Campus News
UoN Libraries partners with Rights Lab to support peer researchers
June 7th, 2022
Colleagues from Libraries, the Rights Lab and Survivor Alliance (an NGO) recently collaborated to support peer researchers working on a research project examining mental wellbeing in survivors of modern slavery to search for and critically evaluate freely available information.
About the project
The project called ‘Placing survivor wellbeing on the policy and evidence map’, is a collaborative effort involving research staff from the University of Birmingham, the University of Nottingham, and King’s College London, along with staff from two anti-slavery NGOs.
There is a growing conviction amongst anti-slavery stakeholders that to be effective, any work aimed at understanding survivors of modern slavery, or supporting them, needs to be survivor-led and survivor-informed.
In response to this, collaborating universities have appointed survivors to paid placements as ‘peer researchers’ to undertake a range of research responsibilities, including contributing to literature reviews, data collection, data analysis, and focus group facilitation.
Peer Researcher Development Programme
To support the peer researchers, Rights Lab Research Fellow and Lead in Survivor Engagement and Policy Impact, Dr Juliana Rinaldi Semione and colleagues, created a ‘Peer Researcher Development Programme’, comprising a series of fortnightly seminars to provide basic research training.
Literature searching, and effective use of reliable web-based resources were identified as essential skills for the programme, enabling peer researchers, some of whom may not have experienced a traditional route through higher education, to make meaningful contributions to the project.
University of Nottingham Libraries colleagues, Alison Ashmore (Research Support) and Ruth Curtis (Teaching and Learning) worked with Juliana to design and deliver a bespoke training session for the peer researchers. The session, which focused on using effective search and critical evaluation strategies to source reliable information on modern slavery that was openly and freely available on the internet, was well received.
Juliana commented: ‘You truly passed on to us a wealth of information. I know the peer researchers have already had opportunities to practice the search skills you shared, and I continue to hear good feedback’.
Josh Sendall, Associate Director for Research in University of Nottingham Libraries highlighted the importance of collaborations such as this:
“Libraries partnership with the Rights Lab aligns with the university’s deep commitment to Open Research which seeks to maximise the public benefit of academic research. I’m so pleased that we were able to promote the availability of open access publications to the peer researchers in support of this important programme.”
Libraries’ support for citizen science projects
A vast amount of information is freely available for the public to access and the ability to find reliable content amongst this is an important skill for everyone involved in research.
If you are planning to run citizen science activities as part of your research project and you think your researchers could benefit from this type of online training, please contact the Libraries’ Research Support Team at library-researchsupport@nottingham.ac.uk.
Tags: Libraries, Peer research, Peer Researcher Development Programme, rights lab, Survivor Alliance
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Marking boycott called off as agreement reached
June 6th, 2022
Further to the staff message issued by the Vice-Chancellor last week, this article has been updated to reflect the final terms of the agreement between the University Executive Board and the University of Nottingham UCU Branch.
Members of the University Executive Board and the University of Nottingham UCU Branch have reached an agreement on issues surrounding USS pensions, staff pay, pay gaps, casualisation, and staff workload. This means that the UCU National Office has been asked to authorise the ending of the current marking and assessment boycott at the University with immediate effect.
The University Executive Board and University of Nottingham UCU Branch have worked collaboratively to agree a package of measures based on a shared understanding of what can be resolved locally.
You can read the full agreement here which includes commitments to:
- support the highest possible national pay award, recognising that UCEA must meet the needs of all its members.
- raise the current maximum spinal point of Level 4, Level 5 and Level 6 by one point. This will provide a 3% uplift for staff at levels 4, 5 and 6 on the maximum points of the scale (around 27% of staff at levels 4, 5 and 6) in addition to 65% who are due to receive an increment due to satisfactory performance. In addition, the University will remain committed to pay the Real Living Wage to all staff.
- subject to the March 2022 funding position for the USS pension, support the improvement of member contributions or benefits (subject to consultation) without destabilising the pension scheme. This would be in advance of a March 2023 valuation.
- call on the USS Board of Trustees to ensure that all future valuations are evidence-based and employ a reasonable, mutually agreed upon level of prudence.
