eNews 15 September
Lateral flow tests, climate crisis stoppage, new Leeds institute, feedback, learning and development opportunities, SEC 2022, Leeds Digital Festival and more.
Campus life
Book or collect a lateral flow test
Free covid-19 lateral flow testing is still available to book at Cromer Terrace studio. From Monday 20 September, the test centre will be open seven days a week, 8am-1.30pm and 2.30-8pm. You will need to book your appointment in advance and wear a face covering. You must only take a lateral flow test if you’re not showing any coronavirus symptoms – if you’re showing symptoms, you must book a PCR test through the NHS Test and Trace Service. Home test kits can be collected from the test centre (no appointment necessary) and all University libraries.
Returning to campus
If you’re wondering what it will be like to work on campus again after a long time away, check out our Returning to campus webpages
Climate action
Climate crisis stoppage
An event is taking place in Leeds on Friday 24 September, as part of an international youth campaign to take action on the climate crisis. The University is supporting the call for an hour-long stoppage, from 4-5pm on this day, to highlight the need to tackle this global challenge. Read the full Q&A about taking part in the stoppage
Digital developments
IT support on campus
From Monday 20 September, you can make an appointment to receive IT support on campus via the IT website. Help is available from the main IT service desk in EC Stoner, as well as from pop-up service desks outside the Roger Stevens and Charles Thackrah buildings. You must have an appointment before visiting – drop-in support isn’t available at the moment.
Students
Safety on campus
Watch this short campus safety video highlighting what new and returning students can expect this year. The video covers teaching, campus facilities, face coverings, cleaning, testing and assistance if students need to self-isolate.
Welcome, induction and transition 2021 | Everything you need to know
This year, we’ve taken a University-wide approach to welcome, induction and transition, covering new and returning students. Discover the resources available to support staff and students, how we’re evolving our content and how we’ve built on what we learned last year to continue improving the student experience. Don’t forget to also visit our new Here and Now Hub for all the latest information, and please share it with students.
Research
Industry backs new Leeds institute
Leading figures in the fashion and textile industry welcomed the launch of the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) yesterday (Tuesday 14 September). Founded following a significant investment from The Clothworkers’ Company, LITAC will help tackle pressing global challenges – such as those created by fast fashion and the need for advanced materials, manufacturing processes and sustainable products – by partnering with industry to apply the world-class research expertise found across a wide range of disciplines at the University.
Celebrate
Future Leaders Fellowships announced
Three Leeds researchers are celebrating selection for the prominent UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding programme, enabling them to more rapidly progress their work helping to tackle some of the most pressing global problems.
Appointments
New Chief Information Security Officer
Adam Toulson has been appointed the University’s new Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), taking a leading role in our Be Safe cyber security programme. Adam has significant experience driving cyber security delivery and, prior to taking up the role as interim CISO in June, led transformational security projects for large enterprise and consumer audiences of more than 20 million people.
Feedback
Research | IRIS user survey
Users are asked to complete the Institutional Research and Impact System (IRIS) survey, which has been emailed to them, by the closing date of Friday 17 September. Anonymous responses will be used to inform decisions on the future development of IRIS, as well as the University’s broader research information systems.
Have your say | How we communicate employee benefits
What’s your view on how we communicate employee benefits? Share your feedback in this short, anonymous survey, which closes at 6pm today (Wednesday 15 September). You can also have your say by signing up for our virtual focus group, which meets from 3-4pm today. Contact the Reward team to take part.
Learning and development
Book your place | Management Essentials Programme
New and existing managers can now book on to OD&PL’s Management Essentials programme. Sessions cover a variety of topics designed to equip you with the tools needed to effectively manage your team, as well as understand the processes and responsibilities you have at the University. The programme runs in blocks throughout the academic year, with the first scheduled for Monday 1 to Wednesday 17 November.
Deadline extension | Engagement Excellence Scheme
Build your knowledge, confidence and leadership skills to undertake public and/or policy engagement through the Engagement Excellence Scheme. Open to all researchers, you will receive mentorship and coaching support, as well as a bursary of up to £500 to undertake a public or policy engagement activity. Submit your completed application form – found through the scheme’s webpage – by 5pm on Monday 11 October.
LeedsforLife Refresh | Essential training Q&A
Have you taken part in the essential training for academic personal tutors (APTs)? Attendees are invited to follow-up Q&A drop-in sessions to get answers to any questions they might have about using PebblePad and StREAM@Leeds. Running until Friday 15 October, the essential training focusses on how to use new digital tools (which also include ATLAS and MS Bookings), signposts to additional sources of support and helps you explore the refreshed approach to academic personal tutoring.
