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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 233: 02 March 2011 |
Today Prof. John Joughin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, launches the Green Paper on Proposal for New School Structures.
This process aims to re-align our academic strengths to ensure a clearer structure in the new external landscape. Staff and students will play a key role in the consultation process. To find out more about the review and how you can get involved in the consultation process click here: www.uel.ac.uk/schoolstructures
Staff will be given the opportunity to attend Q&A sessions about the Green Paper at the following times:
School Structures all-staff Question Time:
– Tuesday 8 March, 1 – 2pm, Main Lecture Theatre (Docklands Campus)
– Wednesday 9 March, 12 noon – 1pm, Computer & Conference Centre, CC.1.01 (Stratford Campus)
Dear colleagues
I thought it would be useful to provide an update on the progress being made under the Vice-Chancellor's Early Retirement and Voluntary Severance Scheme. I am able to confirm that the process has proceeded according to the published schedule and is on track to enable individual staff to know the outcome of individual requests very shortly. HR Services will be informing staff by letter of the Early Retirement and Voluntary Severance Panel's decision on their application no later than 25 March. We had a very good response to the Vice-Chancellor's letter of 30 November which invited applications, with over 300 staff applying, and a good level of interest across all schools and services. Whilst the Panel will be able to agree many requests and make significant savings not all requests can be met, particularly where the options applied for would be too costly or where it is essential that the staff member's post is retained. I would like to take this opportunity to thank school and services colleagues, Deans and Service Directors and my HR officers for their work on this extensive project over the past few months.'
Mike Moore
Director of HR Services
Academics, researchers and students now have easy access to over 60 trusted, unique and authoritative digital collections from the JISC content web site – and the number is growing. JISC and JISC Collections have been investing in digitised content across all subject areas, spanning centuries and featuring different resources. Many of the collections provide access to archive materials which are too fragile in their original format to be used so widely, such as UEL’s East London Theatre Archive, East London Lives 2012 living archive, World War Poetry Archive and British Cartoon Archive. Access the collection via jisc-content.ac.uk and for further information visit the LLS website uel.ac.uk/lls/latest.htm
Over 250 UEL alumni, students, staff and industry guests gathered for the ‘Made in East London’ creative arts event at the Islington Metal Works last month (16 February). The 3rd annual event in the Creative Arts Industries Series was the combined curatorial project of the AVA and HSS (Institute of Performing Arts) Schools. It brought together the work of talented fine artists, photographers, fashion designers, musicians, filmmakers, architects, writers, dancers and designers. Amongst the performances were readings by creative writing graduates, an experimental cello recital and an interactive demonstration from computer games designers. To view the full story visit bit.ly/alumniarts and for the Alumni facebook page see facebook.com/uelalumni
How do we begin to unravel the mysteries of an organ which is more complex than the most advanced computer on the planet? A principal lecturer in the School of Psychology believes he has the answers. Dr Ashok Jansari will be tackling these questions head-on by hosting a cerebral evening dedicated to ‘the brain’ at Stratford Campus. The public lecture, entitled ‘The Life of Brian (the Brain)’, forms part of International Brain Awareness Week and will address such complex concerns as brain damage and preserved abilities following trauma. Dr Jansari will also draw upon his fascinating experiences with his research patients. This free, public event will take place on Wednesday 16 March, 6 – 9pm, in lecture theatre CC.1.01 at Stratford Campus. For more information contact Dr Jansari via a.jansari@uel.ac.uk For the full story see bit.ly/uelbrain
UEL's strategy 'Transformation for Excellence' set out nine strategic objectives for 2015. The Exceptional Employability and Enterprise Programme Board is one of nine Programme Boards which have been set up to achieve these strategic objectives. Five projects have been commissioned by the board:
– Women’s entrepreneurship: working towards creating a Centre of Excellence for Women’s Entrepreneurship (CEWE) at UEL, supporting female students, graduates and the local community to start and grow their businesses and developing UEL’s research expertise in women’s entrepreneurship.
–Employer engagement – internships and placements: identifying and sharing good practice across UEL to increase the number and quality of internship and placement opportunities available to UEL students.
–Enterprise support for student and graduate start-ups: developing an ‘Enterprise Road Map’ of support for UEL students, including business plan competitions, enterprise activities and access to hot-desk space in the HotHatch.
–Employability enrichment and enhancement: developing the employability skills of UEL students and graduates through an intensive development programme to enhance their job prospects on graduation.
–Entrepreneurship within the curriculum: embedding entrepreneurship across UEL’s academic programmes.
