Campus News
Update on Research Information System (RIS) Implementation
September 2nd, 2019
As Programme Sponsor I would like to start this update by thanking everyone who has been involved in setting up RIS and using it in our Faculties and Professional Services.
It has been a busy last 6 months with a lot of work going on behind the scenes to prepare the final implementation steps. It’s been a frustrating period as integrating RIS with our HR and Financial systems has proven tricky, but we are ironing out the last few problems.
In late 2018 we launched the REF module within RIS. The REF module will help administer our submission in November 2020. Over the past few months over 19,000 internal REF scores have been input into RIS and we are continuing to improve the data quality for outputs likely to be included in our submission. Some aspects of the functionality of the initial REF module proved difficult and more of the internal outputs review process was undertaken offline than we would have liked. In the next few weeks we will have tested and launched a new version of RIS, which reflects user feedback and builds in some of the latest REF submission details from Research England. We expect the full guidance from Research England on REF submissions to be incorporated into RIS in early 2020 as the system supplier, Worktribe, digest the final changes to the methodology for REF and logistics of the submission through a national portal.
Following some initial tests over the past few weeks, at the end of October we will be fully switching on the data harvesting function in the Outputs Module. Data harvesting enables RIS to import new or changed publication data from external databases such as CrossRef, Scopus and Web of Science. When operational this will allow RIS to bring the final publication details into our system to match them with the author deposited version. This will ensure that our publication data quality is much improved going forward. Please look out for separate communications from Libraries about the action we need academics to take over the next few weeks to ensure your outputs are appropriately harvested – including checking ORCID and Researcher IDs and any current in progress outputs in your RIS profile. In the long run data harvesting will make management of publication records easier and more accurate, but it will require academic staff to take some action to reject or accept any new publications to push them through to Libraries.
I will update all staff on RIS in late Autumn. We expect to be concluding the implementation work at that stage and handing the system over to the RIS Operational Board. This Board is chaired by the system owner, the Director of Research and Innovation, and will be responsible for ongoing improvements in our use of RIS to enhance and, hopefully, simplify our research administration processes in the future.
Professor Kevin Shakesheff,
PVC Faculty of Science
Tags: finance, HR, Libraries, professional services, REF, Research Information System, RIS
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Become a Corporate Mentor with IntoUniversity
August 27th, 2019
IntoUniversity are looking for corporate mentors to support Year 13 students from disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to university.
Mentors will be given the opportunity to develop a one-on-one relationship with a student, providing vital pastoral support during a difficult period of transition and opening their eyes to new career paths and opportunities.
The role of a mentor is to meet with their student mentee once a month for an hour throughout the academic year. Advice might centre around university applications, revision, applying for student finance, developing soft skills and providing support and encouragement. Mentors will also be required to make email contact three times with the student, once they have started their university course.
Please note that these volunteering appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and suitable references.
This is a volunteering opportunity only and TOIL cannot be claimed for time spent volunteering.
For more information, and to sign up, please visit https://intouniversity.org/content/corporate-mentoring.
Tags: IntoUniversity, Mentor, volunteering
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Small business engagement award funding — applications open
August 21st, 2019
Expressions of interest are now being welcomed for Small Business Engagement Award funding.
The Small Business Engagement Award is designed to enable University of Nottingham academics to engage in knowledge exchange with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) via the established pathway of the Ingenuity Network – the university’s local business network.
Using a proven platform of events and facilitated business engagement activities, successful applicants will be given the opportunity to develop their business engagement skills, disseminate their research to SMEs and develop meaningful external relationships that can lead to impact.
Funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), the activities supported by these awards must be geared towards HEIF goals of achieving economic and/or social benefit to the UK. Awards of up to £4K are available to cover direct costs of academic time and project delivery costs.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 27 September.
For further information, please visit the website or contact Gemma Morgan-Jones.
Tags: Ingenuity, Small Business Engagement Award
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University of Nottingham Sport celebrates most successful year ever
August 21st, 2019
It’s been an exceptional year for University of Nottingham Sport.
This year, amongst much more, we:
- Achieved a 2nd place finish in British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league tables – our highest ever ranking
- Were named Sports University of the Year in the 2019 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide
Elsewhere, at the recent BUCS Annual Awards, we were shortlisted in six out of 11 categories, picking up five awards:
- BUCS Physical Activity Award – winner
- BUCS Sportswoman of the Year (Hayley Mills) – winner
- Student Volunteer of the Year (Aymun Khan) – winner
- Workforce Programme of the Year – winner
- Participation Programme of the Year – winner
- BUCS Profile and Influence Award – runner-up
We also saw three of our students selected for the Winter World University Games and three for the Summer World University Games. In addition, individuals or teams from seven sports qualified for the European University Championships. 25 of our students have also represented 10 countries at senior international level across a wide range of sports this past year.
