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Welcome to our weekly in Focus update...... |
Past Issues << | Issue 96: Thursday 10 April 2008 |
This week's update on the National Student Survey response rates shows that 46% of eligible students have so far completed the National Student Survey 2008. This is a 12% increase on last week's 34% but to reach the required 50% which means our results will published nationally, we need around 100 more of our students to complete the survey.
The nationally published data also feed into the Times and Guardian university league tables - potentially raising the profile of our degree programmes and institution.
The survey is open until the end of April.
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.
- Invite UELSU President Caston Matewu, to your third year classes to talk about the survey.
For a copy of the 'ready-to-go' email or to invite Caston to your class, contact Karen O'Connor on infocus@uel.ac.uk. Eligible students can complete the survey at any time at: www.thestudentsurvey.com
The University of East London Learning and Teaching Conference takes place on Thursday 26 June 2008, in the Business Schools. The annual conference offers opportunities for active debate, discussion and reflection regarding current issues in learning, teaching and assessment.
Our topic this year is to celebrate and share good practice in learning, teaching and assessment. A number of themed sessions will run during the morning and afternoon of the Conference.
The themes are:-Supporting Student Success
- Inclusivity and Diversity
- Creativity and Innovation in Learning, Teaching and Assessment
- The Research Enriched Curriculum
- Scholarship and Professional Development
The conference will include two high profile keynote speakers and the topics of discussion and their profiles will be available shortly. Both speakers will offer insights into current issues in Learning, Teaching and Assessment of relevance to UEL and to the wider HE sector. Registration for the conference is now open; this one-day Conference is free and open to all full and part-time colleagues of UEL and collaborative partners.
For further information and to register, please complete the on-line booking form.
The call for abstracts is now OPEN. Please consider contributing to the programme as part of your research and scholarship in learning, teaching and assessment. A range of formats suitable for showcasing your practice and ideas are available. Abstracts (250 words maximum) must be submitted by Monday 28 April 2008 via the on line booking form. For further information, please contact Dinaz Trudeau, the Conference Organiser: d.trudeau@uel.ac.uk
Pictured: Business School Students at First Week
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Dr Alan White, Acting Head of the Graduate School, has recently joined the Steering Group of the UK GRAD London Hub.
The role of the UK GRAD Programme is to support the academic sector to embed personal and professional skills development into research degree programmes. Its vision is for all postgraduate researchers to develop these skills, to be encouraged to complete their studies and to make a successful transition to their future careers. The UK GRAD programme helps institutions realise the potential of the postgraduate researcher through the integration of these personal and professional skills into postgraduate degree programmes alongside their research studies. It achieves this through a range of activities including: courses, regional Hubs, conferences and workshops, publications and on-line resources.
Alan believes the work of the postgraduate research degree is changing and it is no longer seen as solely the production of an original piece of research. Equally important is for researchers to emerge with a broad range of personal and professional skills.
Alan said 'The postgraduate research landscape is changing fast and becoming a member of the Steering Group for the UK GRAD London Hub will enable me to influence the direction of that change. It will also place UEL at the heart of the evolving structure of postgraduate research support in the London area.'
For more information about UK GRAD is outlined here: http://www.grad.ac.uk
Pictured: Dr Alan White.
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Helena Blakemore, Programme Leader for Creative Writing, has been elected to the committee of the Higher Education Network for the National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE).
NAWE aims to consolidate the standing and reputation of Creative Writing in higher education at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. The Association promotes cultural diversity within the field, helping to recruit students from a wide range of backgrounds and offering professional development opportunities for both students and teachers.
Helena said: “My new role offers the opportunity for close involvement with the development of Creative Writing in higher education across the UK, as well as the chance to identify examples of best practice and incorporate them into our own teaching.
Pictured: Helena Blakemore (far right) with fellow members of the National Association of Writers in Education at a book fair in New York..
Monday 14 April 2008 , 5pm – 7:00pm . West Building Lecture Theatre, Docklands Campus.
Author Valerie Mason-John reads from her book followed by a panel discussion chaired by Professor Corinne Squire and Q&A.
Panellists:
Valerie Mason-John
Professor Corinne Squire
Karunadipa (Mrs Malati Wankhede)
Karunamaya (Ms Hilary Swain)
Valerie Mason-John is winner of the MIND book of the year award 2006
In this Public Lecture Valerie Mason-John reads passages from her astonishing and moving book Broken Voices ‘Untouchable’ women speak out. Following the reading Professor Corinne Squire interviews Valerie and then leads a panel discussion with Mrs Malati Wankhede, a community activist born into a Dalit family, and Karunamay (Ms Hilary Swain), who has been supporting social projects in India for the last eleven years. Valerie Mason-John will be available to sign copies of her book at a launch reception, following her Public Lecture.
Broken Voices: ‘Untouchable’ women speak out, documents the lives of the most oppressed people in India: the Dalit women; formerly known as untouchables. In this ground-breaking book the women give first-hand accounts of their lives as wives, agricultural workers, slum dwellers and political activists. The women also speak out about their religious lives.
