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Welcome to our weekly in Focus update...... .. |
Past Issues << | Issue 94: Thurs 20 March 2008 |
This week's update on the National Student Survey response rates shows that 29% of eligible students have so far completed the National Student Survey 2008. This is a marked increase on last week's 19%. IPSOS Mori the market research company carrying out the survey began telephoning students this week, which accounts for rise. However, we need to have 50% of completions to have our data published nationally - which also feeds into the Times and Guardian university league tables - and so still have quite a long way to go. At the same time last year our response rate was 36%, so we still need to try harder, and the average response rate for institutions who began the survey at the same time as us is currently at 45%.
The survey is open until the end of April. During this period,The National Student Survey Team based in Ipsos MORI will continue to contact eligible students by email, post and telephone to complete the survey. We have also sent reminder emails to the eligible students and we have ambient media on the plasma screens and screensavers, but we need to do much more if we are to achieve the 50 per cent.
We would like you to:
- Send emails to your final year undergraduate students recommending they complete the survey. We have a 'ready-to-go' email prepared, which details the ten prizes on offer, namely five European flights to the value of £120 and five Amazon vouchers.
- Discuss the National Student Survey with your final-year students, and encourage them to complete it if they have not already done so.
For a copy of the 'ready-to-go' email contact Karen O'Connor on infocus@uel.ac.uk. Eligible students can complete the survey at any time at: www.thestudentsurvey.com
Connections were made when local secondary and primary school pupils joined forces for a special rail-based workshop at our Docklands campus on Wednesday 12 March.
Pupils from Hackney Free and Parochial Secondary and Millfield Primary School in Clapton took part in the project, which was organised by Crossrail to help promote recycling at train stations.
In total, twenty pupils worked in mixed teams to design purpose-built bins and other environmental solutions for Crossrail stations. Our student ambassadors assisted the pupils as they developed and presented their plans.
Surjit Vohra, Environmental Co-ordinator at Hackney Free, said: "It's been a very enjoyable day. The children have been really engaged in the project, they've learnt a great deal, and were extremely well supported by the UEL staff."
Jesse Tristram (10), of Homerton, and Sasha Pellegrini (10), of London Fields, were among the Millfield pupils taking part in the eco-project.
Jesse said: “It’s been a fun day; I’ve really enjoyed being able to design things and work on the laptops. I think it’s very important to recycle because we need to stop dumping all of our rubbish in landfill.”
Sasha added: “I’ve enjoyed meeting up with pupils from another school and getting the chance to express our ideas and try to get them actually installed at big Crossrail stations like Stratford.”
Pictured: Sasha Pellegrini (left) and Jesse Tristram with their group's design for a new recycling bin at Crossrail stations.
Tuesday 1st April at 5pm-6.30pm in West Building WB2.05. The seminar will be led by Dr. Christine Goodall from Staffordshire University.
If you would like to attend this seminar e-mail Richard Bottoms in our Business School on r.i.bottoms@uel.ac.uk
This seminar focuses on the findings of doctoral research undertaken between 2004 and 2006 in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England. The main aim of the study was to propose a model of improved community relations between host communities and new arrivals, against the background of the UK government’s asylum seeker dispersal policy. The thesis used a framework built from the trust literature to examine the experience of the host community, in order to understand tensions between them and new arrivals, and difficulties of dealing with difference more generally.
An examination of literature from different disciplines provides a clue to how this might be achieved. It is a common theme that organisations and communities form their identities and the scripts by which they routinise and institutionalise behaviour through the view they hold of their past, which many authors conceptualise as their “story” or “tale”. Harre (2001) argues: “all that is holding us back is our stories, and we can make a better set of tales available” (Harre, 2001 p38). This seminar will examine how leaders can help communities write these new stories, drawing on a variety of literature from different disciplines, including that of organisation and management, to show how leaders can help communities build new identities, incorporating what was best from the past into a new and positive future.