Further information about the Exceptional Employability and Enterprise Programme Board can be found on the Strategic Planning website uel.ac.uk/planning/internal/programmeboards.htm
Selena Bolingbroke
Pro Vice-Chancellor Strategic Planning and External Development
Chair of Exceptional Employability and Enterprise Programme Board
UEL is to open its sports clinic to members of the public for the first time following a successful grant application to the Challenge Fund Bid. With more competitive prices than similar commercial operations, Clinic Manager Liz Nicholls believes the centre (based at Stratford Campus) will prove an invaluable resource for sportsmen and women of all levels: “It’s great that we can now reach out to the wider community.” The clinic possesses many high-tech features, including diagnostic ultrasound technology, and offers specialist sports massage. It is staffed by qualified physiotherapists, many of whom are UEL graduates. For more information about the services available and making an appointment visit bit.ly/sportsclinic
Bunmi Olaye, UEL graduate and Creative Director of luxury womenswear brand Bunmi Koko, set London Fashion Week alight last week (on 21 February), revealing for the first time her Autumn/Winter collection ‘Kaleidoscopia’. The collection, which illuminated the catwalk in front of a packed house of journalists, fashion buyers, celebrities and members of the fashion glitterati, was inspired by the visual effects of light through a prism. Bunmi said of the show, “I really enjoyed myself during London Fashion Week; there was a great energy about it all. We felt that it was important to show the relationship between science, technology and fashion.” For the full story see bit.ly/bunmiLFW
Eva Lloyd and Helen Penn, co-directors of the International Centre for the Study of the Mixed Economy of Childcare at the Cass School of Education, will be playing a significant role in the launch of a major report on the London childcare market, to which they have recently contributed. LDA commissioned this report (number 5 in their Labour Market Research Series) to provide a more comprehensive understanding of London’s childcare market including the extent, if any, of market failures in London. The free seminar will be held this Thursday 3 March, 10am – 1pm, in Knowledge Dock room 2.13 (Docklands Campus). Please RSVP to Eva via e.lloyd@uel.ac.uk
UELSU has joined together with local mental health charity, Mind, to host a series of exciting new creative arts events in Newham. ‘Do You Mind?’ aims to break down some of the stigmas surrounding mental health through such events as poetry readings and artists’ workshops over the coming months. Students are being asked to share their stories about mental health and turn them into pieces of art and creative writing. Those who submit their work may see it showcased at a launch event in June (closing date for entries is Thursday 31 March). For more information, and a list of events, contact Shahida via shahida@uel.ac.uk or 07872 600 992. For the full story see bit.ly/uel_mind
A seminar being held today (2 March) by the Centre for Cultural Studies and Research will look at the roles art and music have to play in public protests. The right to protest against issues we feel strongly about is an essential cornerstone of any free society but does collective disenfranchisement create its own artistic and creative movements and genres? Three experts, Dan Hancox (journalist), Jesse Darling (multi-media artist) and Adam Harper (journalist and blogger), will be speaking along with author and DJ Steve Goodman and Associate Dean of HSS Andrew Blake. Proceedings will be chaired by Jeremy Gilbert, author of the book ‘Anticapitalism and Culture’. The free event starts at 2pm in room EB.1.07 (Docklands Campus). All are welcome. For more information see bit.ly/art_protest or bit.ly/artofprotest (Photo credit: Billy Hicks)
Business School lecturer Hannah Simcoe-Read was recently invited to Bangladesh to attend a significant conference at the Asian University for Women in the country’s capital Dhaka. The event, entitled ‘Imagining Another Future for Asia: Ideas and Pathways for Change in Dhaka’, was also attended by the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina Wazed, and attorney Cherie Blair. During her visit between 17 and 22 January Hannah was given the additional opportunity to see Grameen Bank (which helps the poorest inhabitants of rural Bangladesh) and their teams of female entrepreneurs. At the same time Professor Muhammad Yunus, joint 2006 Nobel Prize winner with Grameen Bank, discussed his vision of new business models which aim to tackle poverty and pollution, and inadequate healthcare and education. For further information contact Hannah via H.Simcoe-Read@uel.ac.uk
Buckingham Palace has invited the Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee to nominate two individuals (plus one guest each) to attend Her Majesty’s Garden Party on Tuesday 12 July. Please send colleagues’ nominations to Tina Reed via t.a.reed@uel.ac.uk by Wednesday 9 March. Nominated guests must be British or European Union citizens, although their husbands, wives, or companions may be of other nationalities.All guests, nominated or accompanying, must be resident in the UK. Nominated guests SHOULD NOT have previously attended one of Her Majesty’s Garden Parties.
