Campus News
The Technician Commitment and our new strategy for technical colleagues
November 27th, 2018
The University of Nottingham’s pledge to develop, value and sustain technical staff has been supported by 75 universities and research institutes across the country.
The achievement and progress the University has made in this area was recently marked by a commemorative plaque, presented by Lord Sainsbury during celebrations of the first birthday of the Technician Commitment initiative. Denise Mclean, Senior Technician in Life Sciences, was also invited to speak at the anniversary event and represent the country’s technical staff.
The University of Nottingham has also been mentioned in a new report on the impact of the initiative. The report, titled the ‘Technician Commitment – One Year In‘, includes details of the Nottingham’s progress and collaborations to date and its role in supporting technical staff.
The University of Nottingham, together with the University of Cambridge, were the first to pledge their support to the Technician Commitment, which was launched in May 2017. The Commitment is led by a steering group of sector bodies, with support from the Science Council and the Gatsby Foundation. It was initiated to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for technicians, technologists and skills specialists working in higher education and research across all disciplines.
Kelly Vere, Higher Education and Technician Commitment Lead at the Science Council, and Director of Technical Skills and Strategy at the University of Nottingham, said: “We are delighted with the progress of the Technician Commitment and we look forward to continuing our work to ensure technicians are afforded the esteem they so richly deserve.”
During the last year the Technician Commitment has driven a new collaboration between the University of Nottingham, the University of Liverpool, the Science Council and the John Innes Centre. The group are now working together to look at equality, diversity and inclusion within the technical workforce, building on the principles of the Athena SWAN charter.
New strategy — ‘Our Vision for Technical Talent’
The University has encouraged positive action in the sector by developing a strategy for technical colleagues to enhance their profile and the opportunities available to them.
Developed by Technical Managers and senior leaders from across the institution, this strategy (which makes up the key components of our Technician Commitment) is notable for having been developed to align with the University’s wider aims and objectives and has clear themes and activities, all designed to ensure increased visibility, recognition and opportunities for their technical colleagues.
We will launch the strategy, titled Our ‘Vision for Technical Talent’, on Tuesday 4 December 2018.
Tags: Denise Mclean, Kelly Vere, Technician Commitment
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Events announced for Disability December
November 26th, 2018
During December 2018 the University of Nottingham will be celebrating Disability December with a range of events for staff and students including workshops, panel discussions, music performances and more.
Our programme of events is now confirmed:
- Managing staff with autism and hidden disabilities
11:00am-12:30pm, Monday 3 December 2018
Room C22, Coates Building, University Park Campus
A workshop for managers of staff with autism and hidden disabilities. Join us and learn how to engage with the essential eight key executive functions every person uses, as well as developing some important communication frameworks.
Booking required. Find out more. - Minding the mind: supporting your mental health at work
12:30-1.30pm, Monday 10 December 2018
Room B03, Teaching and Learning Building, University Park Campus
Attend this talk and panel discussion to learn more about the types of mental health problems associated with the workplace and find out what the University of Nottingham is doing to support staff and students to manage and improve their mental wellbeing.
Booking required. Find out more. - Disability and Music: An insight into the Able Orchestra experience
12:30-1.30pm, Wednesday 12 December 2018
Djanogly Recital Hall, Nottingham Lakeside Arts
Join us to learn more about Able Orchestra and see how these amazing young people compose and perform wonderful music.
Booking required. Find out more. - Disability December Workshops
A series of Disability December workshops offered by Professional Development.
Booking required. Find out more.
Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said:
“These events will provide a much needed focus to help us to understand the experiences of staff as they deal with disabilities that they or others experience. Many disabilities are invisible, and these events provide a vital route to help us all to understand how best to provide support for those with different types of disabilities.”
Other events taking place across the University during December include:
- Supported fitness sessions
Times available on request – subject to demand.
David Ross Sports Village / Jubilee Campus sports facility.
Instructors will work with disabled staff on whatever their ambitions are – whether that be training for a race or keeping active to help manage their condition/disability. Enquiries should be sent to hannah.webber@nottingham.ac.uk. - Inclusive climbing sessions
3-6pm, Sunday 2 December and Sunday 9 December
David Ross Sports Village, University Park
Hourly slots available. Free to members, £3 per session for non-members. Email hannah.webber@nottingham.ac.uk to book your place. - New singing group for people with dementia and carers
10:30am-12.00 noon, Monday 26 November and Monday 10 December
Rehearsal Hall, Department of Music, Nottingham Lakeside Arts
£5 per couple. All welcome. - Vicky McClure’s Dementia Choir: a Christmas concert
2.30pm, Monday 17 December 2018
Nottingham Lakeside Arts
Free to attend. To book please call 0115 846 7777.