The seminar will also explain the implications of the research for trust theory more generally, and how the findings of this study are also important for leadership and community cohesion in the broader national environment, and in organisations. Additionally, of particular interest to academics and researchers in Business Schools, the seminar will show how research in the fields of management and organisation studies can contribute to a better understanding of community relations and local and national political leadership.
Dr Christine Goodall recently completed her doctorate at Staffordshire University, where she teaches Management of Advice Services. She is also the National Development Officer for the Disability Law Service, based in East London, a national charity providing legal advice and representation in thefields of social welfare law and disability discrimination. She is a member of the First International Network on Trust (FINT), and a recent contributor to the ESRC Seminar Series " Building, Repairing and Maintaining Trust Across Cultures", jointly organised by the Business Schools of Durham, Warwick and Oxford Brookes Universities.
Pictured: Dockside view of Business School and Library building
Tuesday 1st April 2008 Room EB.2.49. Docklands Campus 1pm - 2pm. Please contact Pat Berwick, P.Berwick@uel.ac.uk, if you wish to attend.
You are warmly invited to a number of lunchtime seminars, led by our Schools. The aim is to share and disseminate good practice which will support and enhance our student experience . The areas chosen by the Schools have been commended in this year's VSRC Report.
The lunchtime seminars offer an excellent opportunity for you to learn about areas of good practice and be involved in wider discussion on how this could be taken forward in your own areas/schools.
Reference Development Points Scheme: Managing Cultural Change and Expectation amongst UEL students.
This is the first of the lunchtime seminars is to be offered by the School of Law. The seminar will look at the current 'skills agenda' where employers and post-graduate institutions are increasingly placing a higher emphasis on non-academic, transferable skills that underpin graduate knowledge (Degrees/Certificates).
Given the competitive graduate employment market, there's an urgent need to encourage student extra-curricular participation to develop these skills.
All staff welcome and this will be of particular interest to Heads of Schools, those involved with careers, careers-related programmes, alumni and mentoring schemes, plus student representatives, students and employers..
Wednesday 2nd April 2008 Stratford Campus 1pm - 4pm.
You are cordially invited to attend the next seminar in our series:
Access, Participation & Achievement: showcasing good practice to support disabled students in Higher Education
by Eleanor Girt, Head of the Disability Dyslexia Access Centre (pictured far left with the Disability and Dyslexia Team), Heather Serdar, Disability Coordinator, School of Education, Speaker from the Disabled Student Voice, and Gurmit Lard, Postgraduate Student
The seminar will cover:
- Inclusive practice in student recruitment, participation & achievement
- Using assistive technology to support active participation
- Designing user-friendly materials for Virtual Learning Environments
- Achieving the 1st Charter Mark for student services
This seminar will aim to engage all participants so come prepared to contribute and play an active part!
There are 80 free places available for this seminar, and these will be allocated on a strictly first-come-first served basis. You should await confirmation of a place before attending.
To reserve your place, please email inclusion@heacademy.ac.uk by 12.00 on Wednesday 26 March. Please indicate if you have any accessibility or dietary requirements at the time of booking. Presentation material will be made available to delegates in advance of the seminar.
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Wednesday 2 April 2008 Forest Gate Youth Zone, 1 Woodford Road, from 11am to 3pm.
On Wednesday 2 April, women from Newham’s diverse communities will get together for a day of inspiration, information and guidance on educational opportunities and community services in and around the borough.
The fair has been organized by the University of East London (UEL) in collaboration with Newham Council and Newham Asian Women’s Project.
Activities will include start-up business advice and the opportunity to browse exhibitions and information stalls. A wide variety of fun and informative workshops will be available, covering topics including healthy eating, dance exercise, CV writing and accessing educational opportunities.
Jasbir Panesar, Community Development Co-ordinator at the University of East London, has successfully organised a series of Education and Training Fairs over the past few years, and has been impressed by growing interest in the community.
Jasbir said: "We are looking forward to an exciting day, especially after the success we had last year. Access to educational and employment opportunities are vital to enable people of all ages to achieve their full potential.”
Free vegetarian buffet snack lunch will be served. For full details and a multi-lingual programme, contact Jasbir Panesar on 020 8223 4356 or Fatima Seedat on 020 8536 1397.
