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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 262: 20 September 2011 |
U.S. Olympic swimmer Rebecca Soni visited Stratford Campus last Thursday. Rebecca, who won one gold and two silver medals at the Beijing Olympics, made UEL her first port of call on her visit to the UK as part of the Britain Bound project. Rebecca spoke to an audience of Sports Scholarship students, Sports Journalism students, local school children and representatives from Newham Swimming Club before taking questions from the floor. The evening was also the perfect opportunity to announce
UEL and British Swimming's investment in Newham Swimming Club over the next two years.
UEL graduate Lucy Tomlins has won the prestigious Battersea Park Sculpture award for her piece entitled, 'Concrete Country', a representation of a twice life-sized fence and stile, cast in white concrete. Lucy's sculpture was officially unveiled outside the Millennium Arena in Battersea Park at a private view last week and will remain on display for a year. For the full story see bit.ly/uel_stile
Leading work on green infrastructure by UEL’s Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) has led to the Institute successfully developing and securing a £6.6m EU funded project, led by University College Dublin, which centres on the greening of urban infrastructure. The Transitioning towards Urban Resilience and Sustainability (TURaS) programme brings together urban communities, researchers, local government and SMEs to develop sustainable solutions to address the challenges of climate change, natural resource shortages and rapid urban growth. The five-year research project has a total of 27 partners throughout Europe. UEL’s contribution will be led by Dr Stuart Connop and Darryl Newport. For further information contact Darryl Newport, SRI Director, via D.J.Newport@uel.ac.uk
UEL has made an exciting breakthrough, which could potentially herald a new dawn in the fight against a wide range of microbials, such as MRSA and E-coli. The new range of substances is a series of molecules completely different from conventional antibiotics. In this exciting new development, Dr John George from the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience, has made a bank of laboratory-produced molecules. All of these were tested to be successful in test tubes. For the full story see bit.ly/uelsuperbugs
Just a reminder that our first graduation for 2011 is just seven weeks away. The graduation team have started to collect staff gown hire information for each ceremony. Please see your School Registrar who will be able to forward the latest information we have on file for academic staff. Or else contact graduation@uel.ac.uk with your gown details or query as soon as possible. For the latest information visit www.uel.ac.uk/graduation
This summer, UEL’s first cohort of Undergraduate Research Interns worked with UEL academic staff on research projects to develop their employability skills and promote a culture of research excellence across UEL. A poster exhibition showcasing their work will take place in the East Building Atrium, Docklands Campus, from 12 noon on Wednesday 5 October to 5pm on Thursday 6 October. The exhibition launch, with a prize-giving and networking session, will take place from 5pm on Wednesday 5 October. If you would like to attend please RSVP to resinterns@uel.ac.uk by Friday 30 September. There will also be a workshop for academics on ‘Engaging Students in Research & Enquiry’ led by Prof. Mick Healey, who is recognised as one of the world’s leading authorities on the link between research and teaching. It will take place from 12.30 – 3pm, in EB.1.63, Docklands Campus. If you would like to attend please RSVP to liz.williams@uel.ac.uk by Friday 30 September.
