University Updates
30 November 2007
News
Massive Canadian oil field could be exploited using new UK system
A new method developed by Malcolm Greaves (Chemical Engineering) over the past 17 years for extracting oil is now at the forefront of plans to exploit a massive heavy oil field in Canada.
Fear is stronger motivator to get fit than hope for those worrying about their bodies, says study
Fear of looking unattractive can be a stronger motivation for keeping people going to the gym than the hope of looking good, a study co-authored by Brett Martin (School of Management) says.
University staff member wins structural engineering supreme award
The Supreme Award for Structural Engineering Excellence was given to Richard Harris of the University’s BRE Centre in Innovative Construction Materials (BRE CICM), also Senior Associate at Bath’s Buro Happold Consulting Engineers, at the Institution of Structural Engineers 2007 awards.
Italian right-wingers refuse to face up to neo-fascist role in terrorism, says book
Some right-wing political parties in Italy are refusing to face up to the role of neo-fascist groups in the terrorism that plagued Italy after the Second World War, according to a new book by Anna Bull (European Studies & Modern Languages).
University professor gives parliamentary evidence on the European Union
Richard Whitman (European Studies & Modern Languages) gave evidence to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, as part of its inquiry into the new European Union Reform Treaty.
Stroke survivors call for better community support
Stroke survivors have said they need comprehensive community-based support once they are sent home from hospital, an innovative project run by the School for Health has established.
Changes in patterns of bringing up children are documented in new report
A report by four University of Bath academics which reviews research on changes in the way children are brought up has been published. ‘Parenting, Caring and Education’, commissioned by The Primary Review, is written by Yolande Muschamp, Felicity Wikeley and Maria Balarin (Education) and Tess Ridge (Social & Policy Sciences).
CRI publish major research report on Climate Change Policy
Ian Bartle and Peter Vass of the School of Management’s Centre for the study of Regulated Industries (CRI) have published a major research report entitled, ‘Climate Change Policy and the Regulatory State - A Better Regulation Perspective’. CRI held a policy seminar on the report and associated issues this week at the National Liberal Club, Whitehall.
Biochemical conference
David Brown (Biology & Biochemistry) has recently been selected as a speaker at a conference that The Biochemical Society is running in July 2008.
University student selected for national volunteering award
Alex Nicholson-Evans, a third-year Social Sciences student, has been shortlisted for a national volunteering award, in recognition of a project she set up to help homeless people in the city.
Crew Bath hope to row into record books for charity
A group of 34 student rowers are aiming to complete a gruelling 200km sponsored relay row in aid of the Stroke Association, in Bath city centre, on Saturday 1 December.
Information
Agresso financial package
The Agresso team have published a number of news items updating users about recent developments and training opportunities.
YouTube, Skype and file sharing available to campus residences
Students can now use the campus residential networking service (ResNet) to watch streamed videos on YouTube, use peer-to-peer file sharing software and access telephone services such as Skype, as part of upgrading work completed recently by BUCS.
BBC drama series to be filmed on campus
Filming for a new BBC drama series is due to start on campus shortly. Bone Kickers is set in the Bath area and follows a team of archaeologists working at the fictional Wessex University.
New look Person Finder is launched
A joint initiative between Web Services and BUCS delivers a number of changes to the Person Finder service, the most obvious being the provision of a 'find as you type' search facility.
Staff Survey 2007 now closed
The staff survey has now closed. The final response rate was 1348 people (43.23% of staff). Thank you to all those who participated. The results will be posted on the homepage before Christmas.
Robert Eisenthal memorial celebration
All who knew Robert are warmly invited to attend this event on Friday 7 December at 4.15pm, beginning in 8 West 1.1 with tributes from a number of friends, family and colleagues, and then adjourning to the Claverton Rooms for a reception.
Book early for ERC events
The UK Research Office (UKRO) will be holding two regional information events for researchers, taking place on campus on Friday 18 January 2008. The aim of each session is to provide participants with an overview of the ERC in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Early booking is recommended as these events are likely to be over-subscribed.
New website compares UK university statistics
Unistats brings together authoritative, official information about UK universities and colleges in one place, in a way that is not available on any other website.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Research carried out by the Vice-Chancellor, Glynis Breakwell, into the selection of vice-chancellors through headhunters was quoted in the Times Higher Education Supplement.
