University Updates
24 July 2009
University news
Wolfson Foundation invests in Clinical Pharmacy Practice teaching lab
The Wolfson Foundation has again decided to invest in a project at the University of Bath. The Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology will be starting the refurbishment of the basement of 5 West this year in order to create a Clinical Pharmacy Practice Teaching Laboratory, consisting of a main teaching space equipped with 50 computer work stations. A seminar room suitable for up to 25 students will be available for group work and there will also be five consultation rooms.
Yolande Muschamp to take up new role in Dundee
The Department of Education is saying a reluctant farewell to a long-serving and valued member of staff, and its current Head of Department, Dr Yolande Muschamp.
Visiting Professor re-appointed as Chairman of the Audit Commission
Michael O'Higgins, who was recently appointed a Visiting Professor of Economics, has agreed to remain Chairman of the Audit Commission for a second three year term. Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government, John Denham, said: "'Michael O’Higgins’ contribution as Chairman of the Audit Commission in the last three years has been invaluable, and I am pleased to announce his re-appointment for a second term. I have every confidence that Michael will continue to provide the expertise and leadership necessary to make the work of the Commission a great success."
Research
Do you want to be part of a 'Security' funding bid?
Jane Millar (PVC Research) proposes that a bid be developed in the general area of 'Security'. Security can include technological solutions (sensing, imaging), defence, (un)/healthy living (e.g. disease or pain), communities, wellbeing, crime, environment and many more issues. This bid will build on the work that is already ongoing to develop inter-disciplinary links in this area.
Government ‘must triple’ dementia research funding or ‘pay price’, scientists warn
Professor Roy Jones, Director of the University’s Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE), is amongst 31 of the UK’s leading dementia scientists to have signed an open letter calling on the government to use this week's ministerial summit on dementia research to end 'years of underfunding'.
Between peace and war: Israel and the Middle East Peace Process
Adrian Hyde-Price (Chair of International Politics ) recently attended the 4th Annual Tel Aviv University workshop on the Arab-Israeli conflict. This brought together leading academics and opinion-formers from the USA, Europe, China and India.
Professor Hyde-Price met peace activists from both sides engaged in inter-faith dialogue and inter-communal cooperation (including a joint Palestinian and Israeli kindergarten in Haifa), and visited the Holy sites of all three Abrahamic religions in Jerusalem.
Living in Poverty: A review of the literature on children's and families' experiences of poverty
A new report by Tess Ridge (Social & Policy Sciences) presents the findings from an extensive review of recent research examining the views and experiences of low-income children and parents, covering topics such as housing, schools, neighbourhoods, public services and family life.
Promote your research at the Royal Society’s Summer Exhibition
2010 is the Royal Society’s 350th anniversary and to celebrate the Society is holding its annual Summer Science Exhibition at the Southbank Centre in London, from 26 June-4 July 2010. The call for proposals for the 2010 exhibition is now open. Closing date: 31 July 2009.
Research photograph exhibition in city centre a great success
An exhibition in the city centre of images depicting the University’s research was well-received by the public. The photos used in the exhibition will be on display on campus in the Library, level 2, from Wednesday 22 July to Thursday 6 August.
Local Community
True stories told in a nature reserve
The Institute of Contemporary Interdisciplinary Arts (ICIA) has commissioned the acclaimed performance company Lone Twin to bring their unique and extraordinary project ‘Speeches’ to Bath in September. Life on a barge and the personal passions of an activist are just two of the real life stories that will be told from 11–13 September in and around Kensington Meadows, off London Road.
A group of 32 sixth form students from the UK and Europe attended a five-day Headstart residential course at the University to learn about Mechanical Engineering and life as a student. The girls and boys experienced a mixture of lectures, laboratories and practical problems culminating in a Dragster Grand Prix that saw the students design and build a spring propelled dragster that raced over a timed 10m course.
Student news
Bath graduate wins IEMA environment essay competition
BSc in International Management & Modern Languages (IMML) graduate Daniel Spencer has won first prize of £600 for an essay on environmental issues in a competition organised by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA). Daniel’s winning essay, entitled: ‘How can spirituality help invoke the mindset shift needed to overcome the current ‘eco-crisis’ and ensure the survival of future generations of all life on Earth?’ will be published in the IEMA’s membership magazine The Environmentalist.
Student engineers race to victory at Silverstone
A team of mechanical engineering students from Bath has come first in the UK, in the annual international Student Formula competition held at Silverstone.
