University Updates
27 June 2008
Awards ceremonies
This week the University's annual Summer Awards Ceremonies took place at Bath Abbey. Over 2,000 students graduated at ten ceremonies, spread over three days. Many thanks to all those who put in so much effort to ensure the ceremonies go smoothly and to give our graduates a memorable experience.
- For the first time this year, the audio visual department has made videos of the ceremonies which can be viewed online from anywhere in the world - this will enable overseas graduates to share the event with friends and family back home.
- Some of this year's graduating students shared their thoughts about their special day.
- Ian Botham was one of nine people to be awarded an honorary degree. Details of the other honorary graduates together with photographs will be published on the University newspage later this afternoon.
- Mesar Hameed is a student, originally from Iraq, who overcame exceptional challenges, including the loss of his sight, to gain a first class masters degree in computer science.
Research news
New research reveals the true origins of Lyme disease and predicts how it will spread
The bacterium that causes Lyme disease, the fastest growing vector-borne disease in North America, originated in Europe before the Ice Age, says new research by academics from the Department of Biology & Biochemistry. Previously believed to have come from America, the discovery of its true origins will enable researchers to predict how it will continue to evolve, and to prevent its spread.
New initiatives
New support arrangements for research and enterprise
Following a review of the functions of the Department of Research & Innovation Services, two new units will be launched on 1 August 2008:
- Bath Ventures (BV) will be responsible for maximising the return on the University’s intellectual assets with IP licensing, spin out companies and consultancy.
- Research Development & Support Office (RDSO) will be responsible for advancing the University’s international reputation for research by growing externally funded research, improving grant application success rates and enhancing strategic and operational support to academic departments.
MSc in Sports Physiotherapy gets the stamp of approval
The UK’s first postgraduate programme dedicated solely to Sports Physiotherapy and delivered, online, by distance learning has received the all-important endorsement of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP).
Sport practitioners to be trained in behaviour change to improve health in the UK
Sport and exercise practitioners will have the opportunity to develop expertise in health behaviour change as part of the drive to promote healthy lifestyles in the UK. The new ‘Exercise for Health’ unit will be offered to students on the University of Bath’s postgraduate programme in Sport & Exercise Medicine from July 2008.
The Chancellor’s Roll of Honour is launched
Two exceptional and long-standing philanthropic supporters of the University - The Medlock Charitable Trust and The Wolfson Foundation - were recognised as the first members of the Chancellor’s Roll of Honour in a short ceremony at the Chancellor’s Dinner on Tuesday evening.
New alumnus-funded student scholarship is created
The Victor Hall Scholarship is a new scholarship to be awarded to a first year student studying for a BSc in Business Administration. Starting in September 2008 the award of £3,000 per year will go to a student who demonstrates exceptional ability and an interest in a financial career.
Staff achievements
Lecturer is awarded prestigious fellowship
Jos Darling (Mechanical Engineering) has received a National Teaching Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy. The prestigious national award recognises excellence in teaching and learning and is awarded to 50 lecturers and learning support staff from across England and Northern Ireland.
OBE for University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor
The University of Bath is delighted that Professor George Lunt, its Deputy Vice-Chancellor, has been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to higher education.
Vice-Chancellor joins Higher Education Task Force
The Vice-Chancellor, Glynis Breakwell, is to join a new Higher Education Task Force, helping to shape the future relationship between business and higher education.
Professor named as one of the world's biggest influencers on sustainability
Anil Markandya (Economics & International Development) has been included in the University of Cambridge's Top 50 thought leaders on corporate sustainability and responsibility for his work on the Blueprint for a Green Economy, which changed the way the subject was perceived in the UK.
Academic wins award from World Health Organisation
Anna Gilmore, an expert in tobacco control in the School for Health, has won a prestigious World Health Organisation (WHO) award.
Expert appointed as scientific adviser to the Department of Health
Linda Bauld (Social & Policy Sciences) has been appointed as the Department of Health’s scientific adviser on tobacco control.
Student news
Bath students take the two top prizes in international essay competition
Lisa Russell (Pharmacy & Pharmacology) and Richard Bourne (School of Management) scooped top prizes in two categories in an international essay competition run by the Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA), the professional body for environmental managers in the UK.
Pharmacy undergraduate wins place on prestigious Roche project
Trupty Shah, a third year MPharm student, has been awarded a place on the Roche Continents 2008 project. The prestigious award is made to a total of 100 undergraduates, postgraduates and post-docs across Europe.
Students' Union receives national award
Bath Students' Union was recognised as one of the top three in the country at an award ceremony hosted by the National Union of Students held in Birmingham earlier this month.
News about Bath alumni
Sport & Exercise Science graduate prepares team to race to South Pole
Sport and Exercise Science graduate Jon Scott is part of the team of experts helping to prepare James Cracknell, former Olympic medal winner, and Ben Fogle, tv presenter, in their race to the South Pole.
Bath graduate shares her prescribing experiences in the Pharmaceutical Journal
Vicki Clarke, twice alumna of the University, describes the development of her secondary care independent prescribing role since completing the course at Bath.
Widening participation activities
Local school children design and race dragster
Pupils in Bath and Wiltshire have been attending a free, mechanical engineering summer school on campus that was designed to give them practical engineering experience.
