jill Porter or call 6857, or email Michael Silk or call 4042.
Volunteers required: would you like to know your hormone response to resistance exercise?
A research study into hormone response to resistance exercise is currently being run by the Sport, Health & Exercise Science Group in the Department for Health. They are looking to recruit male participants aged between 18 and 35 years who have been weight training regularly for at least the last two years. Participants will be asked to complete two resistance training protocols four times each with testing conducted before and after the sessions.
Information
Staff Survey 2011: update
We have now received feedback on the responses to the Staff Survey 2011 run by Capita. The institution wide report and benchmark report have been presented to the Vice-Chancellor’s Group along with proposals to take forward dissemination and action planning. These will be presented to Council on Thursday 30 June. Once again a big thank you to all who responded.
Colleagues hold retirement celebrations for Margaret Pickering
Margaret Pickering (Human Resources) will retire from the University on Thursday 30 June after more than 20 years of service within the Human Resources Department. Many of these years were spent within the Safety, Health and Environment Unit and in supporting the University's Academic Staff Committee. She has also been heavily involved in organising social activities for University staff through the University of Bath Staff Association and more recently OMNIBUS. This Tuesday, friends and colleagues are invited to gather to celebrate her contribution to the University.
New bars and eateries web page launched
The latest of the new look web pages being implemented by Web Services has gone live. The bars and eateries page offers a portal for the wide range of catering outlets available on campus.
Jobs
To view vacant posts visit: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
Events & deadlines
Death & dying in the digital age CDAS conference 2011 - weekend of 25 and 26 June 2011
This conference, held in the centre of the World Heritage City of Bath brings together social media entrepreneurs, health and social care practitioners, funeral celebrants, social science and humanities researchers, computer scientists and designers, in order to explore how the internet and other digital technologies affect dying and mourning. The event will be held at the Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institute and tickets cost £45 for a single day or £80 for the weekend. This includes lunch and refreshments.
Drinking, music, having fun and stuff: The importance of identity and belonging in young people's lives Thursday 30 June
Christine Griffin (Psychology) in her inaugural lecture will discuss how the activities of young people have often been the focus for adult anxiety, disapproval and fascination. Drawing on material from several collaborative research projects she'll consider how adult concerns about young people’s alcohol consumption, sexuality, appearance, unemployment, mental health and taste in music, are not always shared by the young people themselves. The lecture takes place at 6.15pm in 5W 2.1.
Funding call: Technology Commercialisation Campaign Friday 1 July
Bath Ventures has opened the call for applications in this year's Technology Commercialisation Campaign. The award will provide financial support of up to £50k to further develop ideas that have commercial potential. For an application form e-mail Sean Smith or see the Bath Ventures website for further info and the Technology Transfer team's contact information.
PhD supervision: the process - Tuesday 19 July
This course will help (potential) research supervisors investigate the process of supervision from selection to viva. Participants will work in small groups and complete plenary sessions on topics including planning and monitor the supervision process and ways of supporting their research students.
The workshop takes place from 10am - 4pm in 3 East 4.17. To book a place email acdev@bath.ac.uk
In the media
Would you like to receive a daily email of news stories that feature the University? Please email press@bath.ac.uk and include the word 'Headlines' in the subject box. A selection of HE stories in the national media is also included. A more comprehensive list of the University's media coverage is available at www.bath.ac.uk/news/bathinpapers.
- Glynis Breakwell (Vice Chancellor) visited Brazil along with deputy Prime-Minister Nick Clegg and other leading higher education figures - Daily Telegraph.
- Mechanical Engineering students launched their human powered submarine last Friday on BBC Points West and were featured in an extended piece on BBC Radio Bristol [both available soon via our play site].
- A guide to the University was published in the Daily Telegraph.
- The School of Management was praised for its number of female applicants in the Financial Times.
- The Fundraising team's (Alumni & Development Relations) success in the Times Higher Education Leadership & Management awards was featured in the publication.
- A project encouraging students to team up with local green fingered residents was in the campus round up of Times Higher Education.
Work perks
- We still have four tickets for the Wizard of Oz/London shopping trip on Wednesday 21 September. If you want one of the very last places contact M.Pickering@bath.ac.uk.
- Swot up on your trains, boats and planes, your continents, currency and catering and join us for our latest fun-filled Omnibus Quiz 'Around the World in 80 Questions….. or maybe fewer!' There will be themed prizes and a prize for the best topical team name, so lots to play for. It's your last chance to submit a team though, so email Paul Maggs by Friday 24 June latest. Not a member? You can join on the day, Tuesday 28 June.
- Your Omnibus Social Committee is busy working on a calendar of events for 2012. Watch out for that coming your way very soon. We expect more shopping trips, visits to houses and gardens, another World War 1 trip and an exciting European trip for flower lovers.
Power Plate, vibration technology
Twenty minute sessions using power plate technology are now available at the STV to members & non-members for just £7.50. Vibration technology gives you the same effect as a 1 hour work out in just 20 minutes and has a whole host of extra health benefits as well. Book in at the fitness suite reception or contact Eloise Comer on 01225 383778.
Staff discounts
The University has arranged a number of discounts and offers for staff at
local retailers. Some of these offers are about to expire though so you must be quick.
Staff development
Lights, camera, action! KTA funds media training to give staff confidence in radio and television interviews Thursday 30 June and Tuesday 6 September
Seven academics found themselves in the media spotlight last week after undergoing a new hands-on training course. The University’s Knowledge Transfer Account (KTA) has commissioned a series of workshops related to working with the media, the first of which was held on Tuesday 7 June. Further sessions will be held on Thursday 30 June and Tuesday 6 September.
EPSRC visit University to explain new implementation plan
The University hosted a very successful visit from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) to explain the new EPSRC implementation plan. The implementation plan is how EPSRC plan to deliver their recently published strategy to 2014 and will be important to all who see the EPSRC as a future research funding partner.
Implementation of the Concordat at the University of Bath
The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy. The University is currently instigating an implementation strategy to ensure that its principles are embedded across the University.
What's on
www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on
Monday 27 June
10:15 AM Marketplace drop-in session
Tuesday 28 June
09:00 AM 'Buildings don't use energy, people do!' - conference on energy use in dwellings
Wednesday 29 June
10:00 AM Communicating your research & its impactThursday 30 June
16:15 PM CouncilFriday 1 July
12:30 PM Pizza with publications
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Workshops:
- Zimbabwean Music Course with Chartwell Dutiro | ICIA Arts Barn Studio 1 | Starts Monday 11 July
Zimbabwean musician and ethnomusicologist of SOAS (School of Oriental & African Studies) in London, Chartwell Dutiro delivers a one-week course specialising in the music traditions of his native Zimbabwe. Chartwell teaches through community singing, dance and mbira playing.
Sport
Kris ends Nationals campaign on high note
Team Bath-based swimmer Kris Gilchrist ended the British Gas ASA National Championships on a high note by collecting his second title at Sheffield Friday 17 June. Gilchrist, who trains at the British Gas ITC Bath, added the 200m breaststroke title to the 100m he won earlier in the week. Meanwhile, Team Bath-based swimmers Amelia Maughan and Siobahn-Marie O’Connor have both been named in the 18-strong GB team to compete at the World Junior Championships in Peru in August.
Stacey & Chris complete doubles
Team Bath-based swimmers Stacey Tadd and Chris Walker-Hebborn both completed impressive doubles at the ASA National Championships in Sheffield on Thursday 16 June. Stacey added the 100m breaststroke title to the 200m title she won the previous day. Chris added the 100m backstroke title to the 200m title he won earlier this week.