Campus News
Are you funded by the UKRI? New Open Access policy from April 2022
February 11th, 2022
A new Open Access policy will apply to research articles from April 2022 and long form publications from January 2024.
If your research is funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK, please ensure you are aware of the latest policy requirements including changes to scope and funding.
UKRI have recently published some guidance and resources related to the new policy. More specific information for grant holders will be available soon.
If you have any questions about how this affects you, email the Libraries Research Support Team at openaccess@nottingham.ac.uk.
What does it apply to?
The new UKRI Open Access policy will apply to:
- Articles, reviews, conference papers submitted from 1st April 2022
- Long-form publications (academic monographs, book chapters, edited collections) published from 1st January 2024
Routes to open access
We recommend checking the full policy requirements at an early stage to ensure you are meeting your funding conditions. The Research Support Team within Libraries are available to support with this.
There are two compliant routes to publishing open access within the policy:
Gold Route
- Publish in a fully open access journal/platform or hybrid journal (funding restrictions apply) that makes the article immediately OA via its website under a CC BY or Open Government licence. Publishing under a CC BY-ND may also be available upon request (subject to UKRI approval). An Article Processing Charge (APC) payment is usually required.
- Publish in a journal covered by a Transformative Agreement (also known as a Read & Publish deal).
Green Route
Publish in a subscription journal for free and release the Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) upon publication under a CC BY, CC BY-ND or Open Government licence (no embargo).
This route requires you to include the rights retention text prescribed by UKRI in the submitted manuscript.
Are there any changes in gold open access funding?
Within the new UKRI Open Access policy, block grants will not cover:
- the cost of OA publishing in hybrid journals unless part of Jisc-approved transformative agreements or in journals approved by Jisc as meeting the research sector’s requirements for transition to open access.
- non-open access charges associated with publication, including page and colour charges.
- open access fees associated with long-form publications (UKRI will be making some dedicated funding available once the monographs policy is live in 2024).
Will I be REF-compliant?
Researchers should continue to comply with the requirements of REF 2021 OA policy until further notice.
UKRI has confirmed that outputs that acknowledge UKRI funding and satisfy the new policy outlined above will also satisfy any future REF policy.
Help and Support
The Libraries Research Support team are available to help you with any questions about the new policy. Get in touch by email at openaccess@nottingham.ac.uk
More information about the UKRI policy is available on the Libraries and UKRI websites.
Tags: open access, open access funding, REF, research, Research funding, UKRI
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Car park and access closure around Tower Building
February 8th, 2022
From Monday 28 February 2022, the access route and car park (yellow zone on the map) around Tower Building will permanently close to facilitate and enable the strip out and refurbishment of the building.
New road closure points will be introduced at the end of Coates Building and opposite Coates Road Auditorium (shown in red on the map).
Access for deliveries to Coates can be made via Science Road.
The automated barrier on Coates Road (shown in green) will remain in use and the route for all vehicles entering by this point is indicated with the blue arrows.
Please contact Security on security@nottingham.ac.uk should you have any queries.
Tags: coates building, Coates Road, parking, road closure, Tower Building
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University testing service open to young children of staff and students
February 8th, 2022
Primary school-aged children of staff and students are now eligible for asymptomatic Covid-19 testing through the university’s accredited Asymptomatic Testing Service.
Parents and carers can pick up test kits from campus, test their children at home, register their test online, and drop the registered test back off on campus. Tests will be registered in the child’s name, but results will be emailed to the parent or carer.
Note: If you are using an Apple device you may have to complete the consent, barcode & child’s name twice, before you can continue.
Parents and carers must consent to the test on behalf of their child as part of the registration process. Results are usually distributed the day after the test is submitted.
Testing regularly through the service helps to identify Covid in people who are asymptomatic and may never show symptoms through the course of their infection, who could otherwise unknowingly transmit Covid.
The tests also pick up infections before people begin to display symptoms, allowing them to isolate earlier and potentially infect fewer people – reducing transmission on our campuses and in the wider community.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Long said: “The Asymptomatic Testing Service is a key element of the measures we have in place to manage the pandemic and keep Covid transmission as low as possible on our campuses.
