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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 275: 10 January 2012 |
While the London 2012 Games will bring a buzz of excitement to east London it will also bring major transport disruptions to the capital. London is hosting the Olympic Games from 27 July – 14 August and the Paralympic Games from 29 August – 9 September. However, the majority of teams and media will arrive in London from 1 July.
UEL is located close to two major Olympic and Paralympic Venues at ExCeL and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford. Additionally, the University is hosting Team USA, Team Singapore, LOCOG, ASICS and British Swimming from 6 July – 15 September.
UEL is currently planning measures to ensure that business continues as usual and Olympic partnerships are delivered successfully. As part of this an Olympic Transport project is being undertaken.
In order for the project to understand how we can best support staff during this period staff are asked to complete the following survey: surveymonkey.com/s/UEL2012
Please note that, on the recommendation of the University and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), UEL will be implementing the national pay award for 2011/12 in your pay for January, backdated to 1 August 2011. The pay award is a £150 increase on basic pay plus a 0.5% increase on London Weighting. Please find the new pay scale at www.uel.ac.uk/hrservices/payroll/index.htm If you have any queries about your pay, please contact the Payroll Team at payroll@uel.ac.uk or your HR Manager.
UEL has introduced a new security guard service delivered by CIS Security, which began on 9 January. They work with many other universities and understand the challenges associated with balancing the needs of security and the need to provide an open learning environment and excellent customer service.
The security guards are there to ensure your personal safety and security as you go about your day-to-day business so please take the time to introduce yourself, as the more they know about you and your business the more able they will be to spot if something is not right.
The management of the security function remains in-house and is headed up by Dr Sandy Bell, Security and Olympic Delivery Manager. If you have any queries on the service please do not hesitate to contact Sandy on ext. 2375.
UEL has made some changes to catering service times and provisions based on usage by staff and students. New opening hours (term-time only) are:
Docklands:
• Bite: 10am – 3pm
• Knowledge Dock Coffee Shop: 8.30am – 2pm
• Coffee Culture: 8.30am – 2pm
• The Edge: 7.30am – 8pm
• Oscar’s Coffee Bar: 8am – 6pm
Stratford:
• University House Coffee Shop: 9am – 3.30pm
• The Green: 8.30am – 8pm (Mon – Thu) / 3.30pm (Fri)
• The Buzz Bar: 8.30am – 3.30pm
• Duncan House: 8.15am – 6pm (Mon – Thu) /
8.15am – 3pm (Fri)
Duncan House will now be similar to the popular Buzz Bar, serving freshly made coffees, light snacks, fresh baguettes and panini as well as hot bowl meals and fresh soups with crusty bread. For full details of all catering services visit www.uel.ac.uk/catering/docklands.htm or www.uel.ac.uk/catering/stratford.htm
The latest version of the Hospitality Booking Form for all three sites is now available to download from www.uel.ac.uk/catering/ordering.htm and should be used for all bookings from January 2012.
The Graduate School is offering five new modules as part of the newly-revalidated MRes programme. The programme is open to both academic and non-academic staff, either as a whole or individual modules, and fee-waivers can be arranged in appropriate circumstances.
Modules include:
• Essential Research Skills
• Designing and Analysing Surveys
• Quantitative Data Analysis
• Collecting and Analysing Qualitative Data
• Doing Research to Assess Effectiveness, Impact and Quality
For more information on the programme or specific modules contact Paul Kiff at p.kiff@uel.ac.uk or see bit.ly/prosMRes You must discuss prospects for fee waivers with line managers before enrolling on the MRes programme or registering for any module.
Think you know everything about Combined Honours or two subject degrees?
Have a look at the Combined Honours webpage which lists ten things you may not have known but should know about Combined Honours: www.uel.ac.uk/combined/things.htm
Go on – surprise yourself!
The UEL Health and Wellbeing Commission would like to invite staff to an open forum meeting:
• UEL Health and Wellbeing Commission – Open Forum: Wednesday 18 January, 1.30 – 3.30pm (RB.2.12, Stratford Campus)
During the forum the Commission will be looking for ideas and contributions from within the UEL community. In particular, questions to be addressed are:
• What do the changes mean for London (specifically east London) and the services many of UEL's graduates work in?
• How might these changes affect UEL, positively and negatively?