UEL alumni and filmmaker Jez Lewis will be speaking to students on Friday about his career in film since leaving UEL, and screening a clip from his prizewinning documentary about the lost youth of Hebden Bridge. ‘Shed Your Tears and Walk Away’ has received critical acclaim, winning the Best UK First Feature prize at the 2010 East End Film Festival in London, whilst being described by Nigel Andrews of the Financial Times as “sobering, determined, marvellous filmmaking." The talk forms part of a speaker programme for students, but staff are also welcome to attend. The event will be held on Friday 4 March, 1.50 – 2.50pm in WB.G.02 (Docklands Campus). For more information email S.P.Miles@uel.ac.uk or see shedyourtears.com
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Open Day dates in 2011
If you are planning any School recruitment events over the coming year please contact your account manager in the Student Recruitment & Marketing Team who will be able to provide you with advice and support. You can find details of all account managers by visiting uel.ac.uk/marketing/srm/accountmanagers.htm
| Date | Event | Time of event | Times staff required to work | Campus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saturday 25 June |
General (UG & PG) open day | 12 – 4pm |
9 – 5pm | Docklands and Stratford |
Saturday 20 August |
Clearing application drop-in day |
12 – 4pm |
9 – 5pm |
Docklands |
Fairtrade Fortnight – World record attempt for the longest, fairest piece of bunting: 28 February – 13 March (Students’ Union Dome, Stratford Campus)
All students and staff are welcome to pop along at anytime during the fortnight and decorate Fairtrade cotton flags to show their support. For more information contact Sara via s.kassam@uel.ac.uk
Fairtrade Fortnight – The Great Cotton Stitch Up: Thursday 3 March, 5.30pm (EB.G.08, Docklands Campus)
Barbara Crowther, Director of Policy and Communication at the Fairtrade Foundation, will be discussing the barriers preventing the world’s poorest cotton farmers from making a living and how we can make a difference. All are welcome. For further details visit bit.ly/stitch-up or bit.ly/uelfairtrade or contact Sara via s.kassam@uel.ac.uk
Money Awareness Week: Monday 7 – Friday 11 March (Docklands and Stratford Campuses)
As part of National Student Money Week the SMART team will be holding a Money Awareness Week between 7 – 11 March. Activities at both campuses will include stalls on various aspects of finance and budgeting, finance MOTs conducted by SMART advisers and advice from the Health and Wellbeing team on how to eat healthily on a budget. For further details see the events section of the SMART webpage, http://bit.ly/fkNfrg
Progressive Women, Information and Education Fair: Tuesday 8 March, 10am – 4pm (Walthamstow Central Library)
In conjunction with International Women’s Week, UEL’s Education and Community Partnership is organising the ‘Progressive Women, Information and Education Fair’. The event will include such workshops as; The Career Itch – taking control of what you do; Women and Health; Valuing Your Children; and developing television ideas from concept to pitch. There will also be activities such as face painting, complementary therapy and flower arranging, as well as an exhibition on black visual artists' work. Stalls will provide information and advice on education, career, local services and entrepreneurship. For more information please contact Jonathan Bell via Wf.libs@lbwf.gov.uk or Jasbir Panesar via j.k.panesar@uel.ac.uk
International Women's Day – UELSU events: Tuesday 8 March (Stratford Campus)
International Women's Day is a day to honour women around the world, a time to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history and an opportunity for women to promote their rights globally. To celebrate, UELSU has programmed a day of activities at Stratford Campus. Details of the activities can be found at bit.ly/uel_women For further details contact Shahida on 07872 600 992 or Shahida@uel.ac.uk
Olympic Cities: Social Legacies Symposium: Thursday 10 – Friday 11 March (Toynbee Hall and Docklands Campus)
A two day event examining the potential for sustainable social legacies of sports mega events. Day 1 is designed for policy makers, public/private sector professionals and researchers: 9am – 5.15pm (Toynbee Hall, E1 6LS). Day 2 focuses on opportunities to develop academic research and knowledge exchange programmes: 10am – 5pm (KD, Docklands Campus).
