|
|
Buzz Bitesize: July 2013
Welcome to Buzz Bitesize. Circulated monthly, Buzz Bitesize provides the latest news, views, events and opportunities from across campus. Why not take a look at the Buzz Facebook and Twitter accounts for the latest campus news and opportunities throughout the month.
Headlines
News
Views
Events
Opportunities
|
|
 |
Degree congregations
Congratulations to all of our students graduating in July. Degree Congregations will be held 3–11 July in the Great Hall and many colleagues will be helping students celebrate their graduation by attending and processing ceremonies. Comedian and actor, Chris Addison, Polish-English Holocaust survivor, Kitty Hart-Moxon and founder of Moshi Monsters, Michael Acton Smith are amongst those who will be given honorary degrees. Dates for all ceremonies and details of how you can watch them live online are available on the University website.
|
 |
Exciting new look for People and Organisational Development (POD)
POD has launched an enhanced learning programme and great new opportunities such as creativity and innovation workshops, and extended coaching and mentoring provision. Development options from around the University have also been gathered in one place, including offerings from CLAD, Workplace Wellbeing, the Project Office and HAS. Visit the intranet to view POD’s new development booklets, and follow POD on Twitter and Facebook.
|
 |
University Travel Survey results
Thank you to all colleagues who completed the recent travel survey that was open to all staff and students. Your responses have provided valuable information and feedback about commuting behaviour, and perceptions of sustainable travel options. Results indicate that measures introduced through the Sustainable Travel Plan have been successful in encouraging staff and students to commute by more sustainable methods in comparison to 2008, and that the University is on track to achieve a 5% reduction in single occupancy car journeys. Detailed results are on the intranet.
|
 |
Great Read at Birmingham (GRAB) 2013
The Incredible Human Journey by Professor Alice Roberts has been chosen for GRAB 2013. The book spans areas such as geology, anthropology, genetics and archaeology. Staff who teach or support incoming undergraduates will receive a copy of the book in July, and all new undergraduates will be given their copy during Welcome week. The Library Services GRAB team are working on a range of activities and events, and are developing reading guides, academic skills worksheets, and a GRAB ideas bank. To discuss how you might use the book please contact your subject advisor. Further details are on the intranet.
|
|
News
................................................................................................
|
|
|
Birmingham tunnel closures 19 July–2 September
A website has been launched to help commuters plan ahead for closures of A38 tunnels this summer. The site provides an overview of works, plus advice on routes and transport into the city centre. St Chad’s and Queensway tunnels will be closed to all traffic from 19 July to 2 September. The University’s sustainable travel pages have details on public transport options and discounts for University staff.
|
|
|
New library management system
On 1 August Library Services will launch a new library management system, Aleph. It will enable better management of library collections and improved service to users. FindIt@Bham will remain the route for searching across all University of Birmingham resources. For further information about Aleph or FindIt@Bham contact Steve Bull at s.a.bull@bham.ac.uk.
|
|
|
Open Day streamed live
On 20 June the Undergraduate Open Day was broadcast live from campus to people watching across the globe. The live streams, broadcast on the University’s Virtual Tour site, included interviews with current students on central campus and at the Vale, giving prospective students who couldn’t attend the Open Day in person a taster of the event and life at Birmingham. They could also quiz current students during live online Q&A sessions. You can watch the broadcasts on our YouTube channel.
|
|
|
Cancer Research UK commendation
Congratulations to Birmingham PhD student Beckie Port who has received a special commendation in Cancer Research UK’s annual Flame of Hope awards. Beckie won her special commendation in the Research Engagement category for her passion and enthusiasm in communicating about cancer research to charity supporters and members of the public. Details are on the intranet.
|
|
|
Prestigious award for Human Resources (HR)
HR has been shortlisted for a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) award in the Performance and Reward category. This is for the professorial banding initiative that implemented transparent, competitive and equitable contribution and pay banding to attract, retain, and motivate the highest calibre academic staff to Birmingham. Further details are on the intranet.
