Campus News
New Director appointed at Energy Technologies Research Institute
November 20th, 2019
The Energy Technologies Research Institute has appointed James O’Shea as director, replacing Gavin Walker who has stepped down after 5 years to take up the directorship of the new Sustainable Hydrogen Centre for Doctoral Training.
Speaking about his appointment, James said, “I am very pleased to have been asked to carry on the excellent work that Gavin has done for energy at Nottingham. I’m extremely grateful for his efforts and success in leading the institute over the last five years, and I hope that I can distract him from the CDT to call on his expertise and advice during the coming year.”
Read more about the appointment on the News and events page.
Tags: Energy Technologies Research Institute, ETRI, Faculty of Science, Gavin Walker, James O'Shea
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Lighting up the Periodic Table for Chemistry Week
November 19th, 2019
The School of Chemistry is working with the Royal Society of Chemistry to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table of Elements – and highlight the need to recycle our electronic devices.
On Friday 22 November, a video highlighting the value of rare elements – and the need to reuse and recycle them – will be projected on to the side of the Trent Building from 5pm to 8pm.
Research carried out by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), in a recent Ipsos MORI survey, found that 51% of UK households have at least one unused electronic device – such as mobile phones, computers, smart TVs, MP3 players or e-readers – and 45% have up to five. Of these, 82% have no plans to recycle or sell on their devices after they fall out of use. However, these abandoned electronics lying forgotten at the back of drawers harbour precious elements that are at risk of running out.
Now, chemistry and chemical scientists from universities spanning Southampton to St Andrews have a crucial role to play in identifying new solutions, both in finding alternatives to these rare elements where possible, and in finding new, more effective ways to extract elements from used devices and recycle them.
“We’re delighted to be able to celebrate this landmark year for the Periodic Table with the Royal Society of Chemistry in this way. Our University has so much chemical heritage; from our connections with the Boots family to the development of the Carbon Neutral Laboratory in collaboration with GSK. The University of Nottingham is also home to the very successful Periodic Table of Videos Youtube channel, which continues to excite the next generation of students who will explore the elements of the Periodic Table with us and who will work towards the development of green and sustainable chemical processes for the future. What a great way to celebrate this important year and the contributions Nottingham has, and continues to make, to our understanding of the elements,” said Professor Jon McMaster, Deputy Head of the School of Chemistry.
As Black Friday deals and the festive season approaches, the sales of new tech devices are expected to spike, prompting the Royal Society of Chemistry to encourage people to reuse their old devices, recycle them or donate them to recycling charities.
Robert Parker, CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry said: “This year marks the 150th anniversary of the Mendeleev Periodic Table of Elements. Now, over a century and a half later, many of the elements discovered are in critical danger of running out.
“We’re really pleased to have the support of some the UK and Ireland’s leading institutions in bringing the importance of the message to life – literally highlighting the responsibility we have in ensuring our old devices are properly recycled.
“In the future, they could be needed for other technologies that we haven’t even discovered yet – for health, green energy, treating pollution and more.”
The RSC hopes the drive will highlight the urgent need for a Right to Recycle bill to be introduced for tech waste, making it quick and easy to dispose of unused devices.
Tags: periodic table of elements, recycling, Royal Society of Chemistry, School of Chemistry
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Change to payroll deadlines and December payroll update
November 19th, 2019
In order for the Payroll team to offer the best possible service and process all extra payments, any amendments should be sent to the team no later than 12 noon on the 16th of every month (January to November) unless otherwise stated.
On the occasions where the 16th falls on a weekend, the deadline will be brought forward to 12 noon on the Friday before.
Any items sent to payroll once this deadline has passed will not be processed under any circumstances until the next payroll run.
December Payroll
The pay day for this December falls on Thursday 19 December.
Please note that the final date for submissions to be included in the December payroll is 12 noon on Friday 6 December. This is the final date when submissions received by Payroll Services will be guaranteed for the December pay day.
Please also check with your department regarding timesheet submissions as they may have earlier deadlines so that they can sign and collate data in the department before sending to the Payroll team.
For more information, visit the Finance webpage.
