University Updates
25 April 2008
News
Expressions of interest sought: Research showcase - Sustainable energy & the environment
The University will stage its first Research Showcase event on 17 September 2008 under the theme of ‘Sustainable energy & the environment’, to demonstrate and publicise the breadth and depth of our activity within this area to industry, service providers, local government and other stakeholders across the South-West. Please register your interest to take part with Gary Hawley as soon as possible.
Good University Guide ranks University of Bath as best in the South-West
The latest Good University Guide league table, published in The Independent this week, ranks Bath 14th in the UK and top of the regional ranking for the South-West. The Vice-Chancellor has congratulated everyone "because the whole community contributes to creating the supportive learning environment necessary for students to flourish academically."
University of Bath celebrates joining Santander Universities network
The University of Bath is the first UK HE institution outside London to join Santander Universities, a worldwide network of over 600 universities, through which Banco Santander, one of the world’s largest financial groups, supports an innovative range of academic projects.
Women more likely to buy Fair Trade foods, research says
Women are more likely than men to feel an ethical obligation to buy Fair Trade products such as bananas, clothing and chocolate, according to new research by Carolyn Strong and Brett Martin (School of Management).
Academic wins American award for best paper
A paper written by Gary Lock (with co-authors from Cambridge University) has been selected by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Heat Transfer Committee as a Best Paper award winner. The paper entitled 'Aero-Thermal Investigation of Tip Leakage Flow in Axial Flow Turbines Part III: Tip Cooling' is to be published in the ASME Journal of Turbomachinery.
Bath graduate's work highlighted in white paper on the future of pharmacy
Alumna Rachel Hall has had her work highlighted as a national example of excellence in a recently published Department of Health white paper on the future of pharmacy.
Enterprising students reach final of national competition
A team of students from the University reached the final of a national enterprise competition held in London. Their mentors - Siobáin Hone, Student Enterprise Coordinator and Anna Bonham, Volunteer Co-ordinator - also won the prestigious Enterprise Educators UK University Adviser Award for the southern region, in recognition of the hard work and dedication that they have shown in supporting their SIFE team.
Leadership Awards for Bath students
Lee Warren and Tim Lai, who are in the second year of their MEng undergraduate studies, have each been awarded the prestigious Engineering Leadership Advance Award.
Information
UCAS Convention on campus - Monday 28 & Tuesday 29 April
The Bath UCAS Convention will be held in the STV Sports Hall and Indoor Sprint Track for two days next week with 13,000 students expected to attend. Please take care on the roads on campus as there will be more pedestrians, cars and coaches than normal.
Proposed revision to the academic appraisal system
A second consultation document is available proposing changes to the academic appraisal system. The suggested model takes into account the cross-University consultation undertaken during autumn 2007, the principles of the framework agreement on pay modernisation, and the needs of the University to make the most effective use of its people's skills and abilities. Any comments should be sent to Simon Inger by Friday 16 May, please.
Consultation on Quarry Road road closure (21-27 August)
The Department of Estates is currently planning the replacement of the Quarry Road bridge and would like to ensure that the University at large is aware of the programme. Quarry Road will need to be closed to traffic for a few days to allow for the installation. If your department has anything planned which may involve use of this entrance to campus between 21-27 August, would you please advise Martyn Whalley by 28 April.
Staff Recognition Award
All staff other than academics are eligible to receive this award which recognises either individual members, or small groups, of support staff who have shown excellence in the way in which they have undertaken their duties, and who have contributed to the broader life of the University. Please consider nominating a colleague. Deadline: Wednesday 30 April.
Advance Notice of the 2008 Supplier Expo
The Purchasing Services Team is pleased to give all members of staff advance notice of the 2008 Supplier Expo, which is due to be held on Wednesday 4 June in the Founders Sports Hall, Norwood House.
Are you keen to play a part in enhancing the whole student experience for both undergraduates and postgraduates during their vital and challenging years here, whilst developing your own leadership skills? We are looking for an enthusiastic, committed member of staff with the relevant skills, aptitude and motivation to undertake the role of Senior Resident Tutor. Closing date for applications: 14 May.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Funding opportunities
Teaching Development Fund
As part of its Learning & Teaching Strategy the University has continued its commitment to a Teaching Development Fund. Bids are invited for the latest round of funding totalling approximately £60,000, which is due to be allocated for the academic year 2008/09 on 10 June. In support of current developments at the University, the themes of this year's allocation will be: academic induction; assessment and feedback; employability; work-based and placement learning. Deadline: 2 May.
Axa Research Fund
Annual funding of €6 million is available in six different areas. Deadline: 30 April.
Funding opportunity for new academics
EPSRC wishes to encourage new academics to build industrial collaborations early in their research career. Although CASE for new academic appointees was discontinued on 1 April 2008, this financial resource has been transferred to the Industrial CASE scheme. Deadline: 5 September.
Grants for groundbreaking health research
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for Grand Challenges Explorations, a US$100 million initiative to help scientists pursue innovative ideas for solving major global health problems. Deadline: 15 May.
Funding opportunities
The latest set of new grants, fellowships, travel bursaries and studentship opportunities taken from the current ResearchResearch listings can be viewed online.
