Campus News
Professor Sarah Speight to take up role as Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University
April 29th, 2024
The university’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience Professor Sarah Speight has announced she will be leaving in July to take up the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Nottingham Trent University.
In her new role, Sarah will work closely with the Vice-Chancellor and President, taking responsibility for the development, enhancement and innovation of teaching and learning.
Since 2020, Sarah has been the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, and Professor of Higher Education, leading our strategy to deliver outstanding educational experience for all of our student community.
She has worked collaboratively across the university’s executive team and has overseen a number of strategic leadership policies and activities that have enhanced teaching, curriculum, and the broader student experience.
Professor Speight first joined the University of Nottingham to study her Master of Arts in 1989, which was followed by her PhD, and she has since served as Deputy Head of the School of Education and as Undergraduate Vice-Dean.
She has also taken on the role of as Academic Director for the Transforming Teaching Programme, the Nottingham Advantage Award, and for Online Learning.
Prior to taking up the role of PVC on 1 August 2020, Sarah was Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning.
Sarah represents our students’ interests at the highest levels in the university and her experience in supporting students, combined with her expertise in higher education pedagogy, have helped to support and further elevate our students’ education and experience.
Sarah is a Professor of Higher Education, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and both a National Teaching Fellow (2013) and Principal Fellow (2014) of Advance HE.
She is the recipient of a University of Nottingham Lord Dearing Award for excellence in learning and teaching (2006) and a Lord Dearing Fellowship (2011).
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shearer West said: “While I will be sorry to say goodbye to Sarah, I am pleased to congratulate her on this exciting opportunity.
We have been privileged to work with Sarah at the University of Nottingham and I wish her all the very best for the next stage in her career.”
Tags: pro vice-chancellor for Education and Student Experience, Professor Sarah Speight, Sarah Speight
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Vice-Chancellor surgery sessions: Monday 13 May, 2.30pm – 4pm
April 29th, 2024
The next set of staff surgery sessions are now available for colleagues to discuss any issue with Vice-Chancellor Professor Shearer West, on Monday 13 May 2024 from 2.30pm – 4pm.
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 11 June 2024, 2.30pm – 4pm
- Tuesday 27 August, 1pm – 2.30pm
For further information please visit the VC Surgeries webpage.
Tags: VC Surgeries, Vice-Chancellor Surgeries, Vice-Chancellor surgery sessions
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The Grace O’Malley-Kumar Cup
April 29th, 2024
This event will commemorate a dear friend and teammate, with all proceeds going to the Grace O’Malley Kumar Foundation.
Grace played for the University of Nottingham Hockey first team and was immensely proud to win a national championship with the team in the 2022/23 season.
We invite friends, family, staff and students to remember Grace by attending this friendly hockey competition between some of her old clubs, friends and teammates.
This event will take place on Saturday 4 May at Nottingham Hockey Centre. The schedule will run as follows:
- 10.45am – pool stage games
- 1.30pm – break for lunch (food vans behind pitch 1)
- 2pm – raffle winners announced
- 2.30pm – 5/6th play-off and bronze medal match
- 3pm – gold medal match
- Speeches in honour of Grace
- Presentation of medals
- 5pm – live band to perform
Throughout the morning you are encouraged to purchase raffle tickets. All proceeds will go directly to the Grace O’Malley Kumar Foundation. A sneak peak at the prizes can be found on The Grace O’Malley Kumar Foundation Instagram page and there will also be stores selling clothes and items with The Grace O’Malley Kumar Foundation branded items, again with all proceeds going direct to the foundation.
This provides a beautiful opportunity for the communities touched by Grace to connect and catch up. If attending the whole day is challenging, we strongly recommend at least joining us for the Gold Medal Match exhibition game.
After the game, there will be several speeches in honour of Grace, followed by the presentation of medals and the special Grace O’Malley Kumar Cup by a distinguished Olympic Gold Medallist.
If you want to stick around after the tournament a live band will take the stage at 5pm playing some of Grace’s favourite songs.
Tickets cost £5 for children and £8 for adults and can be purchased via the below link.
We hope you will join us on a special day that hopes to connect the communities touched by Grace while fundraising for the Grace O’Malley Kumar Foundation.
Purchase tickets here.
