Campus News

University Staff Oscars 2019

January 23rd, 2019

The University Staff Oscars are returning for their eighth year — providing an opportunity to shine a spotlight on staff that have inspired our students and their University experience.

Every year the Awards have grown and 2019 is expected to be no different. Last year, we received more than 670 nominations from students, celebrating amazing work by staff from all corners of the University.

Any UoN staff member can be nominated (there are categories for central staff as well as teaching staff), but nominations must be submitted by students. Nominations will close on Thursday 14 March 2019.

Visit the website.

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Staff teaching timetables

January 23rd, 2019

Teaching staff who use MyCal will need to re-subscribe to the service to continue viewing their teaching timetable in online calendars.

As spring semester timetables are populated, an issue affecting the MyCal data feed has been detected.

If you use MyCal, please log in to the MyCal page with your University username and password, and follow the instructions onscreen to continue viewing your timetable.

If, after following the above instructions, you still encounter problems viewing your timetable, contact the IT Service Desk.

Please note that this issue is also affecting students who use MyCal. All students will receive separate communications advising them of the issue and the recommended action.

Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

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LGBT History Month 2019 — programme of events now available

January 23rd, 2019

The University of Nottingham’s programme of events for LGBT History Month 2019 is now online.

LGBT History Month is a powerful and thought-provoking event that takes place annually and aims to promote equality and diversity, for the benefit of everyone, by:

  • increasing the visibility of LBGT people, their history, lives and their experiences,
  • raising awareness and advancing education on matters affecting the LGBT community and,
  • working to make educational and other institutions safe spaces for all LGBT communities.

The 2019 theme for LGBT History Month is ‘Peace, Reconciliation, Activism’.

Read the blog from Max Biddulph, Chair, UoN LGBTQ Staff Network, and Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: https://exchange.nottingham.ac.uk/blog/lgbt-history-month-at-the-university-of-nottingham/

Highlights from our LGBT History Month 2019 programme will include:

  • ‘Queer Chinese Representations on Transnational Screens’: A series of film screenings presented by the Centre of Contemporary East Asian Cultural Studies
  • Working inclusively – teams 
    10-11.30am, Tuesday 12 February
    This workshop takes a practical approach to communicating and working with colleagues across the range of protected characteristics (age, race, etc). It outlines expectations and provides participants with the opportunity to discuss and identify best practice.
  • Talk: Lesbian mothers and practices of conception in post-war Britain
    5.30-6.30pm, Wednesday 13 February
    Rebecca Jennings, Lecturer in Modern Gender History, UCL, draws on her current research into lesbian relationships and parenting practices in post-war Britain and Australia to explore the history of lesbian motherhood in Britain between 1945 and 1978.
  • Film screening: The Killing of Sister George (18+)
    6-9pm, Wednesday 13 February 2019
    For its time, The Killing of Sister George was a ground breaking film, and one of the first films in history to be released with an ‘X’ rating in the United States. Set in 1968, it has historic meaning and is a landmark in queer cinema.
    Featuring an introduction and post-film discussion with Dr Sue Price, Assistant Professor in Counselling, School of Education.
  • Lecture/presentation and Q&A: Cultures, Identities, Sexualities: what makes for an inclusive Higher Education space?
    1-2pm, Thursday 14 February
    Reporting in 2018, Universities UK note that Higher Education in the UK has experienced consistent growth over the last decade with a change in the staff/student demographic to becoming progressively internationalized. In a parallel review, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA, 2017) note the polarization of attitudes towards gender and sexual minorities globally, with 72 countries criminalising same sex relations. What happens when this collision of people, faith, cultural diversity, values and attitudes inhabits the same higher education space? How can everyone get on and feel included?
    A presentation by Dr Max Biddulph, Chair, UoN LGBTQ Staff Network.
  • Pride in STEM – Nottingham Out Thinkers
    6.30-9pm, Monday 18 February
    Join Pride in STEM to celebrate LGBT+ History Month with some of the brightest sparks Nottingham has to offer! Meet some local LGBT_ heroes who will share with you their experiences of being out and proud in the world of science and research, and find out all about the incredible work they do.
    Presented by Pride in STEM.
  • Talk/Q&A: Queer in STEM: Why LGBT+ Diversity Matters
    12.30-1.30pm, Wednesday 20 February
    This informal lunch time session will explore the landscape of sexual orientation and gender identity in the academic workplace. Why is it important to embrace it? And how can we all help to make the university a better working environment? Featuring an open Q&A discussion with LGBT+ staff and students.
    Hosted by: Pride in STEM Charitable Trust
  • Brothers in Arms: sexuality, men and intimacies in the Great War
    7-8.30pm, Tuesday 26 February
    Weaving between family history, war poetry and other archival documents this performance-lecture event will explore the concept of ‘romantic friendships’ amongst the soldiers of the Great War.
    Directed by Martin Berry, with Dr Max Biddulph, Associate Professor, School of Education.
  • Talk/Q&A: Trans Journeys: Exploring Lived Intersectionality
    6pm, Thursday 28 February
    The concept of intersectionality originates with Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989) who reminds us that individuals have the potential to be intersected by multiple dimensions of identity which produce unique, powerful stories. So, responding to the theme of LGBT History Month 2019, Sarah Stephenson-Hunter will consider the ways in which peace, reconciliation and activism speak to her in her experience of being a trans woman living with a disability.

