Campus News
Extended Christmas break announced
October 21st, 2020
The Vice-Chancellor has announced that three days of exceptional leave are to be added to the 2020 Christmas and New Year break to thank staff on our UK campuses for their hard work throughout 2020.
Including existing closure days and bank holidays the break will now run from Monday 21 December 2020 to Friday 1 January 2021 inclusive.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West said: “I remain enormously grateful for the Herculean effort made over the past few months and felt it important that colleagues can enjoy an extended break over the seasonal period, without needing to use annual leave allowances.
While for many – including myself – it can feel a little early to be discussing Christmas in October, I hope that this token of my appreciation and respect will provide you all with something to look forward to over the coming weeks.”
If you are unable to use the exceptional leave during the closure period, you may use it at the earliest opportunity following the break by agreement with line managers.
For any enquires, find more information and a list of FAQs here.
Tags: Christmas, Christmas break, holiday
Posted in Announcements, News | 5 Comments »
Volunteers wanted to review draft toolkit for employees with chronic or persistent pain at work
October 20th, 2020
The School of Health Sciences is inviting colleagues from across the University who experience chronic or persistent pain (defined as pain which lasts for more than 3 months) to review a draft toolkit and complete a short evaluation questionnaire to provide feedback.
The toolkit is called PAW (Pain at Work) toolkit.
It is an online digital toolkit designed to support employees at work who have chronic or persistent pain. It will be an open access, free, online resource, offering information and advice.
This activity is part of the development process and any responses will tell us more about the usefulness of this toolkit and inform any revisions.
You can see the current version of the toolkit here.
Complete the short questionnaire here by Sunday 15 November 2020.
This work is funded by STEMM-CHANGE at the University of Nottingham, which is all about promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
For any queries, please contact Holly Blake.
Tags: chronic pain, pain at work, pain survey, PAW, PAW toolkit
Posted in Announcements, News | Comments Off on Volunteers wanted to review draft toolkit for employees with chronic or persistent pain at work
COVID-19 contact centre launched
October 19th, 2020
A helpline service for students and their parents to ask questions and raise issues they have about COVID-19 and the services and support the University offers is now live.
Callers can learn more about the services and support the University has in place, raise their issues and concerns and discuss the ways they might be addressed, and seek reassurance from the friendly members of University staff manning the phone lines and instant chat.
Call 0115 7487700 to access support.
From Monday 19 October, lines are open from 10am to 8pm Monday to Friday, and 12noon to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday. Opening times will be reviewed weekly.
There will also be an option for Live Chat functionality on the coronavirus webpages during these times.
Staff can also call the established staff helpline for help and advice on general employment queries, isolation notifications and information on COVID-related absences. Call the team on 0115 748 4800, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5.15pm.
Specific medical support can be sought from our Cripps Healthcare Centre or by contacting NHS 111. Out-of-hours, our security team is available on +44 (0)115 951 8888.
For more information on the University’s response to the pandemic and the service and support in place, visit our COVID-19 web pages.
Tags: coronavirus, COVID-19, Helpline, support
Posted in Announcements, News | Comments Off on COVID-19 contact centre launched
Training sessions to help with wellbeing
October 19th, 2020
The Professional Development department and Dr Xenia Pestova will be teaming up to host two free online wellbeing sessions for all staff.
The sessions are designed to help people with practical advice and techniques to ease anxiety, increase mindfulness and improve general wellbeing.
Thursday 29 October, 11am-12 noon – Digital Device Detox: Reclaim Your Life
Do you feel overwhelmed by the growing demands to increase screen time? This free online workshop will introduce mindful computing strategies. We will learn how to take simple steps to redefine our engagement with technology without giving up connectivity. The theoretical framework will be supplemented with accessible practical interventions grounded in movement and breathwork for anxiety management to add to your toolkit of support strategies.
Book your place here.
Friday 6 November, 11am-12 noon – Breathwork for Anxiety Management
During this session we will lean about the “anatomy” of the breath, look at strengthening the lungs and the immune system and discover the science behind breathwork for anxiety management. Participants will be guided through a series of practical breathing exercises for balancing the autonomic nervous system.
Book your place here.
About the instructor
Dr Xenia Pestova Bennett is a concert pianist and fully-certified yoga instructor. She uses yoga-based breathwork and movement interventions to coach individuals and groups in anxiety management.
*image courtesy of Rachel McCarthy
Tags: anxiety, Anxiety Management, wellbeing
Posted in Announcements, News | Comments Off on Training sessions to help with wellbeing
Trent Building to go red for Wear Red Day
October 16th, 2020
Trent Building on University Park will be lit up in red floodlights this evening (Friday 16 October) to mark Wear Red Day.
The historic building will be illuminated from Friday evening to Saturday morning with the light visible to travellers on University Boulevard.
Wear Red Day is an anti-racism campaign that takes place on Friday 16 October in England and Wales, and is organised by education charity Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC).
Organising charity SRtRC delivers anti-racism workshops to more than 50,000 young people every year in schools throughout England, Scotland and Wales, as well as providing training to teachers. The charity’s educational work is crucial in challenging racist attitudes in society and breaking down barriers within communities. It aims to combat racism through enabling role models, who are predominately but not exclusively footballers, to present an anti-racist message.
The lighting takes place in the midst of Black History Month, which is being celebrated throughout October with a programme of online events open to both staff and students.