See bit.ly/londoneast
The life of Brian (the Brain!): Wednesday 16 March, 6 – 9pm (CC.1.01, Stratford Campus)
As part of International Brain Awareness Week, Dr Ashok Jansari will be hosting a Brain Awareness Day at the School of Psychology. The event will include a public lecture entitled ‘The Life of Brian (the Brain)’, giving a tour of the history of our understanding of the brain. This is a free event, and all are welcome. For more information please contact Dr Jansari via
a.jansari@uel.ac.uk
International Development Guest Lecture Series – Fighting Poverty around the World and Just around the Corner: Tuesday 22 March, 5pm (EB.3.19, Docklands Campus)
The guest speaker will be Kate Wareing, Director UK Poverty Programme at Oxfam. For more information contact Susannah Pickering-Saqqa (Lecturer in International Development and NGO Management) via s.pickering-saqqa@uel.ac.uk
Ofsted Celebration Event: Thursday 24 March, 3 – 5pm (Children’s Garden Early Years Centre, Docklands Campus)
A recent report from Ofsted found the Children’s Garden to be 'outstanding' in all areas. Join the nursey staff in a small celebration at the Children's Garden on 24 March. Refreshments will be provided. Please RSVP to Thais Bishop via t.m.bishop@uel.ac.uk by Friday 18 February.
‘Synaesthesia as a window into human nature’, by Edward Hubbard: Friday 25 March, 6pm (CC.1.01, Stratford Campus)
What do David Hockney, Stephen Fry, Vladimir Nabokov, Olivier Messiaen and Stevie Wonder all have in common? They all have (or had) synaesthesia, a 'union of the senses'. For some synaesthetes, listening to a piece of music may also cause them to see specific colours, while for others letters or numbers are always tinged a certain colour. This talk will discuss recent research, showing what synaesthetes already know: synaesthesia is real. For more information see bit.ly/hubbard, email synaesthesia@uel.ac.uk or contact Mary Spiller on 020 8223 4004. For information about synaesthesia see bit.ly/uel_syn
UK Synaesthesia Association Annual Conference: Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 March (CC.1.01, Stratford Campus)
Mary Spiller and Ashok Jansari, from the School of Psychology, are pleased to be hosting the annual conference of the UK Synaesthesia Association. This annual event includes presentations from scientists, synaesthetes and artists from the UK and abroad. They will be discussing the latest cutting-edge research as well as the fascinating experiences of individual synaesthetes. The Keynote Speaker will be the world-leading expert Edward Hubbard, from Vanderbilt University, USA. See uksynaesthesia.com or email synaesthesia@uel.ac.uk for further information.
Science and Football conference: Sunday 27 March, 9.30am – 5.30pm (Docklands Campus)
What does it take to work in professional football?Presenters from leading professional football teams and technology and sports brands will be discussing sports science, medicine and marketing as well as careers advice. All are welcome. Book you place online at scienceandfootball.com or telephone 0844 809 4911.
International Development Guest Lecture Series – Faith-based Response to the Pakistan Floods: Tuesday 29 March, 5pm (EB.3.19, Docklands Campus)
The guest speaker will be Saleh Saeed, Chief Executive Officer at Islamic Relief Worldwide. For more information contact Susannah Pickering-Saqqa (Lecturer in International Development and NGO Management) via s.pickering-saqqa@uel.ac.uk
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
The UELSports third annual staff five-a-side tournament is fast approaching on Monday 4 April. Last year’s winners from the Business School will be looking forward to retaining the trophy. Get your school or service team together asap!
The top two sides will then represent UEL in the Royal Docks five-a-side tournament on Wednesday 18 May, won last year by Team Excel.
Date: Monday 4 April
Time: 6 – 8pm (matches start at 6pm)
Venue: Beckton Powerleague, Jenkins Lane, Newham (IG11 0AD). See bit.ly/uel_powerleague for details.
Cost: £10 entry fee per team
Register with David Cosford via d.cosford@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 6398.
Spaces are limited and will be issued on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on any of the above please contact uelsports@uel.ac.uk
To view the UELSports webpages visit uel.ac.uk/sports
To view the UELSports blog visit
uelsportsblog.wordpress.com
And to contribute your own sports stories to the blog see
uelsportsblog.wordpress.com/contribute-to-the-uelsports-blog
UEL Sports – ‘Get involved, Join, Learn, Participate, Train, Motivate, Compete, Enjoy’
Please send comments or contributions for in Focus Update to: infocus@uel.ac.uk
To contribute a UEL news item please supply a headline (c. 10 words), short paragraph (c. 50-100 words) with a call to action (email / web link or phone) together with a photo.
To contribute a UEL event please supply a headline (c. 10 words), date, time, location, short description, with call to action (email / web link or phone)
© 2011