By opening up the service to young children of our staff and students, we are further strengthening the safety of our university community – while also impacting infection rate in the wider community.”
If you or your child have symptoms of Covid-19, you should test through the NHS. Do not come on to campus and use the Asymptomatic Testing Service.
For more information, visit the university’s Testing Service webpages.
Tags: covid, COVID testing, COVID-19, testing for children
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Vice-Chancellor’s blog: Levelling up and the importance of our civic mission
February 8th, 2022
In her latest blog, Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West celebrates the return of graduation ceremonies, discusses the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper and talks about the importance of the university’s civic mission for Nottingham.
Tags: Civic, civic mission, graduation, Levelling up, VC Blog, Vice-Chancellor's blog
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The Magic Mystery Tour…50-year anniversary of historic Wings visit
February 7th, 2022
University staff and students were left stunned when Paul McCartney and his newly formed band ‘Wings’ turned up for an impromptu gig in the Portland Ballroom, University Park campus.
Wednesday 9 February 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic visit, which was completely unplanned, unannounced and unexpected.
The idea of the Wings tour of 1972, the year before the release of Band on the Run, was that the band would literally turn up at universities unannounced and ask to play.
In an interview with Will Hodgkinson of The Times McCartney said: “To give you a taste of what it was like, we would look at a map and say, ‘Ashby-de-la-Zouch . . we like the sound of that. So we drove there, and no offence to the people of Ashby-de-la-Zouch, but it didn’t seem like much more than a signpost.
“Then we discovered that Nottingham University was nearby so we showed up there. Our roadie went up to the bar and said, ‘I’ve got Paul McCartney in the car park, wondering if he can do a gig’. The guy said ‘pull the other one’ before being convinced to come out to the car park. I’d be there waving out of an old van.”
You can hear former Wings guitarist Henry McCullough talk about the impromptu gig when he returned to The University of Nottingham with the BBC’s One Show in 2012.
Tags: Sir Paul McCartney, Wings
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University’s champion of ‘unsung heroes’ leads team delivering report on securing the UK’s technical talent of the future
February 1st, 2022
Kelly Vere MBE, Director of Technical Skills and Strategy at the University of Nottingham, has led a national report that gives strategic insight into the UK’s technical community and sets out a bold vision for how technicians can strengthen science, engineering and the creative industries.
Kelly leads Midlands Innovation’s TALENT programme, a £5m collaboration between the University of Nottingham and seven other Midlands universities, that nationally champions the role of technicians and delivers strategic insights into delivering the technical skills the UK needs to drive economic growth.
The report by The TALENT Commission, chaired by Professor Sir John Holman, reveals the crucial role of technical skills in academia, research and innovation and outlines recommendations for the higher education and research sector.
New data about skills, roles and careers of the UK’s technical talent, generated by a research team at the University of Nottingham, has informed 16 overarching recommendations for employers, government, policy makers, funders, technicians, professional bodies and learned societies.
The changes call for a broadening of technical career entry routes across vocational and academic pathways, greater investment in technical careers at all levels and a move to ensure that technical staff are involved and considered in strategic decision-making processes.
The research highlights the extent to which employers, professional bodies, government and funders would benefit from collaboratively implementing the proposed changes to strengthen technicians’ vital role in teaching, research and development.
Kelly said: “The depth of insight the TALENT Commission has generated provides a strong foundation to empower, upskill and create career opportunities for a UK-wide workforce of around 30,000-50,000.
Kelly Vere, MBE
“The recommendations offer solutions to strengthen the technical community, ensuring that it is diverse, inclusive, sustainable and fit for purpose, now and in the future. They also ensure technical skills, roles, and careers will be recognised, respected, aspired to, supported, and developed.”
At the launch of the report today (1 February) Kelly joined speakers including Professor Sir John Holman, Chair of TALENT Policy Commission and Professor Melanie Welham, UKRI’s People and Culture Champion and Executive Chair, BBSRC.
