Buzz Bitesize: January 2013

Headlines

News

Views

Events

Opportunities

Birmingham Professional Forum

The Birmingham Professional Forum is a termly event for all Professional Services colleagues (administrative, support and technical staff) from across the University. Introduced by the Registrar and Secretary, Lee Sanders, the forum is a great opportunity to hear from colleagues on a wide range of topical subjects for staff and the University. There is an opportunity for you to ask questions on any topics covered, both in advance and at the Forum. For further details on the Forum agenda visit the intranet.

Vice-Chancellor’s Lecture Series:
Sir Christopher Meyer

Sir Christopher Meyer is former British Ambassador to the United States and Germany and former Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission. He is author of DC Confidential and Getting Our Way and is a regular commentator, broadcaster and documentary maker for television and radio. Sir Meyer will deliver the first in the VC Lecture Series for 2013, titled ‘The Lessons of History’.

Who Gets What: The new economics of matchmaking and market design

Professor Al Roth, of Stanford University, and Winner of the 2012 Nobel Prize for Economics, will visit the University to present a guest lecture as part of the College of Social Science’s Distinguished Speaker series. Attendance is free, visit the University website for further details and to register.

News
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2011–12 - what a year!

Colleagues from the Marketing team have produced a short film celebrating some of the many highlights from across the University in 2011–12. Visit the
University’s YouTube channel to look back at some of Birmingham’s recent successes, including robots that can clean your house, hunting for the Higgs boson, and the fastest team on earth arriving on campus.

New Year Honours 2013

Congratulations to our University staff and alumni whose outstanding achievements were recognised in this year’s New Year Honours:

• Dr Jackson Kirkman-Brown, of the College of Medical and Dental Sciences, was appointed an MBE for services to reproductive medical science
• Paralympic gold medallist and alumna Pamela Relph was appointed an MBE for services to rowing
• Alumna Dr Christine Braddock was awarded a Damehood for services to education
• Alumnus Dr Hossein Yassaie was awarded a Knighthood for services to technology
• Alumnus Dr Terry Bramall was appointed a CBE for philanthropy

Pay negotiations update

• Academic and related staff – eligible staff on grade 6 and above have had their salary increased by a 1% pay award from 1 August 2012. Back-pay was included in December pay.
• Support staff on bands 100 to 500 – pay negotiations with local branches of Unite, Unison and GMB were due to begin on 21 May 2012, but did not due to a dispute over the 2011 pay settlement. The dispute is now resolved and pay negotiations for 2012 have recently commenced. More news on support staff pay discussions will follow in the New Year.

Parking notice – South car park

There will be limited parking available in South Car Park on 16, 23, and 30 January 2013. This is to accommodate applicants who will be attending visit days and interviews. The nearest pay and display car parks for staff are North and Pritchatts Road car parks. Nearest student parking is Pritchatts Road.

Launch of online equipment sharing database

The M5 group of universities (Birmingham, Leicester, Loughborough, Nottingham, Warwick and Aston) has launched a new website with a searchable database detailing each piece of equipment that can be shared across M5 universities. The new searchable database (LINK: www.m5universities.ac.uk) includes details of equipment, and contact details for information and bookings. Find out more on the University intranet

Easier access to timetables and room bookings

Staff in Academic Services and IT Services have worked together to improve access to timetable information and room booking systems. ‘Web Timetables’ displays information held in the common timetabling system for 2012–13, and also allows staff to book centrally-managed space for non-teaching events. You can access both services via the staff portal. Timetables can be found via the ‘my.timetables’ tab, and room booking is available via the ‘my.campus’ tab.

Business Engagement

Business Engagement is a newly formed directorate at the University. The team works closely with key regional, national and international partners to develop academic-industry links and strategic business partnerships that will enhance our performance and status as an engaged University. They market the University to business, develop business partnerships and provide training on research commercialisation, with extensive links to external finance opportunities and international business partners. For more information visit the University intranet.

Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS) – inaugural themes

TThe first IAS themes have been selected, and will launch on 10 April. More information on ‘Saving Humans’ led by Sadiah Qureshi and Benjamin White and ‘Regeneration Economies’ led by John Bryson and Lauren Andres can be found on the University website. If you would like to contribute to work on the themes, please contact theme leaders; for further information on workshops, IAS development and facilities contact Sue Gilligan at s.gilligan@bham.ac.uk.

Professor becomes honorary citizen of Guangzhou

The government of Guangzhou, one of the most important cities in mainland China, has named Professor KK Cheng, of the College of Medical and Dental Sciences, as an honorary citizen. Professor Cheng has led the University’s academic interests in its most significant engagement in China to date, The University of Birmingham Guangzhou Centre, a landmark partnership between the University and the Guangzhou Municipal Government. Further details are on the University intranet.

