Campus News
University strategy: staff feedback published
January 17th, 2019
Feedback from more than 300 staff attending November’s “21st Century University” staff workshops is published verbatim today (Thursday 17 January 2019) by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Long, as he sets out the next steps for the development of the Strategy in a new blog.
The staff feedback and blog can be read on the University Strategy webpages.
As a starting point for development of the next University strategy to succeed Global Strategy 2020, a series of events to discuss the “21st Century University” were attended by more than 300 staff across all job families, faculties and professional service departments in the UK, China and Malaysia. Staff also had the opportunity to contribute online if they were unable to attend.
Examining issues around teaching, research and campus life along with topics specific to each faculty and professional service department, feedback from the workshops was diverse and extensive with common themes emerging on commitment to research-led teaching, engagement with our broader communities and leveraging the benefits of our international presence.
In his blog Professor Long extends his thanks to all staff who have contributed to this exercise so far and looks forward to the next steps in developing a strategy in partnership with our University community.
Tags: 21st Century University, Global Strategy 2020, Professor Andy Long, strategy
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Portrait diversification – celebrating international colleagues
January 16th, 2019
To celebrate colleagues of all nationalities, the University’s Portrait Diversification project is being extended to include international staff working in the UK.
Building on last year’s launch staff and students are invited to propose the names of individuals or groups of international staff at any Nottingham campus whose work ensures that the University experience is exceptional for staff and students.
Nominees may be from any job family and may encompass any aspect of Operational, Technical and Professional Services or our Academic Staff whose work helps contribute to the University’s success. Portraits will be unveiled on Monday 10 June 2019.
Please complete this form with your nomination, including short details on the contribution made, by Friday 15 February 2019: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/edi/photographic-portrait-project.aspx.
Tags: international, International colleagues, Portrait diversification, Portrait project
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Brexit: Global and Political Affairs Unit briefing — 16 January 2019
January 16th, 2019
The Government’s defeat in Parliament on its Brexit deal last night (Tuesday 15 January 2019) increases the likelihood of either the UK leaving the EU on 29 March without a deal (No Deal), or of the UK leaving the EU at a later date.
The University is therefore stepping up its No Deal preparation, as well as its support for EU staff and post-Brexit planning. The University’s Global & Political Affairs Unit has prepared a briefing note for staff on the latest situation following last night’s Parliamentary vote.
A General Election at this stage is highly unlikely, as is significant change in the UK Government’s negotiating position and/or the EU’s response to it. Support for a People’s Vote referendum is growing but there is no evidence of a Parliamentary majority for this course of action.
Tags: article 50, Brexit, EU, EU referendum, European staff, European Union
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Inspirational Women #balanceforbetter Digital Project
January 16th, 2019
To celebrate International Women’s Day, female staff and students in all professions and grades and across the UK, China and Malaysia, are sought to appear in a digital photo campaign to support this year’s #balanceforbetter theme.
Staff and students are invited to nominate female colleagues by explaining their inspirational contribution to the University.
Nominees, as decided by a small group of representatives from UK, China and Malaysia, will be approached to give their consent to being featured and asked to submit an image of themselves, or something that represents them or their work. The campaign will run throughout March.
Nominations are welcome from any job role on any campus, or any student studying any subject – the only requirement is that the nominated person has inspired someone, through any action, big or small.
Please complete this form with your nomination, including short details on the contribution made, by Friday 15 February 2019: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/edi/balanceforbetter.aspx.
Tags: Balance for Better, edi, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, International Women's Day, Portrait project
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Art and theatre groups for children at Lakeside
January 15th, 2019
Know a young person who needs a new challenge in 2019? Lakeside Arts on University Park campus offers a series of art and theatre based groups for various age groups.
The groups available are:
Lakeside Youth Theatre
A group of weekly sessions focuses on developing new skills and having fun through drama. Our groups have a reputation for strong ensemble work and are the perfect platform for members to create, develop and take risks using their own ideas. Participants will also get the chance to work with exciting artists and theatre professionals.
There are four age groups:
- Little Lakesiders (5-7 years)
- 8-10 years
- 11-13 years
- 14+ years
£45 – £65 per term.
Find more information on the Lakeside Arts website: https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/take-part-learn/lakeside-youth-theatre.html.
Gallery Art Group
A regular art session for young people with a passion for art and design and provides a well-resources environment for creative experimentation and skills development. The highly experienced tutors refer to the Lakeside exhibitions for inspiration, leading workshops in painting, photography, drawing, multi-media sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, textiles and other crafts.
