University Updates
24 April 2009
News
Sexual harassment from males prevents female bonding, says study
A study led by the University of Exeter in collaboration with Dick James (Physics) has uncovered the effect of sexual harassment on the ability of female fish to form social bonds with each other.
Workshop to help adults return to learning
Local people are invited to a free five-day workshop (11-15 May) to explore the idea of returning to learning as an adult. The Creative Arts & Advice week combines practical guidance and information with confidence boosting art sessions for people who have no experience of higher or further education and are aged over 21.
Staff news
Sharing expertise with India
Richard Guy, University Research Adviser, was invited to the UK India Education & Research Initiative (UKIERI) awards ceremony to talk about bilateral collaborations in education & research in the UK and India.
Bath prof honoured by Exeter
Emeritus Professor Helen Haste (Psychology) has been given an honorary appointment as Visiting Professor in the School of Education, University of Exeter.
Software for Smart Geometry
Chris Williams (ACE) was invited to demonstrate software he has written for manipulating arched forms made from whole tree trunks at a Smart Geometry conference in San Francisco. The event enables architects and other design practitioners to swap notes on current best practice.
John Roger retires after 20 years
John Roger, Telecoms Manager in the Department of Estates, retires from the University today after more than 20 years at the University. We wish him well.
Student accolades
Bath’s CTV scoops prize at National Student Television Awards
CTV (Campus Television) scooped the top ‘Best light entertainment’ prize for ‘The Panel Show’ at a recent awards ceremony. CTV also came ‘highly commended’ in the category for student news.
SU awarded silver environmental award
The Students’ Union claimed a prestigious silver award at the Sound Environmental Impact Awards and were ranked eighth out of 79 entrants.
Information
Improving catering services on campus
Hospitality is currently looking at ways to improve the service they provide on campus. Please take part in the Blues Café or Food Direct delivery service survey. Other catering outlets will be covered next week.
University Pocket Diary 2009/10
The University Pocket Diary for 2009/10 is now available to order from the Office of the University Secretary.
Publication behaviour of researchers & the influence of research assessment
The Research Information Network (RIN) has commissioned a study on the publication, dissemination and citation behaviour of research active staff in UK Higher Education and the influence of research assessment.
CPD Framework approved by Senate
Senate has granted initial approval for the Independent Professional Development Portfolio (IPDP), an academic framework for the University’s Continuing Professional Development activity. It is designed to meet the needs of professionals from a wide range of academic and business backgrounds.
RICE Memory Challenge
Take the RICE Memory Challenge in May 2009 and help support research into Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
Visit Monet's Garden, Versailles & Paris 26-29 June
This UBSA trip is open to all staff and students and at £196 represents great value for a four-day tour.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/job
Forthcoming lectures & conferences
Seminar on equality group inequalities - 28 April
A seminar to explore the findings of the Equality and Human Rights Commission report “Equality group inequalities in education, employment and earnings: research review and analysis of trends over time”. The report, co-authored by Professor Fiona Devine who will give the seminar, provides the first-ever analysis in a single study of patterns and trends in the educational and work-life experiences of several equality groups.
Debate the future of road transport: question the experts - 30 April
Industry leaders and government experts will answer questions on the future of road transport in a free public debate at the University. The event on Thursday 30 April will give people a unique chance to find out how our road transport system is addressing green issues, what future technology will look like and how the industry is adapting to survive in a changed world.
Highly distinguished economist to give lectures - 30 April & 1 May
Professor Prasanta Pattanaik, Emeritus Professor of Economics at the University of California, Riverside (USA), will give two talks on 'The concept of well-being in economics' on Thursday 30 April, 2.15pm in 3East 3.8 and on Friday 1 May, 2.15pm in 3East 3.5. All welcome.
The Victorian Seaside - 6 May
A public lecture about the Victorian seaside will be held in Lecture Theatre 8 West 1.1 on Wednesday 6 May at 5.15pm.
Sustaining future ecosystem services – From understanding to action - 26 June
This is the fifth and final conference in the series of interdisciplinary conferences organised by the Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment (I-SEE), held at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall Place, London. Speakers will review our understanding from the four seminars to date, and explore action in terms of policy and practical implications. The conference is being sponsored by a grant from ESRC/NERC and is free to all participants.
Awards, bids, nominations
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.
Bids invited to Teaching Development Fund
The Learning & Teaching Committee has agreed that no single theme be adopted for 2009/10. It is expected that project bids will include explicit consideration of inclusivity and diversity issues, but it is not intended that this is the main focus of individual proposals. Deadline for bids - 1 May.
