eNews 22 September

Pay, campus safety measures, climate action, teaching spaces, staff support, Leeds Digital Festival, Black History Month and more.

eNews 22 September 2021

Staff reward

Pay 2021/22 | Pay increase to be implemented in September

Colleagues employed on the University pay scale will receive a basic pay increase of at least 1.5%, backdated to 1 August 2021, when this year’s final pay offer is implemented in September’s pay. Colleagues on spine points 3 to 21 will receive more (up to 3.6%). Read the full detail on the 2021/22 pay offer

Campus life

Book or collect a lateral flow test

Free covid-19 lateral flow testing is still available to book at Cromer Terrace studio. The test centre is now 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. Home test kits can be collected from the test centre (no appointment necessary) and all University libraries. 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

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

Students

Walk-in vaccination centre

Students requiring their first or second Pfizer jab can receive them at the NHS walk-in vaccination centre in the Great Hall, which is open from 9am to 3.30pm today (Wednesday 22 September) and during the same times from Monday 27 to Wednesday 29 September. Please note, as the number of spaces are limited, people may be redirected to alternative walk-in centres nearby. 

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.

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

Leeds and COP26

From Sunday 31 October to Saturday 13 November, world leaders, researchers and civil society will meet in Glasgow at the 26th United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) to negotiate the next steps in tackling the climate crisis. As an official observer of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, we’re sending a delegation to COP26. You can now register to attend an online event to hear members of the delegation discuss their planned activities and hopes for the negotiations. And find out how Leeds researchers are working collaboratively towards helping find solutions to the climate crisis, to secure a safer future for all.

Digital developments

New VPN service

While the recommended way to access University systems off campus is via the Windows Virtual Desktop, some people may need to use the VPN for specialist services. From Friday 24 September, new users will only be able to connect to the new VPN (Pulse Secure). We’re aware of issues that mean some people may still need to use the old VPN, so this will remain available to existing users until these issues have been resolved. Please contact the IT Service Desk if you have problems accessing the new VPN.

IT support on campus

You can now make an appointment for 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.

Sign up | New PebblePad training dates

New PebblePad training dates are now available. Running from Monday 4 to Friday 15 October, sessions are designed for new and experienced users, providing support in how to use this ePortfolio system to create innovative and reflective teaching and learning materials for students. Access your PebblePad account and take a quick tour of the homepage before you join the session.

Teaching spaces

New collaborative rooms

We’ve created new collaborative teaching spaces in the Esther Simpson and Sir William Henry Bragg buildings. Following the success of existing collaborative rooms in buildings such as Roger Stevens, Parkinson and Charles Thackrah, the creation of innovative teaching spaces helps to deliver key themes within the new University strategy, such as digital transformation and inclusive educational methods.

Continuous cycle of improvement

All bookable teaching IT clusters and generic teaching spaces on campus will now be managed centrally by the Facilities Directorate (FD). The change will enable us to establish a single network of teaching spaces, ensuring they meet agreed standards and are refurbished as part of a continuous cycle of improvement. Please contact the FD Helpdesk, or call 0113 343 5555, if you require any assistance with teaching spaces.

New technologies

Live streaming is now available in about 90 teaching spaces across campus, allowing teaching delivery to both in-room and remote students simultaneously, while also creating additional opportunities for networking events, conferencing and open days. Additionally, multi-mode teaching to support interaction between in-room and remote students will be installed in 11 teaching rooms. A pilot will be run during the first semester. Colleagues can access teaching spaces guidance and FAQs on the Digital Education Service website.

Health and safety

Updated Fire Safety Protocol

Following extensive consultation, the Fire Safety Protocol for fire wardens and marshals has been updated. This includes clarification about changes to fire safety tests, required training, prohibited items on campus and more.

Research

Launch | Leeds Centre for HealthTech Innovation

New facilities to support the development of health technology have been launched by the University in partnership with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The Leeds Centre for HealthTech Innovation will support novel ideas, from the point of discovery to where they’re transformed into new products and devices to treat patients or to prevent ill health among the public.

Feedback

Take part | HE-BCI survey

Record your public engagement data on Sympletic by Friday 5 November to contribute to the 2020-21 Higher Education Business and Community Interaction (HE-BCI) survey. You can record lectures, performances, exhibitions and other public events that happened between Saturday 1 August 2020 and Saturday 31 July 2021.

