LU Text
LU Text is published by the Press Office on Fridays during term time and aims to keep you regularly informed of the University's news and developments. To view previous editions see LU Text Archive.
| 12 November 2010 | Issue 500
› Contents: news; Lancaster in the news; death notice for Dr Jason Cope; people; notices; what's on; ads
NEWS
Charles Clarke appointed Visiting Professor
Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke has been appointed Visiting Professor of Politics and Faith in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion (PPR). Mr Clarke will be making regular visits to the University and contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as well as supporting research developments and high impact events within and beyond PPR.
Clare Short to deliver first UNESCO Chair in Gender Research Annual Lecture
Clare Short, Former Secretary of State for International Development will give a lecture at Lancaster University called ‘Do women think differently about foreign policy?’. Professor Sylvia Walby, UNESCO Chair in Gender Research at Lancaster University, will introduce the lecture. Clare Short will discuss how the UK could play a more useful role in the world, which would also serve our real interests, in working with others for a more just world order and a more sustainable use of natural resources. Full story
Lancaster Environment Researchers meet Vince Cable in China
Lancaster University researchers were in Beijing this week (Monday, 8th November) taking part in round table discussions on Science, Innovation and Business Growth with Dr Vince Cable, UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Chancellor George Osborne and Business Secretary Vince Cable are in China as part of a high-profile UK government and trade mission designed to improve business links with China. David Cameron is also visiting China this week for the first time as prime minister In the round table talks, Vince Cable heard from a small group of UK and Chinese scientists, researchers and businesses including representatives from Lancaster who are working with Chinese partners on a long-term project to address the global challenges of environmental pollution and food security. Full story
Next week is Global Entrepreneurship Week at Lancaster University
For information on events ranging from case studies about commercialising university research to networking events with entrepreneurs and much more please visit www.lancs.ac.uk/users/gew or search for Global Entrepreneurship Week at Lancaster University on Facebook.
For a full list of events for staff during Entrepreneurship week see the 'what's on' section below.
Staff prizes 2011
The University’s Staff Prizes for 2011 are now open for nominations. The prizes are a means of celebrating and rewarding outstanding achievement.
Full details are now up on the Human Resources website.
Research imapct
David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science has welcomed a new report, published this week, which recommends that the impact of academic research should play a significant part in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2014 and sets out how this can be assessed.
Lancaster took part in the report to the four UK higher education funding bodies which sets out the findings of expert panels that have been piloting proposals for assessing, describing and rewarding the positive impact of research for the benefit of the economy and society.
Universities and higher education colleges will need to demonstrate the benefits of their research to society or to the economy in order to achieve the highest ratings. In the REF, case studies and selected supporting material will be assessed by expert panels with a membership drawn from practising researchers and research users.
The inclusion of impact in the REF is a major new element in research assessment, which is used to determine funding allocations, provide benchmarking of the quality of UK research, and demonstrate the value of investment in research.
Decisions on the broad features of the impact assessment and its weighting within the overall REF assessment will be taken by the four UK higher education funding bodies, in early 2011. Link to the report
Lancaster students encourage pupils into University
Over a hundred pupils from Blackpool to Heysham are being encouraged to go into higher education with help from Lancaster University. Thirty Lancaster University students are working with pupils from years 9 to 13 as part of the Aimhigher Associates scheme which offers long term support, advice and guidance to future university students.
The Lancaster students, who are specially trained, will be working with pupils at various schools in the North West including Blackpool Sixth Form College, Highfield Humanities College in Blackpool, Heysham High School, Our Lady’s Catholic College in Lancaster, Millfield College in Thornton Cleveleys and Fleetwood Sports College. The scheme is being organised by Lancaster University’s UK Student Recruitment and Outreach Office. Full story.
Wellbeing at Work Survey
The Wellbeing at Work Survey draws to a close today (although the on-line system will be open until midnight on Sunday) and a total of 1,361 people have participated. Thank you to everyone who took part. We will now begin to concentrate our efforts on analysing the results of the survey, and a summary of the overall results will be shared with staff during January/February 2011.
The Wellbeing at Work Survey, is part of our commitment to sustaining the University as a healthy and safe place to study and work. Wellbeing at work is an important issue, which includes health promotion, encouraging a healthy life-style, work-life balance and how motivated staff feel in their work for the University. Further details, including Message from the Vice-Chancellor and FAQs.
High-end computing
The University, along with contributions from several research groups, has invested heavily in ‘High End Computing’, providing a new computing facility that can enable many lines of research in the University. The facility is just coming on-line, and a ‘kick-off’ meeting for users and potential users of the HEC facility will be held on Weds 17 November 14:00-16:00 in Management School Lecture Theatre 6.