Tags: Grace O’Malley Kumar Foundation, Grace O’Malley-Kumar, hockey, UoN Sport
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Trusted Research update: changes to technologies requiring an export control licence
April 23rd, 2024
The UK Government has issued an updated UK Strategic Control List, introducing additional export control measures related to certain emerging technologies. These amendments came into force on April 1, 2024, and now require an export license from the UK for the export of such technologies to all destinations.
The emerging technologies currently include quantum technologies, cryogenic technologies, semiconductor technologies, additive manufacturing equipment, and advanced materials.
The Trusted Research team in Research and Innovation is working with colleagues at the university who may be affected by these new measures, while also collaborating with government bodies including the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) and other universities to minimise the operational impact of these requirements.
Jason Feehily, Head of Trusted Research, explained, “We are currently reviewing all potentially affected current projects in accordance with the detailed guidance.
“As part of this process, we will conduct an impact assessment, develop a mitigation plan, and offer additional advice sessions to individuals or groups affected by these changes. The new measures will apply to all affected current projects and may require some to be looked at retrospectively.
“If you have any doubts or questions regarding these changes in relation to your projects, please don’t hesitate to contact me or the team, and we will provide all necessary support. This could include joining your team meetings, delivering tailored training, or simply offering greater clarity on this complex legislative area.
“While we understand that these new measures may entail additional administrative work, we recognise the importance of compliance. At the University of Nottingham, we have a clear strategy and action plan to minimise disruption. Nevertheless, I encourage anyone who believes they may be affected or who has concerns to contact us.”
Requirements related to Trusted Research at the university have also been impacted by recent updates to the terms and conditions from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). These updates mean that before starting any project, it may now be necessary to provide UKRI with additional information regarding how risks associated with Trusted Research and Innovation are being considered and managed.
But again, the Trusted Research Team on are hand to provide support and guidance as Jason stated “If you require any support to help with your grant, please contact the team.
“Additionally, we have prepared some standardised text regarding how the UoN Trusted Research framework may be used in your bid application”.
Tags: research, Trusted Research, Trusted Research framework, Trusted Research Team
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Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance: join Vice-Chancellors at event celebrating global partnership
April 23rd, 2024
Staff, students and researchers are invited to join the Vice-Chancellors of the University of Nottingham and the University of Adelaide at an event celebrating a global education and research partnership between the two institutions.
The Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance is based on many years of collaboration between our universities, and aims to deepen the impact of our partnership, promoting a global mindset among students and sparking new research collaborations to tackle global challenges.
Join our Vice-Chancellors
You are invited to join Professor Shearer West CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Nottingham, and Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide, at an event celebrating the alliance’s first year.
Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance Vice-Chancellors’ Symposium
Great Hall, Trent Building, University Park
9am-4.30pm, Monday 13 May 2024
The event is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, technicians, researchers at every stage and from all disciplines, and to professional services staff from across the university.
Please register using this link to join us
You can register to attend all or part of the day, or for sessions of interest to you.
Students and professional services colleagues from both universities will share their experiences of spending time in Nottingham or Adelaide, supported by programmes designed to strengthen our partnership, share insights and skills and enrich our people’s experience and global outlook.
Researchers from the Alliance’s research themes will highlight successes in the areas of Global Food Systems, Intelligent Health and Sustainable Futures.
You will hear from participants on the Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance’s sector-leading Joint PhD programme, which allows researchers to spend at least a year in each location, benefitting from the expertise of world-leading supervisors and access to specialist research facilities at both institutions.
We’ll also highlight opportunities with the alliance’s mobility and exchange programmes between our institutions, which are available to researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, and now support staff and professional services colleagues.
There will be opportunities for networking, discussion and exploring new friendships and collaborations between the universities of Adelaide and Nottingham.
Tags: Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance Partnership, Adelaide-Nottingham Alliance Vice-Chancellors’ Symposium, research
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Cut the cost of your supermarket shop
April 23rd, 2024
Did you know that the university’s employee benefits platform hosted by Pluxee offers hundreds of discounted e-vouchers that include some of the UK’s biggest supermarket retailers?
Take a look at the latest offers available:
- Tesco – 4%
- Morrisons – 4.5%
- Marks and Spencers – 6.5%
- ASDA – 4%
- Waitrose – 4.5%
- Sainsbury’s – 5%
- Farmfoods – 3%
- B&M – 7%
How can this help me cut the cost of my weekly shop?
Example 1: If you regularly visit Asda for your everyday essentials and switch to eVouchers to pay, you could save on average £96 a year (based on a spend of £200/month).