Donations will go to ‘Music and Memories’ and the continuation of the Dementia Choir in 2019.
Find out more
Other events may be announced throughout the month. For full listings, please visit the University’s events page.
You can subscribe to the People and Culture blog for further updates.
Disability declaration
Guidance for line managers: Would you know what to do if a member of your team declared a disability? See this Sway produced by our Employment Relations Team for guidance.
For more details, guidance for line managers on ‘Supporting Disabled Staff’ is available on the Equality and Diversity web pages.
Why it’s important: Declaring a disability and discussing it with your line manager enables you to access reasonable adjustments. If you haven’t done so already, providing your personal details in MyView will help the University better understand the diversity of our staff. To do this, please log in to MyView and go to ‘Equality Monitoring Data’.
Tags: disability, Disability December, health, people and culture, wellbeing
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USS update
November 26th, 2018
The USS Trustees have issued the following update to institutions and members:
As previously indicated, USS has now confirmed it will run a new valuation of the scheme’s funding position — as at 31 March 2018 — to account for the latest market data, forecasted investment returns and life expectancy.
This would then inform USS’ assessment of the Joint Expert Panel proposals on contribution increases to ensure that the defined pension benefits members earn are secure. USS plans to finalise contribution rates based on the new valuation in early February for the formal Joint Negotiating Committee of UUK and UCU representatives to consider how to address.
It should be noted that this work will not avoid the first Rule 76 contribution increase in April 2019, where employer contributions would rise from 18% to 19.5%, and member contributions from 8% to 8.8%. However, it is hoped that it will mitigate the much steeper contribution increases proposed under Rule 76 for October 2019 and April 2020.
Tags: Joint Expert Panel, pensions, Universities Superannuation Scheme, USS
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Knowledge Exchange and Impact Awards 2018 — our inspirational winners
November 23rd, 2018
The discovery of new bacteria-resistant plastics to reduce the incidence of hospital acquired-infections, one of the UK’s most significant heritage regeneration projects, a one-in-a-million snail and keyhole surgery for jet engines were some of the research projects recognised at the University’s Knowledge Exchange and Impact Awards 2018.
More than 250 colleagues, industry and civic partners and friends attended the awards evening at the East Midlands Conference Centre to celebrate the impact of our research in Nottingham, the UK and across the world.
Many of the winners and nominees are profiled in Vision, the University’s research and knowledge exchange magazine.
Professor Dame Jessica Corner with Vision magazine
Professor Barrie Hayes-Gill of the Faculty of Engineering received the Vice-Chancellor’s award for Sustained Excellence in Knowledge Exchange. Professor Hayes-Gill is the driving force behind two spin-out companies, including the development of world-leading foetal monitoring technology which is benefiting millions of expectant mothers and unborn children around the globe. His work includes 16 patents, and together with his team he’s secured more than £20m of grant funding and investment.
Professor Shearer West, President and Vice Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, presented the award. She said: “Professor Hayes-Gill is an outstanding researcher and an inspirational figure. Throughout a distinguished career he has matched a commitment to discovery and flair for building partnerships with a passionate advocacy of our mission to translate world-class innovation into products and applications that change lives.”
Professor Hayes-Gill, who joined the University in 1986 and is Professor of Electronic Systems and Medical Devices, said: “This is a wonderful honour and one which I am delighted and humbled to accept, not least on behalf of the many remarkable colleagues and collaborators beyond the University who have accompanied and supported me on this journey. As an electrical engineer and researcher it has been a thrill and a privilege to help address societal challenges. To see our discoveries make a real difference is hugely satisfying – and this evening also opened my eyes to inspiring work by colleagues in so many fields across the University.”
The Zhejiang Conservatory of Music perform at the awards
Our other winners:
Expert Commentator of the Year – Dr Paul Smith, School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies
Dr Smith is recognised as an essential source of information, opinion and analysis on the French political system. He’s made over 150 media appearances in the last two years and regularly offers expert commentary on news and current affairs broadcasts around the world.