- UCU and UUK working together to explore the feasibility and promise of conditional indexation as a more cost-effective means of providing inflation protection as opposed to a cap on CPI revaluation; working together to develop a solution that addresses affordability and access to pensions; and to develop proposals for governance reform in advance of the next valuation to ensure that USS is more accountable, transparent, and collaborative with the higher education sector.
- ensure that any future proposals of changes to benefits are preceded by a thorough analysis of their impact on women, minority groups and early career staff and are accompanied by concrete and mutually agreed upon measures to protect these groups from disproportionately negative impact.
There are further commitments to review workloads; tackle casualisation with the continued roll out of the Graduate Teaching Assistant Model, and to continue to work constructively and collaboratively to eliminate gender, race and disability pay gaps, in particular to accelerate work to deliver a reduction to the race pay gap by 2024; sharing data with unions and ensuring paid time or workload allocation to the chairs of the staff networks.
Following a challenging period, the University Executive Board and University of Nottingham UCU Branch have worked collaboratively to agree this package of measures. We will now move forward together on the commitments which have been made to help deliver an improved working environment for all colleagues at Nottingham.
Tags: Industrial Action, marking boycott, UCU
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Civic agenda gathers momentum – three ways you can get involved
June 6th, 2022
The University of Nottingham has committed to maximising our positive impact on our local communities – this is our ‘civic’ commitment.
Simply by being such a large institution, we already have a significant impact locally, through our employment and procurement, our physical footprint and the students we bring here from all over the world. But there is much more we can do to support the aims and ambitions of key local organisations and the communities they serve.
Across the university, there are hundreds of research projects, student initiatives and staff schemes which, for example, engage with local audiences or help local communities to solve a problem.
Harnessing this activity, ensuring it’s joined up, and showcasing the amazing work that is going on is a key priority to enable us to achieve our civic ambitions. Here are three ways you might be able to help us with that:
Could you be a Civic Lead for your Faculty?
To help identify and develop civic activities across the university, we’re looking for Civic Leads for each Faculty. They will help shape the university’s civic agenda as well as communicating and embedding civic activity within their Faculty. More details of the role and how to submit an expression of interest are available here.
The deadline to let us know you are interested is Friday 1 July 2022.
Think civic – visit our new Civic Affairs SharePoint site
We’ve launched a new Civic Affairs SharePoint site to help explain and showcase the work going on in this area and to signpost helpful resources and contacts.
The site hosts resources and information to encourage colleagues to think civic and unearth the (as yet) untapped civic impact and potential across the university. Take a look, and get in touch if you’re doing something civic – we’d love to showcase it.
Is your work contributing to the aims of the Universities for Nottingham Civic Agreement?
Universities for Nottingham – our ground-breaking civic collaboration with Nottingham Trent University – recently marked a new phase in its development with the signing of a refreshed, revitalised Civic Agreement with eight other local partners, from local authorities through to healthcare trusts and the most recent addition of Vision West Notts College.
The Civic Agreement brings together 15 initiatives across five themes, setting out significant shared ambitions and challenges for the future. Themes include:
- Economic prosperity
- Education partnership, skills & employment
- Environmental sustainability
- Health & wellbeing
- Community connections
Full details of the Agreement and our signatory partners as well a wealth of information on the UfN partnership, case studies, news and updates are available on the Universities for Nottingham website.
If you’re working in partnership with NTU and /or any of our UfN signatory partners, we’d love to hear about that, via the UfN pages of our SharePoint site.
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Our diversity festival is almost here – Monday 13 to Friday 24 June 2022
June 6th, 2022
Have you booked onto an event yet? Our second diversity festival embraces and celebrates difference.
This year we are offering 25 live events involving staff, students and alumni including four keynote events:
Social and economic challenges: into, in and out of higher education
Professor Sarah Speight, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Education and Student Experience, chairs our first diversity festival keynote event on Tuesday 14 June, 1030 to 1200 exploring the social and economic challenges encountered when moving into, being in and moving beyond higher education and the support and services available to overcome these.
Acknowledging racism: towards inclusivity and change
We then focus on acknowledging racism on Tuesday 14 June, 1430 to 1600 offering a panel discussion chaired by Chancellor Baroness Young of Hornsey OBE featuring a diverse panel of university staff, students and alumni who will explore the systemic issues around racism and share their lived experiences of moving towards anti-racism.