|
|
 |
Social Work social media app
Tarsem Singh Cooner, Associate Director at the University’s Centre of Excellence in Interdisciplinary Mental Health, has launched a new app to help students learn about the role of social media in social work. The app uses a games based approach to stimulate discussion and debate, and is available now from iTunes and Google Play. Further details are on the intranet.
|
|
|
New internship programme
The Careers Network has been working with colleagues in Academic Services, and Development, Alumni and Business Engagement to appoint six student internships for summer placements, funded by the host department or through the Director of Academic Services. Further details are on the University website. If you are interested in hiring an intern next summer contact Andy Newnham at a.newnham@bham.ac.uk.
|
|
|
Views
................................................................................................
|
|
|
Wellbeing survey
Colleagues in Workplace Wellbeing are undertaking a review of Wellbeing Services (Employee Support and Occupational Health). Have your say on Workplace Wellbeing by completing the short online survey.
|
|
|
University School consultation
As detailed in the June edition of buzz bitesize; following final discussions with the Department for Education (DfE), the University of Birmingham School and Sixth Form will open in 2015. Public consultation on the School, including the proposed Admissions Policy, is running now until 2 August. You can complete an online form on the University website and also register for regular updates.
|
|
|
Book to the Future Festival
Running 24-29 October, this celebration of the written and spoken word will have a packed programme of workshops, panel events, readings and performances across campus. Showcasing our academic, student and local talent as well as well-known alumni authors, poets, playwrights, journalists and scriptwriters - we're even going to attempt to break a world record! Email Charlotte Heap at c.heap@bham.ac.uk, before 19 July to submit an event for inclusion, or to volunteer to help out during the festival.
|
|
|
Events
................................................................................................
|
|
|
Barber Institute – summer programme
- Dazzling exhibitions continue at the Barber this summer, including About Face: European Portrait Masterpieces from National Collections (until 1 September), and Defining Faces: 20th-century Portrait Drawings (until 26 August).
- Dora Carrington: A Platonic Affair (4 July, 6–9.30pm): Screening of the classic film Carrington exploring the relationship between Bloomsbury set eccentrics Dora Carrington and Lytton Strachey. Includes a guided tour of the galleries, which feature a portrait of Strachey by Carrington.
- New Writer-in-Residence: Jacqui Rowe, an alumna of the University, and accomplished poet, writer and visual artist joins the Barber as Writer-in-Residence this summer.
For more information visit the Barber website.
|
|
|
Jazz in the Garden
Date/Time: 6 July, 7pm
Venue: Winterbourne House and Garden
As part of the 29th International Birmingham Jazz and Blues Festival, enjoy some traditional jazz right here on campus in the stunning surroundings of Winterbourne’s Garden. With the weather forecast predicting sunshine, what better way to start July than with some al fresco music, and finger clicking tunes with the Jazz Ramblers? Tickets are £10 (£6 concessions) and can be purchased by calling 0121 414 3003 and choosing option 4, or by visiting Winterbourne
|
|
|
Wimbledon cream tea
Date/Time: 2–6pm, until 7 July
Venue: Hornton Grange
Enjoy the tennis in the beautiful environment of Hornton Grange, where you can watch matches and enjoy cream teas, or indulge in ‘Summer Delight’ of strawberries and cream with a glass of Pimms, Lemonade or Prosecco for £6.00 per person. Call 0121 415 8400 or email enquiries@venuebirmingham.com for details or to book.
|
|
|
Postdoctoral/Early Researcher Career Development and Training Gala
Date: 16 July
Venue: Bramall Music Building
Researchers will have the opportunity to showcase their work in this event organised by the College of Medical and Dental Sciences. Keynote Speaker is Professor Paul McMaster, pioneer in organ transplantation, who will talk on ‘Medical Research and the Real World’. Details available on the University website or by emailing Lesley Bodenham at l.h.bodenham@bham.ac.uk.
