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Welcome to in Focus Update… |
Past Issues << | Issue 294: 23 May 2012 |
Fashion and Textiles staff and students from UEL were presented to Her Majesty the Queen in Bromley during her national Jubilee tour last week. Read more.
Please note that UEL’s policy ‘Staff arrangements for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ has been updated, with updates shown in red text on the website. Information includes key dates, travel and staffing guidelines, and advice during the Games period. Read the policy here.
Sports Journalism students Chris Deacon and Sunniva Ness, along with Sara Hazzard and Catherine Downes from Corporate Marketing, travelled to Dallas last week to attend the 2012 United States Olympic Committee (USOC) Media Summit. Chris and Sunni worked alongside 500 US sports news organisations and 150 top US Olympic athletes. The students reported news through Twitter, Facebook, UEL’s 2012 Blog and produced video and pictures for press conferences ranging from USA basketball to First Lady Michelle Obama. Chris said: “The trip was an amazing opportunity and I even got a job writing for Hoops Addict as a result”. Read more.
In the week when the achievements of adult learners were being celebrated across the UK, UEL scooped a prestigious award for its outstanding work with people in the South Essex area. The Thurrock Learning Shop, which is managed by UEL, picked up an Inspiring Learning Project Award at a ceremony in London last week, as part of Adult Learners’ Week National Awards. Read more.
The timetables for the academic year 2012/13 have been published, ahead of the summer break, for students. Students and staff are now able to view their new personalised 2012/13 timetables online. To view your timetables login to UEL Direct.
Due to major traffic disruption, all UEL libraries will be closed from 27 July – 12 August. However, off-campus services will still be available, including access to online resources, the Ask a Librarian tool which will be available 10am – 5pm weekdays and Info Skills which is available 24/7. The SCONUL Access Scheme also allows students to visit other university libraries; cards are available from any UEL library. Read more about Library Services during the Games period.
UEL is hosting a motivational conference this week, featuring two special guest speakers. The event, entitled ‘HR conference: Developing attitudes and behaviours of world class performers’, will see former British athlete and silver Olympic medallist Roger Black MBE join former British Paralympic gold medallist and record breaker Danny Crates to explore the relationship between high performance in sport and business. The conference will take place on Thursday 24 May, 10am – 4.30pm, at the Conference and Computer Centre, Stratford Campus. For further details and to book click here or email eastlondon@cipdbranch.co.uk
From 3pm on Thursday 28 June, join us for the Staff Summer Party 2012 including free barbeque, bar and sports day challenges! Located at SportsDock, come and cheer on your colleagues as they compete for Sports Day glory. Transport to and from Stratford Campus and Duncan House will be provided throughout the afternoon. For more information on transport, to RSVP, or for further details email staffparty@uel.ac.uk We look forward to seeing you there!
Applications are still being accepted for the 2012 Annual Fund Awards, which is open to research staff and students. This year five categories will be awarded: Student Financial Assistance Grants (£500), Sports Coaching Grant (up to £1,000), Start Up Research Grants (£2,000), The Women’s Entrepreneurship Award (up to £1,000), and The The Worshipful Company of Paviors Student Financial Assistance Grant (£500). Click here to view the terms and conditions and to apply. Download the relevant application form and return to Alumni Development Office no later than Thursday 31 May. For more information email the Alumni Development Office or call 020 8223 6443.
Students and staff attended a special celebration of sporting achievement last Thursday night at the home of West Ham United FC, Upton Park. The annual UEL Sports Awards, now in its third year, recognised the hard work of a vast array of student athletes. The Sports Personality of the Year Award, a new award voted for entirely by students, went to Sports Development student Craig Heskey, whilst an Honorary Doctorate of the Arts and Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to England women's football team coach Hope Powell (pictured with Pro VC Selena Bolingbroke).
