10 June eNews
Student admissions, draft strategy and rankings success
Student admissions and education 2020/21
You can read yesterday’s email from Professor Tom Ward, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education, on our dedicated coronavirus website, which provides an update on arrangements for student admissions and educational provision for 2020-21.
Inside Track – Tim Peakman: Beyond 2020
In our latest Inside Track feature, Chief Operating Officer, Tim Peakman, updates us on the findings from staff and student consultations on the University’s draft strategy for 2020-2030, and how this will help shape our future.
Road closure
Vernon Road will be closed for up to five weeks from Monday 22 June. Access to the multi-storey car park for key workers will be via the Physics Deck and Willow Terrace.
Celebrate…
Global ranking success
We have moved up two places in the latest QS World University Rankings, consolidating our place in the top 100. In a year that sees three quarters of UK universities in the influential global ranking slip down the table, Leeds has climbed to 91st place.
Complete University Guide 2021
Leeds is celebrating success after featuring in the top ten rankings for 18 subjects, according to the Complete University Guide 2021 – one of the most influential league tables in the UK.
Sustainability Awards 2020
Nominations for the annual Sustainability Awards are open until Monday 22 June. This is your chance to celebrate the individuals and teams who are embedding sustainability in everything we do at Leeds, with winners announced online in early July.
Partnership Awards 2020
Read the first in our series of profiles on the winners of this year’s Partnership Awards, which recognise the amazing achievements of staff and students working together to support all aspects of our University community. First up are Dr Alison Voice and Meegan Worcester, staff and student winners of the overall Partnership Award.
Take part…
REF2021 open meetings
Register via email to attend REF2021 open meetings on Teams. The meetings will provide an update from the University’s REF Steering Group about our preparations for the submission and how we are responding to changes to the national timetable. Meetings are on Wednesday 8 July (10am to 12 noon) and Tuesday 14 July (2-6pm). Quote ‘open meeting’ in the email subject line, and include your name, school and preferred date.
Health and Safety Policy consultation
Have your say on our updated Health and Safety Policy and see how the responsibilities affect you. Feedback can be submitted until Monday 20 July.
Digital education…
New tool – making your online teaching materials accessible
A new tool to help you understand the accessibility of files in Minerva and comply with new legislation is now available. The tool – Blackboard Ally – will show the accessibility rating of your files in Minerva, provide feedback on any issues identified and offer guidance on how to fix them. It will also allow students to access materials in different forms, such as converting word files into an audio file. Please be aware accessibility is a requirement under public sector website legislation and covers teaching materials in Minerva from September 2020.
Audio Video Recording Policy: last chance to have your say
You can provide feedback on the proposed changes to our Audio Video Recording Policy until Wednesday 17 June. The recording of educational activities is an important part of our strategy to ensure the teaching and learning requirements of our diverse student population are met.
New tools for digital education and e-portfolio demonstrations
Read about plans to further develop our use of learning analytics to support students, including the opportunity to see demonstrations by two potential suppliers of an institutional e-portfolio system. E-portfolios are used by students to record and reflect on their personal, professional and academic progress. Their content can be shared with staff, discussed in personal tutoring meetings and be used for career or further study applications. Email the Digital Education Service to register for the separate demonstrations, one on Friday 12 June (1.30-3pm) and the other on Thursday 18 June (9-10.30am).
Events…
Carers Week (Monday 8 to Sunday 14 June)
A host of support services available to colleagues are being highlighted as part of Carers Week 2020. If you are a carer for a family member or a friend who has an illness, disability or addiction, Carers Leeds offers confidential telephone appointments providing a wide range of practical advice, support and information to unpaid carers. The next dates are Thursday 16 July, Wednesday 12 August and Thursday 10 September – email the Equality Policy Unit to book.
Windrush Day 2020 (Monday 22 June)
Take part in Windrush Day 2020 and access online learning resources and support on the Equality Policy Unit webpages. The event marks 72 years since hundreds of passengers aboard the MV Empire Windrush arrived from the Caribbean to the UK, and is intended to recognise and honour the significant contributions of the Windrush Generation to British social, cultural and political life.
Women at Leeds Network Annual Conference 2020 – registration open
Hear a message from our next Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, by registering for the Women at Leeds Network Annual Conference 2020. Held online via Teams on Tuesday 23 June, colleagues can attend all or parts of the event. Other highlights include panel discussions about topics including covid-19 impacts on working from home and caring responsibilities, as well as a talk by guest speaker Dr Suzanne Ross, who is an expert in leadership talent, success and derailment.
Healthy Week 2020 is live!
There’s still time for you and your colleagues to get active anywhere, anytime, and to boost your mental and physical wellbeing, by taking part in the exciting Healthy Week programme. Activities include a wellbeing workshop, bike Q&A, live cooking demonstration, Pilates and hand reflexology. And don’t forget to take part in the week-long virtual walk/run/cycle challenge to see how far we can travel in one week.
Be Curious goes virtual
Don’t miss out – join us on Twitter and discover world-leading research from the comfort of your own home, as the hugely popular Be Curious showcase goes virtual! While the physical event has been rescheduled to Saturday 10 October, researchers from across campus have been presenting some amazing online content for the very first #BeCuriousGoesVirtual. Arts and Crafts Week concludes on Friday 12 June, with Question Week running from Monday 15 to Friday 19 June.
Latest updates…
Coronavirus website
We are continually reviewing and updating the information and advice on the coronavirus website, and you can find related staff email communications and student email communications on there too. You can also access an archive of our coronavirus-related news articles via the main University website.
In case you missed it…
Join our growing community of LinkedIn Learning users
Sign up for the 'Adapt Your Teaching for Online Delivery' course
Academic Listening Project survey
This enewsletter is brought to you by the Communications team. You can keep up to date with our latest news on the For Staff website and by following the staff Twitter account.
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