|
|
|
Women Movers and Shakers
Date: until 9 September 2013
Venue: Main Library Foyer
This exhibition highlights the work and writings of forward-thinking women in the early Twentieth century, and their efforts to better the lot of their fellows. It is held to mark the centenary of the death of suffragette Emily Davison, and features influential women such as Emmeline Pankhurst, Margery Fry and Constance Smedley. Details are on the University website.
|
|
|
Roots of the University
Date: until 31 October 2013
Venue: Muirhead Tower Atrium
This exhibition focuses on the creation and development of Mason College, from its foundation in 1870 by Sir Josiah Mason, through to its transformation to the University of Birmingham in 1900. It is illustrated by a selection of documents, photographs and printed material from archives held by the Cadbury Research Library. Detailed information is on the University website.
|
|
|
Postgraduate Enterprise Summer School (PESS)
Dates: 22 July – 26 July
PESS provides interactive professional skills training for Doctoral Researchers from a wide range of specialist areas. It is packed with interactive workshops, internal and external trainers, guest speakers and activities. Further details are on the intranet.
|
|
|
Francis Greene Inaugural Lecture
Date/Time: 31 July, 4.30pm
Venue: G15, Muirhead Tower
Francis Greene, Professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship and head of the enterprise research cluster at Birmingham Business School, will give this inaugural lecture titled ‘Entrepreneurial Myths and Realities: Where Next for Entrepreneurship Research?’. It will show how a developing academic understanding of entrepreneurship can shed new insights on entrepreneurial processes. For details and to register visit the University website.
|
|
|
Opportunities
................................................................................................
|
|
|
Cultural internships
Applications are open for an innovative intern scheme sponsored by the University and its cultural partners, offering six-month paid work based placements at leading cultural organisations in the region. Open to UoB students graduating this year, and alumni who graduated during or since 2010; the deadline for applications is 19 July. Further details are on the University website.
|
|
|
Medici Enterprise Training
Applications are open for Medici Enterprise Training 2013–14. The programme provides research staff with an understanding of how to develop commercial benefits and economic impact from their research. Subjects include finance, intellectual property, economic impact, business planning and raising finance. Closing date for applications is 12 July; further details are on the intranet.
|
|
|
Latest offers from UBSport
|
|
|
Kids’ summer camp discounts
A range of discounted rates, up to 15%, on day camps for children are available for all University staff. Kings Camps are offering discounted bookings at the Blue Coat School and King Edward’s Boys’ School, using discount code BHN001 before 8 July. Schools of Sport are running discounted four day sports coaching academies at King Edward VI High School for Girls using code UBH_13–15, and Pure Sport UK is continuing to offer discounted prices on Active Kids Camps at the Munrow Sports Centre. Full details are on the intranet.
|
|
|
Volunteer Opportunity - minibus driver
Monday Night Club is a Guild Society, for adults with learning disabilities; bringing members to campus for an evening of art and other fun activities. The club needs a driver to collect members from the local community and drop them at the Chaplaincy. Volunteers would need to be available 5–7pm on Monday nights during term-time. For details contact Ellie Wood on 07969153801 or at mnc@guild.bham.ac.uk.
|
|
|
Participants needed
- £10 cash study: CANTAB, a computerised test, is being used to study cognitive processes. The study involves one hour long session that incorporates a questionnaire and simple CANTAB tests. Volunteers will need to healthy, adult, native English speakers, and aged over 40. For details contact Iraida Neira Ixn082@bham.ac.uk.
- Vaccination response study: Volunteers must be in good health, aged 18–70, have not received any vaccinations in the last three months, and have never received, but be willing to receive, vaccination against Hepatitis B. The study involves ten visits, travel expenses plus £100 will be paid. Contact Peter Taylor (0121 371 3170) or Dr Benjamin Fisher (0121 371 3201) b.fisher@bham.ac.uk to volunteer.
- King‘s College London is conducting research into public responses to emergencies in order to identify practices and procedures that can make emergency response more effective. They are looking for volunteers for a live exercise on 15 August in central Birmingham. Refreshments and £45 will be provided. Details are on the ‘birmingham prepared’ website.
|
|
|
|
|