eNews 26 May
Thought pieces, free asymptomatic covid-19 home tests, have your say, digital developments, awards, wellbeing and more.
Thought pieces
Inside Track | One year on – tackling racial inequality
In her latest Inside Track article, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, reflects on what we’re doing to advance race equality for our staff and students. In the same feature, Professor Iyiola Solanke, Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, explains why university campuses can be hubs for change.
Vice-Chancellor’s blog | Technology alone isn’t enough – why humanity needs the arts
“I’ve heard it said that it’s science that lets people live to the age of 100, but it’s the arts that make us want to live that long.” Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, shares her latest blog on the importance of arts and humanities, and why this needs to be acknowledged in the current debate about arts funding in higher education.
Podcast | Is it OK to disagree – learning from the discomfort of conflict
In the latest episode of a monthly series of podcasts, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, discusses conflict and how learning to deal with it in a constructive manner can allow people to collaborate better.
Coronavirus
Free asymptomatic covid-19 home test collection
You can now pick up free asymptomatic covid-19 home test kits from a collection point at the south entrance to LUU. Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday (9am to 2pm), plus Tuesday and Thursday (1-6pm). Please note, collection is not available on Monday 31 May and Tuesday 1 June while the University is closed. Basic personal details will be required (name and phone number) and each box contains seven tests, with all the instructions provided. We recommend you have three tests at the centre on campus before converting to home testing.
Feedback
Balancing Life Survey | Win a £50 Amazon voucher
Sport and Physical Activity invites you to complete its annual Balancing Life Survey, which helps provide insight into the physical activity and wellbeing levels in our community. We’re also interested to discover how covid-19 has impacted on this. Complete the survey to enter our £50 Amazon voucher prize draw.
Consultation | Updated Health and Safety Protocol on Laser Safety
You can feedback on the updated Health and Safety Protocol on Laser Safety consultation until the deadline of Wednesday 2 June.
Have your say | Open access publishing
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor Nick Plant, has outlined the Leeds view on the Elsevier negotiations regarding open access publishing. The Library is also seeking the views of authors, editors and readers of Elsevier journals to inform our response to any future offers.
Digital developments
Online IT software shop closing
From September, staff and students using personal devices for work or study will need to access all software from AppsAnywhere, as the IT shop that previously supplied some of this will be closing. This doesn’t affect colleagues using University-owned devices.
Live streaming in teaching spaces
Live streaming will be available in 60 teaching spaces across campus from September. This will allow one-way teaching delivery to in-room and remote students simultaneously, also offering opportunities for networking events, conferencing and open days. Live streaming differs from hybrid teaching – see our new FAQs for further information. Contact those responsible for your school’s timetabling to request a teaching space with live streaming functionality. Guidance and training will be provided during the summer. Contact Liz Brittain if you have any questions.
New Fully Online Education Teams site
Our new ‘Fully Online Education’ Teams site is now live (enter joining code qzuwui6). This is a one-stop shop for anyone interested in Fully Online Education. It will guide you through the process of developing a fully online programme, from registering an initial expression of interest or opportunity through to the development stage. The site is also a space to discuss ideas with colleagues across the University.
Live Q&A | Meet the Digital Education Service team
Continuing with its series of live Q&As, the Digital Education Service will host an informal ‘meet the team’ session on Friday 28 May, introducing colleagues you’ll work with if your bid for a fully online course is approved. Open to all, the session will continue to help familiarise colleagues with the Fully Online Education process.
Sign up | New PebblePad training dates
New dates are now available for a series of PebblePad training sessions between Wednesday 2 and Friday 11 June. 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.
Celebrate
Leeds Doctoral College Showcase Competitions 2021 winners
Congratulations to the Leeds Doctoral College Showcase Competitions 2021 winners, whose entries are now available to view online. As always, the competitions were a wonderful way to highlight the work of our postgraduate researchers, celebrating the contributions they make to their disciplines and to wider society.
Inspiring group of women honoured
The latest in a series profiling our Women of Achievement Awards 2021 celebrants highlights the outstanding accomplishments of four colleagues in the field of staff support.
GFEI Food and Agriculture Awards
Nominations open on Monday 31 May for the first Global Food and Environment Institute (GFEI) Food and Agriculture Awards. Open to staff and students whose research or studies are related to food and agriculture, the awards aim to highlight work towards a sustainable, socially-just food system. Nominations close on Friday 9 July and winners will be announced as part of the GFEI symposium on Wednesday 22 September.
Research
Research Round-up
Read the latest in our monthly features shining the spotlight on our research success stories. Highlights in the May edition include fitting Greenland ice with fibre optics, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, the future of global health and more. Contact Internal Comms if you would like to showcase your research achievements in a future edition.
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.
Campus life
Galleries reopening
Leeds University Library Galleries reopen on Wednesday 2 June. Based at the heart of campus in the Parkinson Building, the two galleries will be open exclusively to staff and students for walk-in visits – there’s no need to book. Opening times are 11am to 2pm, Tuesday to Friday, so you can swing by for a stress-busting break, mindful moment or to get your cultural fix!
