eNews 23 June
Transitional ways of working, covid-19 tests, EU Settlement Scheme, Race at Work Survey, digital developments, Bragg Building news, celebrations, events and more.
Coronavirus
Government roadmap Step 4 and our transitional ways of working
Roger Gair, University Secretary, wrote to all colleagues on Wednesday 16 June with an update on our coronavirus response and transitional ways of working, including the approach to the continued return of activity to campus. This followed the Government announcement that Step 4 on its roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions is now expected to take effect on Monday 19 July. The update covers vaccinations and positive covid-19 case reporting, summer events, future and transitional ways of working, next steps and what to do if you have any questions. A separate communication has been sent to students.
Free asymptomatic covid-19 home tests | New collection point
The free asymptomatic covid-19 home test collection point has moved from LUU to Cromer Terrace Studio. Opening hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday (9am to 2pm), as well as Tuesday and Thursday (1-6pm). You will need to wear a face covering and basic personal details will be required (name and phone number). Each box contains seven tests, with instructions provided. We recommend you have three tests at the centre on campus before converting to home testing.
Update | managed quarantine regulations
All new and returning self-financing students arriving from their homes in red-list countries to study at Leeds, who are required to enter managed quarantine in hotels, will have the full government set cost of £1,750 covered by the University. This will usually be paid via a tuition fee reduction. Current students travelling home for the summer vacation will not normally be eligible. Further information on eligibility will be provided when the claim process has been finalised. Colleagues are reminded that any student in financial difficulty due to the impact of covid-19 can apply to the Leeds Hardship Fund for support.
Brexit
EU Settlement Scheme – deadline approaches
If you’re an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, who was living in the UK before 31 December 2020, you and your family must apply to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) by Wednesday 30 June. Even if you’ve been in the UK for many years and/or have a permanent residence document or EEA Biometric Residence Card (BRC), you still need to apply by this date to secure your existing rights in the UK.
Feedback
Reminder | Race at Work Survey
Business in the Community’s (BITC) Race at Work Survey closes on Wednesday 30 June. You can share your feedback as part of a national campaign to better understand experiences in workplaces across the UK. It should only take about 15 minutes to complete, and all responses are confidential.
Take part | Academic research survey
Time is running out to complete the Culture, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey (CEDARS). It’s an opportunity to talk about your experiences of the current research environment to provide valuable insight to help create a healthy and supportive culture that ensures our researchers can thrive. The deadline is midnight on Wednesday 30 June.
Digital developments
Updated | Windows Virtual Desktop
A new version of the Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) is being released during the week beginning Monday 28 June. You don’t need to do anything – you will automatically have access to the new version, which is faster, more resilient and has a number of new features, including access to Office 365, better integration with OneDrive and better access to library resources and journal websites.
Website upgrade
Upgrades to the University’s main website are expected to go live tomorrow (Thursday 24 June). Visitors to the leeds.ac.uk site will notice a fresh look, improved site search and greater functionality for those with digital access needs. Other sites will be similarly updated in the coming months, with further details to follow.
Sign up | Digital Education Summer Roadshow
Following on from previous Q&A sessions, you can now register to attend a Digital Education Service presentation by academic colleagues. Covering many aspects of digital education, including the Minerva upgrade, learning analytics, digital assessments and more, the events will be followed by a live Q&A.
Campus life
Book now | Sir William Henry Bragg Building meetings
Colleagues are invited to attend one of the online town hall-style Sir William Henry Bragg Building meetings taking place on Tuesday 29 June or Thursday 1 and Monday 5 July. Sessions are aimed at those moving into the building, but are open to all colleagues. The meetings will provide colleagues with an update on the development, information about moving in and the opportunity to ask questions.
New café is something to Bragg about!
A brand new campus café will welcome customers from the end of August. Based in the newly-opened Sir William Henry Bragg Building in Woodhouse Lane, the 1915 café takes its name and inspiration from the year Leeds alumnus Sir William was awarded a Nobel Prize. As with our other catering outlets, the café will be opened in line with Government covid-19 regulations.
Roadworks disruption
Roadworks adjacent to the Esther Simpson Building in Cloberry Street are taking place until Saturday 31 July. Nursery parking and access has reverted to Back-Westbourne Terrace, directly outside the Facilities Directorate building. Cloberry Street will remain partially closed, with the main route for vehicles being Back-Westbourne Terrace, along Clarendon Place and up to Lifton Place. Pedestrian routes are also signposted.
Marking NHS anniversary
Parkinson Building will be lit up blue on Saturday 3 July to mark the 73rd anniversary of the NHS. Many national landmarks across England will also be taking part in the event, as a way of thanking healthcare workers for their continued efforts during the covid-19 pandemic.
Celebrate
2021 Sustainability Awards winners
Congratulations to winners of this year’s Sustainability Awards, who all highlighted the University community’s efforts to come together to provide a sustainable future for everyone. Find out more about the winners – and the shortlisted projects – across all seven award categories.
Making our University a hub for social change
The last in a series of features profiling our Women of Achievement Awards 2021 celebrants highlights the outstanding accomplishments of four colleagues in the field of equality, diversity and inclusion.
International Women in Engineering Day 2021
Join us in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) 2021 today (Wednesday 23 June) by taking a look at the fantastic achievements of women across the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Research
Apply now | Innovation fellowship programme
Are you an early or mid-career researcher at Leeds? Do you want up to £7,500 to create economic and societal value from your research? Then hurry as applications for the Michael Beverley Innovation Fellowship Programme close at noon on Wednesday 30 June. Please contact the programme team for further information.