Other activities included hosting 420 school children at Discovery Days to raise aspirations of children in disadvantaged areas, and hosting a number of key sporting events including the British Open for Dodgeball, the Boccia National League Finals, the British Fencing GB Cup and the England Netball U17, U19 and U21 National Performance League Tournament, to name just a few.
Overall, we’re delighted to be able to have given thousands of people the chance to play, participate and excel in sport. We’d like to thank all of our supporters for helping us achieve a fantastic year of sport at the University of Nottingham.
To find out more about our record-breaking year, visit the University of Nottingham Sport website.
Tags: (BUCS), sport, University of Nottingham Sport
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New application process for Open Access funding
August 19th, 2019
If your research is funded by a Charity Open Access Fund member (COAF) or the UKRI (including Research Councils), then you can apply for funds to cover your open access publication charges.
The application process will now be easier than ever, as the University of Nottingham Libraries’ Research Support Team have announced that a new open access funding web form will be launched on Friday 23 August 2019.
The new form is user-friendly and specifically designed to streamline the funding application process by:
- pre-assessing eligibility for UKRI/COAF funding
- adapting to an applicant’s answers
- simplifying payment process via a school or project code
- providing useful guidance throughout the process
The application form, and further information on the application process, can be found on the Libraries’ website or by emailing openaccess@nottingham.ac.uk.
Tags: Charity Open Access Fund, funding, publication, research, UKRI, University of Nottingham Libraries
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Changes to bank holidays and University closure days in academic year 2019/20
August 13th, 2019
The pattern of bank holidays and University closure days has changed for the academic year September 2019 to August 2020. Colleagues who work part time should note that this could affect their bank holiday leave calculations, depending on their usual working days.
The early May bank holiday has been moved to Friday 8 May 2020. This is part of a national celebration marking the 75th anniversary of VE Day, announced by the government in June.
The University will not close on the Tuesday after Easter Monday 2020. This closure day has been moved to the Christmas period, when the University will be closed from Monday 23 December 2019, reopening on Thursday 2 January 2020. This follows the usual pattern for the allocation of the University closure days. When Christmas Day falls on a Wednesday, all five closure days are scheduled over the Christmas period. This last happened during the 2013/14 academic year.
All University closure dates for the 2019/20 academic year are listed on the Key Dates pages of the website. The bank holiday leave calculator is available on the HR website.
Tags: 2019/20, Bank holidays, University closure days
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Car parking — important changes and permit renewals
August 13th, 2019
Car parking charges on campus will increase by five per cent in the new permit year – beginning Sunday 1 September.
This increase in pricing is in line with rises in the cost of providing and maintaining car parks across our campuses. The average cost of parking remains below £1 a day.
From Monday 1 July 2019 car parking permit holders will be able to apply for 2019/20 full permits. These permits are for drivers parking on campus from Sunday 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020.
For more details of the scheme, including how to apply, please refer to the ‘permit applications’ section of the car parking webpage.
You can also contact the security team for further information (telephone: extension 13557 or email parking@nottingham.ac.uk).
2019/20 pricing
In April 2019 the University’s Transport Group undertook a review of its car parking charges and recommended increasing charges by 5% from the previous year to meet the costs of providing car park across our campuses. This was endorsed by the Estates and Infrastructure Committee in June. New charges will come in to effect from Sunday 1 September 2019.
Car parking review
The Estates and Infrastructure Committee agreed that a comprehensive review of car parking should be undertaken to inform the University’s estate masterplan.
The comprehensive review of parking will consider options around future parking provision, technology and charging models to ensure the University’s sustainability, wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion objectives are supported and that the cost of car parking provision is adequately met in the future.
Alternative travel
Before renewing your permit for the next year, you may wish to consider alternatives to driving to campus. The University actively promotes low-carbon, healthy transport options through a range of initiatives, including:
- Discounted bus, tram and train passes
- Salary sacrifice schemes for purchasing a bike
- Investment in cycle facilities
If you’d like to find out more about these travel options for getting to campus, you can request a personalised travel plan. The plan will look at options for walking, cycling, driving, bus, train and tram – all in a single document. The results will be emailed to you, with maps and step-by-step directions.
The plan also gives you access to an online tool to further explore and adjust the options.
If driving to campus is the only realistic option, then you may like to consider sharing your journey with others. It’s an easy way to do your bit to reduce both congestion and demand for parking spaces, and the University has a car share scheme specifically to help staff find others going your way.