Last week saw the first annual Scholars and Partners event, organised by UEL International and the office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor International, John Shaw.The event celebrated our international scholarship students and underscored the importance of our growing partnership network. Students presented their experiences of UEL and Vice-Chancellor Professor Patrick McGhee awarded certificates to recognise their accomplishments.A number of students had come to UEL through international partner institutions. John Shaw said: “Students are at the centre of our Global Reach strategy and I am thrilled that so many students are taking advantage of our network of global partnerships.” Read more about UEL’s international partnerships and scholarships.
UEL has been selected by the Ministry of Education (CAPES) in Brazil to receive students under their prestigious Science Without Borders scholarship scheme. The scheme enables talented Brazilian students to attend UEL to undertake a year of study as part of their bachelors degree, fully funded by the Brazilian government. They will able to take courses in the fields of science, technology, engineering and the creative industries. Our inclusion in the scheme adds another dimension to the University’s strategy in Brazil, a country in which we have been extremely active in recent years. Find out more about our activities in Brazil.
As part of the University's Quality Mark from Buttle UK, indicating our commitment to aiding Care Leavers to enter Higher Education, UEL has become a Champion for this mark. This means UEL will share its best practice with other universities wanting to be awarded the Buttle Quality Mark. This is a fantastic opportunity for the University to showcase its dedication and commitment to widening participation activity, especially in the areas concerning enabling care leavers to enter and achieve at higher education.
This semester saw nine Psychology extended degree students nominated for the David Rose Award. In order to be nominated, students must have 100% attendance and submission during the semester. The overall winner of Semester B was Fahima Miah (pictured centre) who averaged over 70% in all of her work as well as fulfilling the 100% attendance and submission rate required. There was a good turn out by staff and students to applaud these worthy nominees. For further information contact Joy Coogan.
A new free smartphone application has been launched promoting Stratford and its attractions in the local area. As well as providing information for Olympic visitors, the ‘Visit Stratford’ app includes over 500 comprehensive listings for Stratford’s shops, bars, restaurants and hotels with up-to-date events and travel information. It also includes a study section, featuring UEL. View ‘Visit Stratford’ here.
For the latest on our activities visit the news releases section of our website www.uel.ac.uk/news
Olympic Ideals? Institute of Philosophy one-day conference in association with UEL
Wednesday 23 May, 9am (for 9.30am start) – 5.45pm, Stratford Campus
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Speakers include Jim Parry (Charles University in Prague), Jonathan Wolff (UCL), Andy Miah (University of the West of Scotland), Janie Hampton (author).
• Free to attend for UEL staff.
• Click here for rmore information. If you are interested in attending email philosophy@sas.ac.uk
Sonic Radicalism
Wednesday 23 May, 1 – 5pm, EB.1.03, Docklands Campus
• Centre for Cultural Studies Research presents the third 'Music, Politics and Agency' seminar.
• Speakers include Adam Harper, Matthew Pritchard, Dhanveer Singh Brar, Jason Toynbee and UEL’s chair Jeremy Gilbert.
• Booking not necessary.
• For further details contact Jeremy Gilbert.
HR conference: Developing attitudes and behaviours of world-class performers
Thursday 24 May, 10am – 4.30pm, Computer and Conference Centre, Stratford Campus
• Motivational speakers Roger Black MBE and Danny Crates will explore the relationship between high performance in sport and business.
• HR conference with opportunities for networking and improving your CV.
• For more information and to book click here or email eastlondon@cipdbranch.co.uk
Improving health in Newham – research seminar series
Tuesday 29 May, 4.15 – 5.30pm, Classroom 3, Education Centre, NUHT
• Presented by Dr Lorna Sweeney, the seminars will explore the topic of young male perspectives on peer suicide and depression.
• To book your attendance email Sadna Ullah or call 020 7055 5628
• Click here for more information.
Teacher professionalism in a post-traditional age: some critical reflections on problems and possibilities
Thursday 31 May, 5 – 6pm,
ED.2.02, Stratford Campus
• Research seminar hosted by the Cass School of Education and Communities
• Presented by Sharon Gewirtz, Professor of Education and co-director of the Centre for Public Policy Research at King's College London.