Inclusive leadership: leading by example
Our diversity festival keynote event on Monday 20 June, 1300 to 1430 shines a light on inclusive leadership featuring videos from alumni and a virtual panel chaired by Katherine Linehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and People, exploring their career and life experiences, their personal stories and how being an inclusive leader can enhance your career journey.
Sphere Conference 2022; EDI change in action
Our 2022 Sphere Conference, chaired by Professor Raheela Khan, takes place on Thursday 23 June, 0930 to 1230 and aims to bring the university community together to share best practice and research in the field of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
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- Professor Sarah Speight
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- Baroness Young OBE
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- Professor Katherine Linehan
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- Raheela Khan
Don’t forget to enjoy our FREE food tasting showcasing diverse foods from around the world at UoN UK food outlets.
How can you get involved?
Watch our diversity festival launch on Monday 13 June on the Djanogly Terrace (Portland building) followed by stalls, performances and a language café in the studio (A floor/lower ground floor of the Portland building).
Bring in food that reflects your cultural heritage, wear clothing, jewellery or makeup that speaks to your culture or arrange sessions to tell stories and exchange ideas about your culture and heritage. Post photos and stories onto your social media with the hashtag #WeAreUoN.
Want to find out more?
Find out more and book onto events via our diversity festival web hub.
Tags: culture, Diversity Festival, Diversity Festival 2022, edi, equality, Equality Diversity and Inclusion, events, free food tasting
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Tai-Chi workshops with Nottingham Confucius Institute and Lakeside Arts
June 1st, 2022
The Nottingham Confucius Institute and Lakeside Arts are offering a number of Tai-Chi workshops throughout July 2022.
Each Saturday in July, workshops will be held just outside the DH Lawrence Pavilion on University Park campus, being led by Dr. Lan Lo, Mandarin Lecturer in the School of Cultures.
She will introduce Qigong, a collection of basic tai chi-style movements that improves the circulation and balance of the body’s vitality, widely considered to be an effective exercise for the promotion of physical and mental wellbeing.
Qigong (pronounced “chee-gung”) is a collection of basic tai chi-style movements that improves the circulation and balance of the body’s vitality or “life force energy”.
Over four weeks, Lan will introduce ‘Five-Animal Exercises’, one of the most widely practiced forms of traditional Qigong inspired by the work of Chinese physician Huatuo, of the Donghan Dynasty.
Using effective breathing control and exploring specific animal movements these are widely considered to be an effective exercise for the promotion of physical and mental wellbeing.
Prices are £4 per session, or £12 for all four sessions. The workshops will be held outdoors – if there is adverse weather, the workshop will be cancelled and carried forward into August.
Workshops are suitable for beginners and anyone aged over eight years old.
Tags: health, health and fitness, Lakeside Arts, Nottingham Confucius Institute, Tai Chi, Tai Chi workshops
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Update on industrial action: UCU members to vote on potential agreement
June 1st, 2022
In a joint effort to try and end the current industrial action and avoid a marking and assessment boycott, members of the University Executive Board and officers of the University of Nottingham UCU Branch have met several times over the last few weeks to discuss a potential agreement on issues surrounding USS pensions, staff pay, pay gaps, casualisation, and staff workload and wellbeing.
Members of the University of Nottingham UCU Branch will decide today (Wednesday1 June) whether to accept the agreement. If accepted the assessment and marking boycott would be called off with immediate effect.
Further details and the outcome of this decision will be shared as soon as possible.
Until then further details, communications templates and FAQs can be found here.
Tags: Industrial Action, marking, marking boycott, UCU, UCU Industrial Action
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Diversity festival is coming soon – Monday 13 to Friday 24 June 2022
May 31st, 2022
We are thrilled to launch our diversity festival on Monday 13 June, 11am to 3pm from the Portland building.
Robert Mokaya, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Global Engagement and Ife Oyedeji, 2022 – 2023 Student Liberation Officer formally launch the festival at 11am on the Djanogly terrace, followed by stalls, performances and a language cafe in the studio (A floor/lower ground floor, 11am to 3pm).