Tags: car, commute, commuting, parking, travel
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Canon John Bentham – update with funeral information
August 13th, 2019
Updated on Tuesday 27 August to include funeral information
It is with great sadness we share with you the news that the University’s Chaplain Canon John Bentham died on Tuesday 6 August of a suspected heart attack.
The funeral, a thanksgiving service for John’s life, will be held at 2pm on Wednesday 4 September at St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market.
The service is open to anyone who would like to attend, however the family have asked for an indication of numbers. If you would like to attend, please let Hayley Crawford know via email by lunchtime on Friday 30 August.
John had been a long standing member and co-ordinator of our Chaplaincy team where he provided invaluable, loving chaplaincy and pastoral care to our staff and student community over the last 21 years. He will be greatly missed by many within our community and especially by the Chaplaincy team who worked alongside him.
John was a Cathedral Canon at Southwell Minster, served as the Area Dean in the old Nottingham West Deanery and then as Area Dean for West Bingham, he was also on the Bishop’s Council for a number of years. He was ordained Deacon in 1985 and ordained priest in 1986. John served as Curate in the Ripon and Leeds Diocese before being appointed Priest in Charge at St Saviour’s Nottingham in 1990, he became Vicar in 1992 and served there until he became Chaplain here at the University in 1998.
John leaves a wife, Marianne, and four children – Alice, Henry, James and Rosie.
Colleagues can pay their respects by signing a book of condolence, which is being held in the Registrar’s office in Trent Building, and a memorial service to celebrate John’s is being planned for the near future.
Tags: Chaplaincy team, John Bentham
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Government intention to develop fast-track immigration process for ‘elite’ scientists and researchers post-Brexit
August 9th, 2019
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this week that the government will work with the scientific community to develop a new fast-track visa route that will encourage ‘the brightest and best’ to work in Britain.
He also reconfirmed that if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, the government will ensure any Horizon 2020 applications at the approvals stage will be automatically reviewed by UKRI. Successful applications will then be provided with funding.
The fast-track visa route may be introduced later this year and may include:
- abolishing the cap on numbers under the Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Visas
- expanding the pool of UK research institutes and universities able to endorse candidates
- creating criteria that confer automatic endorsement, subject to immigration checks
- ensuring dependents have full access to the labour market
- removing the need to hold an offer of employment before arriving
- accelerated path to settlement
Tags: Brexit, Horizon 2020, immigration, research, UKRI
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Open days — call for volunteers
August 8th, 2019
We are currently looking for staff volunteers to help with the undergraduate open days on Friday 13 September and Saturday 14 September 2019.
These are our flagship University-wide recruitment events, designed to give students and their parents the best experience possible as they visit to find out more about life and study at the University of Nottingham and consider which universities to apply for. We expect in the region of 50,000 visitors in total across the four days.
Our staff helpers make a huge difference to the experience of our visitors. These are also exciting events to be involved with — a volunteer from last year said the best thing about working the open days is “seeing all parts of the University working together to give visitors a great experience”, and with a staff helper commenting on how volunteering at these events made them “feel part of the wider university community”.
Roles are available on all three campuses and include:
- staffing information points
- advising visitors arriving by car where to park
- greeting visitors at Nottingham and Loughborough train stations
- overseeing student ambassadors running campus tours
- trouble shooting to identify any issues to report to the Events team.
These events are an excellent opportunity to meet colleagues, students and prospective students and you do not need to have worked at an open day before.
How to volunteer
Please sign-up to work the open days by completing the online form. (You can sign up to as many events as you like). However, please seek your line manager’s approval and discuss any TOIL options with them before submitting the form with your preference of dates. (The Events team is unable to pay for hours worked outside your normal working hours.)
We are happy to accommodate those whose hours of work vary from the standard open day working hours (8am-4pm).
Training
We will be in touch closer to the event to provide further information regarding your role including a detailed briefing pack.
Tailored staff training sessions are provided based on your experience and you can sign up to the relevant session when completing the online form. We will also provide a final briefing on the Wednesday prior to the open day to update you on any last-minute information or changes.
Don’t worry if you are unfamiliar with particular areas of campus, as we will provide you with open day campus maps and you will be based with other staff helpers and student ambassadors who you will be able to seek advice from.
Thank you
We hope your experience working the open day is as enjoyable as possible. We will also provide lunch vouchers and hope that you will be able to join us later in the year for a ‘thank you’ lunch hosted by our team.
If you have any queries please contact Lucy King in the Events team.
Tags: events, open day, volunteering
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