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Welcome to our weekly in Focus update...... |
Past Issues << | Issue 90: Thurs 21 February 2008 |
From the first week in February, students were invited to complete satisfaction surveys.
Final year undergraduate students have been invited to participate in the National Student Survey, a survey of all final year undergraduates undertaken by an external survey agency. There is an on-line version of the survey which can also be accessed at http://www.thestudentsurvey.com/
Outcomes of the survey are included in league tables and reported in the press, and in publications for prospective students, and we need 50% of students to participate in order to have our results reported. It is therefore important that our results are available, so please encourage your students to take part so that we can reach this target.
The date of our own Student Satisfaction Survey has been brought forward, so that it is also now available. This year it is shorter and questions aligned with the National Student Survey.
All students on taught programmes who are not participating in the National Student Survey will receive a copy of this survey. A link to the on line version of the survey will be in UEL Direct. Hard copy versions will also be posted to students, although they only need to compete one version.
Results from this survey will give us feedback about what our students think about our services and their programmes. Both surveys will only take about 5 minutes to complete.
Wednesday 7 May, 12 - 8 pm . All welcome.
Idea showers and project design began in earnest last week at the first planning meeting for Mayfest 2008. Last year, on a warm, bright spring day, over a thousand people came together to celebrate the joys of Mayfest. Now in its third year Mayfest incorporates an exciting programme of events, which include: art fairs, exhibitions, public lectures, music, dance, poetry and theatrical performances. Mayfest brings together the work of highly respected creative arts professionals, many of whom are our staff and students. School and community groups also participate in a celebration of culture and creativity.
The Mayfest 2008 programme will soon be live. To sample the events that took place last year visit: www.uel.ac.uk/mayfest
If you would like to participate in, or know more about, Mayfest 2008 contact Mark O'Thomas, Director for our Institute of Performing Arts (IPAD) on Email: m.othomas@uel.ac.uk
Pictured: Solid Harmony Mayfest 2007
Head of our Graduate School Dr Alan White has been elected to the Executive of the UK Council for Graduate Education (UKCGE). The UKCGE promotes the interests of graduate education and research across all disciplines in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
UKCGE helps its members contribute to the development of the UK's graduate education through conferences, workshops and publications.
Alan said of his role on the Executive: "I am delighted to be elected to the Executive. I hope this will further enhance our research profile with our external stakeholders and across the HEI community. I intend to use the position to argue for the interests of post-92 universities in general but especially for those like UEL where our emphasis is on widening participation to achieve lasting and meaningful social transformation."
Details of the working of this body can be found here http://www.ukcge.ac.uk/about/.
Pictured: Head of Graduate School, Dr Alan White.
At the Docklands Library we welcome Marina Burroughs, who joins us from Queen Mary, University of London as a shelver, and Agnes Shodimu who will be working as an Evening and Weekend Manager. Agnes brings with her a wealth of experience from public libraries at a time when we are rapidly increasing our commitment to widening participation.
At the Stratford Library we have two new Library Assistants, Leah Jones and Matthew Fletcher. Matthew joins us from Middlesex University and Leah was formerly working at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich.Sabri Dikmen and Rachel Graham will both be working as Assistant Librarians; Sabri joins us from London Metropolitan University and Rachel has moved south from the John Rylands University Library in Manchester.
There have also been changes for some familiar faces: Debbie Raymond’s commitment and enthusiasm over 9 years have been rewarded with her promotion to the post of Assistant Librarian at Docklands Library and Carol Hughes, one of our Library Assistants, has moved to Docklands Library from Stratford.
Pictured: L-R Sabri Dikmen, Leah Jones, Rachel Graham and Matthew Fletcher.
Childreach International is recruiting new trustees to strengthen their existing board. Applicants don't need any previous experience as Trustees but they should share Childreach International's values and be willing to attend quarterly trustee meetings.
For more information about Childreach International visit: www.childreach.org.uk
Applicants should send a brief email stating their interest to dan@childreach.org.uk
Pictured: Childreach International volunteer, Abdul, dancing with secondary school pupils.
