Campus News
Upcoming deadline for 2023/24 student surveys
June 9th, 2023
Any large student surveys planned for the 2023/24 academic year need to be submitted to the Education and Student Experience Committee (ESEC) by the end of the month.
Last month we shared an update about the new policy approach to student surveys. The guidance has been developed to reduce survey fatigue and support a more strategic approach to collecting and responding to student feedback.
Under the new guidance, staff wishing to survey more than 250 undergraduate and/or postgraduate taught students during the 2023/24 academic year need to submit their survey proposal to ESEC no later than Friday 30 June.
To submit your survey for consideration, please complete the form below:
Before doing so, make sure you consult the Review Framework for Student Surveys for 2023-24. This will support your planning and help you to understand what criteria ESEC are looking for in survey submissions.
Tags: Education Student Experience Committee, ESEC, student survey, student surveys policy
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Removal of Beeston Hall
June 7th, 2023
Work will commence to take down and remove the PortaKabins of Beeston Hall on Monday 26 June 2023.
Following the preparation of the site, it is anticipated work on the exterior, including the removal of modules, will take place from around Monday 10 July 2023.
The work will take approximately three months to complete.
All work will be paused during Graduation (18-27 July) and Welcome Week (20-27 September).
Situated next to the David Ross Sports Village, Beeston Hall was erected in 2018 as temporary accommodation in response to higher than anticipated student recruitment.
The initial contract was awarded for two years and was later extended for a further three years but was never intended for long term occupation.
Tags: Beeston Hall
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Digital Core project update: June 2023
June 2nd, 2023
We can all look forward to improved HR, Finance and Procurement services being rolled out across the university in early 2024, as part of the Digital Core project.
Subject matter experts from HR, Finance, Procurement and Digital and Technology Services have played a key role in reviewing new best-practice processes that will support their teams in delivering improved services.
Since June 2022, 160 university subject matter experts have taken part in 193 workshops. Mastek is the university’s partner that is helping to put in place the new processes and new Oracle IT system. The subject matter experts first received a generic ‘out-of-the box’ demonstration of the processes.
The second phase of demonstrations were refined to include university data and configurations needed to ensure processes are fit for purpose, allowing the experts to visualise how the new processes would work in practice.
“We are not designing new processes,” indicates Debbie Bonnar, Finance Subject Matter Expert. “We will simply use the best-practice processes that are being used at many other organisations and universities. By not customising the new system, we can ensure it will automatically receive updates, upgrades and accessibility enhancements. This is similar to how we receive regular updates to our Microsoft 365 applications today.”
The subject matter experts are currently receiving formal training from Mastek to improve their understanding about how the system works. Online resources and training for all staff are expected to be rolled out later this year, to prepare us all as we move to using the new processes and system.
Comprehensive testing will be taking place over the next few months to ensure the university can verify that the new system performs as it should, including making sure that other IT systems can continue to integrate with it.
The project team will be approaching university Operations teams to ask them for support with testing the system. If you would like to get involved in testing, please email the Digital Core team.
The university recently led and hosted the first Oracle Cloud Higher Education User Group Conference where Digital Core was showcased as a key project that will improve the HR, Finance and Procurement services that we all work with.
86 delegates from 16 other UK universities took part in this event to share their experiences of using Oracle, highlight good practice and gain early insight of new product evolutions. The event gave the Digital Core project team a greater understanding of the future roadmap for the new system, and the ability to work more closely with other universities to learn about how they are using it.
Mark Barber, Project Director, highlights: “Our work with Oracle as part of the Digital Core project is a fantastic opportunity for the university to lead the way in the sector and be part of a great community within Higher Education moving forward.”
So that we can give you more information about the Digital Core project and introduce you to the university’s new HR, Finance and Procurement system, please join a Digital Core virtual drop-in session. Select one of the dates given below – you will receive a calendar invite after you register using the relevant link:
For further information, please visit the Digital Core SharePoint site or email digitalcore@nottingham.ac.uk.
Tags: Digital Core, finance, HR, university systems
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New cost-of-living report launched by Students’ Union
June 1st, 2023
The Students’ Union has launched a new report into the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the Nottingham student community.
The report shares the experiences of students across the institution, and outlines recommendations to improve the services and support available to students, in the institution and beyond.
Students told researchers how the cost-of-living crisis had affected their studies, mental and physical health and wellbeing, social lives and relationships. This included:
- struggling to afford groceries after paying bills and rent
- an increase in stress and anxiety over cost-of-living issues, including being unable to afford heating
- shifting focus from studies to managing finances
- being unable to find paid work that fits around studies or placements
- reducing or cutting out social activities
Launching the report to staff and students at the university, SU Community Officer Daisy Forster said:
“We’ve known that the cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on students for a while, but this report shines a light on the depth and breadth of struggles that UoN students are facing. Conducting the research was an emotional process for all involved and I’m really proud of the piece that we’ve produced and the progress that it will help make.”
