Campus News
More please: A feast for Dickens scholars
January 20th, 2015
A new online linguistics tool will help researchers and students study the language used in novels from the 19th century.
The CLiC online interface, developed by Professor Michaela Mahlberg and a team from the University’s Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics, can be used to employ computer-assisted methods to study literary texts, which will in turn lead to new insights into how readers perceive fictional characters.
The CLiC interface uses corpus linguistic methods, which use computer software to study and analyse large collections of texts (corpora). This allows the user to search for words in different contexts, for example, in fictional speech, or
in narrative stretches likely to contain body language; the tool provides frequency information, different display options for words in context, and enables comparisons of frequency data across texts.
The project, which is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, focuses on Dickens’s novels, and now CLiC 1.0 is available for other novels from the 19th century.
Professor Mahlberg said: “CLiC 1.0 enables us to take a fresh look at Dickens’s language and linguistic techniques of characterisation more widely. Corpus linguistic methods view textual patterns in a systematic way and bring phenomena to the attention of the analyst that may not be easily discovered by reading alone.”
The innovative CLiC project aims to combine research in corpus linguistics with cognitive poetics where textual patterns contribute to ‘mind-modelling’ in characterisation.
Professor Peter Stockwell, co-investigator on the project, said: “These techniques are beginning to allow us to understand very precisely how characters can become almost real in readers’ minds.”
The research will inform teaching at the University. CLiC 1.0 will be used in modules next year and Distance Programmes run by the School of English. The team presented CLiC 1.0 at the Nottingham Potential Summer School for local pupils.
Visit: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/groups/cral/index.aspx
Tags: Arts and Humanities Research Council, Centre for Research in Applied Linguistics, CLiC, CLiC 1.0, Dickens, Nottingham Potential Summer School, Professor Michaela Mahlberg, Professor Peter Stockwell, School of English
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Governance and Information Compliance Team restructure
January 19th, 2015
The Governance and Information Compliance Team has recently restructured within the Registrar’s Department.
They have taken this opportunity to rename the team to better reflect the services on offer.
Services
The Governance and Information Compliance Team deals with all issues to do with Committee Governance and Information Compliance, including:
- Freedom of Information requests
- Subject Access requests
- Data Protection enquiries
- Records Management
- Data Protection breaches
- Council and senior committee support
- Committee servicing
They also provide internal advice, guidance and training on request in any of the areas mentioned above.
Meet the team
The team is based in A5, Trent Building
Karen Page, Information Compliance Officer
t: +44 (0) 115 84 67858
Karen is responsible for managing all Freedom of Information and Subject Access Requests and is able to provide advice to colleagues and requestors on all aspects of the information request process within the legislative framework. Karen supports the Governance and Compliance Team in all aspects of its services, including web support, training coordination and governance administration data breach guidance.
Sam Potter, Head of Governance Administration
t: +44 (0) 115 95 15753
Sam provides support to Council and its committees. She is Secretary to Audit and Risk Committee and Assistant Secretary to Finance Committee and Senate. Sam can provide advice to colleagues regarding the University’s Charter, Statutes and other matters relating to the University’s constitution and committee processes and structure. Sam also has considerable experience in relation to Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation and can provide advice to colleagues in relation to these.
Jenny Rochfort, Information and Records Manager
t: +44 (0) 115 74 84017
Jenny is responsible for managing the Records Management Framework and all Records Officers, and provides policy and guidance updates on all areas of records management and information compliance. Jenny delivers training and support in Data Protection, Freedom of Information and Records Management and can advise on all aspects of Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation.
Please get in contact directly if you have any queries. Alternatively, contact:
Freedom of Information
Data Protection
Records Management
Governance
For more information, visit the Governance website.
Tags: Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Governance, Governance and Information Compliance, Registrar
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Join the latest NOOC
January 15th, 2015
This Nottingham Open Online Course (NOOC) aims to develop participants’ critical understanding of key issues in the field. The course begins with a critical examination of the implications of globalisation for the role of universities in contemporary society. It goes on to examine diverse forms of internationalisation and their impact on institutional management, research, and teaching and learning.
Drawing particularly on Nottingham’s own unique experience, the module then looks at trans-national higher education and the development of international campuses, concluding with reflections on cross-cultural concerns in various forms of international partnerships and collaboration.
The six week course starts on Wednesday 28 January and is open to all staff and students. Students who successfully complete the NOOC are eligible for 10 credits towards the Nottingham Advantage Award.
Visit Moodle for more information and to register.
Tags: globalisation, Globalisation and Internationalisation of Higher Education, internationalisation, moodle, NOOC, Nottingham Open Online Course
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Advantage Award prizes
January 15th, 2015
If you’re taking or have completed Nottingham Advantage Award modules and excelled in them you could be up for prize.
If you will have completed at least two Nottingham Advantage Award modules before Tuesday 9 June you could be considered for one of our fantastic employer sponsored Advantage Award prizes.
This year, eight employers including GSK, Experian and Ernst & Young support the Award by offering a variety of prizes. You could win £500 worth of travel vouchers or an iPad! Applications are now open and close on Friday 20 February. Winners will also be invited to our annual Celebration Event on Tuesday 9 June. To find out more and apply please log in to Workspace.
Tags: Advantage Award, community work, entrepreneurship, Experian, GSK, iPad, Nottingham Advantage Award, prize, travel, win
Posted in Announcements, News, People | 1 Comment »
Free online course – ‘Shale Gas and Fracking: the Politics and Science’
January 14th, 2015
Led by Professor Sarah O’Hara from the School of Geography and Mathew Humphry, Head of the School of Politics and International Relations, this MOOC (massive, open, online course) studies the politics, economics and science of shale gas and fracking.