Bath pupils to become climate change ambassadors
Secondary school pupils were encouraged to explore the key environmental issues affecting the world, at the B&NES Young People’s Climate Change Connection Conference, hosted by the University on 19-20 June 2008.
Information
UBSA trip to see 'the Rhine in Flames'
See the Rhine lit up with 1,000 fireworks
from the comfort of your boat - marvel at the ever changing kaleidoscope
of lights as you glide downstream from Boppard along Braubach, Spay,
Brey, Rhens and Lahnstein to the final fireworks in Koblenz, where
Europe’s oldest fortress proudly stands guard over the confluence of the
rivers Rhine and Moselle. The four day trip costs £286 per person based on 2 sharing double room
Jam Busting June
Don't forget to complete your travel journals for the month of June so that you can be eligible to win various prizes. For every three days you achieve this (five by motorcycle over 400cc) you earn an entry into a free prize draw. Walking, cycling, scooter, motorcycle, bus, park and ride, train and car sharing are all eligible modes of transport, as is working from home.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Klaus Kurtenbach (Biology & Biochemistry) was interviewed by Bath FM about the research into the origins of Lyme disease
- Ken Bray (School for Health) discussed the science of football on Radio 4.
- Mesar Haseem (Computer Science) talked to GWR about how losing his sight in a refugee camp did not prevent him from achieving a first class masters degree in Computer Science.
Training & development opportunities
- Assistive software - drop in session - 7 July
- Forum: Disseminating good practice at the University of Bath - 9 July
Forthcoming conferences
Public workshop – technical solutions to long-term health conditions
A number of leading experts will come together at the University to talk about how their work in health and technology helps people deal with long-term conditions, and to show real evidence of how people are benefiting. (30 June)
Structural Analysis of Historical Construction
The Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering is organising a major international conference which will be of interest to everyone involved in historic building conservation. The Sixth International Conference of Structural Analysis of Historical Construction is to be held at the Assembly Rooms. (2-4 July)
Recent Appointees in Materials Chemistry
Matt Jones and Petra Cameron from the Department of Chemistry have been asked by the Royal Society of Chemistry to organise a networking conference for recent appointees in the field of materials chemistry. (2-4 July)
The internationalisation of higher education
Following the success of the first seminar on the internationalisation of higher education held at the University of Bath last year, a second seminar is being organised for a chance to discuss research in the area of internationalisation of higher education with other researchers with interest in this field. (4 July)
Sustaining future ecosystem services -
From understanding to action
The University is hosting the second conference in its "Sustaining Future Ecosystem Services" series funded by the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The conference entitled: "Environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a tool for evaluating the sustainability of ecosystem services?" will consider the application of Environmental LCA for evaluating the environmental consequences of products and services and its utilisation in supporting and developing national and international legislation to ensure sustainability for future generations. (9 July)
What's on next week
Monday 30 June
14:15 PM Lattice Models Conference
Wednesday 2 July
08:00 AM SAHC 08
12:15 PM Should we stretch before exercise?
15:00 PM Sensors & Sensing poster display & network event
17:15 PM How sustainable is the car? Problems and solutions
Thursday 3 July
16:15 PM COUNCIL
19:15 PM The history & hydrology of the minor spas of SW England
Friday 4 July
08:30 AM DSRA Sports Day - please avoid parking in East car park if possible
09:30 AM Seminar on the internationalisation of higher education
20:00 PM Opening night of Bath Dance Festival
Arts
Performances
- Gob Squad’s Kitchen You’ve Never Had It So Good ICIA Arts Theatre | Saturday 5 July, 7.30pm
Gob Squad set themselves the task of reconstructing Andy Warhol’s seminal film, Kitchen, despite the fact that none of them have seen it as it is unavailable for viewing these days. This live performance takes a trip back to the arty underground of New York City, back to where it all began.
Exhibitions on campus
- 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. - Alison Marchant Charged Atmospheres | ICIA Art Space 1 | Saturday 5 July - Fri 31 October, 10am-5pm
Alison Marchant’s fading photographs of once grand interiors, now abandoned and decaying, emphasise the passing of time.
Exhibitions at the Holburne Museum
- Vincent Brown Painting Aardman | 7 June - 6 July
The exhibition will explore the development of of how Vincent Brown creates a portrait from initial studies to finished work and will also include wonderful pieces from the Aardman archive.
Seminars
- Summoning the Past 3 West North 2.1 | Saturday 5 July, 2.30-5.30pm
To mark the opening of Alison Marchant’s exhibition Charged Atmospheres and Gob Squad’s performance Kitchen (You’ve Never Had It So Good) this seminar teases out shared themes around spatialisation, documentation and historical moment.
Sport
Cookey nets top student sport award
TeamBath and England netballer Pamela Cookey has been named sportswoman of the year at the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) awards ceremony. Pamela has just graduated from Bath with a degree in Business Administration.
The unique partnership between Beechen Cliff School, TeamBath and Team Bath Buccaneers Hockey club has just completed a second successful season. A total of 70 boys benefited from regular coaching sessions at the University and school matches from October to Easter.