Stephen McAuliffe, the university’s Deputy Registrar, said: “We welcome this report into how the national cost-of-living crisis is affecting our students. All of us have felt the effects over recent years, but it is essential that we understand the different ways that students are particularly impacted, so we can improve our services to better support them.
“We will explore all the recommendations in this report, using them where appropriate to shape our response to the cost-of-living crisis. This will guide how we to improve and promote our services, and how we continue to work with local and national providers, to ease the burden on our students.
“I would also encourage students to look over the support currently available at the university, including our Hardship Fund. Help is on hand, and we want to make sure students access everything available to them.”
The university’s cost of living web pages signpost available support funds, financial advice, access to paid work, access to free period products and free shower and kitchen facilities, and highlighting specific support for vulnerable students.
University cost of living web pages
University support fund web pages
Students’ Union cost-of-living report
Tags: cost of living, cost of living crisis, Cost of Living support, Student hardship fund
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University technician shortlisted for prestigious Papin Prize
June 1st, 2023
A university technician has made the recently-announced shortlist for the UK’s only award ceremony dedicated to celebrating technical excellence and innovation in higher education and research.
Elaine Watts, Cartographic Unit Manager in Faculty of Social Sciences, has been shortlisted in this year’s awards in the Contribution to Knowledge Exchange category.
She joins 62 technicians from across the UK who have been shortlisted for an acclaimed Papin Prize across ten categories, with a brand new knowledge exchange prize introduced for the 2023 awards.
A record-breaking 357 individuals and teams were nominated for this year’s prestigious awards which will be presented at the biannual Higher Education Technicians Summit (HETS) 2023 on Tuesday 4 July at the University of Warwick.
Dr Kelly Vere MBE, Project Lead for MI TALENT and Technical Skills Development Manager at the university said: “The Papin Prizes have fast become one of the most highly regarded awards for technicians in our sector, highlighted by the record-breaking number of nominations received this year, all of which were an incredibly high standard.
“Many congratulations to all individuals and teams who have been nominated and thank you to the colleagues who nominated outstanding technicians and have helped to raise the profile and status of technicians within the sector.”
For the first time, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has partnered with HETS and the acclaimed Papin Prizes.
Frances Burstow, Director for Talent and Skills at UKRI said: “The Papin Prizes are the only awards wholly dedicated to celebrating the varied role of technicians and the valuable work they do to support teaching and research across all levels and disciplines.
Marking the achievements and impact of this valuable community will help to create a more inclusive and dynamic research community.”
Tags: Higher Education Technicians' Summit, Papin Prize, Papin Prizes, Research and Innovation, technicians, UKRI
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Communicating our research: (nearly) all you need to know
June 1st, 2023
The research marketing and communications team in External Relations has put together a new SharePoint site Communicating our research.
The site shares the tools and support available to help raise the reputation and profile of research at the university.
It is aimed at researchers and all those who support the delivery of our world-class research.
Communicating our research highlights how our discoveries and impact on the world can be shared in an engaging, effective way to audiences you want to reach.
This includes information on media training, establishing a web presence, public policy and engagement training, the Researcher Academy communication programme and how to access expertise, imagery and assets like PowerPoint presentations.
You’ll also be able to find the latest news around research opportunities and initiatives.
Professor Sam Kingman, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange said: “The site aims to give researchers and their colleagues the tools to share our research successes.
Please take a look and see what’s of interest.”
Why communicate our research?
Reaching and engaging with new and wider audiences raises the profile of research at Nottingham. It also deepens and widens the impact of our discoveries.
Communicating our research will also help:
- develop new collaborations
- strengthen partnerships
- attract researchers, staff, and study participants
- attract funding
- inspire and educate
- inform policy, shape change and influence opinion leaders
- build the reputation of your team and the University of Nottingham
- provide accountability to funders and the public about the value of our research
The Communicating our research site will introduce you to the teams who can support with:
- Copywriting
- Access to internal channels such as newsletters and bespoke communications
- Video
- Social media
- Press releases and media engagement
- Photography
- Marketing assets and collateral
- Web content
- Integrated approaches to working with partners
To find out more, visit Communicating our research
Tags: Communicating Research, research, Research communications
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VC staff surgeries: Wednesday 14 June, 10.30am – 11.30am
May 31st, 2023
The next set of ‘staff surgery’ sessions are now available for colleagues to discuss any issue with Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West, on Wednesday 14 June 2023, from 10.30am – 11.30am.
Booking your session
To register for a session, please email BA-VC-Surgery@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk with your preferred date from the list below and a brief agenda for the meeting.
Places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so colleagues are encouraged to book early.
You will be contacted within two working days of your request confirming the date and time.
Further surgery sessions are available on:
- Tuesday 29 August, 2.30pm – 4pm
- Thursday 21 September, 11.30am – 12.30pm (via Microsoft Teams)
- Tuesday 24 October, 2pm – 3.30pm
- Monday 27 November, 2pm – 3.30pm
Conversations will usually be held in-person, although can be arranged via Teams if preferred.
More information is available at VC Staff Surgery.