She added: “It is vital that these recommendations are integrated into and expand on existing UK-wide initiatives like the Technician Commitment to build on the work that has already been done. When the sector starts to think more strategically about the role of technicians, we can unlock even greater research potential.
“At the University of Nottingham, I am extremely proud of the essential role of our technicians in enhancing the learning experience of our students and in helping to deliver our world-class research. Our specialist skills and partnerships with colleagues in industry are crucial in driving innovation and growth in the regional and national economy.”
Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “Kelly has offered leadership nationally for this important agenda and developed partnerships with higher education institutions, industry, government departments, funding bodies and learned societies. She has helped ensure that our remarkable technicians are no longer ‘unsung heroes’ and is helping shape policy and programmes that recognise the value of technicians in securing a competitive, skills-rich economy.
“As one of the eight Midlands Innovation universities leading the TALENT programme, we champion the essential role of technicians in enhancing student experience and delivering research that has real impact.”
Last week, Kelly received her MBE from His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge at Windsor Castle. She received the honour in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2021 for services to championing the role of technicians in higher education and research institutions.
The Talent Commission is funded by UKRI-Research England and David Sweeney, Executive Chair for Research England, said: “We are delighted to have supported this important work about the often-underplayed role of technicians in academia, research and innovation.
“We welcome the findings, which align strongly with UKRI’s vision for an outstanding research and innovation system in the UK that gives everyone the opportunity to contribute and to benefit, enriching lives locally, nationally and internationally.
“The recently published consultation on our EDI Strategy sets our ambitions for an inclusive research and innovation system where everyone feels included, is heard and different skills and perspectives are valued.
“The implementation of these findings across the sector will help deliver on this ambition.”
Dr Helen Turner, Director for Midlands Innovation and Co-Lead for the TALENT programme said: “This report is the culmination of almost two years’ worth of in-depth research by the TALENT team and Midlands Innovation partners. It provides a strong foundation to empower, upskill and create career opportunities for a UK-wide workforce of around 30,000-50,000.
“Midlands Innovation has been championing the role of technicians for several years; establishing the UK Higher Education Technicians Summit – the UK’s largest national conference dedicated to technicians – and the acclaimed Papin Prizes which celebrate the achievements and successes of technicians in higher education and research.
“The TALENT Commission further supports this ambition and offers a blueprint for the sector to support the UK’s vision to become a global superpower in science, engineering, and the creative industries.”
The £4.99 million four-year Midlands Innovation TALENT Programme launched in 2020.
TALENT is underpinned by a grant of more than £3 million from the Research England Development Fund. The rest of the funding is provided by Midlands Innovation universities and key partners including the Science Council, Technician Commitment, Wellcome, British Geological Survey, Manufacturing Technology Centre, Rolls-Royce Plc, Unilever, Thales Alenia Space, Cobra Biologics and Midlands Engine.
Midlands Innovation is a consortium of eight universities in the Midlands which collective deliver world-class research to power economic growth. The members are: Aston University, University of Birmingham, Cranfield University, Leicester University, Loughborough University, Keele University, University of Nottingham, University of Warwick.
Tags: Kelly Vere, research, Research and Knowledge Exchange, TALENT programme, technicians
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National Student Survey 2022
February 1st, 2022
Final-year undergraduate students are now invited to complete this year’s National Student Survey (NSS).
The National Student Survey was established in 2005 and is a census of nearly half a million students across the UK. It enables us – and the University of Nottingham Students’ Union – to understand what we’re getting right and what we need to improve. The survey gives students a powerful voice to help shape their course, and the results help prospective students in their decision-making about which university is right for them.
The survey consists of 27 questions covering various aspects of university life, including teaching, assessments and feedback, academic support, learning resources, the student voice and overall satisfaction.
The survey takes just 10 minutes to complete and consists primarily of Likert scale questions with open-ended comments. All eligible students will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five £200 shopping vouchers.
