Campus News
Spotlight on… our grounds and gardens
June 5th, 2018
The University grounds team has taken steps to boost and futureproof our collection of cannas — a vibrant flowering plant that is a regular feature of UoN’s summer planting schemes.
From 1994-2004, the University of Nottingham held a National Collection of Canna, which was located in the Highfields walled garden. However, the collection was largely destroyed after suffering from canna virus. Following this, canna propagation continued in the grounds greenhouse with the surviving canna cultivars, and cannas have remained a regular feature of UoN’s summer planting schemes.
More recently the University has been working to increase its canna collection and has also helped increase a National Collection and donated cannas to a local National Trust garden of historic significance.
This progress started early in 2018 when members of the University’s grounds team met staff from Hart Canna — the holder of the Plant Heritage National Collection of cannas — at the Malvern Spring Festival Garden Show.
Discussions ensued and it was found that both the University of Nottingham grounds greenhouse and Hart’s nursery had canna cultivars that the other was missing. With this knowledge in mind, a swap of canna rhizomes was arranged with the aim of increasing both collections.
UoN gardener Matthew Gyles, who organised the swap, explains that as a result, “We now have three new canna cultivars for the University grounds. One of the new cannas, ‘Russian Red’ can grow up to three metres tall and will be a striking new addition to the University’s grounds.”
In addition a link has been forged between the University of Nottingham grounds and the National Trust at Belton House near Grantham. The Italian garden at Belton is currently being gradually returned to its prime, with a Victorian layout and appearance. Following dialogue between the University and Belton House’s Head Gardener, Jon Lawrance, the University of Nottingham grounds greenhouse has donated heritage canna cultivars (hybridised between 1890s and early 1900s) to Belton to help in the restoration of its internationally historic garden.
The heritage cannas are a very welcome and period correct addition to the Italian garden. Meanwhile, the University’s grounds greenhouse has increased its own collection further by receiving cuttings from four cultivars of abutilon growing in the Belton House orangery.
In addition to helping a historic garden, donating cannas will also help preserve cultivars. As a result of donating the University of Nottingham has secured a source of canna rhizomes should we be unlucky enough to see a widespread return of canna virus or another collection threatening occurrence.
For more information about the University’s grounds and gardens, visit www.nottingham.ac.uk/sustainability/grounds/groundsgardens.aspx.
Tags: cannas, environment, gardening, gardens, grounds, walled garden
Posted in Environment, News | 7 Comments »
The 2018 Teaching and Learning Conference review
June 5th, 2018
The 2018 Teaching and Learning Conference, which took place at the end of April, invited participants to engage in critical debate and discussion around the important theme of ‘Digital Learning in Higher Education’ and the potential it has to:
- enhance the student experience
- effectively prepare students for their lives beyond university
- support staff development and collaboration.
The conference attracted more than 250 delegates from across the University and featured 32 presentations, the majority of which can now be watched back via Sharepoint. There were also three engaging keynote sessions, which provided delegates with the opportunity to consider digital learning in numerous ways.
The first of the sessions saw Cassie O’Boyle, the current Student Union Education Officer, provide insights into the ways in which students need to be prepared to face a digitally enabled work environment post-graduation. The research informed presentation stressed the importance of gaining a good degree and obtaining a well-paid job to students and the need for the University to ensure appropriate digital learning environments to support them in achieving this.
Dr Fiona McCullough then provided insights into how blended learning had been integrated into a Masters course, illuminating the need to embed professional skills and competencies into the curriculum. Importantly, Fiona emphasised that the ‘e’ can be taken away from e-learning as digital learning environments become increasingly more normalised.
Finally, Professor Phil Race, who is a world-renowned author on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, provided a highly interactive session that encouraged delegates to consider the importance of learning, irrespective of the teaching approaches taken. A post-it note exercise, which invited delegates to consider and respond to the following ‘optimising learning for my students would be better if only I…’ caused some hilarity as they were read out with dramatic emphasis. However, the serious point being made around the idea that ‘knowledge isn’t infectious’ and it ‘has to be created’ reminded delegates of the importance of creating an effective learning environment above all else.
Videos of the keynote sessions can be found at www.nottingham.ac.uk/ttp/events/tl-conference-2018.aspx.
Following the success of the 2018 conference, preparations are already well under way for the 2019 event which is likely to take place on Thursday 2 May 2019 (if it is a one-day event), or Thursday 2 May – Friday 3 May 2019 (if it is a two-day event). If you are interested in attending, please hold these dates in your diaries. Further information will be announced nearer to the time.
Tags: Cassie O’Boyle, digital learning, Dr Fiona McCullough, Professor Phil Race, Teaching and Learning Conference 2018
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Vice-Chancellor’s blog — June 2018
June 5th, 2018
The Vice-Chancellor has published her latest blog proposing a new covenant with staff to improve trust, transparency and communication, and ensure that University decision-making benefits from the expertise and ideas found across our community.
Read the Vice-Chancellor’s blog.
Tags: shearer west, VC, VC's blog, Vice Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor's blog
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Student Switch Off: Hugh Stewart are 2017-18 champions!
June 5th, 2018
Students living in Hugh Stewart have won the 2017-18 Student Switch Off energy-saving and recycling competition after reducing their energy use by 10.9%.
Student Switch Off is an energy saving and recycling competition run by the National Union of Students (NUS). The competition challenges students living in halls of residences to take positive action on climate change, and encourages friendly competition between the halls to see who can save the most energy and recycle the most over the year.
Collectively the small energy-saving and recycling actions that our students have achieved this year have added up. Together, University of Nottingham residents have reduced carbon emissions by 34 tonnes, which is equivalent to making 2.7 million cups of tea!