For full listings across the month, please visit the University of Nottingham’s events pages.

For updates throughout the month, subscribe to the People and Culture blog. Plus, don’t forget to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #LGBTHM19.

You can also find out more about our LGBT History Month programme by emailing the People and Culture team.

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Researchfish 2019: get ready to report on the outcomes and impact of your funding

January 23rd, 2019

Researchfish – the online platform that allows researchers to report to funders on the outcomes, outputs and impact of their discoveries – is an essential tool supporting the University of Nottingham’s growing focus on demonstrating the impact of our research.

It provides funders with the information they require to measure research impact and report on over £45 billion of funding to government, their donors and other stakeholders, and so demonstrating the value of research.

The 2019 Researchfish submissions window opens on Monday 4 February and closes on Thursday 14 March 2019.

During this period the University urges researchers and supporting colleagues to continue to exceed our compliance targets. In 2018, we achieved a 99.48% Researchfish compliance rate, with a 100% compliance for submissions related to Research Councils UK funding.

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: “I would like to thank colleagues for their continuing support and recognition that Researchfish provides an essential platform to demonstrate how investment in our world-class research links to impact that changes lives.

In 2018 the University of Nottingham continued to make progress towards our goals of increasing our research portfolio to £750m, and delivering a step-change in the impact of our research and knowledge exchange.

“We worked with a tremendous range of funders in 2018, from awards of the value of £6.9m from AHRC, £90.5m from BBSRC, £197.3m from EPSRC, £76.6m from MRC and £12.3m from ESRC. The Researchfish portfolio reflects a range of specialised funders of such as £97,000 from Action Medical Research and £60,000 from the UK Space Agency.

“Researchfish helps the University fulfil its obligation of documenting where this funding is going, the outcomes of our research and the impact it is having on the economy and knowledge base. By submitting such data, our researchers also raise the profile of their work, as Researchfish case studies inform reporting to government and others about what funding is achieving.

In 2012, the University of Nottingham was the first research organisation to subscribe to Researchfish and we can feel proud that demonstrating the range and depth of our partnerships with funders remains key to our vision for research at Nottingham.

“This year I look forward to further positioning the University in readiness for REF 2021, and enhancing our international reputation for the delivery of world-leading research.

“Researchfish is an essential tool in securing this mission.

“Thank you for your continued support and readiness to input your funding reports during the Researchfish window of 4 February to 14 March 2019.”

For further assistance or information please contact Zahra Sheraz (Research Strategy Manager – Analytics) or email researchoutcomes@nottingham.ac.uk.

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Submit your nominations for the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal

January 22nd, 2019

The latest call for nominations is now open for the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal, which awards staff and students’ exceptional achievements.