Pictured: Asian Women's Fair March 2007
Thursday 3 April, 6-9pm, Docklands Campus, Lecture Theatre West Building and Oscars café bar. This event is FREE.
Please register your place by emailing alumni@uel.ac.uk
We welcome all our alumni to an evening of lectures, information and networking. This careers event will feature 2 key note presentations from successful, creative and innovative alumni who will be talking about their road to success and giving you tips and advice about your future career.
Our guest speakers are:
Honorary graduate Iqbal Wahhab – businessman, entrepreneur and award winning restaurateur and graduate James Kavanagh MRICS C.Geog MinstCES CEnv Director Land Group (Environment, Geomatics, Minerals & Waste, Planning & Development, Rural) at RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors)
The evening will also feature Elizabeth Brown, Founder and Director of McKenzie Recruitment Consultants who will be advising alumni on what recruitment consultants are looking for and recruiting for her company.
We will also be providing information about UEL LIFE (London Investment Fund East) - our new UEL Investment Fund.
Food, drink and networking will be available after the presentations. Staff and students also welcome. If you think this is relevant to your students, please forward the details to them and ask them to register their place.
Pictured: Honorary Graduate - Iqbal Wahhab, receiving his award form Lord Rix at the Barbican last year.
Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March 2008 , 4:30pm – 7:00pm .
Venue: The British Museum - Friday 28 March
Queen Mary, University of London - Saturday 29 March
For a printable registration form, click here. For further information please email emma.griffin@ucl.ac.uk
Convenors: Dr Vivienne Lo, Wellcome Trust Centre for History of Medicine at UCL,
Professor Adrian Renton, Director of Institute for Health and Human Development, University of East London
Advisory Committee: Professor Susan Brownell, Kim Lavely, Jane Portal, Professor Jessica Rawson, Dr Jan Stuart and Professor Susan Dilly
Convened prior to the Beijing Olympics, this interdisciplinary conference explores how critical appraisal of the history of sports, body cultivation and sports medicine can contribute to our shared experience of health today.
Historians, medics and sociologists will speak to three principal domains: the health equation of games past and future, the perfection and healing of body and soul, and the delivery of future legacies positive in cultural regeneration, societal cohesion, health and well-being.
Ancient regimen and techniques may seem remote, yet the practices often attempt to resolve issues that are common to us all. Some are directed at the immortality or longevity of the physical body, and include performance-enhancing nutrition and drug taking, others train the spirit and souls for the afterlife. Many emphasise the interconnectedness of the human body with its environment.
Speakers will be asked to set their topic in its broad socio-political and cultural context to facilitate a dialogue with those who will address similar questions for the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The conference will provide text and illustrations for a variety of print and online publications associated with on going projects in the run up to the London Olympics.
For more information about our Public Lecture Series visit: www.uel.ac.uk/lectureseries
Wednesday 7 May, 12 - 8 pm. All welcome.
Are you nurturing a burgeoning talent which could really take flight at Mayfest 2008 - our FREE arts and cultural extravaganza? If so we want to hear from YOU! Can you sing, dance, act, perform...Are you in a band......Are you a performance poet, dramatist, writer or stand-up comedian? Could you organise and run workshops for others who want to experiment with their creative potential?
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 our exciting 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
Contact Mark O'Thomas, Director for our Institute of Performing Arts (IPAD) NOW with your ideas and proposals on Email: m.othomas@uel.ac.uk
Pictured: Revellers at Mayfest 2007
Docklands Campus – Friday 27 June 2008.
Whilst the concept of celebrity has traditionally been perceived as a phenomenon of the twentieth century, this conference seeks to reconsider its production and consumption across a broader historical timeframe. Centuries of Celebrity is an interdisciplinary conference which opens up a dialogue between participants in relation to the meaning and value of fame across the centuries and in so doing re-examines what it means to be famous.
