University Updates
26 June 2009
Uni life
Work begins on remodelling social space for staff & students
Further details are now available about the work which begins next week (1 July) to remodel the Claverton Rooms, and to improve access for the disabled, along with other refurbishment to 6 West South (also known as the UBSA building). Please note 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 1 July to 14 August.
Another successful University Open Day
Around 5,000 visitors (prospective students and their parents) attended our Undergraduate Open Day on Thursday 25 June. Thanks to all those who worked hard to make the day a success and to make the visitors feel welcome on campus.
Summer visitors arrive on campus
Another busy vacation period for the Events & Hospitality Team kicks off with the start of EAC language summer schools on Sunday 28 June. Over the next eight weeks, the University will host over 2,000 students from Hong Kong, Greece, Spain, Russia and Italy. The Open University will be arriving on 11 July, and 1,400 students will use the campus over a five-week period. Shops and food outlets may be busier than usually expected of the 'quiet' summer period.
Possible disruption to car parking
There are a number of events taking place next week which may have an impact on parking on campus, including the UCAS HE Convention on Monday & Tuesday and the Graduation Ceremonies, Tuesday to Thursday. Staff are advised to try and park in their normal car park but to follow directions to the playing field near the medical centre, which will be used as an overflow car park, as necessary.
Summer degree ceremonies to take place at Bath Abbey next week
The 2009 summer degree award ceremonies take place next week, with more than 2,000 students expected to attend at the city’s Abbey.
World expert in bio-technology to receive honorary degree
A Kenyan woman who grew up on a sweet potato farm and went on to be a world expert in plant bio-technology is to receive an honorary degree from the University. Florence Wambugu will also be delivering a public lecture at the University of Bath on Wednesday (1 July) about the contribution of biotechnology, including GM crops, for improving the sustainable livelihoods of resource poor families in Africa.
Bath & beyond
Snapshots of research: University of Bath research captured through a lens
An exhibition of photographs taken by researchers which reflect the work they do at the University will be held at Bath Royal Literary & Scientific Institution (BRLSI), Queen Square, Bath on Wednesday 15 July. There is still time for researchers to submit an entry and there will be a prize for the image voted most popular by the public.
Alumni explore the Roman Baths’ hidden tunnels
A group of Bath graduates recently enjoyed a private tour of the tunnels under the Roman Baths, organised by the Alumni Office.
New book on conflict in Amazonian Peru published
A new book edited by James Copestake (Head of Economics & International Development) entitled ‘Wellbeing and development in Peru’ was launched at the Catholic University in Lima on 18 June in the presence of British Ambassador to Peru Catherine Nettleton.
Breaking the US mould
Part-time Professor of Radio Science & Systems Paul Cannon has been appointed as the first non-US Editor of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) journal - Radio Science.
Awards
Lecturer scoops National Teaching Fellowship
Computer Science lecturer Alan Hayes has won a prestigious National Teaching Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy.
Tim Leach wins Staff Recognition Award
The winner of this year's Staff Recognition Award is Security Officer Tim Leach. He was nominated for his "great enthusiasm passing on his knowledge of self-defence techniques to other members of staff and to students, making the students feel a lot more comfortable with regard to their personal safety, whether it be on or off campus".
Business savvy students bring penpals into the 21st century
A team of Bath student entrepreneurs has won a competition called 'Profitunity!' organised by Ernst & Young and The Prince’s Trust.The students set up Languagepartner4u.com, which gives enthusiastic linguists the opportunity to chat online and practice their skills outside the classroom, as well as raising funds for charity through a 1p per day access charge. So far the site has raised £3,000 for The Prince’s Trust.
Working with youngsters
Creative summer schools for secondary school pupils in Wiltshire and B&NES
The Division for Lifelong Learning is running two free workshops for secondary school pupils into Video Jockeying (VJ’ing) as part of its Creative Arts Weeks programme.
Pupils stage Big Bang at the University of Bath
Hundreds of school pupils will show off their science skills next week at the biggest exhibition of science and technology school projects in the South West, hosted at the University.
Information
No computing services in Library Saturday 27 June
Due to essential network upgrades there will be no computing services in the Library on Saturday 27 June. BUCS will endeavour to complete the work as quickly as possible but you should expect to have no service between 8.30am-2.30pm. BUCS apologises for any inconvenience.
Peter Brown, Landscape Manager, to retire
Peter Brown, Landscape Manager, will retire at the end of the month after 14 years at the University. He joined in October 1995 as Grounds & Gardens Manager and has developed the campus landscape with its colourful planting schemes that everyone enjoys today. The Department of Estates will be hosting a farewell get-together for Peter's friends and colleagues in 6 West South on Tuesday 30 June from 12.30 - please come along and say your goodbyes!
New website for intellectual property and legal services
The new website contains general information about Intellectual Property (“IP”) and its particular relevance to research, the University’s Intellectual Property Policy, and the processes involved in commercialisation activities (particularly licences and spin outs). Short briefing notes on topical issues related to research, IP and commercial affairs are also provided.
Writing a grant proposal? RDSO can help!
The University’s Research Development & Support Office (RDSO) offers support in writing research grant proposals, particularly for academics writing their first grant or fellowship.