Research Story of the Year – #SnailLove, Dr Angus Davison, School of Life Sciences
Jeremy the lovelorn snail was a global media phenomenon. Dr Davison’s enthusiastic participation in our #SnailLove campaign reached 1.8bn people around the world, and introduced his ground-breaking genetics research to an unprecedent audience.
Policy Impact – Professor Antoni Kapcia, School of Cultures, Languages and Area Studies
Professor Antoni Kapcia is the UK’s foremost expert on Cuba. With 47 years of research into modern and contemporary Cuban history, his insight helps media, businesses, UK and foreign governments to better understand Cuba’s unique political culture.
Faculty of Arts – The Curator of Rebellion at Nottingham Castle, Dr Richard A Gaunt
Dr Gaunt’s expertise in British political history is enriching one of the most significant heritage regeneration projects in the UK. He is Curator of Nottingham Castle’s new Rebellion Gallery, which focuses on key moments in the City’s rebellious history since the 16th Century. Dr Gaunt also helped to secure more than £13m of funding towards the £29.5m Nottingham City Council project.
Faculty of Engineering – Remote keyhole surgery for jet engines, Professor Dragos Axinte, Dr Amir Rabani, Bilal Nasser, Dr Adam Nagy, David Alatorre Troncoso, Dr James Kell
Robotics and tools developed at the University of Nottingham have enabled Rolls-Royce to repair jet engines remotely using keyhole surgery. The prototype was demonstrated on an engine trial in a Rolls-Royce facility, a world-first for this type of repair. The technology will save significant costs by reducing unplanned engine removals from aircraft wings.
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences – The Scarred Liver project, Dr Neil Guha, Professor Guru Aithal, Dr Emilie Wilkes, Dr Martin James, Professor Steve Ryder, Dr Dave Harman, Dr Rebecca Harris, Dr Jane Chalmers, Dr Joanna Morling, Dr Tim Card
The team’s research contributed to a new, CE-marked, diagnostic test for liver disease. Their work influenced a radical change in clinical practice across Nottinghamshire, where data evaluation showed 50% of significant liver disease would have been missed by the traditional referral pathway. Their research has been endorsed by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the Royal College of General Practitioners and their vision is to see the test adopted across the country.
Faculty of Science – Bacteria-resistant plastics – Professor Morgan Alexander, Emeritus Professor Martyn Davies, Professor Paul Williams (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences), Professor Derek Irvine (Faculty of Engineering).
Bacteria-resistant plastics discovered at the University have been developed with a commercial partner for use in urinary catheters. The device, awarded a CE mark in 2017, is being trialled in UK hospitals. It has the potential to reduce the burden of hospital-acquired infections, and could benefit many patients around the world. This is just the first of many potential commercial applications of the technology.
Faculty of Social Sciences – Antislavery data: Measuring and mapping to end global slavery – Professor Kevin Bales, Professor Sir Bernard Silverman, Professor Todd Landman, Dr Doreen Boyd, Dr James Goulding, Dr Alex Trautrims, Minh Dang, Dr Andrea Nicholson, Dr Austin Choi Fitzpatrick
Five teams from the University’s Rights Lab, one of our transdisciplinary Beacons of Research Excellence, have worked together to make globally recognised advances in measuring the risk and prevalence of modern slavery. Their research has changed the quality of evidence available to policymakers, and they advise bodies including the Home Office and the United Nations.
Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, who welcomed guests, said: “This was inspirational evening. It was a celebration of not only exceptional individuals and transdisciplinary teams but the power of our partnerships. By exploring new ways of working with collaborators beyond the University, our research is delivering innovation that is having a real impact, enriching and saving lives and increasing our understanding of the world and the challenges we face.”
Executive Chair of Research England David Sweeney, a guest at the awards, said: “What impressed me at the awards was the across-the-board demonstration of research impacts which hit local, national and global issues. [This is] evidence of a university which regards external engagement as an embedded activity.”
Visit Vision, the University’s research and knowledge exchange magazine, to find out more.
Tags: KEI, knowledge exchange, Knowledge Exchange and Impact Awards
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Caroline Williams — moving on
November 22nd, 2018
Our Director of Libraries, Research and Learning Resources, Caroline Williams, is set to leave the University for Australia at the end of February 2019. She will take on the role of University Librarian at the University of Queensland in the spring.
Queensland is a founding member of the research-intensive Group of Eight universities in Australia, and has over 52,000 students. The University Librarian role’s focus is to enhance the student experience of the library, developing partnerships and collaborative ways of working, and building support for research – including open access.