Celebrate

Brotherton Poetry Prize 2021

Lauren Pope was announced as the winner of the Brotherton Poetry Prize 2021 by Poet Laureate, and our Professor of Poetry, Simon Armitage, during an awards event on Monday 20 September. The prize aims to celebrate and promote poetry, with Lauren receiving £1,000 and the opportunity to develop her creative practice with our Poetry Centre. 

Learning and development

New guide | LinkedIn Learning

You can now access a new LinkedIn Learning guide for staff. With free access available to more than 16,000 courses, the guide explores how LinkedIn Learning can benefit you in your personal and professional development, while also offering some top recommendations.

Research Culture Cafés

Bookings are now open for the next Research Culture Cafés, which take place on Wednesday 20 October and Thursday 16 December. The online café-style conversations aim to promote a positive and inclusive research culture, and will help to propose solutions for change, share experiences and create a community network.

Inclusive teaching | New marking and feedback resources

New resources on inclusive marking and feedback are now available on the Inclusive Teaching website, including a curated LinkedIn Learning pathway, the policy on inclusive marking and how to apply it, plus video advice from teaching colleagues and students.

National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) and the Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE)

Information about nominations for the 2022 NTF and CATE awards is now available on the OD&PL Student Education Development website. You can also register to attend a briefing session on Wednesday 3 November, providing further information about the awards and guidance on how to become a successful applicant. The event is designed for potential applicants, senior leaders and colleagues who have leadership roles in student education.

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 – to the Public Engagement team by 5pm on Monday 11 October.

LITE Fellowships for professional services staff

There’s still time to apply for the first ever Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE) fellowships specifically for colleagues in professional services. The deadline is Thursday 30 September, with fellowships beginning in January 2022. Support and advice will be provided throughout by the LITE team. A recording from an event held last week offers further information about the professional services fellowship

Wellbeing and support

Stoptober | Quit smoking support

Stop smoking and start moving this October. Join the thousands of other people quitting as part of the NHS Stoptober campaign. You can also access our ‘cut down or quit smoking’ support, which is available to all staff and students and offers free support sessions with an experienced coach.

Menopause support

Free support, advice and online workshops are available at Leeds to raise awareness of menopause and how to develop a supportive culture for colleagues. Sign up now for new interactive Menopause in the Workplace workshops. These are aimed at all colleagues, but there are also specific sessions for managers and men. And visit the Wellbeing, Safety and Health website for further guidance and to register for the Meno-Pause for Thought cafés, held on Teams, the latest of which is on Wednesday 29 September. Contact Bee Macpherson for further information.

Events

Register | Leeds Digital Festival 2021

You can still 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 until Friday 1 October, with colleagues across the University showcasing their digital expertise in a series of free hybrid events.

Black History Month 2021

Black History Month 2021 presents us all with an opportunity to learn, acknowledge and celebrate Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) cultures. Leeds11 – the BAME staff network – together with partners and friends have organised a packed programme of University events throughout October on this year’s theme of ‘Proud To Be’. Watch this space for full programme details being released later this month.

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.

LUU Night Market

LUU’s Night Market returns tomorrow (Thursday 23 September) – perfect for a post-work treat! Head to Lifton Place from 5pm to browse the stalls selling street food, craft beer, cocktails, houseplants, arts, crafts and more.

Parkinson light ups

The Parkinson Building is being lit up green from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 September to raise awareness of Recycle Week 2021 – a national campaign encouraging people to recycle more of the right things, more often.

And it will be lit up red on Wednesday 29 September for World Heart Day, which is marked every year by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease. The BHF is the UK’s biggest funder of research in this area, with more than 50 projects ongoing across the University

In case you missed it

Launch | Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour

Call for abstracts | Student Education Conference 2022

Sign up | Career progression events

Celebrate | Future Leaders Fellowships announced

Book your place | Management Essentials Programme

LeedsforLife Refresh | Essential training Q&A

Learn Mandarin Chinese

Online seminar | Supporting staff with chronic fatigue conditions

Sign up | Autumn Strength4Life sessions

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