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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 290: 25 April 2012 |
Last week’s East is East arts exhibition staged by UEL’s School of Arts and Digital Industries in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, was a resounding success. The exhibition celebrated UEL’s multiculturalism and presence in Malaysia, as well as the work of some of its most talented students, alumni and staff. An agreement was also signed between UEL and Tunku Abdul Rahman College allowing Malaysian business and arts students to study in London, while VIP, alumni and book launch events attracted a variety of notable figures such as the CEO of Hong Leong Islamic Bank. Read the full story.
As colleagues are aware, current parking permits will cease to operate as of 30 June in preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Whilst in the majority of cases it is recommended that colleagues do not drive to the University, there will be no charge for the months of July and August 2012 for those who are approved to park. This will be split into a number of periods, with those who have been deemed essential staff by their School or Service automatically approved for parking. Full details will be distributed within the next three weeks in order to allow colleagues sufficient time to secure their parking requirement over the summer. For further details email Philip Andrews, Games Time Services Manager. Please note that you may be asked to park in a specific area of the campus.
Do you know what the UEL travel insurance covers when you are travelling on UEL business, or what to do with a potential public liability claim? If not, you can now visit UEL’s new insurance website to find the answers to these questions and more. Everyone is encouraged to have a look at the site, particularly the section dedicated to travel, which not only provides an emergency assistance card to download and a synopsis of the relevant insurance policy, but also tips and frequently asked questions. We hope you find this a useful resource, and welcome feedback and queries to insurance@uel.ac.uk
The University has appointed Gareth Smith as its Director of Student Life. Gareth, who is currently the Head of Podium – The Further and Higher Education Unit for London 2012 – will take up the newly created position later this summer. Read the full story.
Monday 7 May: May Day Bank Holiday
Open 24 hours for self-service
Monday 3 June: Spring Bank Holiday
Open 9am – 9pm for self-service
Tuesday 4 June: Jubilee Bank Holiday
Open 9am – 9pm for self service
Don’t forget there is 24/7 access to e-journals and e-books online at uel.ac.uk/library
Due to popular demand, the International Students' Advice team are offering more briefing sessions for staff and students on the recent UK Border Agency changes. Both sessions will take place simultaneously on Wednesday 25 April at 2pm at Docklands Campus (EB.G.11) and Stratford Campus (RB.1.17). There's no need to register, but please note there will be no admittance after 2.15pm. Click here for information about the changes or email the ISA team.
UEL has been nominated in the ‘Outstanding International Strategy’ category at the Times Higher Education’s Leadership and Management Awards. The University is committed to a diverse range of international ties and projects with the ambition of becoming one of the UK’s leading internationalised universities by 2015. Read the full story.
In the results for the recent autumn wave of the International Student Barometer UEL's Credit Control team were benchmarked as number one in the UK and worldwide by new international students. This is a considerable achievement for the team who came number one out of 10 London institutions, 10 Million+ institutions, 55 institutions in the UK and 208 institutions worldwide.
UEL’s second year urban dance students descended on Stratford Circus yesterday for the start of Coll!de, a five day festival comprising a series of dynamic showcases intended, as one student put it, ‘to promote just how amazing urban culture is!’ Read the full story.
Come along to UEL’s Green Impact Awards this Friday 27 April at 4.30pm in EB.G.16 on Docklands Campus, which promises to be a fantastic event. Pro Vice-Chancellor Nirmal Borkhataria will begin proceedings with an opening speech followed by a presentation on urban biodiversity and green roofs by expert Dusty Gedge at 4.45pm (see the Green Thing section for further details). Drinks and a light, locally sourced, vegetarian buffet will be served. If you have not yet reserved your place please email Emily Hamilton.
Professor Lord Kamlesh Patel of Bradford, UEL’s Director of Strategic Partnerships and Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, has been appointed a Professorial Fellow by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH). Read the full story.
Electronic cigarettes – battery-operated devices that provide nicotine via inhaled vapour – may help the memory as well as ease cravings as smokers quit their habit. These are the findings of research presented by UEL at this week’s British Psychological Society Annual Conference. Read the full story.
UEL’s Students’ Union was recently named Bronze award winner at the National Union of Students Green Impact Awards in Manchester.
The awards recognise the environmental work of students’ unions around the country and this year had a record 105 unions competing for just nine awards. Read the full story.
Students who bring water into exams may improve their grade by keeping hydrated. That is the finding of a study conducted by UEL's Chris Pawson, with collaborators Sarah Doherty, Laura Martin, Ruth Soares and Caroline Edmonds from UEL, and Mark Gardner from the University of Westminster. Read the full story.