The amazing results are thanks to the continued collective effort of students living within the halls of residence, and in particular to the Student Switch Off Ambassadors – volunteers who have spent the year encouraging their neighbours to switch off and recycle more.
To find out how all the halls at the University of Nottingham did in the competition this year, view the full leaderboard on the Student Switch Off website.
Tags: energy saving, Hugh Stewart, recycling, student switch off, students, sustainability
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Celebrate World Environment Day – and help us Beat Plastic Pollution
June 5th, 2018
99% of respondents to our Plastics Challenge Survey told us they supported reducing single-use plastic across the University. This World Environment Day, how can you help Beat Plastic Pollution?
5 June 2018 marks World Environment Day 2018 – raising awareness and promoting action to protect our environment. The theme of this year’s event is Beating Plastic Pollution; the event aims to raise awareness of facts around plastic waste pollution, such as:
- 13 million tonnes of plastic leak into the ocean each year
- Half of all plastic produced is designed to be used just once – and then thrown away
- Only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled
To coincide with World Environment Day, we can reveal that 99% of respondents to the University’s recent Plastics Challenge survey supported action to reduce our use of single-use plastics (items such as coffee cups, bottled drinks and other everyday items that we use once and then throw away).
We saw over 3,000 individuals take the survey and share their responses. Thankyou to everyone who engaged with the survey and provided a response. We will be emailing the winners of the KeepCup competition to let them know be the end of today.
We’re also currently analysing the full results of the survey and will use the information provided to inform our action plan. Look out for more information over the coming weeks and months.
In the meantime, you can find out more about how to get involved with World Environment Day by visiting http://worldenvironmentday.global/.
To discover more about the work we are doing to improve our sustainability at the University, visit https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/sustainability/.
Tags: environment, Plastics challenge, Single use plastic, sustainability, World Environment Day
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Strategy for Development-Focused Research and Innovation Funding — additional workshop
June 4th, 2018
Due to high demand, a further Theory of Change Workshop has been scheduled for researchers who wish to apply for funding under the Strategy for Development-Focused Research and Innovation.
The workshops are for researchers seeking to undertake research with countries on the DAC list, under funding guidelines that are official development assistance (ODA) compliant. Visit this article on Campus News for more information.
Academics can also now visit a new workspace for international development focused research to access items such as research policy on this fund, the call documents, call guidance and Eventbrite links to register for workshops. A twitter feed has also been launched.
Tags: GCRF, Global Challenges Research Fund, Strategy for Development-Focused Research and Innovation, Theory of Change Workshops
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New diagnostic tools now available through the LMA Hub
June 4th, 2018
The Leadership and Management Academy (LMA) has launched a diagnostics page on the LMA Hub. You can use this page to access diagnostic tools to support your personal and professional development. This is available for all staff and includes diagnostic tools for individuals and teams.
Understanding more about yourself and those around you can be really helpful; diagnostic tools help you to grow this understanding. Knowing which tools to use can be tricky given how many there are to choose from. The Leadership and Management Academy have now launched a diagnostics page to help you find the right tools for you. On this page you can access diagnostic tools that you can undertake yourself, as well as tools which you can be supported with. There are tools to support your own personal and professional development, as well as tools to support team learning.
Have a look at what’s available by visiting the LMA Hub, or by contacting a member of the Leadership and Management Team.
These tools are available to University of Nottingham staff only. You need a Moodle account to access the LMA Hub, which can be set up via the IT Helpdesk.
Tags: leadership and management, lma hub, Professional Development
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Leadership programmes for 2018/19 — dates now available
June 4th, 2018
Dates are now available for the 2018/19 leadership and management development programmes available through the Leadership and Management Academy (LMA). You can register interest via the LMA Hub prior to application dates opening.
The Leadership and Management Academy offers development programmes for leaders at all levels and stages of their careers. You can register for 2018/19 programme that might be of interest. Dates for when formal applications to programmes opens varies, so check out the LMA Hub for more details.
There are 9 leadership programmes available:
- Strategic Leaders programme
- Leadership for High Performing Schools, Departments and Research Groups
- Future Leaders programme
- Future Leaders programme (Faculty of Engineering only)
- Leadership for High Performing Teams
- Operational Leaders programme
- Stepping into Leadership
- Aspiring Leaders programme
- Strategic Finance Programme (senior leaders only)
Staff from all job families are invited to participate. You can find out more about these programmes by visiting the LMA Hub. If you are not sure which is the right programme for you, contact a member of the Leadership and Management Team for advice.
Tags: leadership and management, LMA, Professional Development
Posted in Announcements, News, Opportunities | 2 Comments »
Specialist Services for students are now based in Cherry Tree Lodge
June 4th, 2018
Specialist Services — including Accessibility (Academic Support and Disability Support), Visas & Immigration and Funding and Financial Support — have now moved into Cherry Tree Lodge, University Park.
Cherry Tree Lodge is now open and welcoming students.
Cherry Tree Lodge is number 13 on the campus map. Visit Student Services for more details of the services available.
Tags: academic support, accessibility, cherry tree lodge, disability support, finance and funding, specialist services, student services, visas and immigration
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National Pay Negotiations 2018/19 — update
May 31st, 2018
In national pay negotiations for 2018/19, the Universities & Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), which acts on behalf of universities, has made a final offer of 2% on spine points above point 16, with £425 on points 2-15 (up to 2.8%).
This offer would bring the average sector pay increase for 2018-19 to 3.5%, with half the staff covered by the negotiations also eligible for additional progression pay increases.
UCEA also offered further joint work on casual employment and the gender pay gap. Full details of the offer can be found on the UCEA website. Pay for staff in Technical, O&F and APM Level 3 roles and below, is subject to local negotiations.
Tags: pay, Pay negotiations, salary, UCEA, Universities and Colleges Employers Association
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