Campus News

Volunteers needed for student recruitment open days

March 25th, 2022

The university is looking for volunteers to help support and attend upcoming student recruitment days in June, September and October.

The student recruitment events team are currently planning our June/September/October open day activities, and they are looking for support from colleagues to welcome visitors on the following days:

  • Friday 24 June 2022
  • Saturday 25 June 2022
  • Saturday 10 September 2022
  • Saturday 15 October 2022

Teams across Schools, Departments and External Relations will ensure that prospective students experience first-hand our world-class campuses, teaching facilities and accommodation, as well as opportunities to meet and speak with staff and students about their experiences at Nottingham.

This is an opportunity for you to deliver a flagship student recruitment event as well as developing new skills and experiences to advance your HE career.

It’s also a good chance for you to network with colleagues from different departments and earn TOIL (if agreed with your line manager).

If you can help, please complete the sign-up form before Sunday 1 May 2022.

Please hold your chosen dates in your calendar. We will find a role for you!

Nearer the time, we will contact you about your role and staff briefing.

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Nominations open for first Professional Services Awards

March 23rd, 2022

Nominations are now open for our inaugural Professional Services Awards to celebrate our extraordinary teams around the university.

As mentioned earlier this year, for the first time, on Monday 23 May we will be holding an inaugural Professional Services Awards ceremony.

2020 – 2022 have been extraordinary years for the university, and in particular for the Professional Services teams who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes, often unnoticed, to ensure that our campuses and core services remained operational under unique and often trying circumstances.

To fully reflect the breadth and depth of services that are supported by our Professional Services teams, we have identified 8 nomination categories that align to university core goals and values. All nominations are team-based to reflect the extraordinary collective efforts that we have all witnessed during the past 24 months.

Any member of the university’s staff or student community can nominate a team and Professional Services staff will also be able to self-nominate for any of the categories. Activities on which nominations are based should have taken place between 1 March 2020 – 24 April 2022.

Who are Professional Services?

Professional Services includes all of Administrative Professional and Managerial (APM), Technical Services, Operations & Facilities and Childcare Job Families, including roles based in Schools and Faculties as well as central functions.

You can find a full list of staff groups that fall under ‘Professional Services’ here.

Nomination categories

Team of the Year
For teams who have demonstrated outstanding effort and contribution that has gone above and beyond to deliver services of value to the university

Team award for embodying university values
For teams that continually uphold and exhibit the university values of Fairness, Respect, Inclusivity, Ambition, Openness in their everyday duties

Team awards for enhancing the Campus Experience
For teams who have demonstrated a collective effort to enhance the student, staff or visitor experience on campus (this could be a physical activity or process or supporting technology)

Team award for contribution to sustainability
For teams whose activities have demonstrated value to the university but also a strong consideration for future sustainability (e.g. developing a sustainable service or way of working)

Team award for fostering creativity and discovery
For teams that are innovative and think out of the box when solving issues or are proactive in identifying new solutions

Team award for embedding collaboration
For teams who have truly embraced collaborative working in a cross-functional way with other university areas/teams

Team award for supporting potential
For teams that have encouraged each other or those they are engaged with to grow and thrive

Team award for solving problems and improving lives
For teams who have delivered solutions, services or activities that have made a significant difference to individuals or communities

Nomination process

Please nominate a team using the button below or find out more on our Professional Service Awards webpages.

Colleagues can vote in as many categories as they like, as long as they relate to a UoN Professional Services team.

Size and scale of activity is not a primary factor and all submissions are welcome against any of the eight defined categories.

The deadline for nominations is 5pm on Sunday 24 April 2022.

The guide for written nominations is no more than 200 words and any audio/video nominations should be no more than two minutes in length. Postcard nomination forms will be distributed to key staff and student networks by the end of March.

Nominees will be notified by the end of April – early May.

If you have any questions or queries about the Professional Services Awards or would like to volunteer to be involved in the celebratory event on Monday 23 May 2022, please contact Sharon Caine.

Find out more about the Professional Services Awards 2022 here.

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Safety net for Horizon Europe applicants is extended

March 23rd, 2022

The government has announced an extension to the financial safety net for research projects that have successfully applied for Horizon Europe funding. Eligible UK applicants will now be guaranteed funding for awards expected to be signed by the end of 2022.

The UK’s efforts to associate to Horizon Europe – agreed with the European Commission in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement – have been hampered by post-Brexit negotiations with the EU, and the safety net is for UK researchers who successfully applied to the €95.5 billion (£80.5bn) programme but are unable to access funding. Funding will continue to be delivered through UK Research and Innovation and details of the extension to the guarantee can be found on the UKRI website.

Professor Dame Jessica Corner, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said that while the extension to the guarantee was welcome and indicated the UK Government’s continued commitment to association, it prolongs uncertainty for researchers and the university’s partners in the UK and across Europe.