• Please RSVP to Veronica Burton.
Royal Docks Business School postgraduate research students’ conference
Friday 8 June, 9.30am – 5pm, Docklands Campus
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Seminar led by Professor Derek Pugh on ‘The Contents of a Good PhD’, followed by research papers from RDBS postgraduate research students.
• Non-RDBS PGR students and staff welcome, but places are limited. To book a place please contact John Chandler.
Navigating our culture’s
body anxiety
Thursday 14 June, 5.30pm,
CC.1.01, Stratford Campus
• Lecture and Q&A session with renowned psychoanalyst, writer and holder of UEL Honorary Doctorate Susie Orbach.
• RSVP to
Sharon Cahill.
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 ten-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 is 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.
Dr Bike Workshop
Wednesday 30 May, 8am – 2pm, Stratford Campus
• Drop your bike off for a maintenance check from the London Cycling Campaign.
• Includes lunchtime maintenance workshops and cycle safety training sessions.
• Look out for the big gazebo in the main square of Stratford Campus.
• For more information or to RSVP contact Emily Hamilton.
Bloomberg Assessment Tests
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. The test 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
Entrepreneur event – Funding, freelance and social enterprise panel
Thursday 31 May, 3 – 6pm, KD.1.16, Knowledge Dock, Docklands Campus
• CEWE is holding a ‘funding, freelance and social enterprise’ panel for staff and students interested in enterprise.
• Three experts will share their advice and insight and will take questions from the audience, followed by a networking session.
• Register your attendance for the event and email CEWE for further details.
Belly dance classes
Every Monday, 6.15 – 7.15pm, The Dome, Students' Union, Stratford Campus
• £3 for staff and students or £5 for external guests. Pay on the day.
• To book a place please email Shahida Aslam or call 07880 736273.
• Please note the classes are for women only.
Stratford Allotment Club
Every Thursday, 12.30 – 1.30pm, Stratford Campus
• Grow your own fresh fruit, herbs and vegetables at the Grow Your Own Club.
• All gardening tools provided.
• For more information contact Emily Hamilton
Forthcoming workshops for researchers include:
• 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
SportsDock is offering a reduced booking rate for the five/seven a-side outdoor pitches between now and 10 July. Staff will receive a 20% discount on the booking fee when they book a pitch for more than three consecutive weeks. This saving of 20% will benefit anyone that books before 10 June. So if you’re not heading to the Euros this summer then grab your friends and come to SportsDock! For more information or to book email events@sportsdock.co.uk
SportsDock is hosting a range of FREE, funky and unusual classes throughout one week at the end of the month. Classes will last for 40 minutes and are open to everyone; all ages and fitness levels are welcome.
• Monday 28 May at 7.30pm: Skiptrix
• Tuesday 29 May at 7.30pm: Zumba
• Wednesday 30 May at 7.30pm: Dance Fitness Class/Bollywood Workshop
• Thursday 31 May at 7pm: Bellydance
• Friday 1 June at 7.30pm: Booiaka
For more information on any of the above classes email Qian Ding.
Volleyball has bounced back this year at BSix Sixth Form College with the help of UEL. A group of 20 sixth form students have been regularly attending weekly volleyball sessions with coach Dwaine Bowman, a UEL student. The sessions were offered at the start of the year for five weeks through UELSports' Try a Sport 365 programme, a Sport England funded initiative to increase the number of students taking part in sport. The sessions have helped to increase the students’ skills and confidence in the sport. Read more.
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
This year's Green Move Out – supported by the Students' Union and working with CRISP, a local recycling charity – will be running from 28 May – 10 June. Look out for the external collection points between halls. As part of our Green Move Out preparations and to support our Green Skills initiative, we organised a half-day Sustainable Resource Management Workshop on 21 May, delivered by Revise Consultancy for all our Green Move Out student volunteers. The workshop was a great success and also provided an opportunity for students to feed back their ideas about improving environmental sustainability at UEL.