Places are limited to 100. For the programme email Janet Riddle at J.Riddle@uel.ac.uk To reserve a place please follow the link below and complete the on-line form.
http://www.uel.ac.uk/gradschool/fame-booking.asp
IMPORTANT REMINDER for RESEARCH BIDDING PROCEDURES
Our academics are kindly reminded that for applications of £ 1,000 or more, it is essential they follow our Research Bidding Procedures (“RGA route”) as outlined at http://www.uel.ac.uk/gradschool/research/getfund.htm . If the bid is less than £ 1,000, you only need to follow the “RGM route”, which removes the institutional approval stages, but you still should inform the Graduate School to help us record our bidding activity. All bidders are asked to inform the Graduate School as soon as they hear the result of their applications, whether successful or not. If you need help or advice with a research proposal, please contact Research Support Manager Dr. Tim Brooks (t.brooks@uel.ac.uk) and Research Support Officer Aygen Kurt (a.s.kurt@uel.ac.uk).
RESEARCH UPDATE
Royal Historical Society Postgraduate Research Support Grants
Different deadlines upcoming. Please check the web address.
Grants are provided for Postgraduate Researchers from UK universities for individual travel conferences, research expenses within and outside the UK, and for organisers of workshops and conferences to encourage the participation of junior researchers. Please visit the following link for deadlines and for more information.
http://www.royalhistoricalsociety.org/postgraduates.htm
The British Educational Research Association - Brian Simon Educational Research Fellowship Award
Deadline: 30 April 2008
BERA invites applications from BERA members for the Brian Simon Educational Research Fellowship 2008-09. The award is made possible by a gift from the Simon family which is held in trust by the Association. The purpose of the Fellowship is to encourage research which is independent, imaginative, scholarly and dedicated to educational advance. For more information please visit http://www.bera.ac.uk/latest/index.php
British Institute in Eastern Africa - Minor Grants
Deadline: 30 April 2008
The BIEA awards minor grants to support fieldwork in the region. The grants are available to support original research, in any field of the humanities and social sciences, across the region. Please visit http://www.biea.ac.uk/research_pages/support/minor_grants.htm
Modern Humanities Research Association - Publication Grants
Deadline: 30 April 2008
The MHRA invites applications for financial assistance towards the costs of publishing scholarly works in the field of the medieval and modern European literatures and languages (including English) which, by their nature, could not expect to be financially self-supporting. Please visit http://www.mhra.org.uk/Funding/index.html
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
School of Social Sciences Media and Cultural Studies conferences and research seminars:
http://www.uel.ac.uk/ssmcs/upcomingevents.htm
Donald Ridley plans to run it with his trombone!
To find out more and sponsor Donald please visit:
http://www.justgiving.com/donaldridley
Pictured: Donald with his trombone.
Date: Saturday 5 April
Time: 7.30pm
Ticket Prices: Ticket Prices: £15 / £13
Box Office 020 8507 5607 or visit www.thebroadwaybarking.com
‘‘Get thee to a performance!’ Whatsonstage.com
Following a sell out run in the West End, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) comes to theBROADWAY, Barking for one night only on Saturday 5 April at 7.30pm.
The Shakespeare boys are back in town with their irreverent, fast paced romp through all of the Bard’s plays in just 97 minutes. So loosen your doublets, sort out your singlets, clutch your codpieces and join these madcap men in tights as they weave their wicked way through all of Shakespeare’s comedies, histories and tragedies in one terrific rollercoaster ride that will leave you breathless and helpless with laughter!
Shakespeare may well be turning in his grave, but the show that’s become a cult classic transforms his entire works into one of the funniest evenings on the planet. Take a look at ‘Hamlet’ performed forwards, backwards and sideways, ‘Titus Andronicus’ as a TV cookery programme and a rap ‘Othello’. And as the comedies aren’t anywhere near as funny as the tragedies, all 16 are condensed into ‘Four Weddings and a Transvestite’.
The West End’s longest-running comedy - 10 years at the Criterion Theatre – has since conquered the entire globe. This perfect summer treat for kids was praised by the Los Angeles Times as ‘wildly funny’ and by the Montreal Gazette as ‘the funniest show you are likely to see in your entire lifetime’.