Learning and development
TIPS blog | Showcase your teaching
OD&PL invites you to contribute to the Teaching, Innovation and Practice in Student Education (TIPS) blog – a collection of short articles and videos sharing authentic teaching practice. Share your ideas, learning designs or pedagogical approach with others at Leeds, as well as externally to an international readership. This can help you raise your profile, make connections and establish yourself within a community of practice. It also helps other colleagues in their teaching practice and is a way for you to gather evidence for professional recognition or accreditation. Support and guidance is provided and we offer peer-to-peer developmental feedback on all drafts.
Leeds for Life Refresh | Essential training for academic personal tutors
As part of the Leeds for Life Refresh project, we’re providing essential training for academic personal tutors (APTs). Sessions provide the opportunity to find out more about our new digital tools (PebblePad, StREAM@Leeds, ATLAS and MS Bookings) and how they can support APTs, signpost to additional sources of support and help explore the refreshed approach to academic personal tutoring. Training is in addition to faculty briefings, with a variety of dates available from July to September.
Careers Summer for Researchers 2021 | New events added
Following a welcome event on Monday 21 June, our Careers Summer for Researchers 2021 programme has officially begun. New events and speakers have been added, with further sessions being listed throughout the summer. The full programme runs until September and covers a broad range of topics, including interview skills, personal branding, preparing for fellowships and more.
Leeds Social Sciences Institute (LSSI) enewsletter
Sign up for the monthly LSSI enewsletter, sending the latest news, upcoming events and funding opportunities straight to your inbox. If you change your mind, you can unsubscribe at any time.
Students
Summer in Leeds launch | Help spread the word!
Our Summer in Leeds programme launches on Monday 28 June… and we need your help to spread the word about what’s on offer to students! Teams across the University are planning a range of events to help students feel part of the Leeds community. Running until Friday 17 September, they can book on to campus and city tours, sport and wellbeing sessions at the Edge, outdoor movies, music, picnics and more. Events are free for our students and their families – all we ask is they book in advance and follow the covid-19 safety measures in place.
Leeds to South Korea Leadership Programme
The Leeds to South Korea Leadership Programme begins tomorrow (Thursday 24 June), with participants from Leeds and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) focussing on addressing UN Sustainability Goal 11 by answering the question ‘How can we ensure our cities are inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable?’. Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and supporters, we’re preparing to run a leadership programme for 1,000 Leeds students in the autumn. Details of how to get involved will follow soon.
Events
Blast off with Be Curious!
Get ready for blast off! Join Be Curious online from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 10 July for a very special trip to the stars with the Unlimited Space Agency and a crew of space scientists, oceanographers, earthquake experts and Antarctic explorers (including our very own SENSE CDT researchers and Chancellor, Professor Dame Jane Francis). View the full Be Curious programme and register for the free events to ensure you don’t miss out!
Book tickets | Alice Bacon Lecture 2021
There’s still time to book your free tickets to hear anti-racism campaigner, Baroness Doreen Lawrence OBE, deliver this year’s Alice Bacon Lecture – the latest in a series of annual talks honouring Yorkshire’s first female MP. Choosing women in the public eye and her personal journey as her theme, Baroness Lawrence will give her lecture online at 7pm tomorrow (Thursday 24 June).
Leeds Digital Festival submissions
Event submissions are being accepted for Leeds Digital Festival 2021 until 5pm on Wednesday 18 August. We’ve renewed our sponsorship for the latest instalment of the hugely popular tech showcase, with the two-week open-platform event running from Monday 20 September to Friday 1 October.
IMC 2022 | Call for papers
Even though this year’s International Medieval Congress (IMC) is still a few weeks away, the IMC 2022 paper, session and round table call for submissions is now open, with the special thematic focus of ‘Borders’. One of the biggest online academic conferences in the world and featuring more than 1,400 speakers, this year’s instalment of the hugely popular annual event – dubbed the ‘Medieval Glastonbury Festival’ by delegates – runs from Monday 5 to Friday 9 July and is organised by the Institute for Medieval Studies.
Making strides for charity cause
On Saturday 31 July, you’re invited to join #StrutYourSongs – a virtual event supporting The Miscarriage Association. Run by colleague, Vicky Treherne, the charity campaign has raised more than £30,000 to date. To participate in the event, simply make a playlist of your favourite music and then run, walk, cycle or swim – any activity of your choice – for as long as it takes to listen to your top tracks. Please post a picture of your challenge on social media with the hashtag #StrutYourSongs to help raise vital awareness.
Online Exhibition | The Cottingley Fairies: A Study in Deception
How did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the astute detective Sherlock Holmes, get deceived by two girls from Yorkshire in what became arguably the greatest photographic hoax of the 20th century? Discover the secrets behind the Cottingley Fairies in a special free online exhibition and curator’s talk
Fickle Spaces | BA Fine Art Degree Show 2021
Independently created by 84 final year BA Fine Art students, Fickle Spaces welcomes the return of an in-person degree show. Works will be presented in the studios and other spaces of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies. Book your place at the exhibition, which is open from 11am to 5pm until Saturday 26 June.
In case you missed it
Vice-Chancellor’s blog | Collective inspiration, not adversarial interaction
Inside Track | It’s important to take a break
Mediasite Desktop Recorder retirement
Have your say | Healthy Week 2021 feedback
Leeds Partnership Award winners honoured for incredible efforts
Apply | Building Impact Momentum programme
Sign up | Aurora leadership development programme
Register | UCAS confirmation and clearing call-handling
Details for arranging eye tests
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