Friday 29 February 7pm
Waterstone’s, 6th Floor, 203-206 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9HD
Chair: David Aaronovitch
Panel: Dr. Caroline Bainbridge, Dr. Anita Biressi, Dr. Heather Nunn, Professor Barry Richards, Dr. Candida Yates
Whether it’s a celebrity in meltdown or scenes of humiliation and triumph in news coverage, the media is saturated with images of raw emotion.If we find these scenes uncomfortable why do we continue to watch?
The panel will ask questions about the impact of these images on our social and emotional well-being with reference to reality TV, contemporary cinema and broadcast journalism.
Tickets £3 redeemable against the price of the book on the evening of the event. Please contact the branch on 020 7851 2400 for details.
Senior Lecturer in Psychosocial Studies, Dr Candida Yates launched her new book in December at the Freud Museum. Entitled Masculine Jealousy and Contemporary Cinema (publ: Palgrave Macmillan), Candida's book provides new insights into the relationship between masculinity and jealousy through the study of representations of male jealousy in contemporary Hollywood cinema.
Wednesday 5 March, 1pm. Docklands campus. East Building EB. 1.44
Benita Hide will be talking about the remarkable ‘Oasis of Peace’ village of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, situated equidistant from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv-Jaffa. A co-operative village of Jews and Palestinian Arabs of Israeli citizenship, Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam is engaged in educational work for peace, equality and understanding between the two peoples.
All are welcome. We look forward to a fascinating and very important discussion.
Benita Hide is Executive Director of the British Friends of Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam (NSWaS). This event has been organised by UEL Multifaith Chaplaincy. Feel free just to turn up - or contact the Revd. James Ramsay j.a.ramsay@uel.ac.uk for more details.
For further information visit http://nswas.org/ .
Date: Monday 10 March 2008
Time of Lecture:
12pm - 2pm Main Lecture Theatre Docklands campus
For further details, contact Franc Gooding on 020 8223 2884 or f.gooding@uel.ac.uk, Please contact Franc to let him know you plan to attend.
A VIP visit by the inspirational Cupcake Brown (pictured) who will read from, talk about and sign copies of her bestseeling book, as part of our International Women's Day Celebrations.
African American writer Cupcake Brown arrives from the USA to discuss her memoir ‘A Piece of Cake’ (Transworld Publishers). Cupcake Brown reads from her memoir and takes part in a chaired discussion with a Q& A session. Cupcake will be available to sign copies of her book after the lecture. The lecture is programmed as part of our International Women's Day celebrations and we want to stress that men are just as welcome as women, to attend!
From beloved daughter to abused foster child to crack addict, this is a heart-wrenching true story of a woman who despite everything decided to fight back. Eventually she went to law school and became an attorney for one of the biggest law firms in America. Cupcake now travels widely speaking about her experiences to inspire others to make their dreams come true.
We are delighted that due to the generosity of the East Thames group we are able to offer this event, FREE, as a Public Lecture
Cupcake Brown’s book tour is co-ordinated by the Well Placed Consultancy www.international-womens-month.co.uk.
Sponsored by East Thames Group
Tea and cupcakes will be served! All welcome, admission FREE.
Prof Nira Yuval-Davis and Erene Kaptani invite you to a two day conference to celebrate the conclusion of the three year research Project Identity, Performance and Social Action: Community Theatre Among Refugees.
Day 1 – 7 March 2008
A discussion of the theoretical, methodological and political issues emanating from the research.
This will be followed by a performance by Playback South and a reception in the evening.
Venue: Oxford House, Derbyshire St, Bethnal Green, London E2 6HG
Day 2 – 8 March 2008
Playback and Forum Theatre workshops in which the conference participants will be able to try out the theatre techniques used by the research project.
Venue: Room UH304 Stratford Campus, University House.
Keynote speakers will include Don Flynn, Prof Paul Heritage, Dr Phil Marfleet and Prof Margie Wetherell as well as members from the refugee organisations that the Research Project worked with. Admission is free, but places are limited.
For more information please see www.uel.ac.uk/ipsa or to book a place contact: Catherine Donaldson c.donaldson@uel.ac.uk or Tel: 020 8223 7085
International Women's Day celebrations Monday 10 March 10am - 4pm Barking Town Hall and Barking Learning Centre
Debbie Brisco, who heads our Information and Guidance Team at Vicarage Fields Shopping Centre in Barking is on the steering committee for Barking's International Women's Day celebrations..
The celebrations take place within Barking Town Hall and in Barking Learning Centre just opposite.
