eNews 2 February
Industrial action, Leeds Cancer Research Centre, lost property, graduations, Health and Wellbeing Week, Lunar New Year, LGBT+ History Month and more
Industrial Action
Strike days announced
University and College Union (UCU) has announced its intention to take further strike action during February and March 2022. Our priority throughout this time is to minimise any disruption to students and to ensure we continue to communicate with colleagues about the issues at the heart of this action. We also await Unison’s intended next steps resulting from its recent ballot of members.
Digital developments
Sign up | Research IT engagement session
Sign up for our final virtual Research IT engagement session to hear more about work we’ve undertaken during the past few months with nominated academics and our external consultancy partner, Red Oak, to understand the range of Research IT users and how we can best support them. You can hear about, and provide feedback on, the recommendations at the remaining open session tomorrow (Thursday 3 February).
Deletion of older Minerva modules
Older Minerva modules will be permanently deleted in the week commencing Monday 7 February, in order to increase available storage space. Affected modules will be those from the taught academic years 2008-09 to 2013-14 inclusive that are generally no longer used.
Campus life
Register | Leeds Cancer Research Centre virtual launch
Book to attend at the virtual launch of the Leeds Cancer Research Centre (LCRC) on Friday 4 February. This University-wide interdisciplinary initiative – in partnership with the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – is collaboratively tackling cancer as one of the world’s biggest challenges, as well as the health inequalities that substantially contribute to worse patient outcomes. The event, which coincides with World Cancer Day, will present LCRC’s vision and explain how it builds on a long and rich heritage of cancer research in Leeds, together with the opportunity to learn more and get involved. The Parkinson Building will also be lit up orange on Friday evening to mark World Cancer Day.
Updated Health and Safety Policy
The University Health and Safety Policy and associated online leaflets have been updated following an extensive consultation during the past 24 months. Please read the policy and the leaflet relevant to your role(s) to help you fulfil your responsibilities.
New lost property system
Security Services have switched to an online system for lost property, which will speed up the process of reuniting owners with their misplaced items. Already in place at several other universities, the notlost.com system uses a central hub linked to others located across campus. The more hubs, the more efficient the system. Apply for your area to become a hub or visit the Security Service’s webpage to read more about the new system or to register lost property
Road closure extended
The closure of Lifton Place to vehicles and pedestrians to allow for underground drainage works has been extended until Sunday 6 February. The road will then be limited to one-way-only vehicle access in the direction of Cromer Terrace until Tuesday 31 May. The footpath on one side of the road will be open during this period. Contact Adrian Smith, Senior Project Manager, with any enquiries.
Governance
Your chance to join the University Council
A notice has been circulated to support staff inviting applications from individuals to sit on the University’s Council, the institution’s governing body. Details about the role of the Council and how to apply for the upcoming vacancy are included in the notice. The deadline for applications is 10am on Friday 18 February. Please contact Helen Pickersgill for further information.
Senate | Wednesday 19 January 2022
The Senate met on Wednesday 19 January when its business included: receiving the University’s Climate Plan; an update on taught student recruitment; and a paper on research statistics for 2020/21. Members warmly welcomed the Climate Plan and commended the scale and scope of the University’s ambitions in this area.
The Senate also received routine reports from the: University Executive Group, Graduate Board, Taught Student Education Board, Research and Innovation Board, International Strategy Board, and the Joint Committee of the University and the University and College Union.
Celebrate
Celebrate Our Staff
Read the latest edition of our regular feature celebrating the achievements of colleagues across the University, showcasing new appointments, awards and more. You can contact Internal Comms to make submissions for the next roll of honour. This is open to all colleagues.
Research
World Changers | Researcher spotlight
Read the latest instalment of a series exploring the work of the researchers behind the World Changers essay collection. The authors’ areas of expertise are wide-ranging and diverse, but the common thread tying them together is a vision of a better future for humanity, working together to tackle inequalities and create a fairer future for all
Apply | Research Development Fund
Applications for the next round of the Research Development Fund close at 5pm today (Wednesday 2 February). Awards of up to £600 are available to support patient, public or stakeholder involvement or engagement in the research design stage.
Students
Spring 2022 graduation celebrations
We will be marking the achievements and celebrating the success of Leeds alumni who graduated between July 2020 and July 2021 at our spring 2022 graduation celebrations. Booking is now open for the events, which will take place between Monday 14 March and Friday 8 April (weekdays only). All ceremonies will be held in the Great Hall, with graduates able to invite friends and family, hire a graduation gown and have professional photos taken.
Supporting student wellbeing
Students can face a number of challenges and difficulties while at university, and this can sometimes lead to concerns about their wellbeing. We’re committed to the wellbeing of all our students. Find out more about where and how students can access support and advice
Learning and development
Sign up | Leeds Research Culture Crucible Programme
Join a new Leeds Research Culture Crucible Programme, aiming to bring colleagues together to work on projects to influence cultural change within research at Leeds. Consisting of a series of four workshops running from February to March, the programme also provides opportunities for personal development. At the end of the crucible, teams can pitch for funding for their project ideas aligned to our research culture themes. You can also register to attend an information event on Thursday 10 February (please scroll to the foot of this link). A recording will be made available to watch for those unable to attend (more details to follow).
Register | Academic Personal Tutoring
Sign up for the latest virtual Share, Adopt, Adapt Workshop (SAAW), running from 10-11am on Tuesday 15 February. Organised by the Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE) in collaboration with the Teaching, Innovation and Practice in Student Education (TIPS) community, this session focuses on academic personal tutoring. Hear more about approaches to the role and how these can influence students’ sense of belonging. There will be presentations from Dr Lisa Marshall (School of Food Science and Nutrition) about learning analytics platform StREAM@Leeds, and the Lifelong Learning Centre’s Dr Nadine Cavigioli, Lisa Matera and Dr Madeleine Newman on pastoral support and student diversity.
