eNews 30 June
The Big Leeds Conversation, surveys, University elections, website upgrade, awards, UK Black Pride, Be Curious and more.
Please note: For any colleagues unable to view the new version of www.leeds.ac.uk, some of the links below may not work as it’s taking time to update across service providers. If you’re not seeing the new version yet, please report this to the IT Servicedesk. See the ‘Digital developments’ section below for further information.
Thought pieces
Inside Track | Your part in The Big Leeds Conversation
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, is inviting all staff, students and postgraduates to contribute to the creation of the University’s new core values. The Big Leeds Conversation, launching in July, will provide us with an anonymous online space for you to share your views, rate ideas and help establish the values and behaviours that will shape our future.
Podcast | Is there a finish line for universities?
The latest in a series of podcasts by Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, sees her speaking with Dr Cheryl Hurst, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow who specialises in gender and inequality, leadership and organisational change. Recorded earlier this year, their wide-reaching conversation looks at Professor Buitendijk’s journey to become the University’s first female VC, leading the organisation during the covid-19 crisis and the experiences of younger academics. They ask ‘what’s the true goal of universities, and should it be measured solely by academic output?’.
Feedback
Final call | Race at Work Survey
Time is running out to take part in Business in the Community’s (BITC) Race at Work Survey, which closes at midnight today (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
It’s the final call to complete the Culture, Employment and Development in Academic Research Survey (CEDARS), which closes at midnight today (Wednesday 30 June). The survey is 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.
Governance
University elections
Advance HE has been engaged to review the effectiveness of our governance arrangements, which is expected to lead to some changes to the size and composition of some of our governance bodies. Pending the outcome of the review, elections underway to the Council and University Committees have been suspended for the time being. A timetable for all outstanding elections will be published once the review has been completed. It’s expected they will resume in September.
Campus life
Book now | Sir William Henry Bragg Building meetings
There are still two chances to attend one of the online town hall-style Sir William Henry Bragg Building meetings. Sessions tomorrow (Thursday 1 July) and Monday 5 July are aimed at those moving into the building but are open to all colleagues, providing an update on the development and the opportunity to ask questions.
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.
Digital developments
Website upgrade goes live
Upgrades to the University’s main website have gone live. 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. You can also have your say about the changes by filling in our feedback form, with responses helping the project team resolve any issues.
Updating your laptop
Last summer, we sent out laptops to many colleagues to ensure they could work from home. We now need to update these devices to ensure they remain secure. We’ve started emailing people to let them know if their laptop needs updating. If you’re contacted, you must follow the instructions or you may lose access to some networked services. If IT doesn’t contact you, you don’t need to do anything. Please contact Doug Frame if you have any questions.
New IT investment webpage
See the new Digital Enablement and Be Safe In Depth page to access a recording from the IT investment open meetings held earlier this year, together with a handy Q&A. We’ll be adding to this page as the programmes progress, so keep checking back for updates.
Sign up | Digital Education Summer Roadshow
You can now register to attend a Digital Education Service presentation by academic colleagues, with sessions scheduled for Thursday 8 and Wednesday 28 July. 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.
Celebrate
Amazing efforts of inspirational teachers rewarded
The latest in a series of profiles on the winners of this year’s Leeds Partnership Awards highlights the outstanding accomplishments of recipients of the Inspirational Teaching and Postgraduate Researchers Who Teach or Demonstrate accolades.
Learning and development
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 on Wednesday 7 and Friday 9 July for reviewers and reviewees.
Research
Apply now | White Rose Collaboration Fund
Time is running out for applications to the White Rose Collaboration Fund, which encourages emerging research partnerships across the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York. Grants of up to £15,000 are available. The deadline is 12 noon on Wednesday 14 July.
Wellbeing and support
Staff Rounders Club taster sessions
Informal taster sessions for a new Staff Rounders Club are being held in Woodhouse Moor on Wednesday 14 July. Rounders is an inclusive sport and suitable for people of all abilities, so go along and have some fun! Pre-booking is required by 12 noon on Tuesday 13 July, with places offered on a first come, first served basis.
Sign up for summer strength sessions
Been wasting away sat at home during lockdown? In need of a lift? Why not power up by joining the exclusive staff summer Strength4Life course at The Edge. Work out under the watchful eye of two of the University’s strength training specialists – Nina Anne Lawrence, an over-50s competitive strongwoman, and Tim Jarrett, lead strength and condition coach. Due to covid restrictions, only six places are available on the five-week course, which starts on Wednesday 28 July for the special staff price of £40. Sign up today and see your fitness go from strength to strength!
Events
Celebrating UK Black Pride 2021
We’re celebrating UK Black Pride 2021 (Friday 2 to Sunday 4 July), with full details available on the Equality and Inclusion Unit website. Festivities will raise awareness of the Black LGBTQ+ community and provide a weekend of celebrations and unity.
Countdown to Be Curious 2021
Design, imagine, make, do, glue, explore and more with free online events for adults and families during Be Curious 2021, running from Monday 5 to Thursday 15 July. View the full programme, register for events and preview some of the amazing pre-recorded ‘wow-demonstrations’ and try-at-home activities created by researchers from across the University on the newly launched Be Curious website
Leeds Digital Festival 2021 submissions
Event submissions are being accepted for Leeds Digital Festival (LDF) 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. Please share details of your LDF event with us if you’d like to be included in our future publicity.
Register | The Future of Innovation: Autonomous Vehicles
How will autonomous vehicles (AV) contribute to the future of our cities? What does the future of our roads look like for drivers and pedestrians? Find out more by registering to attend the latest Future of Innovation event hosted by Nexus – the University’s innovation hub – from 4pm on Monday 5 July. A panel of leading experts will consider how the UK compares to other countries in terms of AV development and the contributions Leeds is making globally.
IMC 2022 | Call for papers
Even though this year’s International Medieval Congress (IMC) is still a few days 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 internationally-acclaimed 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.
The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery | New exhibition
Explore the new exhibition at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery. Look Again showcases new artwork from the Leeds Fine Artists group, together with old favourites from the University of Leeds Art Collection, including works by Vanessa Bell, Ivon Hitchens and Anthony Gross. The gallery is open from 11am to 2pm, Tuesday to Friday, and is free to visit – no need to book.
In case you missed it
Free asymptomatic covid-19 home tests | New collection point
Updated | Windows Virtual Desktop
New Sir William Henry Bragg Building café
2021 Sustainability Awards winners
Women of Achievement Awards 2021 celebrants
Careers Summer for Researchers 2021 | New events added
Teaching, Innovation and Practice in Student Education (TIPS) blog
LeedsforLife Refresh | Essential training for academic personal tutors
Sign up | Leeds Social Sciences Institute (LSSI) enewsletter
Summer in Leeds launch | Help spread the word!
Online Exhibition | The Cottingley Fairies: A Study in Deception
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