Caroline joined the University of Nottingham in 2011 – when Libraries was still part of the Information Services department. She became Director of Libraries, Research and Learning Resources when the department separated out from IS in 2013.
During her time at Nottingham, Caroline has developed and led a student-focused transformation strategy that saw Nottingham’s position in terms of student satisfaction with library services rise from 16th to fifth in the Russell Group.
She has also overseen the Libraries transformation, the George Green Library redevelopment and other strategic cross-departmental projects – including research data management (RDM), Project Transform integrations with library and learning technologies including Moodle, and the Integrated Scholarly Information project.
Caroline said: “Our continued rise in student satisfaction is testament to the very real difference the team in Libraries make, and we know from the recent Academic Engagement research just how important the library is to our academic community.
“This is a big decision for me – the University of Nottingham is close to my heart. The breadth of what has been achieved by the team in Libraries and beyond over the past seven years really is inspiring.”
Dr Paul Greatrix, Registrar, said: “Caroline has been an outstanding Director of Libraries, Research and Learning Resources over her seven years at the University of Nottingham. Her achievements in working with her colleagues across the department have transformed library and learning resource provision at the University for our students and staff.
“I know we will all miss her enormously – she has been a great colleague and an outstanding senior leader and it has been a privilege to work with her. I am sure we all want to wish her the very best of luck (and plenty of sunshine) in her new role at the University of Queensland.”
Caroline began her career in university libraries at the University of London, then moved to Manchester Metropolitan, Nottingham Trent and the Open University, before moving away from libraries to lead grant funded national online projects at Mimas, the then national data centre based at the University of Manchester.
Work has already begun to find a new Director of Libraries.
Tags: Caroline Williams, Libraries, LRLR, Research and Learning Resources
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PVC EDI blog: Celebrating Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
November 22nd, 2018
In her new blog, our Pro Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Professor Sarah Sharples, discusses celebrating the EDI work of our staff across higher education and calls for contributions to mark International Women’s Day 2019.
Read her blog: www.nottingham.ac.uk/EDI/Blog/Blog-002.aspx.
Tags: Diversity and Inclusion, edi, equality, Professor Sarah Sharples
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VC Mentoring Programme 2019 — final call for applications
November 21st, 2018
As announced in the Vice-Chancellor’s Blog in October, the VC is launching her mentoring programme again for 2019. You can apply now by completing this form. The deadline for applications is 30 November 2018.
For 2019 the Vice-Chancellor has extended the programme to academic and professional services staff at Level 6 and Level 7 who are currently under-represented at senior leadership levels. Applications are therefore invited from Level 6 and Level 7 staff with protected characteristics, such as BME, disabled and LGBT+ communities in both academic and professional services roles. Consideration will also be given to staff who are under-represented in their professional field for reasons such as gender.
You can find out more about the programme on the LMA Hub, or contact Leadership and Management Director Carol Steed for an informal conversation.
Tags: mentoring, Mentoring Scheme, Professor Shearer West, VC Mentoring Programme, Vice Chancellor
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Campus wildlife calendar 2019
November 21st, 2018
Featuring some of the most photogenic #BeastsofUoN, the University of Nottingham Campus Wildlife Calendar is making a return for 2019, now available via the Online Store and selected campus outlets for £5.
The calendar includes an introduction from Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West, and 13 images taken by students and staff capturing the best of our campus wildlife throughout the seasons.
Proceeds from the calendar will contribute to the Environment Initiatives Fund, which provides grants to student or staff-led sustainability projects.
Find out more on our sustainability webpage.
Tags: #BeastsofUoN, Beasts of UoN, calendar, Campus Wildlife Calendar 2018, sustainability, wildlife
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Applications open for Ingenuity19
November 20th, 2018
Ingenuity19 is looking for the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators to create scalable social and commercial enterprises that can transform Nottingham, the UK and beyond.
Focusing on questions such as ‘What do future communities look like?’ and ‘How will future technologies transform how we, as consumers, live?’, Ingenuity19 is looking for students, staff, graduates and early career researchers from across the University of Nottingham to come together and discover problems worth solving, and is offering the tools to create scalable sustainable solutions.
For the first time, Ingenuity19 will also be open to the city of Nottingham, enabling a wider group of people to contribute to lasting social and economic impact for the city and its communities.