Example 2: If you regularly visit Sainsburys for your everyday essentials and switch to eVouchers to pay, you could save on average £180 a year (based on a spend of £300/month).
Example 3: If you regularly visit Tesco for your everyday essentials and switch to eVouchers to pay, you could save on average £192 a year (based on a spend of £400/month).
How can I access these discounts?
To browse all the offers and discounts available, simply visit the Employee Hub and access the Discounts portal through the ‘Staff Discounts’ tab where you can view all your discounts and purchase discounted e-vouchers in advance.
Alternatively, you can download the Pluxee Discounts app directly to your mobile device to use whilst you’re out and on the go.
The discounts app is available to download via the App Store for iPhone and on Google Play, simply search ‘Pluxee UK Discounts’.
If you need help with the app or have any queries with redeeming your voucher, you can contact a member of the Pluxee team via 01908 303 531 (lines are open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5:30pm).
Tags: discounts for staff, Employee Hub, Pluxee, shopping discounts, staff discounts, Supermarket discounts
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Metrology measurement open day series
April 23rd, 2024
The Midlands Centre for Data-Driven Metrology (MCDDM) is hosting a series of Open Day Measurement Events to help empower colleagues to go beyond talking and into taking action.
If you are struggling to navigate the ever-evolving world of measurement technology and tired of theoretical discussions without concrete answers, these events could be for you.
MCDDM is hosting a series of Open Day Measurement Events, where industrial partners can see live demonstrations of a range of cutting-edge measurement systems to find an optimum solution tailored for their product characterisation, quality management or continual professional development needs.
The team will be on hand to provide personalised guidance and help you navigate the complex world of choosing the right technology for your needs.
You can network with companies showcasing their cutting-edge solutions and in addition to this on the afternoon of the events we are offering free sample analysis in our lab where you can bring your own sample for analysis using our state-of-the-art equipment (these slots are offered on a first come first serve basis).
In addition, MCDDM will be consulting with industry and academia during the events to develop a roadmap for the future research direction for Metrology.
In particular, its role in clean technologies, automated in-process closed-loop control, and understanding the disconnects in digital thread from product conception through to quality inspection.
This series of events is split across three days with a common thread. You can attend one or all the events:
Tuesday 14 May 2024 at the University of Nottingham
At Nottingham you will get an overview of the MCDDM, its capability and resources and an opportunity to tour and speak with other Advanced Manufacturing Building research groups. Opportunities for short term interventions with SMEs and wider collaboration opportunities will be discussed. The Keynote address will be delivered by Eleanor Merson, Group Leader, Metrology Manufacturing at National Physical Laboratory (NPL). (Registration closes Tuesday 7 May)
Tuesday 4 June 2024 at Coventry University
At Coventry, there will be a series of presentations and a panel discussion with leading experts to discuss the future direction of Metrology to develop a roadmap for further academic/industrial collaboration. You will also have the opportunity to have dedicated time with our CMM and Portable 3D scanning equipment to explore possible solutions for your measurement challenges. (Registration closes Monday 27 May)
Thursday 4 July 2024 at Loughborough University
At Loughborough the results from recent projects on 3D machine vision & AI, Multi-camera people tracking, and Cobot integrated measurement systems will be presented with hands-on demos. You will learn what went well, what was more challenging, the mistakes we made and what we learnt along the way. Finally, this series of events will be wrapped up at Loughborough when the results of our future collaboration roadmap will be presented. (Registration closes Thursday 27 June)
Register your place HERE using this link.
The event is free to attend, but there are limited spaces available.
Find out more including provisional agendas at the MCDDM webpages.
Tags: MCDDM, Midlands Centre for Data-Driven Metrology
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University achieves Cyber Essentials Plus certification
April 23rd, 2024
Digital and Technology Services (DTS) are delighted to share that the university has achieved Cyber Essentials Plus certification for specific networks, including the secure endpoint network.
By achieving this certification, the university has shown its dedication to securing its critical IT infrastructure and providing a safe environment for research and learning.
What is Cyber Essentials?
Cyber Essentials is a UK Government accreditation scheme intended to help protect organisations’ against a range of common cyber-attacks, by verifying an organisation’s implementation of critical cybersecurity controls and best practice and is something that is increasingly demanded by research funders. To quote the National Cyber Security Centre:
“Certification gives you peace of mind that your defences will protect against the vast majority of common cyber-attacks simply because these attacks are looking for targets which do not have the Cyber Essentials technical controls in place.”
