Campus News

Reportable Events – launch of university process

December 14th, 2021

In order to manage the university’s obligations in relation to reportable events, a new process has been put in place detailing the steps staff and students should take if they identify an event that is potentially reportable.

Background

The university is required to comply with the regulatory framework set out by the Office for Students (OfS) and must report any incidents that may be considered reportable events.

The regulatory framework’s definition of a reportable event is:

“any event or matter that, in the reasonable judgement of the OfS, negatively affects or could negatively affect:

(a) The provider’s eligibility for registration with the OfS

(b) The provider’s ability to comply with its conditions of registration

(c) The provider’s eligibility for degree awarding powers, or its ability to comply with the criteria for degree awarding powers, where the provider holds degree awarding powers

(d) The provider’s eligibility for university title, where the provider holds university title.”

What does a reportable event look like?

Many reportable events are things that, if they took place, would affect the university at an institutional level.  Examples that may be more relevant to the day-to–day activities of faculties and schools include:

  • Notification of an investigation by a professional, regulatory or statutory body which would include organisations that accredit our degrees
  • Closure of a subject area or department
  • Fraud and legal cases under certain circumstances.

What to do if you identify a reportable event

If you become aware of an event or activity that might be considered a reportable event, and would like to discuss this further, please contact Lisa Stocks, Associate Director for Regulatory Compliance or send details by email to reportable.events@nottingham.ac.uk.

Please note the university will use our usual policies and procedures to investigate a potential reportable event as part of our consideration.

You can find more information about reportable events on our Governance webpages.

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University is second in the world for sustainability

December 14th, 2021

The University of Nottingham has been ranked 2nd in the world in a list of the most sustainable universities, moving up one place from last year.

The UI Green Metric, produced by the Universitas Indonesia, is the only university ranking in the world that measures each participating university’s commitment in developing an ‘environmentally friendly’ infrastructure. The rankings look at six indicators: setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation and education.

Since first taking part in 2010, Nottingham has consistently been placed in the top four. Over 910 universities from 84 countries took part in the 2021 rankings.

The university’s new University Strategy puts sustainability at the heart of the institution’s core goals and committing to joining the city of Nottingham in its ambitions to become carbon-neutral by 2028.

Wageningen University & Research in the Netherlands took the top spot for the second year running, followed by the University of Nottingham in second place and the University of Groningen from the Netherlands coming in third.

This year, Nottingham Trent University took fourth place alongside UoN in second, giving Nottingham a remarkable double classification in the top four world rankings.

More information on University of Nottingham Sustainability can be found here.

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Our new research strategy – invitation to find out more

December 14th, 2021

The university has published a new strategy for research. Many thanks to colleagues from across our campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia who took part in a series of consultations that helped shape our vision for research for 2022-27.

You are now invited to a series of virtual town halls in January 2022, where Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, will update colleagues on our research strategy for the next five years, and discuss how you can contribute to its implementation.

Register for research town hall

We encourage our whole community – colleagues from all job families as well as researchers and staff who support research – to join this latest series of consultation events.

Dame Jessica said: “In the coming months, we will continue to involve you in delivery of our renewed strategy for research.

“We are strengthening our commitment to delivering research of the highest quality and better preparing for challenges and opportunities in a rapidly changing policy and funding landscape.

At the heart of this strategy is our commitment to building an inclusive, supportive, and truly transdisciplinary research culture.”

Each of the five town halls, to be conducted via Microsoft teams, will be hosted by one of our faculties. If you are unable to attend your own faculty’s event, please feel free to attend one of the other sessions – colleagues from Professional Services are invited to attend the town hall that suits you best.

  • Monday 10 January, 3pm-4pm – Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Thursday 13 January, 1pm-2pm – Faculty of Engineering
  • Thursday 20 January, 3:30pm-4:30pm – Faculty of Social Sciences
  • Monday 24 January, 1pm-2pm – Faculty of Science
  • Thursday 27 January, 1pm-2pm – Faculty of Arts

Renewing our research strategy: find out more

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Horizon Europe: guarantee for winners of EU funding

December 14th, 2021

Update on ‘safety net’ as UK association to R&D programme is delayed

The government has announced a ‘financial safety net’ for researchers who have successfully applied to Horizon Europe but are unable to sign grants and access EU funding due to delays to the UK’s association to the €95.5 billion (£80.5bn) R&D programme.

This means that UK Research and Innovation will step in to provide the funding for the first wave of successful applicants to Horizon Europe if association is not achieved in time. Further details from UKRI, including eligibility, scope and how to apply, will follow in the coming weeks.