Tags: December pay day, payroll, Payroll Services
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No parking overnight in East car park: Friday 22 Nov to Saturday 23 Nov
November 19th, 2019
The Breast Cancer Research Centre at the University of Nottingham is hosting a fundraising Firewalk this Saturday (23 November).
In preparation, the car park on the east side of campus (right in front of the Trent Building) needs to be clear of any cars in the lead up to the event and on the day.
Please ensure that the east car park is clear from any cars from the close of play on Friday 22 November and remains clear until after the event (8pm, Saturday 23 November.)
If you have any questions, please email the Parking team.
Tags: car park, Firewalk 2019, Nottingham Breast Cancer Research Centre
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Staff Engagement Survey now live
November 18th, 2019
The University’s Staff Engagement Survey is now live. The biennial survey is one of many opportunities for colleagues across our UK, China and Malaysia campuses to provide feedback on the working environment and culture for our University community.
The survey will run until midnight on Friday 10 January and results will be shared with Schools and Departments to develop detailed action plans in response to the feedback received. You can find out more about how the University responded to the previous staff survey by reading the annual progress report. Listening to your feedback and acting on it is a long-term commitment for the
University.
Staff will receive an email from the survey administrators Gallup next week containing a unique link to access the survey. Colleagues who do not have regular digital access will be provided with hard copy version of the survey. The survey and any responses to it are fully confidential and no one at the University can identify individual responses in the Gallup data.
The survey contains a number of questions that colleagues should consider in relation to their immediate team and working environment, covering areas such as:
- Is your role clear? Has someone explained it to you?
- Do you have access to the tools and equipment necessary to do your job?
- Do you get regular recognition of the work you do?
- Does someone take an interest in your personal development, career and wellbeing?
The survey repeats questions from the 2017 survey so that we can check our progress, and includes some new ones exploring how the 2017 survey was acted upon. Previous questions include the ‘best friend’ question, which Gallup’s unique way of asking whether there is someone you trust at work. Later questions ask about the University’s leadership, and the institution’s capacity for change.
It is important that as many colleagues as possible participate in the survey, offering honest and balanced feedback, so that we can build on what works and change things where they are not working.
For more information on the Staff Engagement Survey, visit the HR webpages.
Tags: staff, staff engagement survey
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Developers of world’s first wireless foetal monitor win prestigious Academy Award
November 15th, 2019
A team of engineers and healthcare experts, led by the University of Nottingham, have been awarded by the Royal Academy of Engineering for the development of the Monica Novii ™ Wireless Patch System — a wearable monitor that accurately and continuously monitors the baby’s heartbeat in labour.
The team, who started their research in the early 1990s, includes Professor Barrie Hayes-Gill and Professor John Crowe from the University of Nottingham; Terence Martin from Monica Healthcare; Kanwaljit Bhogal; and Dr Jean-Francois Pieri; and Dr Carl Barratt from GE Healthcare.
This year’s Colin Campbell Mitchell Award from the Royal Academy of Engineering was presented to the team at the annual Research Forum in London on Tuesday 12 November. The award is given annually to an engineer or small team of engineers who have made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of any field of UK engineering.
From left to right: Professor Barrie Hayes-Gill (University of Nottingham); Dr Terence Martin (Monica Healthcare); Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng (Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair). © The Royal Academy of Engineering.
Professor Barrie Hayes-Gill, Professor of Electronic Systems and Medical Devices at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are highly delighted to have won this prestigious RAE Colin Campbell Mitchell Award that recognises the achievement of the whole team.
“It’s been a very long journey from the early funding of Action Medical Research, EPSRC and Innovate UK to the recent GEHC acquisition. To see our research of many years become a true commercial reality with devices now being sold around the world is a very proud moment for us all.”
Tags: Colin Campbell Mitchell Award, healthcare, medical devices, Professor Barrie Hayes-Gill
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IT Operating Model Update
November 13th, 2019
Chief Digital Officer David Hill recently announced plans to develop a new IT operating model for the University to ensure our staff, students, teaching and research are supported by the latest technologies. A new IT Operating Model webpage is published today (13 November) to keep our community updated and involved in the development of the new model across the next 12 months.
The new model will have a mix of in-house IT expertise alongside that of external partners, to ensure that the University can meet the growing demand for digital services, platforms and skills that will be required in the future.