Michael Skinner, Chief Information Security Officer at the University of Nottingham comments “In addition to achieving basic certification, we underwent the much more challenging Cyber Essentials Plus certification, which included a hands-on technical verification of our controls by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) who provides network and IT services and digital resources in support of further and higher education institutions and research institutions.”
“This significant milestone required tremendous effort from a vast number of DTS colleagues, in particular Mark Hewitt (Head of Cyber Security) and Lizzie Dexter (Cyber Essentials Project Manager).”
Why is Cyber Essentials Accreditation important for the university?
Mark Hewitt, Head of Cyber Security at the university adds “As a government backed scheme, Cyber Essentials accreditation is a mandatory requirement when dealing with many government departments. Furthermore, as a major research organisation, the University of Nottingham is increasingly asked for Cyber Essentials certification when undertaking work for research partners such as NHS, Rolls Royce, BAE systems.”
“It is estimated that around £100 million of university research income per year will become dependent on holding Cyber Essentials certification.”
Mike Relf, Director of Service Delivery within DTS adds “Getting to this point has involved a lot of time and effort on behalf of a lot of people.
“I can’t stress enough what a big step forward this is for the university and how valuable it will be, a point which is underlined by visibility it has at senior levels in the university. Everyone involved should be very proud of the part they and their teams have played.”
What does this mean for research?
The certification currently covers the data centre management networks, virtual desktops network, and secure endpoint networks. Researchers should be aware that the applicability of this certification to their specific research projects depends on the systems and networks being used.
We have launched a dedicated SharePoint page on the Information Security and Compliance SharePoint site, which provides detailed guidance on how the Cyber Essentials Plus certification applies to various research scenarios.
Please click here to read more, or contact Alan Williamson, Information Security Consultant, directly
Tags: Cyber essentials, DTS
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New salary exchange pension scheme arrangement for Level 1–3 staff
April 23rd, 2024
Staff eligible to join the Contributory Retirement Savings Plan (CRSP) are set to benefit from a new salary sacrifice arrangement starting from June 2024.
The university is working with ISIO (independent pension specialists) and Legal & General to introduce a salary exchange arrangement under the CRSP scheme.
The salary exchange arrangement will allow eligible members to join a more cost-efficient retirement savings plan that provides you with the opportunity to save National Insurance Contributions (‘NICs’) on your pensionable pay.
Under the new salary exchange arrangement your contractual basic monthly salary will be reduced by the percentage amount you choose to contribute to your pension.
The university then pays that amount, together with its normal employer contribution into your pension as an employer contribution. The salary exchange arrangement reduces the level of pay that is subject to national insurance deductions creating a net pay saving for you.
The total pension contribution paid to the CRSP scheme and the pension benefits you will receive will remain the same.
This new pension scheme arrangement will be introduced from Saturday 1 June 2024.
The university will be writing to Level 1-3 employees at the end of April to share more information about the arrangement, the benefits, and how it all works.
For more detailed information, please read through our information sheet and in-depth Frequently Asked Questions.
Tags: Contributory Retirement Savings Plan, CRSP, National Insurance contributions, pension
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USS trustee directors pension engagement events
April 23rd, 2024
The Universities Superannuation Scheme (known as USS) trustee directors will be coming to the University of Nottingham for a series of engagement events on Wednesday 22 May 2024, from 11.30am – 1pm.
As part of these events, we are pleased to confirm that the USS trustees and members of our University Executive Board will be holding a USS members Q&A event which will be open to all employees to attend either online or in person.
The session will be chaired by Margaret Monckton, Chief Financial Officer at the University of Nottingham and will include a short presentation providing an overview of how the USS is managed, the scheme benefits, the resources available to members and the scheme’s approach to investment.
Following the presentation, we will hold an open Q&A session with members of the USS Trustee and executive, including the Chair of Trustees Dame Kate Barker and USS Group CEO Carol Young.
Please register for the event here by 4pm on Monday 13 May 2024.
The form includes an opportunity to submit a question to the USS trustee directors which will be collated and responded to in the Q&A session. Alternatively, there will be opportunity to ask your question during the Q&A session.
Whilst the Q&A will focus on questions about the management of the scheme, performance of the scheme and investments rather than individual questions about saving for your future through the USS there are online resources for members available on the USS website as follows.
Tags: Pension engagement event, pensions, Universities Superannuation Scheme, USS, USS Trustee
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