This meeting will describe the facility available, how you can use it, and have short presentations from some of the identified likely users, showing what they can do with such computing. Those who think large computing power may help their research (or other REF outputs!) are encouraged to attend. Further meetings are planned, with the intention of connecting people who may be tackling similar computing problems and bringing different skills to various research projects.
Academic Processions at Higher Degree Ceremonies
All colleagues (academic and non-academic) are invited to join the Academic Processions at the Higher Degree Ceremonies on Wednesday 15 December 2010.
An Honorary Degree will be conferred upon: Mr Terry Hill, Chair of Global Transport Market, Arup Group (12 noon).
The full timetable and a booking form to confirm attendance and book your academic robes can be found at: www.lancs.ac.uk/users/ceremonies/processions.htm. To ensure the correct robes can be provided, please return the form by post or e-mail by Friday 19 November. We look forward to seeing you in December.
Jason Cope
We regret to report that Dr Jason Cope (38) died on Sunday 31st October 2010 while visiting Florida on an International Fulbright scholarship. Jason first came to Lancaster University Management School in 1991 as an undergraduate student on the BBA in Management. As part of the degree he undertook work experience with Rank Xerox UK Limited. After graduating in 1995 Jason became a project researcher in the Business Development Unit. He then registered for a PhD in Management, supervised by Professor Mary Rose and Professor Ged Watts. His thesis The Entrepreneurial Experience: Towards a dynamic learning perspective of entrepreneurship was a ground breaking interpretive study of small business owners and their learning. On completing his PhD in 2000 he was appointed as a Lecturer in Entrepreneurship with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development (IEED), Lancaster University Management School, and in a short time established a remarkable record of achievement in terms of his research and teaching. In 2004, he spent a sabbatical period at the University of Canterbury Management School, New Zealand. In January 2009 he joined the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at the University of Strathclyde as a Senior Lecturer and Director of Teaching. Jason was not only a much admired and remarkable academic he was also greatly loved by his family, friends, students and colleagues. He will be sadly missed by many.
Lancaster in the news
Contributions to the media this week include Dr Caroline Gatrell in The New York Post and Toronto Globe and Mail and Dr Julia Gillen on BBC news. Follow link to see a list of people in the news.
People
Professor Susan Cartwright (SHM) was invited to attend a workshop/expert panel called by ESRC and the US National Institute on Ageing earlier this week as a subject expert. The event addressed “The Role of Well Being Measures in Public Policy” and was held at the Keck centre of the National Academies in Washington DC. The workshop brought together leading academic and policy personnel from the US and the UK and other attendees included Professor Lord Richard Layard (LSE), David Halpern (Institute for Government),representatives from Department for Work and Pensions and the department of Health,and from the US Katherine Wallman (Chief Statistician to the President).
Representatives from EnergyLancaster met energy minister Charles Hendry at Heysham Power stations during his tour of Lancashire last week. University linkages with the power stations and the nuclear new build agenda were discussed. EnergyLancaster is a new Energy Research Centre at Lancaster University which brings together expertise in a wide range of energy related areas including: energy policy; nuclear energy; carbon management; wet renewables; solar cells & photovoltaics; e-Energy;transport & transport usage and energy economics. Led by Colin Boxall (LRET chair in Engineering Nuclear Engineering & Decommissioning) Energy Lancaster aims to contribute to the development and management of a secure, sustainable future for the UK’s energy needs.
Professor Cary Cooper (LUMS) gave the Presidential Address on 3 November at the Relate Annual Conference on The Future of Work: The State of Relationships in the Workplace.
An article by Dr John Welshman (History), 'The Cycle of Deprivation: Myths and Misconceptions', originally published in the journal Children & Society, 22, 2 (2008), 75-85, has been chosen by the Editors to be reprinted in the 25th Anniversary Virtual Issue of the journal.
Professor Bob Jessop (Sociology) delivered the opening keynote address at an international conference at Deakin University (Melbourne). The conference theme is “The World in Crisis – Business as Usual?” and Professor Jessop’s paper answered this in terms of “Crisis, what Crisis? Reflections on Crisis, Crisis-Management and Crises of Crisis-Management”. The keynote draws on his current ESRC research professorship on crises of crisis-management. He remains in Melbourne for some days to co-organize a workshop on cultural political economy.
Notices
National Teaching Fellowships
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme (NTFS) recognises individual excellence in teaching. Institutions can put forward up to 3 nominations annually. Since the inception of the scheme in 2000, nine Lancaster staff have gained NTF recognition. Up to 55 awards of £10,000 are made each year. The award is intended for Fellows' professional development in teaching and learning or aspects of pedagogy.
