University Updates
27 February 2009
Success stories
Spin-out company wins technology transfer award
Nano-porous solutions limited (n-psl) uses technology developed by Dr Semali Perera and colleagues in Chemical Engineering to make hollow fibres that can be used in a diverse number of applications such as CO2 recovery, removal of contaminants from analytical traps, moisture from air and the separation and purification of liquids.
The company has won a Technology Transfer Award from One North East at the 2009 Grant for Research & Development Awards.
Bath gets gold for going green
Bath is the first University in the country to gain a gold standard from the Green Tourism Business Scheme (GTBS) – the leading sustainable tourism certification scheme in the UK.
Fairtrade status
The University is one of only 70 to have achieved official status as a Fairtrade University. It has met five Fairtrade goals, including a commitment to campaign for the cause and to ensure that Fairtrade products are available in all campus shops, cafes and restaurants and served at meetings and events hosted by the University.
Module in tobacco control proves very popular
A new CPD module in Tobacco Control begins at the University in late March. Aimed predominantly at health care professionals, organisers of the module have been overwhelmed with the response: although it has only been advertised since December, the course is already full to capacity with a waiting list.
Success x4 for Bath students at BCSWomen Undergraduate Colloquium
Congratulations to Anthi Anastasiou, Skevi Anastasiou, Maria Lena Demetriou, and Aurora Suriel, four undergraduates from the Department of Computer Science who are among a total of only 21 in the whole of the UK to have been invited to present posters at this year's BCSWomen Undergraduate Lovelace Colloquium. The colloquium is a UK-wide event for female computer science undergraduate students enrolled in UK universities.
New Framework for Assessments (NFA): First cohort success in SAMIS
Staff from Architecture & Civil Engineering have successfully progressed students under the New Framework for Assessment (NFA), using the rule sets defined in the University’s Student System, SAMIS; completing the first phase of the NFA Project. Departmental Administrator Ruth Burdett commented: “It was very straightforward and the SAMIS project team were extremely supportive at helping me through the process!”
Other news
University launches unique Spanish and Latin American film collection
The film collection has been sponsored by Abbey Santander, and is already proving very popular with students and staff. Situated in the Self Access Language Centre on the 5th floor of the Library, it contains approximately 200 Spanish and Latin American films. DVDs can be taken out overnight by students and staff at no cost.
University Chaplain becomes a Prebendary of Wells Cathedral
Angela Berners-Wilson has become a Prebendary of Wells Cathedral. It is an honorary role which dates back to medieval times and is in recognition of her 30 years service to the Church of England.
Information
Bath International Music Festival discount for staff
Staff can now buy tickets for the Bath International Music Festival (Friday 22 May to Saturday 6 June) in advance of the general availability and at a ten per cent discount. For more information see www.bathmusicfest.org.uk or call the Box Office on 01225 463362. The discount is only available through the Box Office, not the website. Staff should quote 'University of Bath staff member' when contacting the Box Office. Booking opens to the general public on Tuesday 10 March.
London theatre trip to see Oliver! starring Rowan Atkinson 17 June
A full day in London to see the matinee performance of the West End show at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The trip is open to everyone including non UBSA members and family / friends from outside the University. The price of £47.50 includes the cost of the ticket and coach travel to and from London. Please contact Margaret Pickering for further information or to book.
One man's rubbish is another man's treasure
The Students' Union is appealing for unwanted clothes to be dropped off by Tuesday. Then on Thursday 5 March from 11am-3pm, there will be a chance to bag a bargain when everything goes on sale at the 'Student Charity Shop' in Elements. Collection boxes look like a pair of legs and you can find them in the SU reception, STA Travel, UBSA and the Volunteer Centre.
Golf Club seeks closer links with the University
Bath Golf Club is strengthening links with the University by offering membership and group lessons for staff and students.
