University Updates
31 October 2008
Research
‘Opt out’ system could solve donor organ shortage
A system of presumed consent for organ donation - where people have to opt out of donating their organs when they die - is the best way to tackle a growing waiting list for transplant, says a researcher from the Centre for Death & Society.
Researchers help develop greener chemical reactors
Researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering are working in collaboration with other UK universities to develop materials which respond to stimuli, such as pH, heat and light that will pave the way for safer, greener and more efficient chemical reactors.
Study reveals marriage dowry as major cause of poverty in Bangladesh
More than 35 million people in Bangladesh, around a quarter of its population, face acute poverty and hunger. Dowry payments of more than 200 times the daily wage and costly medical expenses are major causes of this chronic poverty says research from the University of Bath.
Learning & Teaching
University welcomes its international scholars
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane Millar hosted a scholars’ reception at the Assembly Rooms where 75 postgraduate scholarships of £3,000 and five undergraduate scholarships of £2,500 were awarded from the University’s £240,000 International Scholarships Scheme.
Launch of International Student Barometer - Autumn Wave 2008
The latest International Student Barometer (ISB) survey has recently been sent out to all international students. Tutors: please remind your students to complete it if they would like to share their views and experiences.
Free course for those interested in a teaching career
The Department of Education is hosting its annual free Teacher Taster course from November 24 to 26. The course is a chance for those with an interest in teaching to find out more.
AASE graduates celebrate success
The first athletes to graduate from the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) programme at the University received their certificates from student Ben Rushgrove, who won a silver medal at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, and England netball player and Bath graduate Pamela Cookey.
Other news
BUSU raises over £1,000 for Tam
The Students’ Union raised over £1000 at a fundraising race evening for the Tamara Johnson Fund. Tamara studied Sport & Exercise Science at the University before holding two sabbatical officer posts. Tam was seriously injured during a rugby match and she is currently in the spinal unit at Salisbury Hospital. Tamara’s spirit during the months since her accident has been typically indomitable; her good nature combines with great determination. She is currently due to leave hospital in February depending on her progress. Thank you to all staff who attended and/or bought raffle tickets.
Welcome to Enterprise@Bath: new initiative is launched
Enterprise@Bath is a new initiative at the University of Bath bringing all the enterprise events that happen in different departments under one coordinated umbrella. Whether you are a postgraduate, researcher or member of staff, the opportunities are clearly listed for you on the new website.
Bath graduates honoured with prestigious Stirling Architecture Prize
Bath graduates are among those who won the prestigious Stirling Architecture Prize this year.
Information
Discretionary days over Christmas/New Year 2008/09
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glynis Breakwell, is pleased to announce that the University will remain closed on Friday 2 January 2009.
LGB&T survey
In the first national survey of its kind, Equality Challenge Unit has commissioned research into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) staff and students in higher education.
University Medical Centre - New patient registration open to staff
Did you know that the Medical Centre not only offers their services to students but also to staff? You can register as a patient as long as you have a Bath address. The Medical Centre is also running a series of clinics where staff can receive a flu jab (£15) if they are registered at another surgery.
Important changes to staff computer account closures when you leave the Uni
As of 1 November 2008 BUCS will no longer give a 30 day grace period or re-open closed accounts for staff that leave employment.
Jobs
Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs
In the media
- Jos Darling (Mechanical Engineering) was interviewed on the Naked Scientist about the most efficient way to carry things on bikes.
- Malcolm Greaves (Chemical Engineering) will be appearing on the BBC World Service next Wednesday talking about a more energy-efficient method of extracting oil from oil sands.
- Allister McGregor (Economics & International Development) spoke on BBC Radio Scotland about the latest situation in the Congo.
- The Times quoted a joint venture between the School of Management and QinetiQ as a good example of continuous professional development preparing young engineers for management.
