Campus News
Research in Action Week success
June 25th, 2024
Last week was the university’s Research in Action Week, 2024.
The popular week was made up of a series of information events and is organised annually by the Research and Innovation department and the University Research Integrity and Ethics Committee.
Talks delivered provided fascinating insights on topics that will enhance the research skills of staff and students from across the university.
The benefits of the week-long series of talks this year were also extended to colleagues from NUH and Notts Healthcare, giving them the opportunity to learn from teams across the university and renowned organisations as they share their knowledge and expertise.
Further information and video recordings of the sessions are available on the Research in Action Week 2024: Skills, Tools, and Current Debates SharePoint site
Tags: academic research, research, Research in Action, Research in Action Week, Research in Action Week 2024
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Senate elections 2024
June 25th, 2024
The university is looking for members of staff to take up a mix of vacancies of membership to our Senate.
In March 2024, Senate approved a change to its membership, in order to better reflect its role in the governance structure of the university.
Elections will be held this summer to start implementing the new membership and to fill seats where members are at the end of their tenure.
Could you:
- Contribute to debates around key Senate business?
- Develop positive and constructive working relationships with Senate colleagues?
- Commit enough time to prepare for meetings?
If so, please look out for the email that will be sent to your area this summer and consider nominating yourself for election.
A mix of vacancies will be available for academic colleagues. And, for the first time, this year APM and Technical Services colleagues based centrally and in Schools and Faculties can stand for election to Senate. You can see the number of seats available in summer below.
Vacancies available
Please see the table below to find vacancies in your area
What is Senate?
Senate is the academic authority of the university and oversees education, teaching and research, and the academic quality and standards of the university. You can find out more on the university’s Senate webpages.
Tags: Senate, Senate elections 2024, University Senate
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Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance: professional staff exchange programme
June 24th, 2024
Professional Services and technical staff from across the university are invited to submit a proposal that will facilitate personal professional development and the exchange of best practices and experiences and enhance the University of Nottingham’s partnership with the University of Adelaide.
The successful applicant will be funded to travel and spend a week at the University of Adelaide, meeting with counterparts to support the co-design and delivery of a project at each university.
The staff exchange programme has been jointly launched by the University of Adelaide and the University of Nottingham.
Together, we form the Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance, a strategic global partnership that has deepened many years of research and education collaboration between two world-class institutions.
Help strengthen our partnership
The Alliance draws on the capabilities of each university and shared expertise. By supporting research collaborations, student exchanges and a sector-leading Joint PhD programme, it encourages students and staff to develop a global mindset, while bringing together innovators to address the challenges shared by Australia and the UK and our partners.
The Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance’s Professional Staff Mobility Programme aims to:
- Develop further innovative collaborations between our universities
- Enrich the professional experience and skills of participants
- Encourage a global perspective
- Provide support for joint innovative activities that positively impact the applicant’s department or business unit
- Extend these opportunities to colleagues working in areas across the university
Who is eligible?
The Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance’s Professional Staff Mobility Programme is open to:
- All central/professional services and faculty-based administrative staff
- All technical staff, including estates and facilities staff.
Priority will be given to applicants where international engagement and travel is not part of their day-to-day role.
How to apply
Find out more and submit your application here.
Closing date for applications: 12:00 BST/20:30 ACST Monday 22 July 2024
Participants will design and implement a six-month project which:
- directly relates to their professional or technical discipline
- seeks to address one or more challenges faced at each institution
- promotes the sharing of best practice between institutions
- enhances processes or activities within their business unit or department
- demonstrates how the project aligns to the local context
Applicants to the programme will be encouraged to reach out to counterparts at the University of Adelaide and build this into their proposal, with the Global Engagement teams from both universities acting as matchmakers where needed.
The University of Adelaide is mirroring the scheme, with its participant visiting Nottingham. Funding covers airfares, visa costs, accommodation and subsistence for a one-week working visit to Adelaide/Nottingham. Funding can also be used to support project objectives.
Find out more about the Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance
Recognising the vital role of professional and technical staff
David Ouchterlonie, the University of Nottingham’s Associate Director, Global Engagement, said: “We can all be proud to work at a global institution, committed to the sharing of knowledge without borders and to enhancing lives. Providing a world-class environment for research and education is core to our mission – and this cannot be delivered without the support and dedication of people working in job families right across the university.
“The Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance is an exciting model of global partnership, and it is fitting that both universities recognise the vital role of professional and technical staff, who work in areas that may lack tangible international experience or contact, but nevertheless contribute to our shared mission and values.
“This could be technicians, administrative staff, colleagues who support our estate or facilities, those who support the student or staff experience, such as through sport, community and civic engagement or through professional and personal development, as well from areas such as HR, digital or finance, business services or research support. In short, any colleague from professional staff or technical staff teams with a proposal for an innovative joint project with the University of Adelaide should apply.
“We hope the exchange programme will see participants return to their home institutions with new ideas, strategies and approaches to their day-to-day work.”
