University Updates
25 September 2009
Research
Academics aim to cut sick leave in the region by a quarter
David Wainwright (School for Health) is leading a region-wide project that aims to cut sickness absence by 25 per cent by improving wellbeing at work.
Robot fish makes waves at Bath
Researchers in the Department of Mechanical Engineering have designed a swimming robot that could bring a breakthrough in submersible technology.
New report highlights the need to strengthen relationship between business and universities
The Vice-Chancellor, Glynis Breakwell, has contributed to a new CBI report into the relationship between business and higher education and how it can be strengthened.
People
Steve Wharton is new Chair of Academic Assembly
Steve Wharton (ESML) has been elected as Chair of Academic Assembly until 31 July 2012. Steve said: “I’d encourage colleagues to attend the meetings of Academic Assembly in order to give greater weight to what is said on your behalf as I represent you across the University.”
Bath student competes to be greenest ever Ironman
School of Management student Jon Alexander is aiming to become the most eco-friendly Ironman ever when he competes in the Barcelona Challenge triathlon on Sunday 4 October. Jon will set aside conventional sports gear for the gruelling event, aiming to cycle 112 miles on a bike made from bamboo, run 26.2 miles in shoes made from recycled fibres and swim 2.4 miles in an eco-friendly limestone based rubber wetsuit.
Learning & Teaching
Freshers arrive on campus
Freshers will be arriving on campus earlier this year (this Saturday and Sunday), so this should not cause parking problems for staff on Monday as in previous years. Please look out for students who are looking lost next week, and point them in the right direction!
A warm welcome to students from our partner institution in India
The University is delighted to welcome the first cohort of students on to our new MSc in Industrial Biotechnology Enterprise, a joint Masters programme with St Xaviers College, Mumbai, funded by the UK-India Education & Research Initiative (UKIERI).
Work starts on new University teaching space
Work on a new teaching building at the University has officially started this week - celebrated with a traditional turf cutting ceremony. The new East building will be used as ‘decant space’ for departments who will be relocated to enable refurbishment of existing accommodation on the University’s Parade.
Information
Register at University Medical Centre
New patient registration is available at the University Medical Centre for University staff and students.
ParkingPlus and car park changes
A number of questions have been raised about the proposed introduction of ParkingPlus. A webpage to explain certain issues together with the revised Questions & Answers, which deals with specific queries, will hopefully clarify the situation. If you have further questions, please email parkingplus@bath.ac.uk or attend the next 'surgery' at 12.15pm on Friday 16 October in 5 West 2.1.
Ongoing work on Individual Mitigating Circumstances (IMCs)
The IMC-Transition wiki contains information about changes that could be made to the University's procedures relating to Individual Mitigating Circumstances and assessment. By following the links on the wiki, you can find background information on how a final decision will be made.
New version of University PowerPoint presentation now available
The University has updated the template for PowerPoint presentations that can be used and adapted by staff and students giving lectures and talks. The presentation contains facts and figures agreed by Executive recently as both correct and representative of the University’s work. The template presentation can be downloaded from the Corporate Communications website. Staff and students can then adapt the text and images for their own purposes.
Consultation on Corporate Plan
Members of the University community are invited to comment on proposed text relating to the vision, purpose, objectives and values of the University which will feed into the new Corporate Plan for 2009/10, which is currently being drafted. Please send your comments to Nicky Kemp by 9 October.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- The University was listed tenth in Times Higher Education table of tables, which can be viewed as a PDF.
- Our new PhD course in video games, animation and technical entertainment was featured in The Times.
- Gymnobot, the robot fish which was built in the Ocean Technologies Lab (Mech Eng), was featured on BBC Points West early evening news slot, as well as ITV West’s lunchtime bulletin.
- Jonathan Robinson (Applied Physiologist, Human Performance Centre) advised former England and British Lions hooker Mark Regan how to get back into fighting shape ready for his return to rugby action. BBC Points West
- Mathew Penrose (Mathematical Sciences) appeared on BBC Radio Bristol talking about Derren Brown and probability.
- Rob Archer (Chemistry student) was interviewed on Heart Bristol radio station about his Channel swim.
- Craig Owen (Psychology) talked on Radio Bristol about the research he carried out into how Strictly Come Dancing has changed men's attitudes to dancing
- David Wainwright (School for Health) gave details about his project which aims to cut sick leave in the region by a quarter on Bath FM, Heart FM and Radio Bristol.
- John Troyer (CDAS) was invited on to BBC Radio Bristol and Heart FM to discuss new rulings on assisted suicide.
- Ian Robinson (Students' Union) talked about Freshers' Week events on Heart FM.
Training & development
- Workshop on enhancing student learning by Professor Phil Race, 29 September
- An introduction to project management 29 September (off-site at Marriott Airport Hotel, Manchester)
- Fire safety awareness 9 October
- University of Bath 2009/10 UKRO Event 19 October
- Free beginner’s guide to the media for scientists and engineers 4 November (at the Royal Institution in London)
- Leadership, research & you - Various dates: September-December
- ILM Level 2 team leading award January-February 2010
- New IT training timetable
- New Staff Development programme | Download PDF to print
- e-Learning staff development programme
- Monthly learning & teaching paper lunches
Forthcoming lectures & conferences
Cancer Research Symposium Wednesday 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.
New lecture series on researching human behaviour in engineering & computer science
Over many years researchers from the Social Sciences and Management communities have developed robust techniques by which to research human behaviour. This new lecture series aims to transfer knowledge across disciplines to improve research rigour.
What's on
More details - www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on/
Monday 28 September
19:30 PM Philippe Maurice - medieval historian
Thursday 1 October
13:00 PM Bringing Adelard back to Bath
15:00 PM Knowledge Transfer Account launch
19:15 PM Global warming & climate change - Eocene and Oligocene epochs
Friday 2
09:00 AM Burning rubber
Arts
Concerts and Performances
Singularities: Attab Haddad Oud Music Room, University Hall | Thursday 8 October, 8pm
Attab Haddad brings a new approach to the age-old traditions of the Oud, an Arabic instrument that precedes the lute. He infuses elements of flamenco, Middle Eastern classical, jazz, classical and experimental music to create spell-binding rhythms.
Classes
ICIA runs classes and workshops in music, dance and visual arts for all levels. Classes open to all include:
Music:
DJ Skills
Dance:
Contemporary, Street Dance, Jazz Dance, Ballet, Flamenco, Tap
Visual Arts:
Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Life Drawing, Stained Glass, Creative Sculpture, Botanical Illustration, Creative Digital Art, Photography, Portrait Studies, Mixing 2D Media
Classes start the week of 12 October - Check out www.bath.ac.uk/icia for further details.
Sport
Strong Silver Ferns squad named for international match at STVNew Zealand today (Friday) named a strong squad for their forthcoming international matches, including the Co-operative International Netball match against England, which will take place on campus on Thursday 15 October.
Student judo player wins medal at GB World Cup in Birmingham
Tom Reed, a University of Bath Business Administration student, lost a closely contested final in the under-81kg class to fellow Brit Euan Burton, who represented Great Britain at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, coming home with a silver.
Get fit for autumn
A new timetable of exercise classes for the new season is now available online.