Staff support
For NSS results to be made publicly available, a threshold of both 10 respondents and a response rate of 50% must be achieved for the course, school/department or institution. The university is therefore requesting the support of all staff in communicating the NSS to final-year undergraduate students.
The majority of UK students report learning about the NSS directly from staff members so your support is invaluable. Lectures, seminars and personal tutor meetings are opportune moments to tell students about the survey.
Please note that there are stringent guidelines in place that provide parameters around the manner of our communications. You can find clear guidelines in the NSS Communications Presentation for Staff.
If you have any questions, or would like access to NSS promotional materials, please contact the NSS representative(s) in your area – if you are unsure of who these are, please email studentcommsoffice@nottingham.ac.uk.
A list of FAQs can be found on the NSS website, should students have any queries throughout the duration of the survey period.
Thank you for your support.
Tags: National Student Survey, NSS, NSS 2022, student experience
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University Covid testing service open to young children of staff and students
February 1st, 2022
From Monday 7 February 2022, primary school-aged children of staff and students will be eligible for asymptomatic Covid-19 testing through the university’s accredited Asymptomatic Testing Service.
Parents and carers can pick up test kits from campus, test their children at home, register their test online (registration will begin from 7 Feb), and drop the registered test back off on campus. Tests will be registered in the child’s name, but results will be emailed to the parent or carer.
Parents and carers must consent to the test on behalf of their child as part of the registration process. Results are usually distributed the day after the test is submitted.
Testing regularly through the service helps to identify Covid in people who are asymptomatic and may never show symptoms through the course of their infection, who could otherwise unknowingly transmit Covid .
The tests also pick up infections before people begin to display symptoms, allowing them to isolate earlier and potentially infect fewer people – reducing transmission on our campuses and in the wider community.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Long said: “The Asymptomatic Testing Service is a key element of the measures we have in place to manage the pandemic and keep Covid transmission as low as possible on our campuses.
By opening up the service to young children of our staff and students, we are further strengthening the safety of our university community – while also impacting infection rate in the wider community.”
If you or your child have symptoms of Covid-19, you should test through the NHS. Do not come on to campus and use the Asymptomatic Testing Service.
For more information, visit the university’s Testing Service webpages.
Tags: children testing, covid, COVID testing, Test to protect
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Industrial Action at the university: Feb/Mar 2022
February 1st, 2022
The University and College Union (UCU) has announced that industrial action will take place at 68 universities, including the University of Nottingham during February and March 2022.
Strike action will take place across 14-18 February, 21-22 February and 28 February to 2 March, with continuing action short of a strike, where staff work to contract and do not undertake voluntary activity.
The university recognises that any period of industrial action will be challenging, appreciates that colleagues do not undertake industrial action lightly and respects their right to participate. We also recognise that students will be concerned about the potential impact of industrial action on their studies and the university will work to minimise this.
The university has published staff information about the industrial action as well as student FAQs and we will keep staff and students updated with information. For further information, please visit:
- USS 2020 Valuation
- Universities and Colleges Employers Association(national pay negotiators)
- Universities UK(national USS negotiators)
- University and College Union (UCU)
Tags: Industrial Action, UCU, UCU Industrial Action, USS, USS 2020
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Exchange your out-of-date parking vouchers on University Park
February 1st, 2022
Colleagues who are using daily scratch card parking vouchers for their on-campus parking should check they are in-date. Vouchers which expired in 2021 should be exchanged for valid ones at the Security Office on University Park.
Vouchers will be exchanged free of charge. Complete and incomplete books of vouchers can be exchanged, meaning that no staff member will have been charged for parking vouchers they have not used.
New vouchers can be sent out via internal mail, but colleagues will need to prove how many vouchers they have which require replacements.
Contact parking@nottingham.ac.uk for more information.
Vouchers can be exchanged at the Security Office behind Hallward Library on University Park.
The office is open Monday to Friday between 8am and 4pm. Expired vouchers should be updated by Monday 28 February 2022 to avoid parking fines.
Tags: car park, car parking, car parking scheme, car parking vouchers, parking vouchers
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