Tags: Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance, Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance Partnership, David Ouchterlonie, Professional Staff Mobility Programme, University of Adelaide
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University ranked among world’s top higher education institutions tackling global challenges
June 24th, 2024
The University of Nottingham has been recognised alongside the world’s top higher education institutions that are driving positive global change and helping to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems including poverty, climate change and social injustice.
Nottingham has been ranked in the Top 200 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, which are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The university has been ranked in the Top 100 for a number of individual SDG areas – Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Climate Action, Life Below Water and Life on Land.
The ranking measures the performance of more than 2,000 institutions in 125 countries and regions across their research, stewardship, outreach and teaching activities in relation to all 17 of the individual development goals.
The announcement came at the Global Sustainable Development Congress in Bangkok where 3,000 global thought leaders and innovators gathered to discuss urgent solutions to the international sustainability emergency.
Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Jane Norman delivered a keynote speech to delegates at the four-day congress, which took place from 10-13 June, on the topic of The Sustainability Crises of Our Time: Energy Decarbonisation and Sustainable Industry, alongside Gita Wirjawan, honorary professor in the University of Nottingham’s School of Politics.
Professor Norman said: “I’m very proud of the work the University of Nottingham carries out with partners that contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals and I’m delighted that we are ranked in the top 100 for a number of SDGs.”
Nottingham was ranked in the Top 100 in six of the SDGs:
Zero Hunger (79 out of 803 institutions)
Fighting hidden hunger
As part of an international research partnership funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the university is fighting hidden hunger, which affects millions across sub-Saharan Africa due to the nutrient deficiencies in their diet.
Clean Water and Sanitation (Joint 75 out of 867 institutions)
Blue-greening cities for climate change adaptation
The university works with partners in Nottingham and across the world to show that protecting communities against flood risk can also make them greener, healthier and more pleasant places to live.
Decent Work and Economic Growth (Joint 53 out of 1149 institutions)
The Rights Lab: fighting exploitation
The Rights Lab, the world’s largest group of modern slavery researchers, works with government and industry to protect workers from exploitation and bring an end to the blight of slavery.
Climate Action (Joint 86 out of 924 institutions)
Retrofit road map for city’s housing
University researchers are delivering a project that will inform the retrofit of Nottingham’s existing housing stock to improve energy efficiency and bring the city closer to its 2028 target for net zero emissions.
Life Below Water (Joint 63 out of 628 institutions)
Informing UN report on plastic marine pollution
Evidence-based recommendations from the university’s Water Works research group were presented to the United Nations Environment Assembly and informed its subsequent report on marine plastic pollution and call for urgent global action.
Life on Land (60 out of 741 institutions)
Living with elephants
The University of Nottingham Malaysia is helping safeguard the country’s elephants. By working with government and communities, researchers are informing elephant-friendly approaches to ease conflict between farmers and our biggest land animal.
Tags: environment, SDG, sustainability, Sustainable Development Goals, UN SDGs
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Tusker – drive a better car through salary sacrifice
June 21st, 2024
The university partners with Tusker, the UK’s leading salary sacrifice car provider, to offer a fairly-priced scheme for staff at UoN.
A fixed monthly amount is deducted directly from your gross salary and in return, you’ll have access to the use of a brand-new electric or ultra-low emission vehicle and a host of benefits, including:
- Fully comprehensive, motor insurance for you and your domestic partner
- Annual servicing and MOT (if applicable)
- Routine maintenance and repair
- Annual road fund licence
- Full RAC breakdown cover (including onward travel)
- No quibble replacement tyres
- 24-hour driver support line
- Lifestyle protections in case of changes to your circumstances such as resignation, redundancy, long term sick etc.
- Accident management (excluding the insurance excess of £250)
I’m interested, but how do I find out if this scheme is right for me?
There are a number of helpful guides and support documents available to help colleagues make the right choice for them when it comes to salary sacrifice schemes, including:
Tusker Case Study: Meet a member of the scheme
Colin Dart from Exeter University said: “I’d always wanted a new car, for reliability reasons, but hadn’t been able to justify the expense of a new car.
“When my employer told us about the Tusker scheme, it was attractive as it’s a fixed cost, so there aren’t any surprises. I needed something which would be reliable for my commute, as well as comfortable, and where I wouldn’t have to worry in the event that something went wrong.”
To read the full article and view more case studies, click here.
How can I find out more and apply for the scheme?
To find out more, simply visit the Employee Hub and access the ‘Car Leasing’ page through the ‘Benefits’ tab where you’ll find further guidance, including the ‘company code’ you’ll need to register your Tusker account and apply for a quote.
If you need a hand with the site or can’t find the car you’re interested in, you can get in contact with a member of the Tusker team through ’Live Chat’. Alternatively, get in touch by phone: 0333 400 7431 or e-mail: EETeam@tuskerdirect.com.
Founded in 1999, Tusker launched the UK’s first car benefit scheme in 2008 and offer a wide range of electronic and ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEV) through their comprehensive car-leasing scheme working with leading well-known manufacturers across the globe, such as Tesla, BMW, Audi, Ford, Toyota and more.
Watch this short video to find out more about Tusker.