Advanced warning of IT maintainance weekend: 27–29 March 2009
There will be no University IT services as of 5.10pm on Friday 27 March (and there may be minor disruptions to the service from 4pm as we prepare for the work). Services will return to normal by 8am on Monday 30 March. Services affected include: Email; bath.ac.uk website; Remote Desktop to office computers; all Library computers; access to the internet from campus; Moodle; SAMIS on the Web. Please warn your students not to plan any computer-based work for that weekend. Additional notifications will appear on the University homepage nearer the time.
Treat yourself on International Women's Day
Why not celebrate International Women's Day on Friday 6 March with a free 15-minute taster session in Indian Head Massage or Hand Reflexology? The treatments are available on a first-come-first-served basis and will be delivered by experienced therapist Pauline Part, MIIR Registered Reflexologist. Sessions begin at 11.15am and your ticket will contain a specific time for your treatment. Please book by contacting equalsdiv@bath.ac.uk or ext 3098.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
Awards, bids, nominations
Second call for bids to the CPD Development Fund
Launched in October by the Task & Finish Group, this fund has been established to improve the way we meet the training and development needs of regional and national employers. Proposals should be submitted by 9 March 2009.
University Teaching Awards 2009
Nominations are now open for a number of University of Bath Teaching Awards, which encourage and recognise significant contributions by staff to the academic lives of students.
Nominations by 20 March 2009.
Chancellor's Prize
The Chancellor's Prize is awarded to the best final year undergraduate student who has demonstrated academic excellence, together with a contribution to the life, academic reputation and general work of the University. Nominations by 30 March 2009.
British Science Association: Perspectives
Postgraduate and postdoctoral scientists, engineers and social scientists funded by one of the UK research councils are encouraged to explore the social and ethical implications of their research by entering perspectives - a poster session with a difference. Deadline to apply: 8 May 2009.
In the media
- Yukteshwar Kumar (Course Director, Chinese, ESML) wrote an opinion article entitled 'China's Choice: India or Pakistan' for an Indian news Portal Sify
- Chris Ashwin (Psychology) has co-authored a study on genetic predisposition towards being an optimist or pessimist. The reseach as reported in The Guardian, The Hindu and The Irish Times.
- Christine Griffin (Psychology) talked to BBC Radio Somerset about the influence of celebrities on children.
Training & development
- Accommodation Facilities & Resident Tutor Service 4 March
- Women's Development Lunch: Motivation for March...and beyond 5 March
- Women's Development Network: When the going gets tough…the tough go/stop shopping? 10 March
- Introduction to the News Media 31 March
The Science Media Centre are inviting scientists to its Introduction to the News Media event at Cardiff University from 1pm to 5pm. - Training of trainers for those working with multicultural groups 6 April
- IT courses - new programme for spring
Lectures & seminars
An insight into the future of the Holburne Museum
Dr Alexander Sturgis will give an insight into the major development project currently transforming Bath's Holburne Museum, at a public lecture at the University on Wednesday 4 March at 5:15pm in the Lecture Theatre 8 West 1.1
Market versus meritocracy
John Goldthorpe (Emeritus Fellow in Sociology, Nuffield College, Oxford) will give a seminar on Wednesday 4 March at 4:30pm in 1WN 3.11. The seminar will explore the links between education and social mobility and, in particular, whether there is an incompatibility between a free market economy and any form of meritocracy.
Sir Peter Ricketts, Permanent Under Secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, will come to the campus to give a lecture on Thursday 5 March at 1.15pm in 8 W 1.1. (Please note change of venue). Sir Peter Ricketts leads 16,000 staff in the UK and at 240 embassies and other posts around the world. Until 2006, he was the UK Permanent Representative to NATO in Brussels. He has spent his whole career in the FCO, including postings to Singapore, Brussels, Paris and Washington.