Any current member of staff or students at any of the University’s campuses can be nominated for the medal provided they have fulfilled one of the following criteria:

  • Demonstrated exceptional achievement in a particular arena
  • Made an outstanding contribution to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in University life
  • Made a notable endeavour which has made a difference to the University
  • Made a substantive contribution which has enhanced the reputation of the University
  • Demonstrated an individual achievement or sustained achievement over a period of time
  • Undertaken an activity which has had a noticeably positive impact for students, staff or the local community

Examples of exceptional achievement by staff and students include sporting successes, community projects, service delivery innovation, curricular innovation, research impact, fundraising, student ambassador contributions, and contributions to halls, JCRs, sporting clubs, societies or the Students’ Union.

Want to nominate someone for the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal?

Complete the nomination form and return it to Helen McGinnis at helen.mcginnis@nottingham.ac.uk no later than Friday 15 March 2019.

Visit the website to find out more about the Vice-Chancellor’s Medal.

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Brexit update: EU Settlement Scheme

January 22nd, 2019

The UK government yesterday (20 January 2019) announced that EU citizens who wish to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme will no longer be required to pay a £65 fee when the scheme is rolled out in full on 30 March 2019.

Colleagues who wish to apply for settled status should still do so but will not be required to pay the registration fee. The government has said that it will refund any fees that have already been paid. Details of these refunds are yet to be confirmed and staff are advised to refer to the detail of the scheme at GOV.UK.

What is the EU Settlement Scheme?

In advance of the UK’s exit from the EU on 29 March 2019, the UK government has committed to protect the rights of EU citizens and their family members currently living in the UK. This includes the right to live here, work here and access public services such as healthcare and benefits. To retain these rights after 31 December 2020, EU citizens must apply for UK immigration status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Further detail on the Settlement Scheme can be found on GOV.UK.

If you are having trouble with the application process or have any queries, please use the Home Office Resolution Centre in the first instance via https://eu-settled-status-enquiries.service.gov.uk/start or telephone 0300 123 7379.

If you have any queries, please email Megan.Garner@nottingham.ac.uk in Human Resources or staff-immigration@nottingham.ac.uk.

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Nottingham Calibre Programme 2019

January 18th, 2019

A three-day personal development and leadership programme for disabled staff.

Tailored to reflect the challenges and experience of disabled staff, the Nottingham Calibre Programme is open to staff at the University of Nottingham and other institutions in the East Midland region, whether attending staff have declared a disability or not.

The programme is useful for anyone thinking about personal or career development, or wanting to manage work situations more proactively.

Workshops take place across three dates in March 2019 at Jubilee campus (participants should attend all three sessions). These sessions are interlinked and look at disability, career management and leadership (self and others) from different perspectives.

To find out more, visit nottingham.ac.uk/go/calibre.

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£1.5m EPSRC fellowship for Professor Neil Champness

January 17th, 2019

Neil Champness, Professor of Chemical Nanoscience, has been awarded a £1.5m Established Career Fellowship by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

EPSRC fellowships support exceptional individuals who are delivering the highest quality research to meet UK and global priorities.

The award to Professor Champness recognises his world-leading research into molecular structures and will support the development of a new approach using crystals of materials known as metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs.

Professor Champness, of the School of Chemistry, focuses on designing molecules that will interact with one another and combine to make new materials and processes.

Professor Champness uses single crystal X-ray diffraction to determine the structure of molecules and biological systems. However, the technique relies upon the ability to grow crystals made up of many billions of these target molecules. It is not always possible to obtain crystals of some molecular species, for example if a compound is highly reactive, produced in small quantities or simply does not adopt the well-ordered arrangements required for crystals to grow.

World-leading reputation

Professor Champness is developing MOFs in response to this challenge. MOFs provide an already crystalline structure that can act to trap target molecules and generate a crystalline array of the target.

He said: “The ability to understand any chemical process relies primarily on an accurate picture of the structure of molecules. Through an understanding of the structure and arrangement of the atoms within a molecule we can try to understand why a chemical reaction takes place or why a molecule displays particular properties.