Could you be the next Lancaster National Teaching Fellow? What do you need to do to prepare an effective nomination? What are the benefits of Fellowship recognition? An informal NTFS Briefing is being held: Thursday 25th November (1.00-2.00) in IAS MR2
Further details about the scheme and previous winners are available here.
Permissive Access Security System (PASS) Progress
The rollout of the PASS system by ISS will reach: IENS and IEC3 on Tuesday 16th November and the Management School on Tuesday 23rd November.
The Permissive Access Security System (PASS) will ensure that only registered computers can access University computer resources. Additionally, PASS will allow free movement of registered computers from one location to another. For more information on how this affects you or your visitors see the PASS Project page.
Refurbishment of old ISS Computer Centre for Human Resources Department
We are currently experiencing a delay with the contractors refurbishing the old Computer Centre at the front of University House which is to become the new HR building. In the meantime the cycle stand outside University House and visitor parking on Bowland Avenue South has been temporarily reopened. Facilities apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and will provide you with an update as soon as we are able.
Alexandra Square Rejuvenation Project - Update
Work to replace the paving in the square at the East end of the Square will continue this week and the next phase of work will involve the south section under the canopy in front of NatWest, Barclays, Uni-Travel and Waterstones. Facilities apologise for the disruption this is causing, please bear with us while we work to improve the square and underpass. We will ensure access through the square is maintained at all times although it will mean diversions are in place. The shops and banks will be open as usual. The latest newsletter and more information on the rejuvenation is available on the website.
Saturday morning access diversion
The walkway from Alexandra Square into Edward Roberts Court, next to LUSU and The Spar will be closed temporarily on Saturday 13th November during the morning to allow repairs to the area above the walkway to be carried out. Diversion signage will be in place and the shop will be open as usual. Facilities apologise for any inconvenience this may cause you.
New Private Dining Rooms - Christmas Menu
The Christmas Menu is available for the new Private Dining Rooms in County South. To view the menu click here. From Wednesday 1st – Wednesday 22nd December the Private Dining Rooms will be serving the menu from 12-2pm and from 7pm in the evenings (excluding December’s Graduation Day). To book a table or find out more information email hospitality@lancaster.ac.uk or call Hospitality on 93260.
Bowland Main Refurbishment
The site compound for the project to refurbish Bowland Main is being set up by ‘Create Construction’ on Bowland Avenue East. This is the space in front of the Bailrigg Conference Centre that already has a solid hoarding fence round (previously used for the Learning Zone contractors). For more information about the project visit the Facilities Current Projects website.
WHAT'S ON
For a full list of all events, please see Events.
Next Week is Global Entrepreneurship Week at Lancaster University
For information on events ranging from case studies about commercialising university research to networking events with entrepreneurs and much more please visit www.lancs.ac.uk/users/gew or search for Global Entrepreneurship Week at Lancaster University on Facebook.
Events for staff during Entrepreneurship Week
Organisation and Educational Development
Professional and Leadership Development would like to highlight some excellent training opportunities happening soon:
Presentation Skills – 1st & 16th December (2 day programme)
Collaborative Partnerships – 8th December
And by popular demand a further Developing your career and maximising your impact in academia has been scheduled on 24th February 2011
For full programme descriptions and details of how to book please visit the following link: or email OED@lancaster.ac.uk.
Hitting the high notes
On Sunday 7th November the Lancaster University Symphonic Wind Band made their debut at the National Concert Band Festival held in the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. The Band produced a great performance on stage, receiving many positive comments from the judges, as well as a prestigious Gold Award. The Music Society (ULMS) has many other competitions lined up, with the Choir competing in the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition and the Big Band performing at the Great Northern Big Band Jazz Festival. Lancaster will also be hosting its own competition, with the first ever UniBrass championships due to take place here on Saturday 19th February 2011.
Future concerts include one organised by the Mayor of Lancaster for his chosen charity, the Stroke Unit at Lancaster Royal Infirmary, on Saturday 4th December in Ashton Hall. The next is the University of Lancaster Music Society’s Christmas Concert at Lancaster Cathedral on Wednesday 15th December, where they will be joined by the Society’s Brass Band, Choir and Orchestra.
The Big Band and Swing Group will be performing on Saturday 20th November in the Great Hall at 7:30pm. There will be an eclectic range of pieces, including a medley of songs from Chicago and Hey Burner!, as well as vocal number such as Come Fly With Me and Orange Colour Sky. Tickets will be available on the door at £5 for an adult and £3 for concessions.
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