What's on next week
More details about events below
Monday 2
13:15 PM BICS seminar
18:15 PM Volunteering and setting up a charity
Tuesday 3
12:15 PM Midweek Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar
19:30 PM Co-operation & rationality
Wednesday 4
12:30 PM Women's networking: How they did it - women running growth businesses
13:15 PM Objective measurement of physical activity in older people
Thursday 5
12:15 PM Writing a business plan
13:00 PM The Wedgewoods & the Darwins
18:15 PM Commercial awareness
Friday 6 - International Women's Day
11:15 AM Head massage & hand reflexology taster sessions
14:30 PM Light a candle to celebrate women around the world
17:15 PM International Women's Day Lecture: Broke and broken
Saturday 7
19:00 PM 40th Anniversary Dinner: Materials Science and Sports Engineering & Technology
Arts
Concerts and Performances
- Gravity Vomit The Bath UpChuck | Day Event: Saturday 28 February 11am-8pm, Founders Sports Hall | Evening Performance: 7.30pm, ICIA Arts Theatre
The Bath UpChuck is a unique one day juggling convention organised by the University’s juggling society, Gravity Vomit. - Bath University Student Theatre Mother Courage and Her Children | Museum of Bath at Work, Julian Road, Bath | Thursday 5 March – Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm
Considered to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century, Brecht tells the story of Mother Courage, a pragmatist who seeks her fortune selling goods to soldiers amid the Thirty Years War. - Boulevard of Broken Dreams Featuring Jean Abreu & Dancers and the Mavron String Quartet | ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm
Brazilian-born choreographer Jean Abreu’s latest project brings together an exciting new dance and live music collaboration with the Mavron String Quartet and British composer Charlie Barber. An explosive mix of Latin influences, live music, world beats, dance and physical theatre. - University of Bath Chamber Choir | St Michael’s Church, Bath | Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm
An enchanting evening of music by English 20th century masters – Britten, Holst and Finzi, conducted by Michael Painting. - Choral and Orchestral Society Debut | University Hall, University of Bath | Saturday 7 March, 7.30pm
A chance to hear some original compositions written by students in a unique evening of beautiful music in a variety of styles.
Exhibitions
- Swindon College Lines of Enquiry 5 ICIA Art Space 2 | Until Friday 20 March, 10am-5pm
The fifth in a series showing work by graduates of the BA Fine Art Drawing at Swindon College’s School of Art & Design. - University of Bath & Photosoc Student Photography Exhibition ICIA Art Space 3, University Hall Foyer | Until Friday 20 March, 10am-5pm
This lively exhibition showcases selected works from this year’s University of Bath Student Photography Competition which is linked to ICIA’s 2008 theme of arts, spatialisation and memory. - Tea Brown Fields, Blue Skies | ICIA Art Space 1 | Wednesday 4 March - Friday 12 June, 10am-5pm
Tea is a collaborative group of visual artists who search for the unfamiliar in familiar places. In this project they document their ‘occupation’ of a wasteland, Widnes Waterfront poised for regeneration.
Talks
- Tea & Dawn Lyon in Conversation ICIA Art Space 1 | Wednesday 4 March, 7pm-8pm
To mark the opening of their exhibition, collaborative artists’ group Tea (Peter Hatton, Val Murray and Lynn Pilling), who search for the unfamiliar in familiar places, talk to Dr Dawn Lyon, Sociologist, University of Kent.
Sport
Sports Coach UK workshops
These workshops are for coaches who want to further develop their coaching skills and knowledge to provide high quality coaching sessions.
Ball boys and girls sought for international tennis event
Youngsters are being sought to help out at Bath’s annual international tennis tournament taking place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March.
Bath graduate is named player of the match as England secure netball series
Business Administration graduate Pamela Cookey was named player of the match as England won the second of three games against Jamaica to secure the series. Cookey netted 25 goals from 27 attempts at goal attack in the game in Coventry.
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Killer Bees aim to sting Barracudas
The University of Bath Killer Bees face a local derby against the University of Bristol Barracudas as American football comes to the Claverton Down campus on Sunday (1 March).
Sport and Exercise Science student Craig Pickering has been named in the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team to compete at next month’s European Indoor Championships in Turin, Italy. Pickering will contest the 60m – the event in which he won the silver medal behind ‘Bath Bulllet’ Jason Gardener at the last European Indoors in Birmingham two years ago.