Training opportunities
- Appraisal Training - Support Staff - 11 November
- Thresholds for student learning: moving beyond the blocks in tricky subjects -13 November
- Appraisal Briefing for Appraisees - 17 November
- What is Learning Support? - 19 November
- Writing for the Web - 21 November, 10 December
- e-Learning workshops & seminars: some new arrivals
- Free IT training courses for staff
Lectures
The context of management: An emerging economy perspective
An inaugural lecture given by Professor Klaus Meyer (School of Management) - Thursday 6 November at 6.15pm (8 West 3.14)
The effect of gravity on light
Herschel Lecture by Professor Mark Birkinshaw from the University of Bristol - Thursday 6 November at 7pm (3 West North 2.1)
Full programme of University Public Lectures
The programme for 2008/9 is now online. Members of the general public, staff and students are all very welcome to attend. More lectures will be added as details become available.
What's on next week
Monday 3
13:15 PM BICS seminar
Tuesday 4
12:15 PM Eucharist
12:45 PM Oxfam Lunch
13:15 PM CNM seminar
Wednesday 5
12:15 PM Hot stuff! The aetiology of exertional heat illness
12:30 PM Women's business networking
13:15 PM Pharmacy & Pharmacology Lecture
13:15 PM Psychology PG Research Open Day
14:30 PM Do we need religion in the 21st century?
17:15 PM Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Two loves I have of comfort & despair
Thursday 6
12:15 PM Unison/Unite: Appraisals
15:30 PM Bio-sensing and machine vision
19:15 PM Potential impacts of climate change in cold permafrost regions
Friday 7
12:15 PM
William De Morgan: Potter, a gentle pursuit
19:30 PM Philip Jeck
19:30 PM Cross-party debate: Higher education funding
Saturday 8
17:30 PM University Fireworks Display
18:00 PM University of Bath Family Fireworks
19:30 PM Clattinger: An alphabet of signs from nature
Arts
Concerts & performances .
- Lone Twin Theatre Daniel Hit By A Train ICIA Arts Theatre Saturday 1 November 7.30pm
Lone Twin Theatre stages 53 true stories. In each story a person loses their life attempting to save that of another. Daniel Hit By A Train is a celebration of compassion, of the instinctive desire to assist in the face of distress. Re-remembering becomes the domain of hope and playful re-invention. - Philip Jeck ICIA Arts Theatre | Friday 7 November 7.30pm
Jeck uses an array of sources- salvaged record players, mixers, effects units and a big box of vintage records to manipulate pure sound. Jeck’s brilliance lies in his ability to turn almost any record to his own purpose, as if they themselves are musical instruments. - Remembrance Concert St Michael’s Church, Broad Street, Bath | Sunday 9 November 4pm
The University of Bath’s Philharmonic Orchestra, Concert Band and Choir perform beautiful music from Brahms and Beethoven.
Exhibitions
- Anne Tallentire: Dimora | ICIA Art Space 2 | Thursday 9 October-Friday 12 December
Dimora meaning dwelling or residence looks at how objects in this space are carefully arranged to create a functioning social arena, workspace or decoy.
- Alison Marchant Charged Atmospheres | ICIA Art Space 1 | Till Friday 31 October
Alison Marchant’s fading photographs of once grand interiors, now abandoned and decaying, emphasise the passing of time.
Sport
TeamBath FC aiming for place in FA Cup second round
TeamBath FC face a local derby against Forest Green Rovers for a prized place in the second round proper of the FA Cup. The first round proper tie kicks-off at Twerton Park at 3pm on Sunday 9 November 2008. TeamBath host Maidenhead United in a third against fourth clash in the Blue Square South tomorrow (Saturday).
Netballers bid for hat-trick of wins
TeamBath’s netballers travel north to take on Leeds Carnegie in a top of the table Co-operative Superleague clash tomorrow Saturday (1 November). The contest brings together the only two teams to have won two from two matches in last weekend’s opening round of Superleague action.
Kate Walker, a Pharmacy student, missed out on the medals at the World Judo Junior Championships in Thailand. The 19-year-old British judo player was unfortunate to come up against Holland’s Antoinette Hennink, the reigning European Junior champion, in her opening contest of the women’s under-63kg class.