Some of our Student Recruitment Marketing tean will also be taking part to promote UEL Extra at Barking Learning Centre - so if you're in the area please do drop in and say hello.
For more information about the day, visit: http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/2-news-events/annual/womens-day/womens-day-main.html
Research Update
UK Sport- International Research, Conferences and Networking (IRCN) Programme Grants
Application deadline: Two months prior to conference or commencement of research project
The IRCN Programme aims to support research into, and the dissemination of best practice in, the field of sport for development through several strands, and can offer some funding for worthwhile projects. Priority areas for the programme are research, monitoring and evaluation and dissemination of best practice in the field of sport for development which contributes to the following aims: (i) Education, leadership, coach education and youth development through sport in developing countries; (ii) The promotion of equity in and though sport in developing countries (including gender issues, empowerment and working with those with disabilities); (iii) The use of sport for HIV/AIDS education, awareness and stigma reduction; (iv) Enhancing good governance through sport, including capacity building and conflict resolution. Please visit http://www.uksport.gov.uk/pages/international_conference_programme/
Eduserv Research Grants
Deadline: 14 March 2008
The Eduserv Foundation has £300,000 available for this year's grants call and invites bids for research project funding in these or closely related areas of e-learning and computing: (i) Online identity; (ii) The open social graph, and (iii) Always-on Internet access and mobile computing. In each case we are interested in research and/or development projects that move forward the community’s understanding of the impact that emerging technologies will have on the way learning and research are undertaken. Proposals may focus on the technical, social and/or political issues in these areas, inside and/or outside formal institutional settings (lecture theatres, research labs, campus open spaces, libraries, museums, Internet cafes, etc.). Proposals that combine these areas are particularly welcome. Please visit http://www.eduserv.org.uk/foundation/grants/0708
Royal Society of Edinburg/BBSRC Enterprise Fellowships
Deadline: 4 April 2008
These Fellowships aim to increase exploitation of ideas with commercial potential from BBSRC supported research. The BBSRC Enterprise Fellowships are designed to enable an individual to advance the commercialisation of existing research results or technological developments and will be tenable for a period of one year commencing on or before 1 October 2008. The Fellowships enable the holder to concentrate on developing the commercial potential of their research, whilst also receiving formal training in relevant business skills. Please visit http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/research_fellowships/bbsrc.htm
Academic Board: http://www.uel.ac.uk/qa/committees/acaboard.htm
Board of Governors: http://www.uel.ac.uk/governors/board.htm
Good news from the CMT: http://www.uel.ac.uk/vcg/news/index.htm
Saints and Sinners celebrate Samba in the Underground Thursday 21 February
8 till late
£2 on the door (£1 if dressed as saints or sinners)
Join UELSU and our world famous Samba Band the Barking Bateria http://www.barkingbateria.co.uk to celebrate the opening of the newly refurbished Underground Bar at Docklands campus.
The party is themed 'Saints or Sinners', and admission is only £1 for appropriately dressed revellers!
8 till late
£2 on the door (£1 if dressed as saints or sinners)
Win Samba CDs!!
Barking Bateria are offering 2 copies of their latest CD in an exclusive prize draw.
To win one of them, just email me the answer to the following 2 questions by Monday 25 February at infocus@uel.ac.uk
Which country does Samba originate from?
When was the Barking Bateria formed?
Saturday 8 March St Clement Danes church in the Strand, WC2R 1DH.
The concert starts at 8pm
The programme is
Mozart - Requiem
Mozart - Vesperae de Dominica, KV 321
Mozart - Divertimento in D, KV 136
You are probably familiar with Mozart's Requiem, arguably the greatest requiem of all. His Vesperae de Dominica is remarkable for having every movement in a different key. A fine, vigorous Dixit Dominus is followed by a dignified Confitebor, a cheerful Beatus Vir, and a polyphonic Laudate Pueri. The sparkling setting of the Laudate Dominum is a real 'tour de force' for the soprano soloist, after which the Magnificat is argued out between soloists and chorus, and brings the whole work to a fine conclusion.
Tickets are £12 Concessions £10 if bought in advance - 0795 806 6394
WIN A FREE PAIR OF TICKETS COMPETITION WINNER
Congratulations to Kaye Larbi whose name was drawn from those who successfully answered Wolfgang Amadeus to the question "What do the initials WA stand for in Mozart's name."