There are three age groups:
- 8-10 years
- 11-13 years
- 14-18 years
£50 – £60 per term.
Find more information on the Lakeside Arts website: https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/take-part-learn/gallery-art-group.html.
Tags: art, Kids, theatre
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New Commission launched to tackle challenges of adult education
January 15th, 2019
Leading universities, including the University of Nottingham, and adult education charities have joined forces to create a new commission to tackle the challenges faced in educating people throughout their lives in England.
In 1919, the Ministry of Reconstruction’s adult education committee published a Report on Adult Education, arguing that a population educated throughout life was vital for the future economy of the country.
The challenges faced back then are eerily similar to the problems we face as a nation today:
- With the extension of the electorate, it was considered vital that citizens be made able to weigh evidence and critically reflect on political claims, so as not to be taken in by populist demagogues; electoral issues are just as complex today.
- With the approach of new technologies and industries, ‘skills training’ was considered insufficient, and instead people would need to be imaginative and flexible at work; with machine learning and robotics replacing routine work, these needs are even greater today, and growing over time.
- The population faced ‘great challenges’, foremost to prevent another slide to war; that danger remains, to which needs to be added Climate Change.
That’s why the Universities of Nottingham and Oxford along with the Co-operative College, the Raymond Williams Foundation and the Workers Educational Association have come together to form the Centenary Commission to address the issues around adult education today.
The Commission’s first meeting was held on Thursday 10 January, and focused on the educational provision required in longer lives, changing work and global challenges.
John Holford, Robert Peers Professor of Adult Education at the University of Nottingham, Joint Secretary/Research Director to the Centenary Commission, and Chair of the Adult Education 100 campaign Steering Group said:
“Last year Nottingham took the lead in initiating the Adult Education 100 campaign and the Centenary Commission on Adult Education. I’m delighted that Oxford, the WEA, the Co-operative College and the Raymond Williams Foundation have joined us, and that Dame Helen Ghosh has agreed to chair the Commission.
“Nottingham has been central to British adult education. In response to the 1919 Adult Education Report, Nottingham became the first British university to set up an adult education department – a key building block for the university today – and the first in the world to have a professor of adult education – Robert Peers in 1922. Today, not only are we sharing our research expertise with the Centenary Commission, but Sharon Clancy, Chair of the Raymond Williams Foundation and the University’s former Head of Community Partnerships, is a member of the Commission. Universities like Nottingham are key to civic and community life and educating people of all ages should be part of their mission.”
The Commission will publish its first report in November 2019 marking the centenary of the Ministry of Reconstruction’s Final Report on Adult Education. That report set the groundwork for British adult education during the 20th century. Its centenary is an opportunity to reflect on the needs and possibilities for adult education today, and into the century ahead.
Tags: Adult education, Ministry of Reconstruction
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Celebrating University staff and students
January 14th, 2019
Staff and students are invited to nominate themselves or colleagues to participate in three new projects to celebrate the diversity of our staff and their unique contribution to our University.
- to celebrate International Women’s Day, female staff and students in all professions and grades and across the UK, China and Malaysia, are sought to appear in a digital photo campaign to support this year’s #balanceforbetter theme;
- to celebrate colleagues of all nationalities, the University’s Portrait Diversification project is being extended to include international staff working in the UK and;
- to celebrate colleagues from the European Union, EU staff in all professions and grades are sought for case studies to be showcased at a staff celebration event for EU colleagues.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West said: “As the government continues to navigate the increasingly uncertain and vexatious waters of Brexit, the divisions in the country may appear wider and deeper than ever before.
“However, the University of Nottingham will always celebrate and cherish our international presence, our diverse outlook, and the staff, students and alumni that shape our global identity.
“In highlighting the contribution made by our diverse staff community, we celebrate their unique contributions and make a statement on the importance of diversity in building a strong and supportive University – both now and in the future.
“I invite all staff to make suggestions for individuals who might feature in these projects to celebrate their achievements and our continuing global outlook.”
How to make nominations:
Inspirational Women #balanceforbetter Digital Project
Staff and students are invited to nominate female colleagues by explaining their inspirational contribution to the University. Nominees, as decided by a small group of representatives from UK, China and Malaysia, will be approached to give their consent to being featured and asked to submit an image of themselves, or something that represents them or their work. The campaign will run throughout March.
Please complete this form with your nomination, including short details on the contribution made, by Friday 15 February 2019: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/edi/balanceforbetter.aspx.