From February 2019 – April 2019, Ingenuity19 will take participants through a series of events designed to help inspire and explore new ideas, and develop those ideas into viable business/social enterprise plans.
It will then offer the opportunity to compete for a 150,000+ prize fund.
Applications are now live at http://bit.ly/Ingenuity19. For more information and updates, head over to the Ingenuity19 social media accounts (@IngenuityEvent).
Tags: entrepreneurship, Ingenuity, ingenuity19, Innovation
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Brexit & the EU Settlement Scheme
November 20th, 2018
* ARTICLE UPDATED WITH SUPPORT SESSION INFORMATION *
In a new blog, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nottingham, Professor Shearer West, has announced that the University will pay the registration fees for all of its EU staff and their families should they wish to apply for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Read the blog: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/about/vice-chancellor/blog/blog-016.aspx.
By taking part in the scheme, colleagues will be able to protect their rights and those of their families after 31 December 2020, when the UK is currently scheduled to exit the European Union. Further details are available by contacting Megan.Garner@nottingham.ac.uk in Human Resources.
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.
EU Settlement Scheme — pilot stage launched Thursday 15 November
The Home Office is currently testing the EU Settlement Scheme through a series of pilots ahead of the public launch.
EU citizens and non-EU family members of EU citizens working in the Higher Education sector can register to take part in the Home Office’s EU Settlement Scheme pilot covering employees in the higher education and health and social care sectors. This pilot launched on Thursday 15 November and runs until Friday 21 December 2018.
This pilot is testing the application process that EU citizens and their family members will use when the scheme opens fully next year. Feedback provided by participants in the pilot will be used to make improvements to the process before the scheme fully launches to the public by 30 March 2019.
By taking part in the pilot, participants will be able to make an early application for new UK immigration status in order to continue to live and work in the UK after the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020.
Who is eligible to take part in the pilot?
You will only be able to take part in the pilot if you are an employee of our university, and you are:
- an EU citizen and have a valid biometric passport (this is an e-passport which has a digital chip)
- or a non-EU citizen family member employed by the university and have a biometric residence card with ‘EU Right to Reside’ on the back, which you have applied for on or after 6 April 2015
If you are eligible to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme pilot you will need to complete a short and simple online application form to:
- prove your identity;
- show that you live in the UK; and
- declare any serious criminal convictions.
Application process during the pilot
To apply to the EU Settlement Scheme you will need to complete an online application:
- Verify your identity – You will need to have a valid biometric passport or biometric residence card (issued by the Home Office) to apply in this pilot. All applications must use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify identity. This is currently only available to download on Android devices – an easy way to check if your device can use this app, is if your device has the technology to make contactless payments. A number of local authorities are offering an identity verification service to ensure those who do not have access to a suitable device are able to do so. Details of the locations where this service is being provided will be available on GOV.UK once the pilot launches. If you cannot get access to this app during the pilot there will be alternative ways for you to verify your identity once the scheme fully opens.
- Criminality check – You will need to complete the criminality check by declaring any criminal convictions. Only serious or persistent criminality will affect your application. This should not affect the vast majority of EU citizens and their family members.
- Verify your residence in the UK – You will need to provide evidence of your residence in the UK. There are number of ways you can do this, for example providing your National Insurance number (if you have one). There may be cases where residence cannot be proven automatically in this way, and you will be asked to provide further evidence on your application. Information on the other types of evidence you can use can be found on GOV.UK. Alternatively, if you have a valid permanent residence document or valid indefinite leave to remain, you will just need to provide proof of that status.
What happens next?
- If you’re eligible to take part, we will already have sent you an email inviting you to participate. This email will provide you with the details of how to register your participation.
- Once you have registered your email address, you will receive an email with a link to complete your online application.
Please note that making an application in this pilot is entirely voluntary. There will be no change to your current rights under EU law until the end of the planned implementation period on 31 December 2020.
If you have any queries, please email staff-immigration@nottingham.ac.uk.
For more details about the pilot scheme, please view the Briefing pack.
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.
UPDATE – Support sessions
The University has arranged for individual support sessions to run throughout December 2018 for individuals who need some additional support completing their application e.g. those who do not have access to an android device (required as part of the pilot process). The sessions will be run by members of the HR Department who will provide you with access to an android phone to use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to complete your application.
These sessions can be booked via the short courses website and will take place across multiple campuses.
Tags: article 50, Brexit, VC's blog
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