All welcome, admission FREE. Refreshments served. For further details, contact Franc Gooding on 020 8223 2884 or events@uel.ac.uk For more information about our Public Lecture Series visit: www.uel.ac.uk/lectureseries
CSR in London: getting it right - www.uel.ac.uk/csr a one-day conference for business leaders - 17 April 2008
Corporate Social Responsibility is now a legal duty for all companies in the UK, but what does this mean for company executives and board members? And what will the new Mayor of London do about it?
The University of East London has teamed up with ISEAD, RICS, ICSA, ICA and a number of other professional bodies to develop a series of one day conferences to help answer the challenge.
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How can you get buy-in for CSR from boardroom down
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Innovation in CSR evaluation and reporting
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Quick wins for CSR beginners - how to get maximum gain for minimum pain
The first of the series of four one day conferences is on Thursday 17 April 2008 at ICSA, 16 Park Crescent, London W1B 1AH.
Speakers include:
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Baroness Liz Barker, Age Concern
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Prof N. Craig Smith, INSEAD
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Richard Vardy, Investec plc
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Tatiana Bosteels, London Climate Change
The programme is accredited with CPD points by the ICAEW, ICSA and RICS. For full details and booking visit our website: www.uel.ac.uk/csr
Innovation in Assessment lunchtime seminar hosted by the School of Psychology.
Wednesday 23 April 2008 TL01 Stratford Campus 1pm - 1.45pm. Please contact Chris Pawson, c.pawson@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 Validation and Review Sub-Committee (VRSC) Report.
Innovation in Assessment includes a discussion of a variety of methods including student designed assessment, debating, student research conferences and online assessment.
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.
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
The Leverhulme Trust - Major Research Fellowships in the Humanities and Social Sciences
Deadline: 1 May 2008
These awards enable well-established and distinguished researchers in the disciplines of the Humanities and Social Sciences to devote themselves to a single research project of outstanding originality and significance, capable of completion within two or three years.
Please visit http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/grants_awards/grants/major_research_fellowships/
Economic History Society - Initiatives and Conference Fund
Deadline: 1st of May, August and November 2008
The Economic History Society maintains a fund to encourage otherwise unfunded workshops, special meetings and other interesting initiatives in economic and social history. For more information please visit http://www.ehs.org.uk/ehs//GrantsAwardsPrizes/ICF.asp
Arts Awards - the Wellcome Trust
Deadline: 2 May, 18 July and 10 October 2008
The Wellcome Trust invites applications for small to medium sized projects that engage the public with biomedical science through the arts.
Please visit http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/Funding/Public-engagement/index.htm
IMPORTANT REMINDER for RESEARCH BIDDING PROCEDURES at UEL
Our academics are kindly reminded that for applications of £ 1,000 or more, it is essential they follow the UEL 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 UEL's 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.
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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.
Staff in External Strategic and Development Services (ESDS) and their close friends are taking part in the Race for Life on Wednesday 7 May 2008. Would you be able to sponsor them? Cancer Research is a fantastic charity and has saved the lives of 1,000s and its our chance to give something back. This is the link to their sponsorship page website: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/esdsangelsandfriends with many thanks from Jackie Leach and the ESDS Angels and Friends
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25 - 27 April ExCel
Time: 7.30pm
To win 2 Free tickets to visit a Place in the sun live, the Channel 4 overseas property exhibition email me infocus@uel.ac.uk
For more information visit: http://www.aplaceinthesunlive.com/ (Please paste this link into your browser if it doesn't work from your email.)
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, 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
In March, young people from schools and colleges all over Thurrock took part in a unique Creative Careers Fair at Lakeside shopping centre.
Organised by the Royal Opera House, Thurrock Learning Partnership and Arts Council East, together and the University of East London and Thurrock and Basildon College, the Fair was designed to give youngsters an insight into the many careers that are available backstage, skilled roles that are essential to supporting theatrical and live music performances.
Specialists were on hand with advice, and the young people took part in practical activities that included theatrical make-up, costume, lighting and set-design.
Live music and performing arts contribute billions of pounds to the UK economy every year, but great performances need great technicians and backstage staff, and there is a growing shortage of skilled workers to fill these roles. Thanks to a series of exceptional opportunities, Thurrock is fast becoming a centre of excellence for education, training and production in the creative sector. There has never been a better time for young people to develop their skills for successful careers behind the scenes of some of the world’s most prestigious stages. m.
Pictured: Young people taking part in Thurrock's Creative Careers Fair
If you missed the School of Distance and E-Learning's sponsored presentation on Virtual Worlds, please visit the SDEL webpage at:: http://www.uel.ac.uk/sdel/e_learning/virtual_worlds/virtual_worlds.htm for information, to download materials, videos and audio relating to the event.
When you click at 'the virtual worlds presentation page' you will be taken to download materials.
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