University Carol Service

The University Carol Service, held on 3 December, attracted over 1,000 people to the Great Hall to enjoy music by the Music Department and University singers. The service was led by the ecumenical team of St Francis Hall University Chaplaincy, with the participation of senior staff including the Chancellor Sir Dominic Cadbury and Vice-Chancellor Professor David Eastwood. Over £1,000 was collected in aid of the charity Birmingham Mind. Watch a clip from the Service on the University’s YouTube channel.

Student records – team name change

From 1 January the Undergraduate Student Records and Postgraduate Taught Student Records teams will be called Taught Student Administration. The range of services offered to students will be unaffected, for further details visit the intranet University intranet.

Pharmacy developments

A video showing a ‘fly through’ of proposed new lab and teaching space developments for the Pharmacy programme starting in September 2013 is available on the University’s YouTube channel.

Views
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National Student Survey 2013

The National Student Survey (NSS) 2013 launches on 14 January. The NSS is an invaluable opportunity for students to express their opinions about their time at the University. Results from the NSS are widely published and provide unique feedback to future students who may wish to study here. To find out more visit the NSS website or contact Valeria Arzenton, Market Research Officer, at v.arzenton@bham.ac.uk.

Arts and Science Festival

Don’t miss your last chance to submit an event for the University’s Arts & Science Festival this spring. Running 18–24 March there’s something for everyone, from Ancient Egyptian communication to Intelligent Robotics; Big Band performance to Classical Recitals; Urban vegetable growing to Dirty New Media. If you’d like to submit an event for inclusion in the festival brochure, please email l.c.coult@bham.ac.uk. Final deadline for submissions is 18 January.

Guild Awards – nominations open

The Guild Awards celebrate and recognise the fantastic work of University of Birmingham students. Students and staff can nominate any student or student group in recognition of their hard work and dedication. Nominations are now open, and winners will be announced at the Guild Awards evening on 19 March. For further details and to vote visit the Guild website.

Encouraging Enterprise

Entrepreneurship and Innovation (Careers Network) are looking for Enterprise Champions to help spread details of the support they offer students. Support includes business skill development, testing ideas through the Plan B – Innovation Competition, and developmental support through the B-Seen programme. There is also a new initiative, Social Enterprise – Unltd, with funding available to support students, alumni and staff with projects that make a difference in the local community. For further details or to volunteer email ei@contacts.bham.ac.uk or visit the University intranet.

Events
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William Morris and the Kelmscott Press

This free exhibition, run by the Cadbury Research Library, examines the inspiration behind The Kelmscott Press, founded by William Morris in 1891. The exhibition focuses on the Kelmscott edition of The Works of Chaucer (1896), illustrated by Edward Burne-Jones, which set a new benchmark for book design at the end of the 19th century. For more information visit the Cadbury Research Library site.

Premier Squash League

World class squash action with the Premier Squash League V Nottingham in the penultimate home match of the season. Tickets £4–£8. For further details visit the UBSport website.

Great Read at Birmingham (GRAB)

Events accompanying this year’s GRAB book Chocolate Wars include:

• Chocolate and the Quaker capitalists: Britain’s lost heritage
  17 January, 5.30pm,
  Lecture Theatre G12, Birmingham Business School
  Deborah Cadbury, author of Chocolate Wars, examines the far reaching impact of Quaker capitalism and the transformation of Cadbury from a loss making firm to the largest confectionery company in the world. This is a free event but you must book online
• The Kraft – Cadbury takeover: Does national ownership matter?
  31 January, 5.30pm,
  Lecture Theatre G12, Birmingham Business School
  Our panel will revisit the Kraft take-over of Cadbury, and examine wider questions of national ownership in the UK. Panel members include Professor Simon Collinson, of the Business School, Sir Dominic Cadbury, Chancellor of the University, and Jerry Blackett, Chief Executive of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. This is a free event but you must book online

Further details on GRAB events are available on the University events pages.

Feeding Renewable Policy conference

Presented by the University and Claverton Group of Energy Experts, this event coincides with the passage through Parliament of the Energy Bill implementing Electricity Market Reform. The event will focus on policies needed to underpin a system for funding renewable energy. Further details and registration costs are available on the University website.

Edward Cadbury Lectures 2013: Religion out of the box

The School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion will host their annual Cadbury Lecture series on the theme ‘Religion out of the box: Dialogues with academy, society and culture’. Visiting speakers include Professor Gordon Lynch (University of Kent), Professor Mark Goodacre (Duke University), Professor John Milbank (University of Nottingham) and Professor David Ford (University of Cambridge). All events take place 6–7.30pm, are free and open to all, but registration is desired. To register email cadburylectures@contacts.bham.ac.uk; a full programme is on the University website.