While George Freeman, Minister for Science, Research and Innovation, admits this is not a long-term solution, this is welcome news.

The University of Nottingham has already seen over 90 proposals submitted to Horizon Europe, with three European Research Council proposals through to second stage interview.

We strongly encourage our researchers to continue to apply to Horizon Europe and maintain this excellent record of engagement. Whatever the outcome of negotiations between the UK and EU, we remain committed to developing innovation networks with European partners.

We all recognise the huge benefits of the UK and EU that working together in the field of research and innovation brings. Our university is continuing to engage with policymakers, via the Russell Group and other avenues, to ensure that they fully understand the importance of association with Horizon Europe, and the damage to confidence in collaborative activity  that uncertainty can cause.

We will also input to UKRI and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy to ensure administration of the safety net funding is fit for purpose and workable, and we will be ready to handle any administrative challenges.

We are also informing the debate on other potential outcomes. In an open letter to our research and development sector, Mr Freeman reiterates the UK’s commitment to Horizon Europe. However, if we are unable to associate, he says the government will look to longer term solutions to maintain and build partnerships with European innovators, with the funding currently allocated to Horizon supporting this.

It is frustrating that association with Horizon Europe has yet to be formally signed off by the European Commission and that scientific cooperation has become entangled with wider disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol.

However, being able to participate on a level playing field and as an equal partner with fellow European research institutions is tremendously important.

We will continue to lobby for this and stress the importance of fellowships, collaborations and engagement with Europe, while urging our researchers to continue to open up new conversations and be alert to such opportunities.

Anyone interested in pursuing European funding, wanting more detail on the ‘safety net’ or advice on the various strands of funding available and the support at Nottingham, should contact EU Development Manager Matthew Rackley or their local research development professional.

Professor Dame Jessica Corner

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange

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Code of Research Conduct and Research Ethics updated

December 14th, 2021

The university’s code to ensure all research across our campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia is carried out to the highest standards of integrity, rigour and excellence has been reviewed and updated.

All research staff and students are required to familiarise themselves with the revised Code of Research Conduct and Research Ethics and research leaders and supervisors are requested to bring it to the attention of their teams and students.

The code and further resources are available on our Ethics and Integrity pages.

Version 8 of the code was published following an annual review by University Research Integrity and Research Ethics Committee (URIEC).

URIEC Chair Professor Penny Gowland said: “We have updated the code in light of feedback from colleagues, changes in legislation and regulations, and requirements of funding bodies. We have reformatted the code in a way which I hope makes it more accessible and user-friendly. If you are a member of staff or students involved in research in any way, then please make sure that you are familiar with the new summary, which signposts additional sources of guidance and support, including within the main code.”

The code has been updated as part of the university’s commitment to The Concordat to Support Research Integrity, which assures government, business, international partners and the public that they can continue to have confidence in UK research and its world-leading researchers.

The revised code includes:

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice Chancellor Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “I am grateful to all those who contributed to the revision of this code which underpins our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, rigour and excellence in all aspects of our research.

“The code is a fundamental component of the research environment, which is characterised by our culture of research integrity, good research practice, and the development and training of researchers at all stages of their careers. The code outlines the duty of researchers including their responsibilities towards all participants of research including humans, animals, the environment and cultural materials, and it provides a basis for the transparent and appropriate communication and dissemination of research findings.”

As part of the annual reviews conduct by the University Research Integrity and Research Ethics Committee, the Code of Practice on Handling Allegations of Research Misconduct  has also been updated.

For any queries please contact the Head of Research Integrity Ali.alshukry@nottingham.ac.uk

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Nominations for the Institute for Policy and Engagement Awards: deadline 17 December

December 14th, 2021

This is a reminder that the deadline for nominations for the Institute for Policy and Engagement awards is Friday 17 December 2021.

Do you know someone who’s doing great work on policy impact or public engagement?

Have you been doing work yourself that you think deserves recognition?

If yes, this is an opportunity to nominate yourself or a colleague.

There are five award categories:

  • Best Policy Impact Initiative
  • Best Public Engagement Initiative
  • Rising Star Award – Policy Impact – for early career researchers
  • Rising Star Award – Public Engagement – for early career researchers
  • The Institute Director’s Award – for non-academic staff who have played a key role in the success of policy impact or public engagement work

Nominations are now open.

Please use the Institute Awards Nomination Form to nominate as many colleagues in as many categories as you choose. Use a separate form for each nomination.

For guidance on the award categories and criteria, please go here:  Guidance on Institute Awards Categories and Criteria

For any further questions, please email us.