...that you can recycle your printer toner in three ways at UEL? If you are based at Stratford Campus take your printer and toner cartridges to the Stratford Post Room, or send them back to the manufacturer. If you are based at Docklands Campus you can also return the empties back to your manufacturer and to the Docklands Post Room, but you can also send them the Print Centre.
The ReDS team provides administrative and development support to all research and knowledge exchange projects across UEL. Contact ReDS on 020 8223 7776 or reds@uel.ac.uk if you would like to discuss any opportunities. The full spreadsheet of opportunities is available from a secure page on the ReDS website. Please contact ReDS as soon as possible if you are developing a proposal.
Highlights
Global Uncertainties Consortia for Exploratory Research in Security (CEReS) - outline
To explore current and future cyber security challenges. CEReS consortia are encouraged to work across or between established disciplines and draw on expertise from multiple research organisations wherever necessary. Particularly welcome proposals with significant novel mathematics and/or social science content. Grant of £500,000 - £1 million. Deadline 14 June 2012.
EPSRC Future Conventional Power Research Consortium
Proposals are invited for multi-disciplinary research consortia in conventional power with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and increasing the flexibility, efficiency and sustainability of electricity generation from fossil fuels. Grant of up to £2 million for 5 years. Deadline 16 August 2012.
UK Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) Research and Knowledge Exchange Fund (RAKE) Call
Supported by Barclays Bank and ESRC administered through ISBE. Aims to encourage and support research activities from academics, third sector organisations, consultants and practitioners with the ambition of drawing together and generating an entrepreneurial community of practice to facilitate knowledge exchange and transfer. Grant of up to £12,000. Deadline 15 June 2012.
EPSRC Working together in ICT
Projects submitted in response to this call should comprise two or more ‘streams’ of research which run concurrently and show significant mutual benefit. These streams may include ICT researchers working with researchers in areas outside ICT, as long as the potential benefit to ICT research is the main driver for the project. Budget of up to £5 million available. Deadline 10 July 2012.
EC: Preparatory Action in the field of sports European Partnerships on Sports – Call for proposals
To support transnational projects designed to identify and test suitable networks and good practices in sport, in the following areas: 1 The fight against match fixing; 2 The promotion of physical activity supporting active ageing; 3 Awareness-raising about effective ways of promoting sport at municipal level; 4 Trans-frontier joint grassroots sport competitions in neighbouring regions and Member States. Grant of up to €1 million for 18 months. Deadline 31 July 2012.
EC: Culture Programme Support for Cooperation projects between organisations involved in cultural policy analysis
Supports cooperation between organisations, such as, cultural departments of national/regional/local authorities, cultural observatories, university departments specialised in cultural affairs, professional organisations and networks. Seeks to support cooperation between organisations which have direct and practical experience in the analysis, evaluation or impact assessment of cultural policies at local, regional, national and/or European levels. Strand 3.2 Grant of up to €120,000 for 1 - 2 years. Deadline 1 October 2012.
EC Culture Programme Support for Cultural Cooperation Projects
To help organisations such as theatres, museums, professional associations research centres, universities, cultural institutes and public authorities from different countries to cooperate so that different sectors can work together and extend their cultural and artistic reach across borders. Strand 1.1 Multiannual cooperation projects and Strand 1.2.1 Cooperation projects. Grant for up to €500,000 for up to 5 years. Deadline 3 October 2012.
The Independent Social Research Foundation (ISRF) ISRF Mid-Career Research Fellowship
To support independent-minded researchers to do interdisciplinary work which is unlikely to be funded by existing funding bodies. It is interested in original research ideas which take new approaches, and suggest new solutions, to real world social problems. Fellowship for up to £60,000 for 12 months. Deadline 21 June 2012.
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