The Shale Gas and Fracking course starts on Monday 2 February 2015 and is open to anyone interested in climate change, energy, politics, geology or science.
The course will look at how shale gas is formed, where it’s found and how it compares to conventional gas. It will also look at the evidence of its environmental impact and how it will affect energy security around the world.
Find out more and sign up for free on the MOOC website.
Tags: course, fracking, Mathew Humphrey, MOOC, online, politics, Sarah O'Hara, School of Geography, School of Politics and International Relations
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Cascade: funding round now open
January 12th, 2015
Do you have a great idea for a student project? Need funding? Thanks to generous donations from alumni and friends, you may be able to receive funding from the Cascade Grants Programme.
Applications are now being accepted for Cascade, part of the Impact Campaign and the University of Nottingham’s grants programme to support projects which significantly enhance the experience of students at Nottingham. Funded by donations from alumni and friends of The University, staff and students can apply to Cascade for a grant of up to £10,000. Cascade has recently supported student groups including Triathlon, Vets in the Community, Film Making, Mountaineering and Enactus.
To read more, visit the Cascade website. For further details, or to request an application form and guidance notes, email cascade@nottingham.ac.uk
The deadline for the current funding round is midnight on Monday 16 February 2015.
Tags: campaign, Cascade, Cascade Grants Programme, funding, Impact
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Highfields Park improvement secures funding
January 7th, 2015
The University’s Highfields Park has been awarded funding as part of a £3.2 million development project to transform this historic area of campus.
The restoration work will be completed by the end of summer 2016, and will include:
- de-silting the Highfields Park lake and improving the waterside boating area
- restoring buildings, park infrastructure and horticultural landscape
- a new adventure golf area
- improving the children’s play area, and more
The funding for the project has been awarded through the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund’s Parks for People programme. Nottingham City Council and other funding partners have also contributed an additional £1.3 million. The University has pledged its full support for the project and will provide a further £350,000 in financial support for the project.
Visit the Press Office blog for full details, comments and an image gallery.
Tags: facilities, funding, Heritage Lottery Fund, Highfields Park, Nottingham City Council, Parks for People, University Park
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Have you considered employing an apprentice?
December 23rd, 2014
The University’s Apprenticeship Programme is now looking to recruit for 2015. Apprenticeships attract government funding for training. Whether you are looking to appoint a young member of staff (16-24 years) via the Apprenticeship Programme or the Trainee Technician Programme, there’s a great deal on offer.
To express an interest or find out more, email claire.cawthorne@nottingham.ac.uk by Wednesday 14 January.
The University of Nottingham Apprenticeship Programme
Our Apprenticeship Programme provides young people from Nottingham and the surrounding area with worthwhile jobs and excellent training. Our apprentices also make a significant contribution to the University and employing an apprentice is not a charitable activity. Evidence suggests that apprentices are highly motivated, highly productive and – because of the combination of in-house support and external training – are able to quickly become productive and valuable members of staff. As an employer, the University can offer a wide variety of apprenticeship frameworks to fit the requirements of the schools and departments. Many of our apprentices have gone on to gain employment within the University, although we are unable to guarantee a permanent post at the end of an apprenticeship.
How do apprenticeships work?
Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as the gold standard for work-based training. There are three levels of apprenticeship available to those aged 16 and over:
Intermediate Level 2 This level of apprenticeship is equivalent to 5 GCSEs A*-C. Apprentices work towards a work-based learning qualification such as a Level 2 competence qualification, functional skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification.
Advanced Level 3 This level is equivalent to 2-3 A Levels. Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Level 3 competence qualification, functional skills and, in most cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification.
Higher Levels 4 & 5 A higher apprenticeship is equivalent to a foundation degree. Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as a Level 4 competence qualification, functional skills and, in some cases, a relevant knowledge-based qualification.
The decision about which level you should appoint is based on a number of factors, including the needs of the employer. An assessment will be carried out by the learning provider before an apprentice is enrolled on a programme to ensure a best fit for the apprentice and the University.
All apprenticeships run by the University are designed to offer the very best support and will equip apprentices with the skills and experiences needed for their employment including an in-house development programme; line management and mentor support, college tutors and assessors.
As well as support for the individual apprentices, the recruiting Schools are also supported by the Apprenticeship Programme Manager.
Tags: apprenticeship, careers, job, qualification, recruit
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New ATM at Jubilee Campus
December 18th, 2014
To meet demand, a new NoteMachine ATM has been installed outside the Exchange Building, Jubilee Campus.
It is now fully operational and open to use.
Tags: ATM, bank, Estates, facilities, Jubilee Campus, money
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Wellbeing courses for staff
December 16th, 2014
Places are now available on the University’s 2015 wellbeing courses for staff.
Many are half-day sessions (lasting around three hours). Classes include:
- willpower, and strengthening your resolve
- stress management
- an introduction to mindfulness-based skills for health and wellbeing
All next year’s sessions are based at KMC and are free to staff working at the University. For the full programme of workshops, please see the University’s short course booking website and click on the wellbeing section.
The wellbeing programme is offered by Professional Development (HR). To contact them, email: csc@nottingham.ac.uk
Tags: course, health, HR, King's Meadow Campus, Professional Development, short courses, wellbeing
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