City hosts celebration for graduate’s 350 mile charity run
The Mayor of Bath is hosting a reception for University of Bath graduate, Kaveh Fatemian, to celebrate his achievement in running more than 350 miles to raise thousands of pounds for cancer research.
Information
Pay negotiations for 2009-10: Update
The University & Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), representing 153 higher education employers, met last week with Unison, Unite, UCU and other unions representing staff in the higher education sector for the final meeting of the pay negotiations for 2009-10. The employers put forward their final pay offer of 0.5% for the year 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2010.
BUCS launch new-look homepage
Computing Services (BUCS) has developed a new homepage after taking into account the needs of the end user. The new design should be quicker and more efficient to use. One of the new elements of the page is a big 'HELP' button that opens an online help form. Any feedback about the site to Naomi Eastman bucs-info@bath.ac.uk
Technical staff survey
Thank you to those who have already replied to the national survey of HE Technical Staff, your views will shape the local and national employment picture for technical staff. Closing date: 31 July
New Research website beta launched
Web Services is seeking feedback from the University community about their new “beta version” of the external Research webpages before the site goes live later in the year.
Appointment of new Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching)
Professor Ian Jamieson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching), will be retiring from the University in December 2009. A Search Committee has therefore been convened to begin the process of appointing his successor.
Claverton Rooms open for packed lunches
The Open University will be using 6 West South for their lunches in July and August and during this period the space will not be available to staff and students from 12 noon till 2.30pm. Therefore, those wishing to use a social space to eat their own lunch will be able to use the Claverton Rooms during the period up to 14 August.
RICE Memory Trail - 20 September
Take part in the 16th annual Memory Trail and help support research into Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Starting in the pretty village of Rode and following the River Frome as far as Tellisford the two longer routes then take you to Farleigh Hungerford and its 12th century castle and as far as the weir at Avoncliffe.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Research volunteers wanted
- Smokers wanted
- Could everyday situations pose privacy concerns?
- How we relate to our thoughts
- Relationships between attention and pain experience
- How people respond to the use of mental visualisation
- Marketing research survey - a chance to win £25
- Are you looking forward to a positive event in the near future?
- The effects of different thoughts and emotions on the experience of pain
- Do you Twitter?
In the media
- The swimming robotic fish which is being developed on campus was reported on in the Times Higher Education.
- Chris Budd (Mathematical Sciences) talked about the fundamental connection between maths & art in the Times Higher Education.
- Richard Elliot (Management) explains that while durability is an inevitable factor in keeping hold of an 'ancient' electrical appliance, its associated memories are more important BBC magazine
- BaleHaus, the project led by Pete Walker (Architecture) involving a straw house being built on campus, was featured on BBC Points West (watch again), as well as appearing on their website. It was also reported in the Daily Express, and Professor Walker gave an interview on BBC Radio Bristol.
- Ken Bray (Mechanical Engineering) talked to BBC Three Counties Radio about why footballs swerve in the air when kicked.
Training & development
- An intro to HE - A programme for new managers and administrators 2-4 September 2009
- An introduction to project management 29 September (off-site at Marriott Airport Hotel, Manchester)
- Agresso familiarisation courses
- IT courses
- Content Management System (CMS) courses
- e-Learning staff development programme
- Opportunity to be involved in project to integrate Intute with Moodle
Forthcoming lectures & conferences
Cancer Research Symposium Wednesdsay 30 September
Registration is now open for the first CR@B (Cancer Research at Bath) Symposium. It is open to all academic and clinical staff and students with an interest in cancer research.
Former President of Ireland to give lecture at Bath Abbey Wednesday 16 September
Staff and students are invited to attend a lecture by the Honourable Mary Robinson, former President of the Republic of Ireland, in Bath Abbey. The lecture, entitled ‘Realising Rights: the role of religion in human rights in the future’, is part of the 1100th anniversary celebrations of the Diocese of Bath & Wells.
Sport
Five weeks of fun with TeamBath TribeTeamBath’s fabulous range of Tribe holiday camps get underway on Monday (27th July) offering a wide range of fun sporting activities to help children and young people enjoy an active summer. This summer’s five weeks of fun includes our beach volleyball camp and our trampolining academy, both of which are new to TeamBath Tribe.
Harriet heading for hockey’s Junior World Cup
Bath graduate Harriet Pearce is celebrating her selection to play for England under-21s at the Junior World Cup in the USA next month.
The tournament, which takes place in Boston, is the biggest junior competition of the year and gets underway on Monday 3 August, reaching its climax on 16 August.
ParalympicsGB preparation camps
The video of the press conference about ParalympicsGB team training on campus is now available the watch online.