University Updates
26 February 2010
Research
TV ads may be more effective if we pay less attention
Viewers pay less attention to creative television advertisements, shows new research from the School of Management, but may make themselves more vulnerable to the advertiser’s message.
Doctoral student is UK’s first paramedic to receive an NHS research scholarship
A postgraduate student studying for the University Professional Doctorate in Health has become the first paramedic to receive a research scholarship from a regional Strategic Health Authority.
SPS research students praised for launching network
The winter/spring edition 2010 of Policy World, the newsletter of the Social Policy Association, praises networking activities from the Department of Social & Policy Sciences research students as ‘inspiring academic practice’.
News
Come and join Amy’s welcome home celebrations
Golden girl Amy Williams is coming home to Bath next week and she wants the University to be the focal point of her celebrations.
Alumni Fund Spring Telethon
This week sees the beginning of the University's month-long spring telethon to raise money for the Alumni Fund, which exists to enhance the student experience by providing scholarships, hardship grants and support for innovative projects.
ICIA’s artists–in–residence get Arts Council England funding
Artists Margareta Kern and Deborah Robinson will be supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England to take up residence in one of the University’s academic departments, resulting in a public exhibition and talk.
Chairman of Banco Santander visits University of Bath
Emilio Botín, the Chairman of one of the world’s largest banks, Banco Santander, visited the University on Tuesday 23 February to learn more about some of the initiatives and schemes his banking group has helped to fund.
Gravity Vomit juggling society presents Bath Upchuck 2010
Local people are invited to a one day juggling and circus skills convention at the University on Saturday 27 Feb. Bath UpChuck 2010 is unique to the city and is suitable for all ages and levels, with workshops, tasters and games throughout the day.
Staff news
Professor braves South Pole in the name of science
Cathryn Mitchell (Electronic & Electrical Engineering) has just returned from the South Pole, setting up a network of radio equipment at one of the coldest places on Earth for a research project that will improve the accuracy of techniques used to measure Antarctica’s ice-thickness from space.
Welcome to Peter Eley, new Deputy Director of Human Resources
We are pleased to welcome Peter Eley as new Deputy Director of Human Resources, who took up his post on 3 February.
Learning & teaching
Workshop: Enhancing student learning through motivation
This short interactive workshop aims to generate and discuss a range of techniques and methods to motivate students to learn, so as to enable you to integrate some of them to suit your teaching situations.
Learning & Teaching Innovations Week blog
Learning & Teaching Innovations Week took place from 22nd - 26th February 2010. The week was packed with opportunities to learn from others and contribute to our understanding of how to enhance the student learning experience. Throughout the week there were a number of people blogging about the events they attended.
Information
Did you miss EPSRC Study Day on 17 Feb?
Did you miss the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council study day held in the University's Council Chamber on Wednesday 17 February? View the slides now.
Coming soon! New look & feel for Agresso website
The Agresso website will be relaunched with a new look and feel on Monday 1 March. The new layout will make it easier to search for information, focusing on areas of interest.
Be wary of offers of free recruitment adverts
A number of departments within the University have been contacted by a company requesting them to sign and return a proof of a recruitment advert, for which they are subsequently being invoiced.
Private Flu Clinics – University Medical Centre
The University Medical Centre is able to offer private flu vaccinations to staff who do not automatically qualify for a vaccination for free from their registered GP.
Scientists/engineers: Do you want to learn how the media works?
The British Science Association Media Fellowships are intended to create a greater awareness and understanding of the workings of the media among practising scientists, social scientists, clinicians and engineers.
Jobs
Vacant posts: http://www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/
Deadlines & nominations
Do you employ any students? Are they outstanding?
Each year JobLink runs a competition called SEOTY to recognise exceptional students and present them with awards for achievement in the workplace.
Pilot Sabbatical Leave Scheme - next deadline 7 March
Call for applications for the next Pilot Sabbatical Leave Scheme are now being taken.
Nominations now open for University Teaching Awards
Let us know who you think has made a significant contribution to an aspect of teaching at the University by nominating a member of staff for a teaching award. Nominations are welcome from both staff and students and eligible candidates may be teaching and/or learning support staff. Deadline: 12 March
Training & development
- Accommodation Facilities & Resident Tutor Services, an overview - 3 Mar
- Training for the Occasional Trainer - 11 Mar
- Grant Applications workshop (run by Research Design Service - South West) - 18 Mar
- Performance Management 2: Skills & Techniques - 18 Mar
- SW Institutions' Middle Managers (Deadline: 20 January) - 24 - 26 Mar
- Introduction to Project Management (Manchester) - 29 Apr /17 June
- Open Programme of Events | PDF to print
- Staff: Improve your IT skills, new timetable available
- CMS training courses
- e-Learning staff development programme
In the media
- Robert Heath (School of Management) spoke to BBC Radio Scotland and was featured in the Telegraph and Independent discussing how TV adverts may be more effective if we pay less attention.
- John Troyer (CDAS ) spoke to BBC Radio Bristol discussing the new Assisted Dying Guidelines being released by the Crown Prosecution Service.
- Delia Slucutt (Lifelong Learning) was interviewed by Heart FM about the Twitter and LinkedIn courses the University has available.
Lectures & seminars
Explore the Natural History Museum in 3D in Bath
Local people are invited to scan nature with a pair of 3D specs, at a free public lecture at the University given by a researcher from the Natural History Museum on Wednesday 3 March at 5.15pm in 3 West North 2.1.
Public Lecture: Religion and ritual in the prehistoric Aegean
In a lecture at the University on Wednesday 3 March, people will be able to explore how different cultures in the area of Bronze Age Greece, known as the Aegean, expressed and shaped identity and power through the archaeology of religion and ritual.