Nominations are welcome from any job role on any campus, or any student studying any subject – the only requirement is that the nominated person has inspired someone, through any action, big or small.
Portrait Diversification – Celebrating International Colleagues
Building on last year’s launch staff and students are invited to propose the names of individuals or groups of international staff at any Nottingham campus whose work ensures that the University experience is exceptional for staff and students.
Please complete this form with your nomination, including short details on the contribution made, by Friday 15 February 2019: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/edi/photographic-portrait-project.aspx.
Nominees may be from any job family and may encompass any aspect of Operational, Technical and Professional Services or our Academic Staff whose work helps contribute to the University’s success. Portraits will be unveiled on Monday 10 June 2019.
European Union
On 19 March the University will be hosting an evening event to celebrate the contribution to Nottingham made by our European staff. The University is looking for suggestions (or volunteers) of European colleagues who might be willing to put themselves forward as a case study for a video to be shown at the event itself, as well as other formats to used more widely afterwards. More info here: https://exchange.nottingham.ac.uk/blog/celebrating-our-european-staff-event-and-call-for-case-studies/.
Please email the Director of Global and Political Affairs, Alex Miles, with suggestions by the end of January.
Tags: edi, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, European Union, International Women's Day, Portrait project
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Celebrating our European staff – event and call for case studies
January 14th, 2019
On Tuesday 19 March 2019 the University will be holding an evening event to celebrate the contribution to Nottingham made by our European staff.
Hosted by the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, the evening will also serve as a forum for the development of ideas as to how the University should increase and expand its engagement with Europe, beyond Brexit.
A project group with representation from across the University is working with External Relations on the development of the event.
They are looking for suggestions (or volunteers) of European colleagues who might be willing to put themselves forward as a case study for a video to be shown at the event itself, as well as other formats to used more widely afterwards. Those taking part would just be asked to simply tell their story – about their role at the University – and in Nottingham.
If you are interested in taking part, or if you would like to suggest someone the project group should approach, please email the Director of Global and Political Affairs, Alex Miles: alex.miles@nottingham.ac.uk.
Details about the event and invitations to register will be sent out in the coming weeks.
Tags: Brexit, European staff, Global and Political Affairs, Research and Knowledge Exchange
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UoN ranked 2nd in world for university sustainability
January 10th, 2019
The University of Nottingham has been ranked in the top two in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2018.
The UI GreenMetric World University Rankings measure participating universities’ commitments in developing ‘environmentally friendly’ infrastructure.
This year, 719 universities from 81 countries took part in rankings, which looked at setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation and education. View the methodology and criteria.
The University of Nottingham was ranked second in the world in the rankings – securing the same position as the previous year – as well as first in the UK.
Wageningen University & Research, the Netherlands (ranked first globally) and the University of California, Davis, USA, made up the top three spots in this year’s global rankings.
Andrew Nolan, Director of Estates (Sustainability) at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are delighted that our continued commitment to sustainability has been recognised in the UI Green Metric – it’s testimony to the hard work across the University where we are embedding sustainability into teaching programmes, research and our operations.”
Tags: environment, GreenMetric, sustainability
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Racial Harassment Inquiry — staff and students encouraged to take part
January 9th, 2019
An inquiry into the types of racial harassment experienced at universities and other publicly-funded higher education institutions has been launched by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).
The inquiry wants to hear from staff and students who have experienced, witnessed or helped in an incident of racial harassment from September 2015 onwards.
Publicly funded universities – including the University of Nottingham – will also provide detailed information about the processes they have in place to support staff and students who have experienced or witnessed racial harassment.
Outlining the reasons for the inquiry, the EHRC website states: “Feeling a sense of belonging is an important factor in students and staff reaching their potential. Racial harassment can make people feel they don’t belong somewhere.
“The inquiry seeks to better understand the experiences of staff and students who experience racial harassment and how effectively they can seek redress. We think this is an important part of feeling able to pursue studies and careers in higher education.
“Understanding this is important due to the link between race and achievement or participation in higher education.”
Professor Sarah Sharples, the University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said: “The University supports the Equality and Human Rights Commission inquiry into racial harassment at higher education institutions, and I encourage colleagues and students to complete the survey where relevant. We are reviewing the way harassment is reported and dealt with on our campuses, and the report will be a useful tool in helping us improve our support for staff and students.”
The surveys close on 15 February 2019. The inquiry’s report is expected to be delivered in the autumn.
For more information on the inquiry visit the EHRC website.
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