eNews 5 May
DVC appointments, USS pension, digital developments, Partnership Awards, Mental Health Awareness Week, Black Inclusion Week, exclusive gallery bookings and more.
Appointments
Senior leadership appointments
Two new senior leadership appointments have been announced to support the University’s strategic ambitions. Professor Neil Morris has been appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation, having held the role in an interim capacity since last October, while Professor Jeff Grabill will be joining us from Michigan State University, USA, on 1 August as Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education.
New Head of the School of Law
Professor Louise Ellison began her role as the new Head of the School of Law this week. A Leeds graduate, Professor Ellison has held a number of leadership roles in the School, including Director of the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies and Director of Research and Innovation.
Feedback
USS pension: last few days to share your views
Scheme members and eligible employees: you have until 5pm on Friday 7 May to submit your views on aspects of the scheme through the anonymous survey emailed to you on Monday 26 April and in a reminder email.
In a new Inside Track article, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk shares her reflections on the common themes raised by colleagues about the scheme challenges at her recent school visits. This adds to her recent perspective on how a sense of community can help unlock a solution
Undergraduate Programme Survey 2021
The Undergraduate Programme Survey 2021 deadline is Friday 7 May. All eligible students (usually non-finalists) have been sent an email with a personalised link to the survey, with colleagues asked to encourage them to take part.
Share your ideas | EDUBOTS project
A short online survey is asking colleagues what uses they can imagine for chatbots in universities. This call forms part of the EDUBOTS project exploring best practices of pedagogical chatbots in higher education. Colleagues are also asked to encourage students to take part in an accompanying survey looking at potential uses from their perspective.
Consultation | Updated Health and Safety Protocol on Laser Safety
Feedback is invited for the updated Health and Safety Protocol on Laser Safety by the consultation deadline of Wednesday 2 June.
Digital developments
Extending Duo two-factor authentication
From 8.30am on Tuesday 11 May, you will be prompted to complete two-factor authentication when you log on to the IT website, in the same way as logging on to Office 365 and the Virtual Windows Desktop. We will be adding multi-factor authentication protection to even more University systems during the next few months.
Sign up | IT investment online events
The University Council has approved a major five-year investment to deliver two interlinked IT programmes – Digital Enablement and Be Safe. Together, they will ensure we have IT services capable of supporting the ambitious vision in both the University Strategy and Digital Transformation Strategy. Sign up for our online open events on Thursday 20 or Tuesday 25 May to find out more.
Celebrate
Partnership Awards 2021
Tune into LUU’s Twitter feed from 2-5pm today (Wednesday 5 May) to see winners of this year’s Partnership Awards being announced. The ceremony is being hosted online again this year, and with nearly 2,200 nominations for the amazing achievements of staff and students across the University, there’s plenty to celebrate.
Research
Apply | Research Development Fund
Applications for the next round of the Research Development Fund are open until Tuesday 8 June. Awards of up to £600 are available to support patient, public or stakeholder involvement or engagement in the research design stage.
Staff benefits
MCard renewal
If you have a valid MCard due for renewal on Tuesday 1 June, you need to apply online and complete a deductions form before Friday 7 May. If you require a new MCard, please refer to the Staff Benefits website for the latest application deadlines and further information. Please note price increases take effect from Tuesday 1 June.
Learning and development
Explore OD&PL’s Leadership Development Programmes
OD&PL is providing a series of Leadership Development Programmes for colleagues this summer. There are four running between May and July, each with a different focus: the development of new leaders; leading transformational change; inclusive leadership; and a series of workshops to address practical challenges currently faced by leaders across the University.
Apply | Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice
Apply before Monday 31 May to join our Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) cohort in September. Find out how the PGCAP has supported colleagues to enhance their student education practice, explore different approaches, connect them to peers, challenge their thinking and transition to online teaching. It’s also one of the routes available to gain a Fellowship of the Higher Education Authority (FHEA).
Sign up | PebblePad training
Sign up for a second series of PebblePad training sessions, available until Friday 21 May. Designed for new and experienced users, sessions provide support in learning how to use this ePortfolio system to create innovative and reflective teaching and learning materials for students.