Warning! This show is not recommended for people with heart ailments, bladder problems, inner-ear disorders and/or people inclined to motion sickness.
Be sure to book as early as possible for the best seats in the house through the box office on 020 8507 5607 or online at www.thebroadwaybarking.com.
To WIN a pair of FREE tickets to see this hilarious production send your answers to the following question to infocus@uel.ac.uk:
Question:
Which of Shakespeare's plays is performed as a rap in The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
Aqua East is the new Students' Union cafe bar situated in our Student Village on the Royal Albert Dock. The soothing interior design, using swathes of fabric in aqua-marine and vibrant mid-blues will have you believing you're no longer on our Dockside, but instead have been transported to an exciting, exotic ocean environment. The exterior seating catches the midday sun with all the feel of a vibrant pavement cafe.
Let's hope the weather improves soon - but well worth a visit anyway!
Pictured: Aqua East launch in February.
This 50-hour short course is designed for members of staff teaching or supporting students online (e.g. in WebCT or UEL Plus) and will cover the following topics:
• An overview of online and blended pedagogy
• New technologies for learning and teaching
• Guided investigation of learning technologies
This is the first of five short courses in the Applications of Learning Technologies suite, and provides a short course route to completing the full module and becoming an Associate of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). All course activities happen online are facilitated within UEL Plus, the UEL Virtual Learning Environment.
Applications of Learning Technologies is the first module in the MA in Online and Blended Learning, and forms part of the UEL Professional Standards
Framework.
For further information and an application form please go to http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/staff_development/courses/accredited_courses.htmustice.
First Aid at Work: 4 Days Tue– Fri 2008, 22 – 25 April, 10– 13 June, 9– 12 Sept, 18– 21 Nov. Fee: £185
Re-qualify course: 2 Days Thurs and Fri 2008, 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
Stephen Timms MP stressed the importance of training and employment for east Londoners at a public seminar on the impact of the London 2012 Olympics, held at the British Library on Friday 14 March.
Social Science Perspectives on the 2012 London Olympic Games explored a wide range of economic and social issues, including international tourism, urban regeneration, cultural diversity, competition between cities, and the symbolic meanings of sport. We jointly organised the conference with the Academy of Social Sciences.
In delivering the keynote speech on ‘The Significance of the 2012 Olympics for London’, Stephen said: “New job creation is one of the major keys to the success of the London Olympics; in particular, our ability to ensure that currently unemployed east Londoners are able to benefit from the new opportunities available.
“I can remember when Canary Wharf was totally dead; these days more than 100,000 people work there and that figure could be soon set to double. If we can provide training and build confidence among east London residents, I’m very optimistic the Olympics can make a real difference to some of London's most deprived areas.”
Dr Iain MacRury, Director of our London East Research Institute, explored the competing notions of the 2012 Games as both 'gift' and 'commodity', arguing how government policy can best address aspirations connected to Olympic legacy, improved social and cultural engagement, and the sustainable regeneration of east London.
Dr MacRury said: “Today’s event has inspired an excellent and enjoyable debate, enlivened by some very pressing local concerns. It's been important to close some of the key gaps between theoretical concepts of the Olympics and more practical ideas about what the Games can actually deliver.”
Other key speakers included John Urry, Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Lancaster University and an expert on the connections between the Olympic Games, city status, and contemporary tourism, and Maurice Roche, Reader in Sociology at Sheffield University, whose latest book, ‘Mega-Events and Modernity’, offers in-depth analysis of the impact of major sporting and cultural events on popular culture and cultural policy.
The seminar was chaired by Michael Rustin, Professor of Sociology and co-editor of the recently published London’s Turning: the Making of Thames Gateway.
The London East Research Institute, based at our Docklands campus, provides a regional network for research and consultancy on issues of urban regeneration. For further information, visit www.uel.ac.uk/londoneast.
Pictured: Left to right: John Urry, Maurice Roche, Michael Rustin, Stephen Timms, Iain MacRury
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.
© 2007