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Iraqi refugees – no exit?
Wednesday 25 April, 5.30pm, Khalili Lecture Theatre, SOAS, Russell Square
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Philip Marfleet and Tahir Zaman speak on their recent research at a seminar organised by the British Academy and the School of Oriental & African Studies
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Click here for more information.
Minding the gap about BAME student attainment: some preliminary findings of BAME students' experience of higher education
Thursday 26 April, 12 noon – 2pm, RB.G.13, Stratford Campus
• The session will explore the ways in which BAME students construct their expectations about, and experiences of, higher education, and will use this to clarify some of the reasons for the lower attainment of good degrees.
• Facilitated by Dr Pippa Bell, School of Psychology.
• Booking not necessary. Buffet lunch (first-come, first-served).
• View the Lunchtime Learning and Teaching Series schedule.
University Futures: New Engagements
Thursday 10 May, 1.30 – 4pm, EB.G.06, Docklands Campus
• A free public discussion hosted by UEL and Times Higher Education.
• Professor Les Back, Goldsmiths’ College, Professor Adam Habib, Johannesburg University, Dr Deborah Shaw (UEL/Free University) and James Sevitt and Katherine Stanley of Occupy London’s Tent City University, will be debating the contemporary state of universities in developing and developed-world countries, and their possible futures. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick McGhee, will also be commenting.
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Click here to register.
The Centre of Research on Migration, Refugee and Belonging: Imaging Migrants
Wednesdays, 5.30 – 7.30pm, EB.1.37, Docklands Campus
• A series of free seminars for staff and students.
• See the full schedule.
Green Impact Awards
Friday 27 April, 4.30pm, EB.G.16 Docklands Campus
• Please RSVP to Emily Hamilton
Bloomberg Assessment Tests
Thursday 17 May, 10am or 2pm, ITC.10 and ITC.11, Docklands Campus
Wednesday 30 May, 10am or 2pm, CC.1.08, Stratford Campus
• Bloomberg Institute is partnering with UEL to offer the Bloomberg Assessment Test (BAT) free of charge to all UEL students and recent graduates, which highlights students' strengths and weaknesses in finance, and puts them in touch with financial employers.
• Please encourage students to take the test and register at takethebat.com
Wake up! It’s time to get that job!
Until Wednesday 23 May, UEL and Canary Wharf
• The Employability and Enterprise Team is running a 10-week programme of events to get final-year students into the world of work.
• Students can view the full schedule and register here.
Careers Fair for students: 'fUEL Your Future 2012'
Wednesday 23 May, 11am – 3pm, East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf
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The Employabilty and Enterprise team are asking staff to get involved with this year’s Careers Fair by offering CV checks and mock interview practice for our students. If you would like to support this event email Fouzia Chowdhury.
• Students can register for the event here.
HR conference: Developing attitudes and behaviours of world class performers
Thursday 24 May, 10am – 4.30pm, Computer and Conference Centre, Stratford Campus
• HR conference with opportunities for networking and improving your CV.
• Motivational speakers, Roger Black MBE and Danny Crates will explore the relationship between high performance in sport and business.
• For more information and to book click here or email eastlondon@cipdbranch.co.uk
Forthcoming workshops for researchers include:
• Tuesday 8 May: Preparing for your viva (Docklands)
• Thursday 10 May: Regulations on PGR examination (Stratford)
• Thursday 24 May: Developing your professional reputation (Docklands)
For workshop synopses, plus times and venues, see the RDP webpage.
To book a place email Dr Caroline Dunmore, Researcher Development Manager.
See Events Calendar for a full listing: www.uel.ac.uk/marketing/support/eventscalendar.htm
UEL staff only five-a-side football tournament
It’s that time of year again when staff represent their School or Service in the UEL staff five-a-side football tournament. On Monday 30 April, the tournament will kick-off at 6pm at SportsDock's 3G five-a-side pitches. Squads must comprise of at least 5 players and no more than 8, with both men and women welcome to take part. To register your team please fill in a Campus Sport booking form and choose football from the drop-down menu. For more information contact Yassin Abidou.
Would you like to take part in physical challenges, including triathlons and assault courses, with friends and colleagues from UEL? If so, this is for you! TEAM UEL is all about being part of a team, and bringing people together to take part in numerous sporting events throughout the calendar year. You’ll get free professional training advice and support before an event to help you to prepare, as well as a free TEAM UEL t-shirt. For more information visit the TEAM UEL website. If there’s a sporting event you have already registered for, or if you are looking to sign up for a sporting challenge, please let Yas in UELSports know.