• What opportunities in teaching, research and knowledge transfer might arise that UEL could capitalise on? How might this be done?
The Employability and Enterprise Team has launched this year’s ‘E-Factor’, a business plan competition for UEL students and graduates, with a business support package prize including £6,000 start-up funding up for grabs, as well as support from business advisors and masterclass workshops. Encourage students and graduates to apply at bit.ly/u1rZ6a Deadline for entries is Friday 20 January. For further details email eet@uel.ac.uk
If you love literature, you might like to attend a new BBC programme all about books. My Life in Books is a daily chat show in which Anne Robinson and special guests discuss their favourite works of literature. If you would like to attend any of the ten recordings taking place this month entirely free of charge visit lostintv.com/books.htm
B-Fit Expo, the fitness event of the year, is showing at ExCel Exhibition Centre from 28 – 29 January. It will feature interactive classes, industry experts and a celebrity line-up, as well as the opportunity to purchase the latest sports fashions and equipment. To book your 2 for 1 ticket deal, call 01926 485423 and quote UEL241. For more information about B-Fit see b-fitexpo.co.uk
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Assessing failing social work students in practice learning settings – emotions and challenges: Thursday 12 January, 1 – 2pm (RB.1.14, Stratford Campus)
This inaugural social work research seminar from the Cass School of Education and Communities is based on the findings of doctoral research that explored the narratives of practice assessors working with failing or struggling students in practice learning settings. Please RSVP to Veronica Burton at v.a.burton@uel.ac.uk
London – City of Paradox:
Tuesday 3 – Thursday 5 April (Docklands and Stratford Campuses)
The themes of the conference: contending histories; London and the world; race, racism and the city; east London; imaging and performing London; city and spectacle.
For full details of all the workshops please see www.uel.ac.uk/cmrb/news.htm
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
Are you still feeling the after-effects of Christmas? Never fear – as always, UELSports are on hand to offer all staff access to a variety of sport and fitness sessions. Sessions range from FREE to £5 and are open to everyone – even if you’ve not played sport since school! For the full programme see www.uel.ac.uk/sports
2012 is also a massive year for UELSports with the opening of SportsDock! If you want to be the first to hear the latest news and see the latest photos, 'like' facebook.com/SportsDock or email uelsports@uel.ac.uk to be added to the mailing list.
Here’s a taster of what’s on offer to staff this year:
A gentle introduction to netball; sessions are aimed at complete beginners and those returning to netball after a break.
• Mondays: 5.30 – 6.30pm, at Kingsford School, Beckton. Starts on 23 January.
• Wednesdays: 5.30 – 6.30pm, at Sarah Bonnell School, Stratford. Starts on 25 January.
These sessions are led by a qualified jog leader who will provide you with a varied programme each week, coaching tips to help you get the most from your running and individual goals to work towards. If you attend one session you will receive FREE membership to Run England, or attend six of the first eight weeks to receive a FREE t-shirt.
• Tuesdays: 12.30 – 1.30pm, meet at Water Lane entrance, Stratford Campus. Starts on 24 January.
• Thursdays: 5.15 – 6.15pm, meet at East Building car park, Docklands Campus. Starts on 26 January.
You will be given an overview of boxing with lots of drills to improve your fitness and co-ordination.
• Thursdays: 5.15 – 6.15pm, at The SU Dome, Stratford Campus. Starts on 26 January.
Not just a summer sport, rounders provides a fun and enjoyable way to keep fit all year round. Sessions are played indoors with a qualified coach – we need you to take part and keep this session going.
• Fridays: 5.30 – 6.30pm, at Sarah Bonnell School, Stratford. Starts on 27 January.
Welcome to the Green Thing, a regular section full of information on environmental projects, tips and ideas for staff at UEL. Visit our website www.uel.ac.uk/greenthing, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/uel_greenthing or get in touch at greenthing@uel.ac.uk
We’d love to hear from you!
Environment Team, Facilities
We have been busy making green resolutions. On top of marking a renewed interest in the lockable staff cycle shelters, our updated website has a selection of links you can visit to ensure your start to 2012 is a green and ethical one: www.uel.ac.uk/greenthing And if your resolutions do not involve eating locally sourced vegetables and cycling to work every day, then you can try some free Fairtrade cake as part of our celebrations for the one-year anniversary of UEL’s Fairtrade University status on 19 January – watch this space!