Training & development opportunities
- IT training courses - updated list
- Planning for Retirement - 5 December
- International Strategy Update - 6 December
- Understanding and Working with Equality & Diversity Issues - 12 December
- Viewing the Library archives - 18 December
Lectures
Public lectures at the University
A full list of forthcoming lectures is available on the web. Please send any additions to g.smith@bath.ac.uk
The first casualty of war is truth
Local people have the opportunity to learn more about the effects of World War II on Bath and the nature of truth in war, in next week’s public lunchtime lecture at the University of Bath (Friday 7 December).
What's on next week
Monday 3
13:15 PM BICS seminar
19:30 PM Joseph Conrad's modernism
Tuesday 4
12:15 PM Eucharist/Holy Communion
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM Women's Studies seminar
19:30 PM John Cowper-Powys: creativity & philosophy
Wednesday 5
12:30 PM Tobacco and transition: research in the former Soviet Union
13:00 PM UBSA AGM
19:30 PM Mowbray Green
Thursday 6
12:30 PM UBSA tacky tinsel Christmas quiz
13:00 PM Silent Zone
17:15 PM Death & uncertainty: the spiritual needs of bereaved older people
19:15 PM Gas bubbles in solids
19:30 PM William Blake & The Vision of Albion
Friday 7 19:30 PM
19:30 PM Astronomy in art
Exhibitions
Gogolin | Holburne exhibition, until 9 December
This film and installation has been created by award-winning Bristol-based artist Andrew Mania and explores the ways in which memories can be inherited, adopted and woven into a personal narrative.
Margareta Kern - Clothes for Death | ICIA Art Space 2, until 4 January
This interdisciplinary artist presents powerful and intimate photographs as a personal response to a tradition in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina of women preparing clothes for their own burial.
Student Photography Exhibition | ICIA Art Space 1, 6 December - 16 February, 10am-5pm
A showcase of selected works from this year’s
University of Bath Student Photography Competition.
Arts
www.bath.ac.uk/icia
Making large scale work
Sat 1 Dec, 10am-4pm | Studio 2, ICIA Arts Complex | £68, £48 concs & University staff
A chance to explore ceramic hand-building techniques and produce pieces for the garden and for interiors.
Much Ado About Nothing
Thurs 6- Sat 8
December, 7.30pm & Sat
Matinee, 2pm | ICIA Arts Theatre | | £7, £5 concs
Widely considered to be one of Shakespeare’s best comedies, it seeks
to answer the most fundamental of questions – what is the true nature of
love?
Choral Society & Orchestra
Sat 8 Dec, 7.30pm | St
Mary’s Church, Bathwick, Bath | £5, £3 concs
These two groups join together to present a mixed and enchanting
programme of sweeping orchestral scores and traditional choral music.
University Chamber Choir concert
Sat 8 Dec, 7.30pm | Holt United Reformed Church, nr Bradford on Avon | £5
Music for Advent and Christmas, old and new, sung by the University's renowned Chamber Choir, accompanied by Mark Swinton, organ. Conductor Michael Painting.
Wind Band & BUBBA
Sun 9 Dec, 7.30pm | ICIA Arts Theatre | £5, £3 concs
A double-bill featuring the resonant sounds of the University’s Wind Band followed by swinging numbers from the 40-strong, foot-tapping BUBBA Big Band.
Sport
Do you want to become a strength & conditioning coach?
The Team Bath National Fitness Academy is delivering the Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Strength & Conditioning for Sport. The course will be run from 10-14 December.
Swimming action returns with Team Bath Grand Prix
University of Bath swimmers are aiming to feature prominently at the annual Team Bath Swimming Grand Prix and Age Group Meet, which takes place this weekend.
Emma gets senior England call-up
Natural Sciences student and hockey player Emma Thomas has been called into an England senior training hockey squad for the first time. Emma is one of 17 women selected to attend an England indoor training camp at the University of the West of England from 7-9 December.
Hignett selected for Euro Cross Country Champs
Sport and Exercise Science student Susie Hignett has been selected to run for Great Britain at the Spar European Cross Country Championships in Toro, Spain on 9 December.
Brewer pips Mills in 5k road race
Students James Brewer (Civil Engineering) and James Mills (Economics) took first and second places in the first race of the 2007/8 Team Bath road race series.