Dame Jessica again encouraged members of the research community to support Stick to Science, a campaign urging EU leaders and the UK government to agree to the UK’s association to the world-leading research and innovation programme, and especially to encourage partners outside of the UK to sign up to the campaign.

Dame Jessica said: “It remains vital that barriers to research collaboration in Europe are lifted.

“We have an excellent track record with Horizon Europe and whatever the outcome of negotiations between the UK and EU, we remain committed to developing innovation networks with our partners in Europe.

“Please do consider supporting the Stick to Science campaign– and meanwhile we strongly encourage our researchers to continue to apply to Horizon Europe and maintain our excellent record of engagement.

“Research Development staff in Research and Innovation are working to support applications to Horizon Europe and to engage with the UKRI Guarantee on our initial successes, as well as continuing to lobby hard to protect our interests.”

Sign the Stick to Science campaign

Anyone interested in pursuing European funding, wanting more detail on the ‘safety net’ or advice on the various strands of funding available and the support at Nottingham, should contact EU Development Manager Matthew Rackley or their local research development professional.

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Identifying and responding to students in difficulty – updated guidance for staff

March 23rd, 2022

Student and Campus Life have recently launched an updated version of the guide for staff identifying and responding to students in difficulty.

You can see the updated guidance here.

A number of students will encounter problems during their time studying at the university and members of staff may be called on to provide some help. This is true for all students, regardless of where they study from or where they are in the course of their academic studies. This guide is designed to support all students—full-time undergraduate, postgraduate, part-time, those studying or working abroad and distance learning students.

The problems may be academic, personal or practical—and difficulties in one area can often have an impact on other areas of the student’s life.

Some students may directly approach staff members to ask for support. Others may be reluctant to ask and try to struggle on, but problems may become apparent.

This guide will provide staff with all the information they would need to signpost the students to the support and service they may need.

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Teams4U Ukraine donation appeal

March 23rd, 2022

Leading national charity Teams4U are preparing essential aid packages to those affected to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Two drop-off centres have been established at the university where people can donate essential items;

Jubilee Campus
Room A31 Student Service Centre, Exchange Building
Contact: Cherie Edwards

Kings Meadow Campus
Room C25 (Student Recruitment Support Hub)
Contact: Louise Stanbrook

Alternatively, donations can also be dropped off at the Teams4U warehouse which is based at: ShoeAid, Beech Avenue, Basford, Nottingham, NG7 7LS [please contact Wendy Willan on 077864 01332 to check opening times].

Essential items needed for donation include things like:

  • Blankets (good condition)
  • Torches and batteries
  • Nappies
  • Sanitary products
  • Crayons and colouring books
  • First aid kits
  • Hair brushes (new)
  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Toiletries
  • Bandages (new)
  • Non-prescription pain killers
  • Non-perishable food (pasta, rice sugar, pulses, packet soup – no tins)
  • Socks and underwear all ages (new)

 

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Join us for Graduation 2022 by stewarding at our ceremonies

March 22nd, 2022

This year our in-person graduation events return to campus and we’re running events for the Class of 2020, 2021 and 2022 in a mammoth 77 ceremonies spread across May, July and August.

We always have an extraordinary level of support from volunteer stewards from across the university and this year we’ll be hoping to have all our regular stewards back as well as welcoming newer team members to join us and help make the events a special occasion for current students and graduates from the last two years.

Initially we’re asking for volunteer support for May (although the call out for July and August will be advertised soon) We’re running the event at the East Midlands Conference Centre which is a change from our usual venue, so please keep an eye out nearer the time for updated maps.

We welcome stewards from all areas of the university and will be providing briefing sessions for those who are new (and those who are feeling a bit rusty after two years away).

The sign-up process is easy. Please check with your line manager that they’re happy for you to come along and then fill in our form.

We need over 1,300 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.

We have a stewarding sharepoint site that gives details on the types of roles available and the dates and times you’ll be needed for.

We know that colleagues across the university are always keen to support graduations, so thank you in advance for coming to our aid at our busiest ever time.

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Trent to light up yellow for National Day of Reflection

March 22nd, 2022

The university’s iconic Trent Building is set to be lit up in yellow this Wednesday (23 March 2022) in recognition of Marie Curie’s National Day of Reflection.

To mark the two-year anniversary of the first UK lockdown, end of life charity Marie Curie has organised a National Day of Reflection – a day to show support to the millions of people who have been bereaved during the pandemic and to reflect on the lives of those who have died.

There are lots of ways to take part, from joining the minute’s silence at 12 noon, to hosting a Wall of Reflection and catching an inspiring online talk.

The university will be joining a host of other organisations in lighting up their buildings in yellow – you can find a list of everyone taking part here.

