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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 260: 06 September 2011 |
Dean of the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering – Professor Hassan Abdalla PhD FRSA
Professor Hassan Abdalla is an international authority in the field of Sustainable Design and Innovation with over 20 years’ experience in academia including managing for several years the School/Departments of Product and Spatial Design, incorporating the Leicester School of Architecture, at De Montfort University, Leicester. Hassan has been over the last 2 years the Dean of the College at University of Sharjah, UAE. Prof. Abdalla will take up his post on 1 October, with Prof. Cornelia Boldyreff as Associate Dean of School (Research and Knowledge Transfer) and Prof. Hamid Jahankhani as Associate Dean of School (Academic and Collaborative). Prof. Jahankhani will remain in post as Acting Dean of School with Graham Ford as Acting Associate Dean of School (Academic and Collaborative) until 1 October.
Acting Dean of the Royal Docks Business School – Dr Nora Colton
Before coming to UEL, Dr Nora Colton was a Professor and Chair of the Economics and Business Department at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, USA. She received her D. Phil. from St. Antony's College, Oxford University, and is a specialist on Middle Eastern economies, speaking Arabic fluently. She has conducted fieldwork in Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen, and is the author of numerous journal articles concerned with Middle Eastern economics. Dr Colton is also co-author of a book with Elsevier Press entitled Middle East Finance: Missed-opportunities or Future Prospects and has a book forthcoming with Palgrave-Macmillan on the political economy of Yemen.
Two UEL sports scholarship students have scooped gold medals at the European Universities Rowing Championships in Moscow last week. In what turned out to be a memorable debut outing for UEL at the championships, John Collins and Alan Sinclair put in a pulsating performance for the Great Britain Universities Team, to emerge victorious over Germany in last Friday’s men's double sculls final. For the full story see bit.ly/europeanrowing
The annual Staff Planning Conference will be taking place on Friday 14 October at Stratford Town Hall, 9am – 2pm. If you would like to register to attend please email your name, position and name of School or Service to strategic.planning@uel.ac.uk More details to follow soon.
A recent study carried out by researchers in the School of Psychology into the effects of caffeine has been the subject of intensive media coverage across the globe. The results of the study suggest the effect of coffee may be due to anticipation. The study, which was published in the international research journal, Appetite, involved 88 volunteers aged between 18 and 47, who were regular coffee drinkers. Some were given caffeinated coffee and told it was decaffeinated. Others were given decaffeinated but were told it contained caffeine. The results showed the genuine caffeine drinkers demonstrated improved performance on a test, which involves stating the colour a word is printed in. However, those who wrongly thought they had caffeinated coffee performed better on the colour test and reaction times. To view the study visit bit.ly/caffeinestudy
For the most up-to-date calendar of events during First Week (Monday 12 – Friday 16 September), and for all other relevant information for staff, check www.uel.ac.uk/firstweekforstaff
‘Watching on Water’ was launched on Wednesday by UEL student Leezac Robinson. An original and unique outdoor gallery was created by Leezac and a team of volunteers underneath the Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge at the eastern end of Docklands Campus. Leezac and his team have created an urban garden, mural wall and are now planning a free evening schedule of outdoor moving image exhibitions, projected both onto a screen attached to the bridge and also onto the dock. Leezac says, ‘This original and immersive art installation has transformed an eyesore into a romantic, tranquil atmosphere which allows for creative thinking and an appreciation for the great silent age of Hollywood.’ A season of free events begins at 6pm on Monday 12 September at this highly original art space; all are welcome.
In what could turn out to be a major landmark study and watershed for many of the world’s leading brands, academics at UEL have discovered that a person’s brain has the potential to instantly recognise a product – even if the person has not been consciously focusing on that product. For the full story see bit.ly/out_of_sight
Academic Practice and Student Experience are pleased to announce that bookings are now open for the Lecturers Development Programme (LDP) to newly appointed teaching staff who have less than two year's experience of teaching in Higher Education. The LDP is suitable for both new appointees who have a full-time role in teaching (e.g. lecturers) and those who undertake a few hours teaching each week (e.g. postgraduate students and graduate teaching assistants with teaching responsibilities). For more information, including dates, location, the Decision Gate document and an application form, please visit www.uel.ac.uk/lta/professional/lecturers.htm Closing date for applications Friday 23 September.
Two former students returned to UEL 6 years after graduating to get engaged. Last month Law alumnus Rafael Fernandez Lopez proposed to ex Sociology student Jessica Ceotto in front of her old bedroom window outside of Kwame House on Docklands Campus. Jessica said, “Of course it was a surprise! I said to Rafael, ‘Why are we going to London? I want a relaxing summer holiday!’ He bought the tickets without saying anything and I was angry, but not anymore!” The happy couple received a celebratory bouquet of flowers from Residential Services, before returning to Spain to begin planning their wedding. UEL wish them both a very happy life together.