The Bath Economics Summit 2010
The University's economics society hosts their annual economics summit open to both staff and students on Wednesday 3 March. This year's speakers include John Kay, a Financial Times columnist and Chief Economics Correspondent of the BBC, Hugh Pym.
Researchers' conference to take lively look at impact
Researchers are increasingly encouraged to ensure their research has impact. But what is impact? At lecture in Bath on Friday 5 March, Tom Pringle, best known from the TV show Brainiac, will talk about the importance of communicating research to a wider audience and will demonstrate how he does it.
Bath Science Café: Understanding pain without injury
Local people are invited to the next Bath Science Café on Monday 8 March (Raven Pub) to hear about a brain-centred pain phenomenon that isn’t caused by injury and is unresponsive to painkillers. Professor David Blake from Bath’s Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases will speak at 8pm at the informal gathering for science enthusiasts.
Register now for Cancer Research@Bath conference
Open to all staff and students with an interest in Cancer Research. The conference is on Tuesday 30 March and will include a poster session, talks related to cancer, with a coffee break and an informal networking drink.
Public lectures
The programme of free lectures open for staff, students and the general public is available online.
Podcasts
Catch up on any lectures you may have missed.
What's on
Monday 1
09:30 AM Sorted: Successful research skills for postgraduates
13:15 PM Everyone needs to be in marketing!
13:15 PM Complexity Seminar - Designing complex services & how complexity theory can help
15:15 PM Aptitude tests (135mins)
19:30 PM Roman technology - past & future...
Tuesday 2
12:15 PM Mid week Eucharist/H C Service
12:45 PM Oxfam lunch
18:00 PM BEAMES - Staff-student research evening
18:15 PM Sorted: Presentation skills
18:30 PM Consulting skills workshop - managing business change (90mins)
19:30 PM Adelard & Philosophers - The spirit of enquiry
Wednesday 3
02:15 AM Numerical reasoning test (50mins)
10:15 AM Bath Economics Summit
14:00 PM Sorted training: Endnote Web 2.8
17:15 PM Religion and ritual in the prehistoric Aegean
17:15 PM Scanning the natural world with a pair of X-ray specs
19:30 PM Choral singing with Ronald Corp
Thursday 4
10:00 AM Margareta Kern - Guest
10:00 AM Margareta Kern - Artist in Residence
10:00 AM How to build a website yourself
10:15 AM Recruitment and Admissions Committee
12:15 PM Careers in Humanities and Social Sciences
13:00 PM Tristram Charles Speedy
13:15 PM Interview success (50mins)
14:15 PM UPDATED (location): Council/Senate/Students' Union Committee
16:15 PM Sorted - Plagiarism: what it is & how to avoid it
17:30 PM PwC:Skills through sport, leadership for success
17:30 PM Sorted training: Using Corel photopaint
18:15 PM Sorted training: Perfect pitch
19:30 PM The economics of happiness. Introducing a Thai perspective on wellbeing.
Friday 5
12:00 Noon International Women's Day event
14:15 PM Assessment centre workshop (110mins)
15:15 PM Maths revision/ tuition for numeracy tests (50mins)
18:15 PM Sorted training: Improvisation for enterprise creativity and confidence
19:30 PM BUST - And Then There Were None
Saturday 6
18:00 PM The Roman Empire
19:30 PM National Dance Network - Dance3
Arts
Concerts and Performances:
Gravity Vomit Bath UpChuck 2010 | Founders Sports Hall | Saturday 27 February, 11am-7.30pm, | Evening Performance | University Hall | Saturday 27 February, 7.30pm
Bath UpChuck 2010 is the second annual juggling convention organised by the University’s juggling and circus skills society, Gravity Vomit, followed by an evening performance featuring many professional performers from across the UK. Suitable for all ages and skill levels.
BATH UNIVERSITY STUDENT THEATRE And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie | The Mission Theatre, Bath | Friday 5 – Sunday 7 March, 7.30pm
Ten strangers are brought together to an Indian Island by invitation from an unknown party. By the end of the first evening one of them is dead. Is the killer one of the group, or an outside force?
National Dance Network - Dance3 | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 6 March, 7.30pm
Touring the UK, National Dance Network showcases the best up-and-coming choreographers and their collaborators, each with an exceptional track record. Works include 4m2 by Claire Cunningham & Jose Agudo, Cabin Fever by Tom Dale and A Mind as Beautiful by Douglas Thorpe.
Music Workshops:
Weekly Samba Drumming Workshops | Studio1, ICIA Arts Barn | Wednesdays, 5pm-7pm 6 Weeks: Until 24 March
Learn those irresistible samba rhythms and have lots of fun! Choose from a range of percussion instruments and simply join in! Robbie Verrechia from Bath School of Samba is an experienced samba drummer, band mestre/leader and workshop teacher. No previous experience required.
Choral Singing with Ronald Corp | Studio 1, ICIA Arts Barn | Wednesday 3 March, 7.30pm-10pm
Ronald Corp, leading UK conductor and composer and BBC Proms regular, returns to ICIA to work on a variety of popular secular and sacred pieces, plus his own compositions. Non-music readers welcome.
Sport
Adam elected to International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission
University of Bath based skeleton athlete Adam Pengilly has been elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Athletes’ Commission.
Emergency first aid for sport
The emergency first aid course is run through First Aid Training Services and is aimed at players and coaches of all levels. It will provide candidates with the knowledge to identify an injury and the skills to manage the injury with first aid care.
Paula 11th in Olympic bobsleigh
University of Bath-based bobsleigh athlete Paula Walker secured a impressive 11th place finish on her Olympic debut in Vancouver.