This is the second year that the university has taken part in the National Day of Reflection with academic experts giving their insights into the pandemic last year.

Find out more on Marie Curie’s webpages.

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Volunteer Awards 2022 – nominations open

March 21st, 2022

Do you know someone who has been an amazing volunteer for the university in the last year?

The Campaign and Alumni Relations Office’s 2022 Volunteer Awards are now open – there are three categories you can nominate a volunteer for this year: Alumni Volunteer of the Year, Community Volunteer of the Year and the Longstanding Volunteer award.

Since 2016 the Volunteer Awards have celebrated volunteers from across our University of Nottingham campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia, recognising people who have made outstanding contributions to the university and its community, showing exceptional dedication, creativity, innovation or leadership.

To be eligible volunteers must have supported the university strategy or a university activity – such as sitting on a careers panel, mentoring, or advising and supporting students.

This year’s winners will receive their awards at a special in-person event at Lakeside Arts on Tuesday 8 June, during National Volunteers Week.

For the full criteria, eligibility and how to nominate please click the button below. The deadline for nominations is Sunday 10 April 2022.

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Rapid Improvement Event on PGR Supervision: May 2022

March 18th, 2022

Focussing on making changes to policy and process on what makes “good Supervisory Practice” an in-person event has been announced.

As a contributor, you’ll gain valuable experience and knowledge from attending, whilst being able to contribute your ideas in a way that will have a direct impact very quickly.

The PGR Improvement Initiative aims to produce a University of Nottingham framework for good supervisory practice. This will outline expectations and good practice in line with our aspirations to train and support the next generations of amazing researchers, as well as meeting the Quality Assurance Agency and funder expectations.

The dates for this Rapid Improvement Event are Monday 16, Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 May 2022. It is appreciated that this may not be the best time for all, but having explored different times, this is the week most suitable for the majority.

If you’d like to be involved, please email the PGRInitiative@nottingham.ac.uk to register your interest.  This is your chance to influence our policy and practice in this important area – please apply, we want to hear from all areas of the university, academic, PGRs, PGR support and welfare staff are all welcome.

If you can’t get involved directly, but would like to contribute, especially if you are a current supervisor, please complete this form. If you are a current PGR at any stage, please complete this form.

We encourage everyone not involved in the RIE to send in your views. Your opinions and feedback on supervision are very important, will directly feed in to and influence the work in the RIE, and will compliment views from PGRs themselves on supervision.

If you would like to know more about what a Rapid Improvement Event is, please take a look at the Getting in Shape SharePoint site.

And finally

A very large number of colleagues have been involved in the Getting in Shape enabled improvement events on PGR Enquiries and Admissions and PGR Progression Reviews – the time and effort that you have given to helping improve our PGR experience and journey has been appreciated. Many thanks to those of you who have contributed so far, we couldn’t have effected such changes without you.

If you haven’t yet been able to get involved with the programme supporting our PGRs, and you’ve been interested enough to read this far, please consider getting involved now  – by emailing PGRInitiative@nottingham.ac.uk or filling in the form.

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Let’s be clear about EDI webinar series 2022 [UPDATED]

March 17th, 2022

The Leadership and Management Academy are pleased to introduce the “Let’s be clear about EDI” webinar series for 2022. 

The Let’s be clear about EDI campaign was launched in 2020 to support a university-wide conversation on what Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) means and how the university embeds this in everything that we do.

To continue these conversations and to share our experiences and ideas for how EDI relates to our own roles and lives, we are continuing the webinar series into 2022. You can book now through the LMA Hub.  

We start this series with a conversation between our staff networks on ‘Being Better Allies’. We also have sessions on inclusive recruitment, inclusive curriculum, inclusive language, being better allies (and managers) to staff experiencing menopause, and on disclosing personal data (and what this has to be with being an ally!).

You will have the chance to hear about lived experiences, share best practice, ask questions and find out where to go for information, resources and guidance to best support your colleagues.

We aim for all topics to be repeated on different days and times, to support inclusion of staff with varying working patterns. 

These events are open to all university staff as a relaxed and informal space to discuss key challenges and opportunities that we face in the context of equality, diversity and inclusion. They run for 50 minutes online and are led by colleagues from around the university along with representatives from our staff networks.   

The webinars that ran in 2021 included topics covering making reasonable adjustments, intersectionality, microaggressions, caring, neurodiversity, the awarding gap, women in research, and BAME health. You can access recordings of these events on the LMA Hub. 

*ALL STAFF WHO REGISTERED BETWEEN TUESDAY 15 MARCH – THURSDAY 17 MARCH ARE ASKED TO PLEASE RE-REGISTER DUE TO A TECHNICAL FAULT. APOLOGIES FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE.

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