The Library and Learning Services invite all staff to book a one-to-one, 30 minutes refresher session with your Subject Librarian. You will receive updates on the library catalogue as well as other service updates. Librarians can also deliver workshops on how to search for print and online resources, as well as referencing. Contact the Subject Librarians via www.uel.ac.uk/lls/services/subjectlist.htm Make sure that your students also receive library training to use the library effectively, using the Info skills programme, and tell us how you are finding it too. Visit infoskills.uelconnect.org.uk For further information contact s.n.okolo@uel.ac.uk or see www.uel.ac.uk/ask-a-librarian
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
The Centre on Human Rights in Conflict: Autumn 2011 Seminar Series
Human Rights: Ten Years After September 11th: Wednesday 28 September, 3.30 – 5pm (Room 110, Duncan House)
John Strawson, Reader and Interim Director of the Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law and Social Sciences, UEL. Refreshments provided, all welcome. For further information visit www.uel.ac.uk/chrc or contact Johanna Herman on j.herman@uel.ac.uk
Doing justice or meddling in transitions? Universal jurisdiction and Spanish prosecution of crimes committed in Rwanda and DRC: Wednesday 12 October, 3.30 – 5pm (Room 110, Duncan House)
Rosa Ana Fernandez Alija, Lecturer, University of Barcelona. This event is co-hosted by the London Transitional Justice Network. Refreshments provided, all welcome. For further information visit www.uel.ac.uk/chrc or contact Johanna Herman on j.herman@uel.ac.uk
Migrant workers and camel jockeys: a look at exploitation in the Gulf: Wednesday 26 October, 3.30 – 5pm (Room 110, Duncan House)
David Keane, Lecturer, Department of Law, Middlesex University. Refreshments provided, all welcome. For further information visit www.uel.ac.uk/chrc or contact Johanna Herman on j.herman@uel.ac.uk
Gender-based violence in war and the question of accountability: the case of Bosnia: Wednesday 9 November, 3.30 – 5pm (Room 110, Duncan House)
Maja Korac, Reader, School of Law and Social Sciences, and Olga Martin-Ortega, Senior Research Fellow, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, School of Law and Social Sciences (UEL). Chair: Johanna Herman, Centre on Human Rights in Conflict, UEL. For further information visit www.uel.ac.uk/chrc or contact Johanna Herman on j.herman@uel.ac.uk
The Human-Rights Compliance of UK Anti-Terrorism Legislation in the Light of Domestic and International Case Law: Wednesday 23 November, 3.30 – 5pm (Room 110, Duncan House)
Carmen Draghici, Lecturer, School of Law, City University. For further information visit www.uel.ac.uk/chrc or contact Johanna Herman on j.herman@uel.ac.uk
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
Biggest Sports Fair ever
Last week, a variety of UEL Sports Clubs and external Sporting organisations gathered for the annual Sports Fair. Taking place at both campuses from Monday 12th – Friday 16th September, hundreds of UEL staff and students registered their interest in a range of clubs and activities. Speaking after the Sports Fair, Katy Hollands, Sports Development Officer, said, “This year’s Sports Fair was the best yet. We are thrilled with the large numbers signing up for activities. We are especially delighted with the number of UEL staff who expressed an interest in joining Clubs”. Sports Fair is the result of the hard work of a number of Services and staff members, whom UELSports would like to thank for their efforts. All Sports Clubs are open to UEL staff with an early bird membership price of only £50 for the next two weeks. For more information on Sports Clubs email Katy Hollands at k.hollands@uel.ac.uk
If you are interested in keeping fit through jogging, we have groups starting this week. All sessions cost £2 which you pay to the instructor. Sessions are aimed at any standard of runner; the qualified tutor will be able to tailor the session to the group.
Tuesday 20 September : 3.30 – 4.30pm, meet at East Building entrance by Car Park (Docklands Campus)
Thursday 22 September: 12.30 – 1.30pm, meet at East Building entrance by Car Park (Docklands Campus)
Thursday 22 September: 5.15 – 6.15pm, meet at East Building entrance by Car Park (Docklands Campus)
For more information please email Yassin Abidou at y.abidou@uel.ac.uk
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 new FREE B2N sessions starting this week. 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!
Wednesday 21 September: 5.30 – 6.30pm at Sarah Bonnell School, Deanery Rd Entrance, E15 4LP (opposite the Stratford Campus). Outdoors. Admission is FREE.
The B2N sessions will continue weekly, every Monday and Wednesday. For more information please email Claire Smith at c.e.smith@uel.ac.uk
Open to UEL students and staff, a tennis tournament will be taking place next Wednesday. Brilliant prizes are on offer, as well as great fun. It’s only £2.50 to enter.
Wednesday 28 September
West Ham Park Tennis Courts
Register to play by Monday 26 September by emailing Nurudeen Isa at n.isa@uel.ac.uk
Our brand new timetable is available online; all sessions will be starting next week. Please see www.uel.ac.uk/sports/activity/physical.htm for more information.