Tags: Black History Month 2020, Show Racism the Red Card, Trent Building
Posted in News | Comments Off on Trent Building to go red for Wear Red Day
New Parental Bereavement Leave entitlement
October 16th, 2020
The University has introduced a new Parental Bereavement Leave entitlement which gives employees time off to grieve following the death of a child.
Parents who suffer the devastating loss of a child will be entitled to take two weeks’ bereavement leave following the introduction of new UK legislation – Jack’s Law – which came into effect on Monday 6 April 2020.
Time off can be taken at any point during the first 56 weeks following the death of a child in either a single two-week block or as two separate one-week blocks. This entitlement is a day-one right for all employees.
Staff continue to be entitled to Special Leave and can also access support via the University’s Counselling Service and Employee Assistance Programme.
More information can be found within the University’s Special Leave policy.
Tags: Bereavement leave, Jack's law, Parental Bereavement Leave, Special Leave
Posted in News | Comments Off on New Parental Bereavement Leave entitlement
Under-used laptops, tablets and computers
October 16th, 2020
Information Services are looking to identify University-owned laptops, tablets and computers that can be used to support students and staff for critical teaching activity.
Due to the large number of staff and students that are working and learning remotely, there is an increased demand for devices to support this.
Should you have a spare University-owned laptop, tablet or computer that you can offer, or you know of any devices that may be available, please email UI-UoN-Home-Working@nottingham.ac.uk.
Any assistance that you can offer at this critical time will be greatly appreciated.
Tags: Computers, devices, Information Services, laptops, spare devices, spare laptops, tablets
Posted in Announcements, News | Comments Off on Under-used laptops, tablets and computers
Conversations on race in science and medicine: what can we learn from history today?
October 15th, 2020
The School of Life Sciences is celebrating Black History Month with an event that explores race in science and medicine from a historical perspective.
Friday 23 October, from 5.30pm-6.45pm.
Join the event on Microsoft Teams.
Leading researchers have been invited to discuss their work on how ideas on racial difference came into being and how these ideas continue to influence racial inequalities in health and healthcare today.
The event is open to everyone and is being run as part of the School of Life Science’s Excel in Science programme. The programme aims to support our students and to tackle the fact that BAME students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds are under-represented in funded postgraduate research and hence remain under-represented in academia as a whole.
Speakers:
Chair: Dr Maria Arruda, Chair of BME network, University of Nottingham
Professor Cecile Wright, University of Nottingham
Professor Rana Asali Hogarth, University of IllinoisBME
Professor Vanessa Northington Gamble, George Washington University
Tags: BHM 2020, Black History Month, Black History Month 2020, BME, BME Staff Network, School of Life Sciences
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Conversations on race in science and medicine: what can we learn from history today?
Green Flag awards for University of Nottingham
October 15th, 2020
The University of Nottingham has achieved Green Flag status for the 18th year in a row.
This international award by Keep Britain Tidy recognises well-managed parks and green spaces and sets the standard for the management of recreational outdoor spaces. It has been awarded to both University Park and Jubilee campuses.
In a year filled with isolation and uncertainty, our parks and green spaces have become even more valuable as a place for us to connect with nature. They have been more widely used by the public during the lockdown restrictions.
University Park has 18 consecutive Green Flags to its name and attracts students and visitors to its large leafy campus. It boasts an impressive mix of landscape features, including a variety of tree species, wildflower meadows and contemporary gardens, including the Millennium Garden and Jekyll Garden.
The Jubilee campus has received the Green Flag award consistently since 2017. It was established in 1999 when a former industrial site was regenerated into a thriving environmentally friendly campus with a strong emphasis on sustainability. Four lakes provide diverse wildlife habitats as well as peaceful areas where people can pause and reflect.
The successive Green Flag awards demonstrate the University’s commitment to being a safe, clean and secure environment, as well as a sustainable place to work and study.
David Beadle, Grounds Maintenance Manager at the University of Nottingham, said: ‘This year has been particularly challenging for everyone within the Estates Grounds Maintenance Team. We thank all our staff for their continued commitment and contribution to help achieve this award.’
Paul Todd, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, said: ‘Parks and green spaces have never been more important for the physical and mental health of everyone.’
‘All the research shows that spending time in good-quality green space can improve people’s health and wellbeing, that is why it is important that they are managed to the recognised standard of the Green Flag Award. This is now something that millions more recognise after the challenges of the past six months. All those involved in the Green Flag Award should be congratulated on their achievement.’
Tags: Green Flag Award, Jubilee Campus, University Park
Posted in News | Comments Off on Green Flag awards for University of Nottingham
Athena SWAN — new awards for Sociology and Social Policy, Business School and Humanities
October 15th, 2020
The School of Sociology and Social Policy, School of Humanities and Nottingham University Business School have all received bronze awards in the latest round of Athena SWAN submissions.
The Equality Challenge Unit’s Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) in higher education and research.
In May 2015, the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said:
“I am delighted that the School of Sociology and Social Policy, School Nottingham University Business School and the School of Humanities received bronze in the latest round of Athena SWAN awards. This is in addition to the Faculty of Engineering receiving gold and the School of Psychology retaining their silver award in May 2020. These awards are testament to the hard work and focus of the Schools and the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
I’d like to thank the Self Assessment Teams in each school for their hard work towards achieving this important status”.
Tags: Athena SWAN, Athena SWAN Bronze Awards, edi, Professor Sarah Sharples
Posted in Announcements, News | Comments Off on Athena SWAN — new awards for Sociology and Social Policy, Business School and Humanities