Tickets to this year’s Sports Awards on 17 May are now on sale. The annual awards evening recognises the contribution of students and partners across a wide range of sports. Guest of Honour Hope Powell CBE, coach of the England Women’s Football team, will be on hand to celebrate UEL’s year in sport. Tickets are only £25 and include dinner, wine, entertainment and the awards ceremony at West Ham United FC. Purchase your ticket here.
Welcome to the Green Thing, a regular section full of information on environmental projects, tips and ideas for staff at UEL. Visit our website, follow us on twitter or get in touch at Green Thing. We’d love to hear from you!
Environment Team, Facilities
Dusty Gedge is a wildlife consultant. For the last ten years he has been working as an urban ecologist, specialising in urban brownfields and green roofs. In 2004 he co-founded livingroofs.org as an independent resource of green roof information in the UK and is currently the President of the European Federation of Green Roof Associations. He is also a TV presenter for the Channel 4 wildlife programme ‘Wild Thing – I Love You.’ Dusty is an engaging, inspiring public speaker presenting talks on the environment, birds and green roofs. The Green Impact Awards will be held on Friday 27 April at 4.30pm in EB.G.16 on Docklands Campus. RSVP to
Emily Hamilton.
This forum will consider a range of resources, for example the Sustainable University One Stop Shop and the projects associated with the London Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (London RCE).
Neil Herrington, Principal Lecturer at the Cass School of Education and Communities, and Dr Katherine Eames, the Research Officer for the Sustainability Hub at Kingston University, will be leading this session. Participants will be invited to give consideration to how these resources and the experience of other institutions can be used to develop the sustainability practice and teaching at UEL.
Date: Wednesday 25 April
Time: 12 noon – 2pm
Location: CC.G.01, Stratford Campus
Please RSVP to Emily Hamilton
…it’s only 57 days until the Rio + 20 Conference, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. World leaders, NGOs and thousands over other participants, will come together to shape how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection to secure the future we want.
The full spreadsheet of opportunities is available from a secure page on the ReDS website – login with your UEL username and password here. Please contact ReDS as soon as possible if you are developing a proposal.
Highlights
ESRC Impact Fellows for Understanding Society and the Centre for Longitudinal Studies, to maximise the impact of these rich resources. Full or part time Fellowship, for up to 2 years. Deadline 21-May-12
ESRC Scientific leadership team for the British Election Study Individuals or teams may apply to undertake the next British Election Study. A maximum of £1.25 million is available for this major source of information on national political behaviour and attitudes before, during and after the next British general election in 2015. Deadline 30-May-12
EPSRC and ESRC Innovative business models around infrastructure interdependencies Seeking multidisciplinary research proposals considering all aspects of infrastructure assets and issues around building a sustainable infrastructure, including role and impacts of infrastructure on society, and how we might quantify the value of our infrastructure. Up to £7 million to fund two proposals. Deadline 12-Jun-12
EU Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP): “Sustainable Industry Low Carbon Scheme (SILC) I; Short term innovation measures” to enable energy-intensive manufacturing and process to face the challenges of a low carbon economy and maintain competitiveness by developing and deploying cost-efficient innovation measures. An industry partner is required. Up to €950,000 Grant for 12 - 24 months. Deadline 25-Jun-12
Comic Relief UK Grant UK Programmes: Themes: Young people and mental health; Sexually exploited and trafficked young people; Domestic and sexual abuse; Mental health; Young people and alcohol; Refugee and asylum-seeking women. This is the last round in 2012. Usually up to £40,000 Grant. Deadline 29-Jun-12
EU Progress Programme: Industrial Relations and Social Dialogue: Aimed at measures and initiatives designed to facilitate the adaptation of social dialogue to changes in employment and work-related challenges. Two projects will be funded; 1) Support for European social dialogue, 2) Improving expertise in the field of industrial relations. No minimum or maximum; average previously €155,000 Grant for up to 12 months. Deadline 04-Sep-12
EU LIFE+: The EU’s main financial instrument concerned with the environment. It has 3 components 1) LIFE+ Nature and Biodiversity; 2) LIFE+ Environment Policy and Governance; 3) LIFE+ Information and Communication. Think very broadly! No min/max; has been over €1m (up to $500,000 for Information and Communication). Deadline 26-Sep-12
EPSRC Discipline Hopping in Information and Communication Technologies: To provide short-term support to allow researchers from core ICT fields to work with other disciplines and/or user fields, to foster new interactions, bringing a multidisciplinary and user-driven focus. Alternatively, non ICT specialists can apply to bring a technological perspective to their home discipline. Open Call – no deadline.
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.
Please send comments or contributions for in Focus Update to: infocus@uel.ac.uk
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