LITE Fellowships for professional services staff
For the first time, Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE) is offering fellowships specifically for colleagues in professional services. Support and advice will be provided throughout by the LITE team. To find out more, register to attend an informal event being held from 10-11am tomorrow (Thursday 16 September). A recording will be available afterwards for anyone who can’t make the session. The deadline for applications is Thursday 30 September, with fellowships beginning in January 2022.
Learn Mandarin Chinese
Do you want to build skills in Mandarin to help develop your relationships with Chinese students? The Business Confucius Institute is offering eight-week evening courses in Mandarin Chinese, starting in October. Courses cost £100, but colleagues on grades 2-4 can apply for Learning for Life funding, subject to availability.
Wellbeing and support
Online seminar | Supporting staff with chronic fatigue conditions
Register for an informal online seminar to discuss good practice for supporting colleagues with long covid and other chronic fatigue conditions. Join the Chronic Pain and Fatigue Staff and PGR Network from 12.30-2pm on Friday 1 October to hear from those with lived experiences and line managers explaining available help for those with hidden health conditions.
Book | Mindfulness-based stress reduction course
Sign up for a taster session – being held from 1.30-3pm on Wednesday 6 October – to find out more about an eight-week online course on mindful ways to reduce stress. Available from the Staff Counselling and Psychological Support Service, sessions will run from 1-3pm on Wednesdays between 27 October and 15 December.
Sign up | Autumn strength sessions
Are you in need of a fitness boost? Why not power up by joining the 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, the University’s lead Strength and Conditioning Coach. Following on from the successful summer programme, there are 12 places up for grabs on the 10-week course, which starts on Wednesday 29 September. Sign up today for the staff price of £75 and see your fitness go from strength to strength!
Events
Call for abstracts | Student Education Conference 2022
The deadline for submissions of abstracts for the 2022 Student Education Conference (SEC 2022) is 5pm on Monday 18 October. Taking place on Thursday 6 and Friday 7 January next year, SEC 2022 will explore the theme of ‘community and belonging’, and features addresses by our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk; Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education, Professor Jeff Grabill; and keynote speaker, Professor Eric Mazur, a physicist and educator at Harvard University.
Register | Leeds Digital Festival 2021
Register to attend the packed programme of events for Leeds Digital Festival 2021. We’ve renewed our sponsorship of the hugely popular tech showcase, running from Monday 20 September to Friday 1 October, with colleagues across the University showcasing their digital expertise in a series of free hybrid events.
Book tickets | Leeds International Piano Competition finals
The Leeds International Piano Competition reaches a crescendo this week with the finals at Leeds Town Hall on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 September. You can still book tickets for the finals, tune in to coverage on BBC Radio 3 or stream the competition on medici.tv. You can also enjoy the Leeds Piano Trail – which includes pianos and sculptures on campus – along with a programme of fringe events until Sunday 19 September.
Register | GFEI Symposium 2021
This year’s Global Food and Environment Institute (GFEI) Symposium takes place from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Wednesday 22 September. The event is open to staff and students whose research or studies relate to food, environment and agriculture, and offers a chance to learn how GFEI can support your work. Register for the symposium via Eventbrite or contact GFEI if you have any questions.
Sign up | Career progression events
Register now to attend career progression events hosted by water@leeds on Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 October. Both sessions feature panels made up of inspiring winners of the Water Woman Awards 2021, together with colleagues in HR and research support.
Register | National Postdoc Conference 2021
Register to attend the virtual National Postdoc Conference 2021 (NPDC21) being hosted on Friday 24 September by the N8 Research Partnership, of which Leeds is a member. Free of charge, NPDC21 is an opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to engage with industry stakeholders, funding agencies, policy influencers, research developers and career development professionals.
Parkinson Building light up
This year’s virtual Communication Matters Conference draws to a close on Friday 17 September. The Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) awards will conclude proceedings, with the Parkinson Building being lit up yellow to mark the occasion.
In case you missed it
USS pension: recent developments
Appointment | New Chief Information Officer
Live streaming | Training, guidance and FAQs
Celebrate Our Staff – August 2021
Leeds Partnership Awards | School of the Year winner
International students | Welcome and support
Apply now | Research Development Fund
Sign up | Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice
Factsheet | Higher Education Business and Community Interaction Survey
Sign up | Leeds Social Sciences Institute enewsletter
TIPS blog | Generating constructive peer feedback in breakout rooms
Sign up | Discovering Your Leadership programme
Apply | University-wide mentoring scheme
Tickets | Ilkley Literature Festival
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