“Without the knowledge of molecular structure scientists would not be able to understand how reactions work or even appreciate how we make new ‘better’ molecules for a given application.”

Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science, congratulating Professor Champness on his award, said:

“This is a significant and much-deserved accolade that is testament to Neil’s world-leading reputation in this exciting field. This award will strengthen the School of Chemistry’s reputation as a hub of international collaboration and discovery and I look forward to Neil’s team delivering further insights into molecular structures and how these can shape new processes and applications.”

Making molecules do the work: discover more about Professor Champness and his research

Professor Champness’ research group has over the past 20 years forged a world-leading reputation for using MOFs to determine the structure of other molecules.

This EPSRC-funded project will help his team develop a method that takes ‘snapshots’ of complex molecular reactions. Professor Champness’ approach uses Metal-organic frameworks to provide ordered structural arrangements of molecular building-blocks, that can then undergo reactions without losing their crystallinity. By controlling which molecules are introduced, reactions can be ‘trapped’ within the framework, giving new insights into structures and processes.

The EPSRC Established Career Fellowship will allow Professor Champness to strengthen the University’s collaboration with our partners at the University of Adelaide, Professor Christian Doonan and Professor Chris Sumby. The fellowship will also allow Nottingham to develop new collaborations with the Universities of Texas at Austin and Bern in addressing specific, exciting challenges in the field.

He said: “The fellowship gives me the opportunity to focus on this research and lead my research team and develop new directions and collaborations. It is an honour to be awarded an ESPRC Established Career Fellowship and is a testament to the University’s world-leading position in this field of chemistry.”

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Moving to OneDrive – drop-in workshops: News dates added

January 17th, 2019

From the end of January 2020, access to the existing personal (Z: drive) will be restricted to read only as the University moves away from the current main data storage drives and on to Microsoft OneDrive.

To help people migrate from using the Z drive to OneDrive for Business, a series of drop-in roadshow events have been planned throughout January.

The one-hour workshops will cover things like:

  • How to get started (logging in, what is Office 365, what is OneDrive for Business)
  • How to safely transfer information from Z drive to OneDrive for Business
  • How to get the best out of OneDrive for Business (sharing, working together, remote working, removing barriers)
  • Who to contact if you need further support
  • How to access further training

A new set of drop-in sessions has been arranged for the second half of January. No booking is required – just turn up to one of the following sessions:

Monday 20 January 2020: 1pm, Room LT1, Exchange Building, Jubilee Campus

Tuesday 21 January 2020: 1pm, Room A41, Clive Granger Room, University Park

Wednesday 29 January 2020: 11am, Room A2026, Derby Medical School

Friday 31 January 2020: 10.30pm, Room A50, Nottingham City Hospital

Visit the Office 365 SharePoint site (log in required) to see all events and for more information.

Article updated on 17/01/2020

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Faculty of Social Sciences: academic excellence awards

January 17th, 2019

The Faculty of Social Sciences has created a new honour — the Academic Excellence Awards.

The awards have been created to recognise exceptional achievement in the graduating classes in the Faculty of Social Sciences and to celebrate students’ well-deserved success.

The Undergraduate 2017/18 awards were given over the summer, and during December 2018 it was the turn of the Postgraduate Taught students.

Awards were made to postgraduate students who had achieved a Distinction overall and who were in the top 3% of the graduating class in their school. In total, 61 awards were given. The full list of winners is available here: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/social-sciences/news/news/2019/faculty-excellence-award-prizes.aspx.

Just before the graduation ceremonies in December, Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) hosted an award ceremony evening attended by the winners, their supporters (family and friends), and representatives from the School and Faculty. Below are images of some of the award winners accepting their prizes from Professor Louise Crewe, AFPVC Education and Student Experience.

Following the successful introduction of the scheme in the Faculty, work is under way to establish the award scheme in each of the other faculties, in time for the 2019 graduation ceremonies this summer.

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