Wellbeing and support
Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
Find out how you can get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 (Monday 10 to Sunday 16 May), including details of virtual events organised by the University and a summary of the support available to staff and students.
Rest, Reset and Resume sessions
Feeling unsettled, disorientated or distracted? Try one of the live, guided, virtual Rest, Reset and Resume sessions delivered on Zoom by staff counsellors from 2-2.15pm every Thursday between 6 May and 29 July. Catch up with yourself, settle and reorientate to improve your mental health and wellbeing. No need to book – just stop, show up and tune in.
BRIT Virtual Distance Challenge
There’s still time to join Get Out, Get Active’s (GOGA) staff vs students BRIT Virtual Distance Challenge in support of young adult mental health. Those taking part will work as a team to cover the 2,021-mile distance in whatever way they like. Sign up by 12 noon tomorrow (Thursday 6 May) to take part in the challenge, which will start on Monday 10 May to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week.
Events
Black Inclusion Week 2021
See the Equality and Inclusion Unit website for details of how you can help mark the first ever Black Inclusion Week. Being held between Monday 10 and Sunday 16 May, the aim of the initiative is to celebrate Black people in the UK and to remember the importance of building a fair and just society through the inclusion of everyone.
Last call | Register for IMC 2021
There’s still time to register for the International Medieval Congress (IMC) 2021. This year’s event – featuring a climate theme – will be held online again after a successful digital switch in 2020. Registration is open until Monday 10 May.
Book now | Exclusive one-hour entry to our galleries
Missing your cultural fix? We have you covered! Between Tuesday 18 and Friday 28 May, The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery and the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery could be all yours for an hour… for free! This unique, in-person, bookable experience is a great way to spend a stress-free break rediscovering our wonderful collections, with everything from medieval manuscripts to modern art. With knowledgeable staff on hand, you will get a truly special experience.
Pint of Science 2021
Pint of Science is back for 2021, with Leeds hosting a trio of online events from Monday 17 May giving researchers and the public an opportunity to come together and chat about different aspects of science. Events are free, with the option to make a donation to help keep Pint of Science going.
Book now | Edith Pechey Lecture
Registration is open for the inaugural Edith Pechey Lecture on Tuesday 11 May. Being held online by the School of Medicine and the Leeds Medico-Chirurgical Society, guest speaker for the free event is Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, talking about ‘Leeds Medicine for the World’. The series is named after Edith Pechey (1845-1908), who was the first medically qualified woman to practise in Leeds.
Working with All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs)
Policy Leeds is hosting a webinar from 1-2pm on Tuesday 11 May exploring working with APPGs – informal cross-party groups of MPs, drawn together based on a shared interest to campaign and push Parliamentary issues forward. Visit the Engaged Research Team for further information (join code: fc84jre), including an option to add the webinar to your diary. Alternatively, contact Juliet Jopson at Policy Leeds for more details.
Event and podcast | National Technicians Development Centre
The National Technicians Development Centre (NTDC) – part of the N8 Research Partnership, of which Leeds is a member – is hosting TechMeet 12 on Tuesday 25 May. The event gives technicians a chance to share good practice, ‘back to work’ planning and general discussions. The NTDC has also released its first podcast, which focuses on technicians’ role in supporting the online delivery of teaching.
In case you missed it
Vice-Chancellor’s blog | Strategy in times of crisis – Building a better future
Major refurbishment for the Faculty of Biological Sciences
Register | Foundations in Teaching (FiT) course
Women of Achievement Awards 2021 profiles
Watch | Leeds Alumni My Leeds Story podcast
Keeping up to date
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
- access our previous staff email communications on our dedicated In Depth page, together with guidance on how to request an eNews entry
- check for the latest information and advice on our coronavirus website, including updated data for the number of coronavirus cases among staff and students; and
- access key University systems and information, such as HR self-service, IT, the Office365 web app, year planner, Minerva and purchasing, via the staff systems and quick links sections towards the top of the For Staff homepage.