Christie Gordon Lecture 2013: Disruptions on the highways of cellular signalling

Professor Dario R Alessi, of the University of Dundee, will present the College of Medical and Dental Sciences Named Lecture 2013. The lecture will examine how poorly characterised components of signal transduction pathways are studied and will show examples of new developments to better treat and diagnose human disease. This lecture is open to all, further details are on the University intranet.

Economics open lecture

David Smith, Economics Editor of the Sunday Times, will visit the Department of Economics in the College of Social Sciences to present a talk on ‘An age of instability: The crisis and the changing shape of the world economy’. Further details will be available shortly on the intranet University intranet.

Creating Impact through Social Enterprise

This lunchtime seminar will focus on how you can use your research to create impact through social enterprise, and how you can apply for funding. £15,000 is available to enable research staff to test and develop their UK based ideas. Please contact Sofia Hansrod, at s.hansrod@bham.ac.uk or on 414 6539 to register attendance.

Networking for Innovation

This interactive seminar will give you the tools and strategy to build a strong and effective network, which will not only help your project become a reality but also give you the confidence to network and succeed. Please contact Sofia Hansrod, at s.hansrod@bham.ac.uk or on 414 6539 to register attendance.

Opportunities
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Over £165,000 funding available for innovative projects

Thanks to the generosity of donations to the Circles of Influence campaign, over £165,000 is available via the Alumni Impact Fund to support innovative projects that will have an immediate impact on the staff and student experience. Since 2002, alumni generosity has provided £2.2 million for over 170 initiatives, and has made many extraordinary projects possible. The funding is split for each College and Corporate Services as a whole, so £27,500 is available for each area. To request an application form please contact Laura Fairbanks at l.fairbanks@bham.ac.uk. The closing date for applications is 8 February.

Pharmacy@QEHB – your local pharmacy

Pharmacy@QEHB Ltd, located in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, sells a wide range of medicines to treat minor ailments, such as coughs and colds, aches and pains and allergies. The pharmacy can also dispense private prescriptions (but not GP prescriptions). Open Monday to Friday 8am–7pm, the pharmacy is located via the main entrance of the hospital and left past the Information Desk. For further information please call 371 5480.

Universitas 21 opportunities

• Fellowships: Applications are still open for the Universitas 21 Staff Fellowship Programme. The Fellowships, five awards of up to £5000, provide support to Birmingham staff (academic and non-academic) who demonstrate innovation and excellence in their field. Funding is for projects to be initiated during 2013–14. The application deadline is 22 February. Further information can be found on the University intranet
• PhD Scholarships: PhD students can apply for a Scholarship award of up to £1,500 for a period of around one month’s stay at a Universitas 21 institution. Funding is for projects to be initiated during 2013–14. The application deadline is 29 March. Further information is available on the University intranet

Enterprising Birmingham Fund

The University has created a new source of funding for enterprise opportunities focused on activities connected to the proof of commercial viability of an innovative idea. A total of £200k per annum is available, there is no constraint on the level of funding,but it is unlikely that more than £50k will be awarded to one project. An application form and guidelines are available from Catherine Mansell, Project Manager, at c.mansell@bham.ac.uk.

University dental plan

Staff can join the National Dental Plan insurance scheme and benefit from a choice of three plans with varying levels of cover. You can also take out cover for your partner and children. The deadline for joining the scheme is 18 January. Further details are available on the University intranet.

Call for Singers

The University of Birmingham Music Society will perform ‘Carmina Burana’ at the Town Hall on 17 March under the direction of CBSO Chorus Associate Conductor Julian Wilkins. Singers are invited to join the Society for this fantastic opportunity, and all singing levels are welcome. The University Choir rehearse on Tuesday evenings, 7–9.30pm, in the new Elgar Concert Hall. For further information please contact Charlie-Rose Terry, Choral Music Administrator, at c.terry@bham.ac.uk.

Cricketers wanted

Interested in playing midweek evening cricket? Mermaids, the University staff cricket team, plays 20-over ‘friendlies’ between May-August. In the close season we rent nets at Edgbaston Indoor Cricket Centre every Wednesday evening. Contact the club captain Dr John Wilkie at j.wilkie@bham.ac.uk for more information.

Self-control and eating behaviour in childhood

The Psychology Department are looking for participants to help in a study looking at child eating behaviour, weight, self-control and the way parents and children interact. They are inviting parents of children with and without ADHD, aged 5–15 years, to complete a short online survey

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