Tree planting scheme tackles flood risk
5,000 trees have been planted at The Brownlee Centre, as part of a collaborative scheme involving the University to reduce flood risk to more than 1,000 homes, nearly 500 businesses and key infrastructure along a 14km stretch of the River Aire. The project is a great example of our partnership approach to addressing the climate crisis through collaborative research and innovation.
Learning and development
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).
Book now | New SRDS training dates
New Staff Review and Development Scheme (SRDS) training dates are available for colleagues who are new to the process or would like a refresher. Online sessions will take place in June and July for reviewers and reviewees.
Register | Research Professional online training
There’s still time to register your place at one of two online training sessions for Research Professional to learn how to search for funding opportunities, higher education news, conference registrations and training opportunities. Bespoke Microsoft Teams sessions specifically for colleagues at Leeds – being held on Tuesday 8 and Friday 11 June – will teach you how to get the most out of the service, whether you’re a new member of staff or have used Research Professional before.
Become a LinkedIn Learning curator
Get more from your LinkedIn Learning account as a curator – upload your own custom content, create and share learning pathways and get insights into the number of content views and completions. LinkedIn Learning curator roles are available for all schools and services, and it’s an ideal opportunity for colleagues with a focus on learning, teaching or leading on the development of others.
TIPS community and blog
The TIPS (Teaching, Innovation and Practice in Student Education) community provides a space for collaborative learning for all teaching colleagues at Leeds. It offers peer support, advice and ideas for your teaching practice on our Microsoft Teams space. The TIPS blog is a collection of short articles written by colleagues sharing examples of their teaching practice, which anyone involved in teaching at Leeds can contribute to. Read our guidance on submitting to the TIPS blog or get in touch for further TIPS information
Wellbeing and support
Domestic abuse | Protecting and supporting staff and students
The Equality and Inclusion Unit has updated and expanded our policy on domestic abuse. The new guidance includes support for those at risk of harm, including contact details of organisations that can help. It also features comprehensive information for managers and supervisors supporting staff or students experiencing, or at risk of, domestic abuse.
Carers Week 2021
To mark Carers Week 2021 (Monday 7 to Sunday 13 June), find out more about available support, including our partnership with Carers Leeds, which provides free and confidential appointments for colleagues. Carers Leeds also provides free, online workshops on topics including ‘looking after your wellbeing’ and ‘understanding dementia’. See the Equality and Inclusion Unit’s Carers Week 2021 event page for further information.
Single Parent Network meetings
Promoting support, awareness-raising and change for all single parents, this relatively new staff network holds online meetings from 9.15 to 10am on the third Thursday of each month. Hosted through the Women at Leeds Network, you can request to join the Microsoft Teams group ahead of the next two meetings, scheduled for 17 June and 22 July.
Quit smoking support
Monday 31 May is World No Tobacco Day 2021. If you’re a smoker, why not join thousands of others and commit to quit today? Access our remote quit smoking support, which is available to all staff and students and offers free support sessions with an experienced coach.
Free pedal sessions
You can still celebrate the fact our outdoor sports facilities have reopened by taking advantage of free pedal sessions at the Bodington Cycle Circuit for all staff and students. Simply show your staff ID card at any of the sessions up to the end of May.
Events
Register | I Belong: Compassionate Curriculum Conversations
Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE) Fellow, Dr Bridgette Bewick, invites staff and students to the latest online session exploring how we can develop a more compassionate curriculum. Registration is now open to attend the event, taking place from 12 noon to 1pm on Wednesday 2 June.
Take part | Ilkley Literature Festival
Take part in this year’s Ilkley Literature Festival programme, including online events, commissions and podcasts. The festival is again partnering with our Cultural Institute. Deadline for proposals is Friday 28 May.
Healthy Week 2021 website launch
The Healthy Week 2021 website is now live, with details about the full programme and how you can get involved. This year’s events, which run from Monday 7 to Friday 11 June, offer a blend of online content, including classes and workshops, as well as some in-person activities for small groups, such as walking and running.
Book now | Summer kids camps
Sport and Physical Activity has launched its brand new Gryphons Go Summer Kids Camps. Children can swim, climb and explore the outdoors, as well as develop their physical skills and make use of our superb educational facilities. Camps will be hosted at The Edge and will run between Monday 16 and Friday 27 August.
In case you missed it
Plans for 2021/22 teaching and research arrangements on campus
Pay 2021-22: Final offer presented
Legal update | Academic Technology Approval Scheme
Bragg Building FAQs and video update
Read | Profiles of inspiring winners in this year’s Leeds Partnership Awards
2021 Sustainability Awards shortlist announced
New communications website goes live
Explore OD&PL’s Leadership Development Programmes
Book now | Menopause in the Workplace workshops
Editions
Due to the Bank Holiday, eNews will take a break after today’s edition, resuming on Wednesday 9 June. Deadline for submissions is the preceding Friday (4 June).
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Keeping up to date
This eNews 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
- 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
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