Full details can be found at www.eastlondonchorus.org.uk/concerts.htm
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Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Development Programme
seminar on: Leadership and Development in Higher Educational Institutions
Date: 5 March 2008
Venue: Education Building, Room RBG 15, Stratford Campus
Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Refreshments will be provided
This seminar on Leadership and Development in Higher Educational Institutions is one of a number on leadership and management development from the Mentor and Equalities Unit. The themes for this seminar will be Personal Perspectives on how to succeed in Higher Educational Institutions as an academic from a Black and Minority Ethnic group. How staff can utilise corporate resources to succeed and the value of staff networks in complex corporate environments.
Non academic staff in managerial (PO grade) roles will also benefit from the presentations and are invited to attend.
Speakers:
Professor Uduak Archibong, University of Bradford Diversity and Race Equality
Champion.
Ms Jennifer Joseph Head of PROUD Ministry
of Justice Staff Network ,The Effectiveness
of Staff Networks.
Dr. Lionel McCalman, Senior Lecturer, University of East London , The UEL Environment.
The Black and Minority Ethnic Staff Development Programme for senior lecturers and principal officers with at least 1 year’s full time service, starts in October 08.
For an application form or more information contact: Sonia Harding Project Manager Mentor & Equalities Unit Duncan House Emai1: S.Harding@uel.ac.uk
Director, Joe Greenland mentor and Equalities Unit 0208 223 4347
Pictured: Jennifer Joseph. Head of PROUD, Ministry of Justice.
First Aid at Work: 4 Days Tue– Fri 2008, 22 – 25 April, 10– 13 June, 9– 12 Sept, 18– 21 Nov. Fee: £185
Requalify course: 2 Days Thurs and Fri 2008 13 and14 Mar, 22 and 23 May, 10 and 11 July, 16 and 17 Oct. Fee: £110.00
Venue: Docklands Campus
December dates can be added if required. For further information or to book a course: Please contact: Frances Bronzite, 020 8223 4368 or Email: f.s.bronzite@uel.ac.uk
To see which Staff Development Course and their dates are available for February and March 2008, visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/staff-development/index.htm
To book on a course contactl Nina Harding Email: n.harding@uel.ac.uk
To find out more about the wide range of E-Learning applications available to us in our everyday work, visit:
E-Learning Resources: http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/e_learning/resources.htm
SDEL staff development: http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/staff_development/index.htm
UEL Plus info: http://www.uel.ac.uk/uelplus/index.htm
Brush up your IT skills and get an internationally recognised qualification online. Contact Greg Price, Organisational Development Manager on ext 4361 or email g.price@uel.ac.uk
A group of students from our School of Education have recently returned from an inspiring two week field-trip to The Gambia in West Africa.
The students visited a wide range of educational establishments to develop their understanding of African teaching and learning. As well as seminars, workshops and classroom visits, the students took part in a variety of cultural events, spent two days in an isolated village, and passed through James Island, made famous by the book and TV series ‘Roots’.
Jessica Forbes and Elaine Holt, second-year students on our BA (Hons) degree in Special Educational Needs, were among eleven students who took part in the trip.
Jessica said: “It’s been an inspirational fortnight – I wouldn’t have missed it for the world! I’ve been working in education for over six years, but in The Gambia I came across some of the most inspiring, forward-thinking and determined teachers I’ve ever met.
“The children were amazing, too, with a strong determination to learn and succeed. I‘m already planning to return to some of the schools in the summer, and will definitely be on this trip again next year."
Elaine added: “It’s been an amazing and eye-opening experience. We stayed in rural areas and got a wonderful insight into community life. What particularly struck me was how happy the children were and how keen they were to learn.”
Our School of Education has run the popular Gambia trip since 1999. Carolyn Silberfeld, Programme Leader for BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies, led the trip for the second year running.
For the full release, visit: http://www.uel.ac.uk/news/press_releases/index.htm
Pictured: Jessica Forbes (second left) and Chshamiso Davis (holding child) in a Gambian school
If you would like items included in In Focus Update please send them to me by Wednesday of the preceding week at infocus@uel.ac.uk
Please print off a copy of In Focus Update for those of your colleagues who may not have easy access to email.
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