While external partners can bring benefits of scale, expertise and technologies, the University will ensure that the right balance is applied the services and activities that should be retained in-house or managed by an external partner. A key criterion for selecting any external partners would be not only to assure expert knowledge and delivery, but also to ensure they fully align to the University’s values, culture and ways of working.
A series of discussions will be held in the coming weeks with staff and trades unions to inform the detailed design of the operating model and the webpages will be updated regularly as new information is available.
Tags: Chief Digital Officer, digital, Information Technology
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Campus Solutions – Update
November 12th, 2019
Colleagues in Information Services, Student Services and across Schools and Departments are continuing to address the start of term issues with Campus Solutions and have now resolved some of the most significant problems.
Intensive work continues to address outstanding issues and improve the quality of student records data that has been transferred into Campus Solutions from a multitude of legacy systems.
However, the teams have now restored access to MyCal timetabling, confirmed class lists in the Academic Workcentre, resolved student access to Moodle or Rogo, and corrected discrepancies in curriculum data.
The Campus Solutions status webpage is updated regularly with information on the cause, current status and solutions to any reported issues.
Colleagues are encouraged to report any new issues experienced with the system for investigation and resolution as follows:
• If you cannot see a student that should be on a particular module or course, or there are errors in curriculum data, contact your local Student Services team (login required).
• For all other issues, please complete a support request form so that Information Services can resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Students should visit a Student Service Centre where they can receive support in person. Full user guides and training are available online or you can ask your local Expert User.
Tags: campus solutions, Information Services
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University of Nottingham establishes Wellcome Academy
November 12th, 2019
The University of Nottingham has established the UoN Wellcome Academy to provide extra support and guidance for potential applicants for research funding.
The Wellcome Trust funds a broad range of health-related research, including humanities and social sciences Their funding schemes cover all career stages, from early career fellowships to major Collaborative Awards in Science of up to £4m. A brief summary of the available calls can be found on the Academy’s SharePoint site (UoN only).
The additional support includes a rapid ‘sense check’ for initial ideas to ensure eligibility, fit with overall remit, and with the priorities of the target scheme. Support will also involve introductions to relevant programme officers at Wellcome to discuss ideas, and internal reviews of draft applications from colleagues with direct experience of Wellcome. This will sit alongside existing School/Faculty support.
Pru Hobson-West (School of Sociology and Social Policy) will be the academic lead for the Academy, supported by Adam Golberg (Research Development Manager – Charities) and a broader pool of senior researchers with Wellcome experience. Pru has successfully completed a Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellowship; supervised Wellcome funded postgraduate students; served on Wellcome interview committees; and is currently co-investigator on a Wellcome Trust Collaborative Award in Social Sciences.
For more information about Wellcome, the support available, or to discuss a health related-research idea that requires funding, please contact Adam Golberg. Or see the UoN Wellcome Academy SharePoint site.
The University will also be hosting a visit from Andrew Welchman, Head of Neuroscience and Mental Health at the Wellcome Trust, on Monday 10th February 2020. The visit will include an overview presentation of the Wellcome Trust and their schemes. Details to follow once a full schedule for the day is confirmed.
Tags: health, postgraduate, research, Wellcome Trust
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EDI Sphere Programme – call for funding
November 11th, 2019
The Sphere Programme, launched as part of the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Delivery Plan in September, has announced its first call for funding.
Two funding streams are available through the programme.
A £250-£2,000 fund which may cover requests like:
• specific events which allow participants to explore particular issues relating to EDI in more depth initiatives which change the way that we normally do things in our work or study, such as a new intervention to support students
• training activities or a seminar
• purchase of external resources for use in teaching
The second stream of funding is focussed on producing new empirical research on Diversity and Inclusion. These projects will be for £2,000-£5,000 and can be used to pilot specific research ideas and/or to develop new research initiatives.
These projects should be seen as seed corn funding for follow-up research bids. This funding stream is aligned to the University’s new Diversity and Inclusion Research Hub, which focuses on investigating contemporary issues of equality and diversity to bring about sustainable, long-term sociocultural change to our societies.
Full details on eligibility, the review process, and how to apply for both streams of funding are available on the University’s EDI webpages. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 27 November.
Tags: Equality Diversity and Inclusion, funding, Sphere
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