In the media
- James Davenport (Computer Sciences) had a letter published in Times Higher Education (THE) entitled 'the op cit effect'. It points out an unwanted side-effect of citation counting.
- Patrick Finch (Estates) commented in THE on the report: The Legacy of 1960s University Buildings which was published this month.
- The Breakfast Club, the flagship morning discussion programme in Jamaica, invited Anna Bull to discuss the political climate surrounding Italy, following the recent elections and the victory of Silvio Berlusconi, the likely policies of the new coalition government and the changes to the Italian party system.
- Wayne McGregor's company Random Dance opened Entity, a piece co-commissioned by ICIA, at Sadler's Wells in April. The new work was featured on Newsnight Review, Time Out, reviewed in The Guardian (4*), The Independent (4*), The Observer and The Telegraph.
Training & development opportunities
- New programme of free IT training courses for staff
- Five-week computing for beginners course
- South West Institutions' Middle Managers' Programme (SWIMM 2008)
Forthcoming lectures
Pétain and popcorn: documentary film in France, 1940-1944
Steve Wharton (European Studies & Modern Languages) will examine the history and development of documentary during the German Occupation of France, with print and film examples from the time. BRLSI, Queen Square, Tuesday 29 April at 7.30pm.
Climate change debate at Bath Abbey
Four eminent speakers (including Anil Markandya, Economics & International Development) will summarise the present state of the climate change debate, and give their views about what organisations and individuals need to do to respond. In particular there will be discussion about how Bath can move towards being an ‘eco city’ following the example of ‘transition towns’ Bristol and Totnes, amongst many others. Tuesday 29 April, 7.30pm.
New lunchtime lectures programme for Bath
Learn more about the archaeology of airfields, creating digital art and working at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in the latest lunchtime public lecture series.
What's on next week
Monday 28
13:15 PM BICS seminar
19:30 PM The changing history of the Crimean War
Tuesday 29
12:15 PM Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM Seminar
16:30 PM Clean energy materials: Crystal gazing on the atomic scale
17:15 PM Cultures, politics & territories: remapping identities. Workshop on Italy
19:30 PM Documentary and dictatorship
19:30 PM Climate Change Debate
19:30 PM Arts & Crafts Movement in Scotland
19:30 PM Fanny Burney - Life inspiring art
Wednesday 30
17:00 PM Which comes first - finance or growth?
19:30 PM Defence against new frauds
May
Thursday 1
12:15 PM Ascension Day Eucharist
13:00 PM The Art of Photography
16:30 PM CDAS seminar: Public health approaches to end-of-life care
19:00 PM A Secret Policeman's Ball
Friday 2
16:00 PM Nearly naked fun run
Saturday 3
Excalibur fencing event
Sunday 4
Tesco Football Cup Final Day
Arts
Concerts and Performances
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The Radio Science Orchestra with special guest Ken Hollings Memories of the Future ICIA Arts Theatre | Friday 25 April, 7.30pm
The Radio Science Orchestra performs a live score to a series of short films of ‘radio scientific’ subjects. The Orchestra line-up includes performances by the theremin, the world’s first practical electronic instrument, the only one today to be played without being touched. -
Choral Society and Orchestra Concerto Concert St Michael’s Church, Bath | Saturday 26 April, 7.30pm
The flourishing University Orchestra accompany the ever popular Choral Society in a series of well known pieces. The Orchestra also makes its annual presentation supporting talented soloists in this year’s concerto performance. - Wind Band, GASP & BUBBA ICIA Arts Theatre, University of Bath | Sunday 27 April, 7.30pm
Swinging big band jazz, lilting wind band pieces and upbeat, roof-raising gospel, pop and soul tracks from the 50-strong GASP choir.
Exhibitions
- Polly Gould Peninsular ICIA Art Space 1 | Till Friday 20 June
Peninsular documents Gould’s journey to the Antarctic Peninsular taking with her the drawings she made of her father as he lay dying among the white expanse of bed sheets. - Tim Brennan Great Northern Coalfield ICIA Art Space 2 | Till Friday 1 August
A series of atmospheric photographs taken on a low-resolution mobile phone camera depict the North Sea, where most of the north's un-mined coal still resides. Enlarged beyond clear definition, the images become hazy, impressionistic, glowing with colour.
Talks
- Artist’s Talk: Uriel Orlow BRLSI, 16-18 Queen Square, Bath | Saturday 26 April, 2.30-4pmUsing 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.
Workshops
- Raku Studio 2, ICIA Arts Complex | Saturday 26 April & Saturday 10 May, 10am-4pm
A chance to make, fire and glaze pots traditional Japanese rapid firing process where pots are removed red-hot from the kiln.
Sport
Visually-impaired Team Bath athlete selected for Beijing Paralympics
Team Bath’s Darren Harris has been named by ParalympicsGB as one of four visually-impaired judo athletes who will represent Britain at this summer’s Paralympic Games in Beijing.
Team Bath FC guaranteed at least second place finish
Team Bath FC will finish in at least second place in the BGB Premier Division following their win at Bromsgrove last Saturday.
National volleyball finals come to the Sports Training Village
Top-flight volleyball action comes to campus this weekend when the Sports Training Village hosts the finals of Volleyball England’s National Cup.