Tags: VC Surgeries, VC surgery, Vice-Chancellor's surgeries
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Professor Sam Kingman: supporting our research
May 30th, 2023
Update from Professor Sam Kingman, Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange.
My latest update includes news of initiatives supporting the funding, delivery and communication of our research.
UKRI’s new research funding service: guidance and FAQs
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is introducing a new service aiming to reduce the burden of finding, applying for and managing research funding.
The changes will affect all researchers applying for UKRI funding. To support you, the university’s Research and Innovation team has drawn up guidance and FAQs.
Please also look out for further communications and guidance as the service rolls out.
Communicating our research
The research marketing and communications team in External Relations has put together a new SharePoint site, Communicating our research.
The site aims to give you the tools to share your research success.
You will find information, guidance and resources to support promotion of our research, to both our community and external audiences. This includes media training, establishing a web presence, public policy and engagement training, the Researcher Academy communication programme, and how to access expertise, imagery and assets such as PowerPoints.
Research Culture Conference 2023
The Researcher Academy is inviting all research staff, postgraduate research students, technicians, academics, senior leaders, and professional service staff to come together for the second edition of the university’s Research Culture Conference.
It takes place on Thursday 6 July, 9.30am-3.30pm, at East Midlands Conference Centre, University Park.
Discover more and book your place
Research Integrity Week 2023
A reminder that Research Integrity Week takes place from 19-23 June with a programme of sessions for researchers, staff and students.
Find out more and register for any of the sessions.
Read Professor Kingman’s full update
Tags: Professor Sam Kingman, research, research update, Sam Kingman
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Summer Graduation 2023: volunteer to steward
May 30th, 2023
The university needs your support with volunteering at this summer’s Graduation events.
We have 21 ceremonies this summer at David Ross Sports Village for the Class of 2023, beginning on Tuesday 18 July through to Wednesday 26 July (including one Saturday, 22 July).
We welcome stewards from all departments at the university and will provide briefing sessions for those who are new or would like a refresher.
Invitations for these will be circulated closer to the ceremonies.
Information sessions for those who are unsure what volunteering at Graduation entails will also be available. These will take place on Thursday 1 June at 2pm and Tuesday 6 June at 3pm.
Please fill in the form linked here if you would like to attend, or please feel free to just join on the day.
Please check with your line manager that they’re happy for you to support Graduation before completing our volunteering form. We need over 2,500 hours of staff support this summer, so please assume that you’ll be needed for any ceremonies that you volunteer for and hold the time in your diaries.
The sign-up process is slightly different this year. We will be using Microsoft Shifts this summer, which enables you to select the role, days, and times your wish to volunteer.
It also makes managing volunteering shifts much easier and transparent for all. If you have not used Microsoft Shifts before, its simple, to help you along we have created this handy guide to assist you.
You can also find more information at our stewarding SharePoint site, which gives details on the types of roles available and the planned schedules you’ll be needed for.
We know that colleagues in the university are always amazingly supportive of the graduation team, so thank you in advance for coming to our aid at our busiest ever time.
Tags: graduation, graduation volunteering, staff volunteers, volunteers
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New research funding service
May 30th, 2023
UK Research and Innovation’s (UKRI) Simpler and Better Funding (SBF) programme is creating a funding service that is easy to use and supports everyone involved in research funding.
The goal is to operate a single, consistent user-centred service that:
- reduces the burden of finding, applying for and managing research funding
- gives UKRI evidence to support funding the best ideas
- can respond and adapt easily to change.
The SBF programme will be delivering a funding service based on a new digital platform, underpinned by improved policies, processes and support.
These changes will make it easier for researchers and innovators to collaborate, obtain guidance, and submit applications in a joined-up way.
The Funding System (TFS) will replace UKRI’s Joint Electronic Submission (Je-S). Ultimately, the new service will support all UKRI funding opportunities, of every type, and from any UKRI council.
Pip Peakman, R&I Director at the university said: “The introduction of the new system which will create a simplified process to support researchers is great news.
“The new system will affect all researchers applying for funding from UKRI, so I’d urge you all to take a look at the latest information and guidance. A summary and FAQs are on our SharePoint which you can access here.
“UKRI have assured us that the new funding system is more than just the platform, it’s a new service which offers lots of benefits.
The new platform isn’t quite the finished yet and updates are planned to ensure its fully functional in the next few months and ultimately it will be a much-improved user experience.
“We are awaiting training resources, including online videos and will keep the SharePoint updated with new information as we receive.”
Guidance on the UKRI Funding Finder will make it clear whether applications to a particular opportunity are via Je-S or TFS.
Further information on the SBF Programme and the development of TFS is also available on the UKRI website. This includes details of transition plans for individual Councils and how to get started.
UKRI have also updated guidance on roles in funding applications. The new role types will apply to any application in TFS opening from 22 May onwards.
Any opportunities that were already open before this time should follow the opportunity specific guidance.
Pip added: “As the new system is still in development, I would urge colleagues to allow plenty of time for the development and submissions of applications.”
Tags: research, Research funding, UKRI
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