The winners will be announced at Nottingham Engaged 2022. Remember to register and book your place at the conference.

The Nottingham Engaged conference promises to be a rewarding session, where you can hear from our panel of experts on how they’ve dealt with recent changes in the policy making and public engagement landscape and what they’ll be taking forward into the future.

You will also discuss issues such as digitalisation, funding, engaging internationally, finding your audience, quick wins and evaluation techniques with your peers and find out more about the practical support we can offer to get your research out to policy makers and public audiences.

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Do you fancy learning a language?

December 14th, 2021

Did you know the university has a language centre offering evening classes which are open to staff and the wider community?

We offer twelve languages, including British Sign Language, and have a variety of levels from beginners to advanced.

Classes start week commencing 24 January 2022 and booking is open now.

Find out more on our Language Centre webpages.

 

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Refreshed exam resources launched to help students get January exam ready

December 13th, 2021

Today the university has updated our exam resources to support students through the upcoming January exam period.

The new page includes a daily event calendar to highlight opportunities across the university as well as our regular exam timetables, access to past papers, tips, tricks and toolkits. Students will also find support resources from Student services, HealthyU, Libraries and other teams to offer you as much support as possible in preparation for the upcoming period.

As well as this refreshed page we will be hosting Instagram “Study with me” takeovers to offer a structured, relaxing virtual environment to aid you in self-study.

The new pages and resources are available here to help students get exam ready.

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go! Switch off for Christmas

December 13th, 2021

Each year we ask everyone to turn off all non-essential equipment before leaving for Christmas. Help us to save energy during the Christmas break by thinking carefully about which equipment has to stay on, and switching off everything else.

We’re facing a climate emergency and we want to slash the university’s carbon emissions by 63% by 2030.​ We’re already doing a lot but we need the help of everyone to meet our ambition.

Over a typical Christmas holiday period the university spends £180k on electricity despite being closed. On Christmas Day itself, we still manage to use 70% of our average annual daily energy consumption!

We are using the Building Management System (BMS) that controls many of our buildings systems to reduce heating etc wherever possible.  But 75% of all the electricity used on campus is controlled by individuals.

Even the smallest actions add up to big impacts. Let’s see if we can make significant reductions to our electricity consumption, reduce our carbon emissions and save money. Power is in your hands so, go! Switch Off!

  • Switch off all electronics and lights when you leave.
  • Layer up instead of turning the heating up.
  • Don’t waste it – only use what you need. Whether that’s unplugging your devices when they’ve finished charging or only boiling the water you need.

Christmas Switch Off Checklist

Together with your colleagues, use our checklists to switch off your office, department or lab before leaving for Christmas.

Green Rewards

You can get rewarded for lots of the energy and carbon saving activities you complete. Sign up to Green Rewards, start earning points and you could earn prizes every month for yourself, and charity donations for your team.

Find out more about saving energy at the university and at home.

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University honey sales raising money for charity

December 13th, 2021

The popular university honey is back on sale in campus outlets after a year away – with some of the money raised through sales being donated to the Nottingham Hospital’s Charity.

The honey comes from beehives located on land owned by the university. There are around 70 bee colonies in total, each housing tens of thousands of honeybees, helping to increase biodiversity and pollination.

The beehives are managed on the university’s behalf by professional bee farmer, Parks Apiaries. Hives are located at King’s Meadow Campus in Lenton and at Bunny Park – arable farmland south of Nottingham used for a variety of university research.

The different landscape settings are reflected in the flavour and colour of the two varieties. The King’s Meadow honey is predominantly multi-floral, with bees foraging in the nearby King’s Meadow local nature reserve, University Park and the city centre, and potentially on farmland by the University’s Riverside Sports Complex – as honeybees can travel up to several miles in search of food.

Honeybees at Bunny Park collect nectar from crops such as field bean, but also from trees such as horse chestnut, lime and hawthorn.

Once extracted, the honey is bottled in its raw state. It’s simply filtered through a nylon mesh, so keeps its valuable enzymes with pollens.

The university honey is on sale in the below campus outlets, priced £5. £2 from every jar will go towards the NHS Nottingham Hospital’s Charity.

  • Spar shop, The Exchange, Jubilee Campus
  • Portland Clothing Co, Portland Building, University Park
  • Trent cafe, Trent Building, University Park
  • Coates Café, Coates building, University Park
  • Hipps cafe, Medical School
  • Costcutter shop, Sutton Bonington

To find out more about encouraging wild bees into your garden, to help address concerns about declining bee populations and the impact on crop pollination and food security, take a look at The Wildlife Trust’s tips.

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