The Graduate School is pleased to announce the availability of a one-year fees bursary for completion of A Masters in Research, in which the award holder will be required for their thesis to complete an evaluation of the work of a significant East London Charity. The MRes programme will provide the successful candidate with taught research skills so that she or he is able to complete this assignment to the necessary professional standard and provide them with the basis for a future career in evaluation research. The bursary is only available to a graduate of UEL who can satisfy the selection panel they have the competence and capacity to complete the study under direction of the programme leader for MRes studies at UEL. For more information, and for details on how to apply, contact Paul Kiff in the Graduate School: kiff2@uel.ac.uk
Professor Rachel Mulvey, Associate Dean of the School of Psychology, has been elected to the board of the International Association of Educational and Vocational Guidance (IAEVG). The IAEVG has over 16,000 members from 53 countries in six continents and is the only international association for career and educational guidance practitioners and practitioner associations. For more on the IAEVG see iaevg.org
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 and 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 6 September | Postgraduate application drop-in evening | 4 – 7pm | 3 – 7pm | Docklands only |
| Thursday 8 September | Postgraduate application drop-in evening | 4 – 7pm | 3 – 7pm | Stratford only |
Sixth Learning, Teaching and Assessment Conference: Wednesday 7 September (Docklands Campus)
Have you registered for UEL’s sixth Annual, Learning, Teaching and Assessment Conference? The conference is free and open to all UEL staff and collaborative partners. This year we focus on research-informed teaching and teaching-informed research in higher education. Themed sessions include Academic Excellence and Innovation, and Technology Enriched Practice. Professor Stuart Hampton-Reeves, from the University of Central Lancashire, will give our morning keynote speech and Dr Cath Ellis, from the University of Huddersfield, will give the afternoon keynote address. Thank you to all who submitted abstracts. We have a broad range of high-quality sessions this year. For more information see bit.ly/6thLTA To register your place visit bit.ly/lta_booking_form
Radical Foucault – An International Conference: Thursday 8 – Friday 9 September
The Centre For Cultural Studies Research at UEL will be hosting a major international conference which will re-assess Michel Foucault’s contribution to radical thought and the application of his ideas to contemporary politics. Please see full call for papers here. Further details to follow soon.
Vice-Chancellor’s Staff Meetings: Friday 9 September, 11am – 12 noon (MLT, Docklands Campus); 12.30 – 13.30pm (CC.1.01, Stratford Campus)
Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee said: “I would like to take an opportunity as the new academic year begins to update staff onthe work we have all been doing. I would also like to provide colleagues with a fuller understanding of how the proposals in the White Paper might impact upon our activities during 2011/12 and subsequently.” There will be a further meeting for colleagues who are unable to attend because of enrolment or other activities on Tuesday 4 October, 3 – 4pm, in the Main Lecture Theatre, Docklands Campus. For more information contact Richard Pyle via r.pyle@uel.ac.uk
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
Coming soon for all UEL staff members – Back to Netball (B2N)
Not played netball since school? Always wanted to get back into it? Want to use netball to keep fit? If so, then we have exciting news for you. Thanks to funding from Sport England, UELSports have two new FREE B2N sessions starting from Monday 19 September. With a qualified coach from a local netball club leading the sessions and a friendly tournament in November to practice for, there is no stopping you! Come on your own or grab a friend for some fun and fitness through netball. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know your bib from your bounce pass as we will start from the basics. And don’t worry – netball skirts are NOT required!
FREE sessions:
Monday 19 September: 5.30 – 6.30pm at Kingsford School, Kingsford Way, E6 5JG (a 2 minute walk from Beckton DLR station). Indoors.
Wednesday 21 September: 5.30 – 6.30pm at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Rd Entrance, E15 4LP (opposite the Stratford Campus). Outdoors.
The B2N sessions will continue weekly, every Monday and Wednesday. For more information please email Claire Smith at c.e.smith@uel.ac.uk
On 12 and 13 September, and 14 and 15 September, UELSports is hosting its annual Sports Fair, at Docklands and Stratford Campuses respectively. Fairground rides, different sports activities to try and giant games over the four days are only some of what’s on offer during the Sports Fair.
Over 25 UELSports clubs will be represented at the Sports Fair, from basketball to dance and athletics to tennis.
The Sports Fair will also be a chance for UEL staff to register for Try a Sport 365 and Campus Sport. Campus Sport offers UEL students and staff the opportunity to enter a team to compete against other Schools, Services and Halls of Residences. Funded by Sport England, Try a Sport 365 encourages everyone to take part in the recommended 30 minutes of sport three times a week.
Make sure to come along to Sports Fair and get involved with UELSports this academic year.
For further details please contact uelsports@uel.ac.uk or visit www.uel.ac.uk/sports
Welcome to the Green Thing, a regular section full of info on environmental projects, tips and ideas for staff at UEL. Visit our website www.uel.ac.uk/greenthing or get in touch via greenthing@uel.ac.uk We’d love to hear from you!
Environment Team
Facilities
The new raised beds at Stratford have been installed, the permaculture designs have been drawn up, and the cranberry bushes, garlic bulbs and radish seeds are on their way. All we need now are caring hands that don’t mind getting muddy. The first planting session is taking place on Thursday 15 September, from 11am – 12pm, at the new beds between University House and the Clinical Education Building. If you’d like to take part in this exciting project, come along to this session, email s.ettlinger@uel.ac.uk for further details or visit www.uel.ac.uk/greenthing/GrowYourOwn.htm
… that you can get free cycle maps from Transport for London? These handy guides show you the best routes through London on two wheels. There are 14 different ones, covering all areas of London, including both Docklands and Stratford. You can pick them up from Travel Information Centres or order them online here tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/cycling/11682.aspx
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© 2011