Ife Oyedeji
“Come to be challenged, come to evolve, and come to experience different conversations that you might not experience in your own bubbles outside of this diverse student population.”
Ife Oyedeji – Students’ Union Liberation Officer (2022/2023)
During the festival our UoN UK food outlets will be offering FREE food tasting showcasing diverse foods from around the world.
最上階 Saijokai (meaning ‘top floor’ in Japanese) is located on the top floor of the Portland building offering a wide variety of oriental meals and snacks. The diverse team, comprising colleagues from the UK, Greece, the Philippines, China and Indonesia, are offering FREE food samples throughout the festival.
Ian Litchfield (Head Chef) said “We are excited to be involved in the festival. We pride ourselves in meeting diverse dietary needs and offering fresh, locally sourced, sustainable foods made with care and attention to detail.”
How can you get involved?
Find creative ways to celebrate the diversity of your team, year group, faculty during the diversity festival. You could bring in food that reflects your cultural heritage, wear clothing, jewellery or makeup that speaks to your culture or arrange sessions to tell stories and exchange ideas about your culture and heritage. Post photos and stories about your events onto your social media platforms with the hashtag #WeAreUoN.
Want to find out more?
Find out more and book onto events via our diversity festival web hub.
Tags: diversity, Diversity Festival, Diversity Festival 2022, edi, Equality Diversity and Inclusion
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VC staff surgeries: Thursday 16 June, 9am–10am
May 31st, 2022
The next set of ‘staff surgery’ sessions are now available for colleagues to discuss any issue with Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West, on Thursday 16 June 2022, from 9am – 10am.
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 19 July, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 13 September, 9am – 10am
Wednesday 19 October, 10am – 11am
Tuesday 15 November, 2pm – 3pm
Tuesday 13 December, 11am -12 noon
Further information is available at VC Staff Surgery. Conversations will usually be held in-person, although can be arranged via Teams if preferred.
Tags: Professor Shearer West, VC Staff Surgeries, VC Surgeries, VC surgery, Vice Chancellor
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University travel survey – how do you get on campus?
May 30th, 2022
Tell us about your journey to campus and be in with the chance of winning a £100 Love2Shop gift card.
The university has launched its staff and student travel survey to understand more about how you travel to and from university sites so that we can better help to improve your journeys.
The travel survey is a great opportunity for you to give feedback on how we can enable staff and students to travel more safely and efficiently to our campuses, and to help shape future strategy.
A prize draw is open to everyone who completes the survey and chooses to provide their email address, with a chance to win a £100 Love2Shop gift card.
You can use the button below to complete the survey.
The survey takes around five minutes to complete and all personal details provided in the survey will remain confidential.
The deadline to complete the survey is Friday 1 July 2022.
We hope you can spare the time to complete the questionnaire and help shape our future strategy.
Tags: travel, Travel survey, travel to university, travel to work, university travel
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The UoN Trusted Research Environment (TRE) Service is now live
May 27th, 2022
The University of Nottingham’s pioneering Trusted Research Environment (TRE) platform is now live, enhancing the university’s research capabilities.
Hosted by Digital and Technology Services (DTS) in Microsoft Azure, the secure data platform is available to researchers, partnered institutions and trusted organisations working with highly sensitive data.
A secure digital infrastructure
Accessibility to the university’s TRE platform extends across all faculties and provides researchers with the tools and capabilities required to access sensitive data in a secure environment, whilst minimising the risk of data breaches.
A TRE provides a computing environment, with controlled access to data in that environment, for projects that require high security and ability to audit.
The centralised platform provides users with the tools needed to access, process, analyse and utilise sensitive data in a secure environment, enabling greater collaboration and improved fluidity.
Pioneers in research
The platforms extensive capabilities and progressive digital infrastructure will enhance research opportunities, empowering the university’s academic community to continue to produce world-changing research through effective collaboration and invention.
For more information regarding the TRE platform, such as the application process, its suitability for your work, platform security and/or associated costs, visit the Digital Research SharePoint site.
Tags: digital, digital infrastructure, DTS, research, TRE, Trusted Research, Trusted Research Environment
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