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.
Do you know a student who's committed to volunteering
The Volunteer Centre is offering two prizes to students who have shown an outstanding commitment to volunteering over the course of this academic year. Nominations for these prizes can be submitted by both students and staff of the University.
In the media
- Peter Walker's (ACE) research into the use of hemp as a construction material was covered in the Times Higher Education.
- The BBC reported that Sports Therapy graduate Kerrie Jones is to be among the first all female crew taking part in the Tall Ships Atlantic Challenge 2009.
Training & development
- Enhancing learning using emotional intelligence workshop 28 April
- Step up to management (3 part course) 28 April, 11 May, 28 May
- Writing for publication 5 May
- The devil's picture book? - Graphical visualisation of numerical data 6 May
- Standing up for science - media workshop for engineers, chemists & physicists 8 May
- Introduction to the media for plant scientists 11 May
- Working with broadcast media 15 May
- IT courses
- Content Management System (CMS) courses
- Summer e-learning staff development programme
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 27
13:15 PM BICS seminar
19:30 PM The Queen & her personal trainer
Tuesday 28
12:15 PM Seminar - Equality group inequalities in education, employment and earnings
12:15 PM Midweek Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar: Noises in the kitchen
18:30 PM Iyengar Yoga courses
Wednesday 29
18:30 PM Pam Skelton - Dwelling in the space of conspiracy
19:00 PM Pam Skelton & Jessica Dubow in conversation
19:30 PM The history of traditional dance music in central France
Thursday 30
14:15 PM The concept of well-being in economics: part 1
19:30 PM Investing for our futures
20:00 PM Future vehicles debate
Friday 1 May
Parade Bar Street Festival
14:15 PM The concept of well-being in economics: part 2
19:30 PM Is technology Darwinian?
Arts
Concerts and Performances
- Icebreaker Komedia, Bath | Thursday 30 April, 8pm
One of the UK’s finest new music ensembles, this virtuosic 14-piece group features a mix of panpipes, electric guitars, keyboards, accordion, electric strings and saxes. Icebreaker’s unique sound takes you from exhilarating frenzy to soaring sonorities. - University of Bath Chamber Choir St Mary the Virgin Church Bishops' Cannings, Devizes | Sunday 3 May, 6pm
Join this popular University choir for a concert to mark the end of another successful year of music-making. - Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 9 May, 7.30pm
Highly respected for their imaginative and critically acclaimed work that gives cultural diversity a unique spin, award-winning choreographer Shobana Jeyasingh’s latest piece playfully explores cross-cultural eating.
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. - Pam Skelton Dwelling in the Space of Conspiracy ICIA Art Space 2 | Wednesday 29 April - Friday 5 June, 10am-5pm
Using video, photography and mapping, Skelton plots out patterns of surveillance to retrace the stasi spy network in the last decade of the German Democratic Republic. She constructs an unsettling portrait of a city with 483 spy cells for monitoring citizens.
Talks
- Pam Skelton & Jessica Dubow in Conversation ICIA Art Space 2, 3WN 2.1 | Wednesday 29 April 7pm-8pm
To mark the opening of her exhibition, artist Pam Skelton talks to Cultural Geographer, Dr Jessica Dubow (University of Sheffield). Skelton’s exhibition retraces the stasi spy network in the last decade of the German Democratic Republic.
Classes
- Dance
Classes are available in Contemporary, Ballet, Flamenco, Jazz, Tap and Street Dance and commence week beginning 11 May. Courses are four weeks in duration. Booking now open. - Ceramics
Ceramics classes are available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings so if you've ever fancied trying you hand at clay, here's your chance. Courses start 6 May and last six weeks. Booking opens Tuesday 28 April.
Sport
University pays tribute to its student athletes
The University will pay tribute to its student athletes at the annual Blues Awards ceremony at the Assembly Rooms on Friday (1 May).
Team Bath FC slash admission prices for final game
Team Bath FC are slashing admission prices for Saturday’s last Blue Square South fixture. Adult admission is reduced to £2 and under-16s will get into the game for free.
Teams relishing ‘Real’ Varsity challenge
University of Bath rugby teams are relishing the prospect of tackling their Loughborough counterparts at next Tuesday’s (28 April) ‘Real’ Varsity match at the Rec.
Bath graduate is Superleague player of the year
Team Bath shooter Pamela Cookey was named winner of the prestigious Kukri player of the year award for the second year running at the annual Co-operative Netball Superleague awards.