Tags: car leasing, Employee benefits, Employee Hub, Salary sacrifice scheme, staff benefits, Tusker
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Department of Architecture and Built Environment end of year show and exhibition
June 18th, 2024
This year’s Department of Architecture and Built Environment end of year show will be taking place on Thursday 20 June 2024.
The end of year show is a showcase that happens annually, displaying work from students across the Department of Architecture and Built Environment.
This is typical of Architecture schools and departments globally.
The exhibit formally opens at 6pm on Thursday 20 June in the Architecture Quad on University Park, where students, families and professionals from architectural practices will visit for the prize giving ceremony.
44 prizes will be awarded on the night.
From Friday 21 June onwards, the exhibition is open for people to visit and will remain open until after graduation – which means the last day to visit the exhibit will be Thursday 18 July 2024.
Tags: architecture, Architecture exhibit, Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Department of Architecture and Built Environment end of year show, End of year show
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New partnership announced with East China Normal University
June 18th, 2024
The university is pleased to announce a new partnership between East China Normal University (ECNU) and The University of Nottingham, driven by the School of Education.
Following a visit by Head of School of Education at UoN Professor Volker Wedekind, Director of Global Engagement in the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Lucy Cooker and Associate Professor in Early Childhood Education, Dr Yuwei Xu to ECNU’s Faulty of Education last June – funded by the university’s International Research Collaboration Fund – the two universities have signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in May 2024, which records plans to collaborate in staff/student mobility and research activities.
The first activity following the MoU was an academic exchange week in May 2024, with an ECNU delegation of 19 staff and students visiting the School of Education and participating in a week-long academic programme.
The delegation was led by Professor Yaozong Hu, Head of Department of Educational Management at ECNU’s Faculty of Education; accompanied by four faculty members and fourteen undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students from Departments of Educational Management and Early Childhood Education.
Professor Howard Stevenson (Deputy Head of School of Education), Professor Lucy Cooker (Director of Global Engagement, Faculty of Social Sciences), Professor Kay Fuller (Convenor, Centre for Research in Educational Leadership and Management), and Drs Kerryn Dixon and Yuwei Xu (Co-Convenors, Global Childhoods Research Group) welcomed the delegates on day one.
Colleagues from The Observatory for Mathematics Education, The Centre for Research in Educational Leadership and Management, Global Childhoods Research Group, and Higher Education Futures Research Group contributed to the week via formal and informal talks and communications.
The academic exchange week was also supported by other parts of the university, including Professor Paul Grainge (Academic Director, City as Lab, below) who introduced to the delegates UoN’s City as Lab and
Castle Meadows Campus; Dr Ruby Chau (Associate Professor, School of Sociology and Social Policy) who presented her research on childcare gap; Chang Le (Strategic International Research Development Manager) who presented an overview of possible international research grants; and Begum Karacaoglu (Global Engagement Officer) who showed the delegates around University Park campus.
In addition, four local schools in Nottingham hosted visits from the delegates and exchanged knowledge on the two countries’ education systems, especially on mathematics education. They are: Victoria Primary School, Larkfields Junior School, George Spencer Academy, and Chetwynd Primary Academy.
Feedback from the event was highly positive, both on the week and on the wider UoN community.
ECNU delegates really appreciated the atmosphere they felt while at UoN and the School of Education – friendly, supportive, collegial, and engaging; which we have been working hard on as a school/university and it’s been seen as obvious by visitors.
The delegates were also impressed by the research culture demonstrated, which they described as “strong, international, and nurturing”.
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Take part in physical activity study
June 18th, 2024
The university’s School of Life Sciences is running research investigating how physical activity and inactivity affects our bodies and the processes of healthy aging.
This study will require volunteers aged between 55 – 65 years-old who are overweight, to either increase or reduce their physical activity for six months. Those who reduce their activity will attend three months of supervised training at follow-up sessions to restore their fitness levels.
Participants will be compensated for their time.
This study will help to provide insights and information on the importance of physical activity in our communities, and specifically in an aging population.
This information is of great importance in understanding the aging process which will allow us to better promote and inform the healthy aging requirements and guidelines.
You can see the A4 information posters for:
For more information and if you have any questions, please email the team.
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University Staff Sports day 2024
June 18th, 2024
Will your department be crowned the 2024 Staff Sports Day Champions?
This year, Staff Sports Day will take place on Wednesday 3 July at the David Ross Sports Village.
On the day registration will start at 2.30pm with activity beginning at 3pm and estimating to finish at around 5.15pm.
The annual Staff Sports Day promises to be an entertaining afternoon for you and your colleagues. Battling it out in a friendly competition against other university teams, you’ll be representing your team with pride!
Please note that activities can be adapted for additional/ accessible needs.
Follow the link here to register your team.
UoN Staff Golf Day
Open to all UoN staff who can competently play a round of golf, UoN host a Staff Golf Away at Wollaton Park Golf Club on Friday 12 July 2024.
Costing £52.95, this includes 18 holes, a breakfast roll and hot drink on arrival and a hot home cooked meal after your round, as well as fun prizes and trophies.
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