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 Environment Team has had a very active enrolment season. We gave out lots of information about Fairtrade, with over 230 students and staff filling in our Fairtrade survey in exchange for a free Fairtrade orange juice at international enrolment. During First Week, students and staff churned eight litres of juice, 5kg of frozen fruit and 40 bananas into beautiful cycle-powered smoothies. Almost 350 people joined the Green Thing mailing list to get involved in events and campaigns throughout the year. If you would like to sign up too email greenthing@uel.ac.uk
…that the Green Thing is now on Facebook and Twitter? Follow and ‘like’ us for daily news, event alerts and other relevant information. Our Facebook page is facebook.com/pages/University-Of-East-London-Greenthing/261806140516613 and our Twitter account is twitter.com/uel_greenthing
Highlights
Leverhulme Trust Research Programme Grants To explore significant thematic issues. It is possible for a research team to study a significant theme in depth by conducting a group of interlinked research projects which taken together can lead to new understanding. The themes for this cycle are: Conspiracies; Patronage; Value. Contact ReDS if interested. Min £500,000, max £1.75 million Grant Up to 5 years. Closes 11-Jan-12
The Children and Violence Evaluation Challenge Fund First call for proposals To reduce violence against children by funding evaluations of violence prevention & child protection interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Thematic focus area: preventative strategies to reduce violence (including physical, emotional &/or sexual violence) occurring in family settings & affecting children, inc but not limited to the youngest (0-8 years). Call budget is €750,000 Grant Up to 3 years. Closes 07-Oct-11
NESTA Innovation in Giving Fund To support innovations that have the potential to deliver a significant uplift in the giving & exchange of time, assets, skills, resources & money to achieve social goals & public benefit. Especially: Harnessing the potential of collaborative & networked technologies; Platforms & mechanisms that promote reciprocity; Making use of idling capacity; Increasing the number of people that make donations to charity; & Improving the targeting of pro bono support from commercial organisations. Up to £150,000 (check guidelines) Grant. Closes 14-Oct-11
DFID & 3ie Impact evaluations of social protection For new and innovative impact evaluation proposals on social protection. This is the first thematic window being launched by 3ie & is part of an ongoing drive to fund high quality research that helps us understand what works, why & in what circumstances. The focus of this call is to generate lessons relevant to low income countries. The call invites proposals for impact evaluations on the impact of social protection interventions & also design issues relating to social protection. The call will also accept proposals that examine elements of the institutional & political context that influence social protection programmes. EOI. Total budget of €5 million to fund 7 to 12 impact evaluations. Closes 07-Nov-11
Evaluation of Supporting People Payment by Results Pilots for the Department of Communities and Local Government (contract) To evaluate the different PbR models used by pilot local authorities to commission Supporting People (SP) services by exploring the practical implementation & delivery of the approach. In particular the evaluation should focus on the processes underlying the potential success of the models piloted; value for money; strategic outcomes & outcomes for clients; lessons for dissemination &; capturing any unintended consequences or perverse incentives. Ref (on file) Up to £125,000 CONTRACT 2 years with a break clause after initial scoping. Closes 30-Sep-11. Contact ReDS if interested.
NSF (US) & EPSRC (UK) Materials Proposals Materials World Network: Cooperative Activity in Materials Research between U.S. Investigators & their Counterparts Abroad (MWN). Proposals must have a clear relevance to fundamental materials phenomena, synthesis, characterisation &/or properties, or materials processing/fabrication & fall within NSF’s remit for the call. Themes: Biomaterials, Ceramics, Condensed Matter & Materials Theory, Condensed Matter Physics, Electronic & Photonic Materials, Metallic Materials & Nanostructures, Polymers, Solid State & Materials Chemistry. Closes 10-Nov-11.
Forthcoming: EU FP7 – A new round of FP7 Calls have been announced; ReDS is currently analysing them and will promote the relevant opportunities shortly.
The full spreadsheets of opportunities are available from a secure page on the ReDS website – login with your UEL username and password at www.uel.ac.uk/secure/reds/current-opportunities/index.htm These (and other) announcements also go out on our Twitter feed: twitter.com/#!/UEL_ReDS
The ReDS team provide administrative and development support to all research and knowledge exchange projects across UEL. Please contact us on 020 8223 7776 or email reds@uel.ac.uk if you would like to discuss any opportunities. Do let us know as soon as possible if you’re developing a proposal – thank you!
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.
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© 2011