Local residents and CleanupUK, a charity dedicated to tackling the UK’s litter problem, are organising monthly litter picks in the area around Cyprus DLR station. All UEL staff and students are encouraged to join in and give a helping hand. Each clean up starts at 10am at Cyprus station and lasts approximately two hours. Volunteers are welcome for part or all of any session. Dates for 2012 include 11 January, 15 February, 14 March, 11 April and 9 May. Contact Emma at emma.harrington@cleanupuk.org.uk or 07950 345639 if you would like to attend.
…that over 20,000 tonnes of batteries are sent to UK landfill sites each year? And that it takes 50 times more energy to make a battery than it gives during its life? Find other shocking facts about waste and recycling at reducereuserecycle.co.uk/greenarticles/recycling_facts.php
The Research and Development Support 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.
Highlights
EPSRC Research Base Funding Very flexible, with supported projects ranging from small value, short-term grants to multi-million pound research programmes. The majority of proposed research should be within the areas of engineering and physical sciences. Grants have no limit on value or length. Open call – no deadlines.
EPSRC Future ICT-enabled manufacturing – cross-disciplinary research clusters For cross-disciplinary research and networking activities to help new ICT transform future manufacturing. Programmes to include a suite of interlinked research projects and feasibility studies plus substantial networking and outreach activities. Collaboration with industry is essential. Grants around £1.7 million for five years. Closes 8 February 2012.
Royal Society International Exchanges Scheme For scientists in the UK who want to undertake a collaboration with scientists overseas through either a one-off visit or bilateral travel. Available for travel to all countries outside of the UK. Depending on which country your collaboration is with proposals can be considered as a cost share application (e.g. both can apply for a grant). Russia (RFBR) cost-share round closes 1 February 2012. 2012/R1 round closing date for approved applications is 15 February 2012. Up to £12,000 grant for up to two years. Closes 15 February 2012
EPSRC and Dstl Signal Processing in a Networked Battlespace Invitation for outlines. To address challenges within the area of signal processing in a networked battlespace. Looking for an interlinked suite of research work packages within each consortium to address a number of key themes in signal processing. Expected to work closely with Dstl staff. Total budget of £8 million for up to three projects for up to five years. Closes 28 February 2012.
EU: Health Programme Improve Citizens' Health Security Call 1 Project on multi-sectoral preparedness and health security: public health preparedness and response planning in the field of pandemic influenza and other serious cross-border health threats, including bio-threats. WP ref: 3.1.1.1. Seeks to: a) raise awareness of need to strengthen robust, continued and coordinated functioning of sectors beyond health sector; b) support Member States planning for enhanced and robust functioning of crucial sectors in a pandemic based on best practice exchange; c) provide guidelines for preparedness for other health emergencies, in particular biological and/or chemical threats based on pandemic influenza preparedness; d) assist in developing an effective information forum on best practices in counteracting bio-threats by the existing European networks, including on the safety of laboratories and responders. Outcome: establish an inventory of existing structures, procedures and mechanisms already in place; identify best practice; identify gaps in response capacities and provide advice and recommendations for further measures to enhance preparedness and response planning to health threats. Indicative amount €500,000. Grant for up to 36 months. Closes 9 March 2012.
There are a lot of new European calls being announced – check the current external funding opportunities spreadsheet for more, or contact ReDS@uel.ac.uk
Nuffield Foundation Africa Programme Operates within defined geographic and thematic areas, funding projects that: benefit Southern or Eastern Africa; develop training initiatives that focus primarily on health, science, engineering, technology and mathematics – proposals in education, law and social welfare may also be considered; build expertise at research and professional level. Up to £150,000 grant. Closes 15 March 2012.
EU: Fundamental Rights and Justice Programme Daphne III Programme Call Priorities: rights of victims of violence; violence linked to harmful practices; children as victims and perpetrators of violence; perpetrator programmes and interventions; training programmes for professionals in contact with victims; empowerment work at grass-roots level; media violence, particularly violence linked to new technology and social networking tools. Minimum €75,000 grant for up to 24 months. Closes 29 March 2012.
The full spreadsheet of opportunities is available from the ReDS website – login at www.uel.ac.uk/secure/reds/current-opportunities/index.htm Current external funding opportunities and other announcements also go out on the ReDS Twitter feed – twitter.com/UEL_ReDS
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)
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