RICE Memory Trail
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.
Swine Flu: Latest information
The University has a well-developed pandemic flu plan and the Emergency Management Team has been making further preparations in recent weeks to mitigate the impact on the University of a pandemic. In July a desk-top simulation will take place, with support from B&NES' Directorate of Public Health.
Nominations for Council
Nominations are requested for the vacancy for one member of non-academic staff to serve on the Council of the University from 1 August 2009 to 31 July 2012.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Greener travel...last chance!
Jam Busting June competition
Each time during the month of June that you share a journey or travel by a more sustainable mode of transport, you can earn points, and every 30 points you are awarded then qualify you for one prize draw entry. Eligible journeys are made by bus, car sharing, cycling, scooter, train, park and ride, and walking earn five points for each journey. Travelling by motor cycles earns three points for each journey. The University operates its own car share scheme.
Get on your bike and get more out of life...for less money
During the month of June, anyone who cycles up to the Sports Training Village can join and get their joining fee waived (normally £25). Evidence of having cycled is all that is sufficient (cycle helmet, lycra clad or similar!) to qualify.
New secure cycle store at bottom of Bathwick Hill
The secure cycle store located at Canal Wharf, is operated by a programmed library card. The 36 spaces in the store will be allocated to the first 36 staff who apply. If you are interested in having an allocated space, please contact Sarah Haigh, Estates Officer.
In the media
- Ian Fairholm (Psychology) was asked to be on BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Lunchtime Show, where he talked about memory tests, strategies for improving performance, and different types of memory.
- William Megill (Mechanical Engineering) was quoted in last week's New Scientist commenting on research into using spider silk as actuators ('artificial muscles') for surgical implants.
- Saiful Islam (Chemistry) praised the potential of some research being carried out at St Andrews into creating rechargeable lithium batteries in the Guardian.
- Read our entry in the Independent's A-Z of universities.
Training & development
- Management skills for researchers 1 & 2 July (off-site at Bailbrook House)
- Performance Review - Getting the most out of your review (Support Staff) 2 July
- 'Green Channel' patent application workshop 6 July
- Access Grid Nodes: Improve collaborative research with advanced video conferencing 7 July
- Theory & practice of grant writing - Optimising the approach 22 July
- 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
- Summer e-learning staff development programme
- Opportunity to be involved in project to integrate Intute with Moodle
Forthcoming lectures & conferences
openMIC Mobile Innovation Camp - Thursday 2 July
The openMIC Mobile Innovation Camp is being held in Bristol on 2 July for entrepreneurs with ideas for new mobile phone applications. The networking event is taking place from 9am at the Mercure Holland House Hotel & Spa and will include discussions and debate on developing new mobile applications and mobile web services, as well as the chance to develop new ideas.
Innovating the wireless industry out of recession Friday 3 July
The third Wireless2.0 conference is being held in Bristol on 3 July. The conference will bring together senior executives of the wireless industry.
Internationalisation of Higher Education and Higher Education Management - Friday 3 July
This third annual seminar will provide the opportunity to discuss the Internationalisation of Higher Education. It will take place in 6 East 2.2. Please refer any queries to Joanna Al-Youssef
Product Lifecycle Management 2009 (PLM09) 6-8 July
The University is to host the sixth international PLM conference, the first to be held in the United Kingdom. Some 68 full papers will be presented at the conference, together with 20 keynote and industrial presentations from companies such as BAE Systems, BMW, Eurostep, HP, IBM, Rolls-Royce and Samsung. Industrial presentations will be concentrated on Tuesday 7 July to encourage one-day delegates to attend. The Conference organising team is being led by Chris McMahon (Director of the Innovative Design and Manufacturing Research Centre).
Effective technology for mathematics & statistics support Thursday 9 July
As well as
featuring talks on the use of different technologies for mathematics and statistics support, the meeting will see a sigma-sw discussion forum with reflection on 2008/09 activities and planning for 2009/10.
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 on Wednesday 16 September. 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.
What's on next week
More details about events below
Tuesday 30
19:15 PM Prosperity without growth?
July
Wednesday 1
12:00 Noon Women's networking event: If I could start again what would I do differently?
Thursday 2
17:00 PM Council
Friday 3
09:00 AM DSRA Sports Day on campus
10:30 AM Seminar on the Internationalisation of Higher Education and HE Management
19:30 PM A northern star
UBSA trips - open to everyone
- Trip to Cotswold steam railway & Cheltenham 25 July | £20
- Four-day tour of Ireland through County Cork / County Kerry / Killarney and the Ring of Kerry 4 September | £269
Sport
Brits prepare for beach volleyball World Champs challenge
The GB pairings of Lucy Boulton & Denise Johns and Shauna Mullin & Zara Dampney make their World Championships debuts at Stavanger in Norway. All four train at the University's Sports Training Village.
Change to time and venue for versatility netball
This Monday’s (29 June) versatility netball session gets underway at 6.30pm in the Founders Hall. In following weeks the session will revert to the usual time and venue - starting at 7pm at the Sports Training Village. All are welcome. Sessions cost just £3 per person.