Book | Sustainability: The Role of the Manager
Sign up for a two-part online training programme designed for managers and leaders who want to develop a good understanding of sustainability and its strategic importance to Leeds. Part one, which will be emailed to participants after they’ve signed up, covers the basics of sustainability. Part two is an online session taking place from 1-3pm on Tuesday 8 February. This focusses on what sustainability means for your role as a manager, and offers the chance to discuss challenges and collaboration opportunities.
BOOST Programme | Career development for researchers
Explore OD&PL’s programme of events supporting career development for researchers. The BOOST programme covers a broad range of topics to equip researchers with the skills and confidence needed to manage their career, including resources and events scheduled for the remainder of the academic year, with new material being added throughout.
Book | Welcome event for new staff
Book your place at the next virtual welcome event for new staff taking place from 10-11.30am on Tuesday 1 March. Find out more about Leeds, meet new colleagues and explore the range of benefits, support and advice available.
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.
Wellbeing and support
Save the date | Health and Wellbeing Week
Health and Wellbeing Week (formerly Staff Healthy Week) returns from Monday 13 to Friday 17 June. To help us plan the 2022 programme, we’d like your feedback from previous years. What events did you take part in, what suggestions do you have for this year’s schedule or what sessions would you or your team like to host? Please contact the Wellbeing, Safety and Health team with your views and ideas.
Register | Financial wellbeing online sessions
Attend our new interactive online sessions about financial wellbeing, delivered by Wealth at Work as part of our pledge to support a healthy and fulfilled staff community. Hear free, impartial information about saving for the future, budgeting, understanding payslips, workplace pensions and much more. Limited places are available to book for these pilot sessions, which take place on Tuesday 15 and Thursday 17 February.
Join | Bipolar Disorders Staff Network
The Bipolar Disorders Staff Network welcomes new members. The group aims to provide a safe, supportive space for colleagues, working together to access expert guidance and collaborate to overcome barriers through advocacy, education and networking. Contact the Bipolar Disorders Staff Network to find out more and get involved.
Sign up | Menopause in the Workplace workshops
More dates have been added for the interactive Menopause in the Workplace workshops running from Tuesday 8 February until Wednesday 13 April. The workshops are aimed at all colleagues to raise awareness of menopause and how to develop a supportive culture; there are also specific sessions for managers and men.
Take part | Share The Love Virtual Run Relay
Sign up to take part in Get Out, Get Active’s popular Share The Love Virtual Run Relay, exclusively for colleagues at Leeds. Registration closes at 5pm on Wednesday 9 February, with the relay starting in the week commencing Monday 14 February. You’ll be allocated to a mixed ability team, with the emphasis on taking part, having fun and connecting with other colleagues.
Staff offers
Lunar New Year at The Refectory
Bring in the Lunar New Year with Great Food at Leeds’ celebratory menu at the Refectory’s street food counter. Available until Friday 4 February, every customer ordering a main meal from the special menu will receive a free fortune cookie. See what’s inside – you might just come across some Great Fortune at Leeds!
Events
Emily Maitlis talk
Mark your diary for 3-3.30pm tomorrow (Thursday 3 February) to hear a talk from Emily Maitlis, award-winning journalist and presenter, speaking about her career and inspirations. Hosted by the Women at Leeds Network, the online event is open to all University staff and students and includes a Q&A session. No prior booking needed.
LGBT+ History Month 2022
Visit the Equality and Inclusion website to access resources and information about LGBT+ History Month 2022, which throughout February focuses on the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, their lives and their experiences. You can also read more about the University’s LGBT+ Role Models and Allies, together with links to support for staff and students. The Parkinson Building was lit up in full rainbow colours yesterday (Tuesday 1 February) to mark the start of the national initiative, which this year has as its theme ‘politics in art’, highlighting five LGBT+ artists for whom the personal and political were inseparable.
Register | DARE Symposium and Liberty Lecture
Sign up for a DARE Symposium and Liberty Lecture, held as part of our long-standing partnership with Opera North. On Thursday 10 February, the School of Music’s Professor Edward Venn leads a series of conversations exploring how productions present new ways of understanding the opera ‘Carmen’, while former Chief Crown Prosecutor for North West England, Nazir Afzal OBE, explores his memoirs in the Liberty Lecture on Thursday 24 February.
Book | Free Friday lunchtime concert
Book to watch the next free Friday lunchtime concert of the Spring Season online or in person at Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall on Friday 4 February. Organised as part of our International Concert Series, the event features work by students on performance courses in the School of Music.
Register | Be Curious LATES: Something to Bragg about
It’s your last chance to sign up for the second instalment in the Winter Series of Be Curious LATES, taking place from 8-9pm today (Wednesday 2 February). Delve into the story behind the Nobel prize-winning work of former Leeds professor, Sir William Henry Bragg. From building shapes with DNA to tackling cancer with microbubbles, we explore the continued legacy of his discoveries through world-changing research undertaken at Leeds. Tickets are free and sessions build on the success of last year’s programme of Be Curious LATES events, designed exclusively for adult audiences.
Parkinson Building light up
The Parkinson Building will be lit up purple on Sunday 6 February to mark the start of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
In case you missed it
Inside Track | Breaking down barriers to access and student success
Increased allowance of paid carer’s leave extended to 31 March 2022
Book | IT Operating Model (ITOM) roadshow
Nominate | University of Leeds Teaching Awards 2022
Silencing notifications in Teams
Get personalised data and tips through Microsoft’s Viva Insights
Find out more about the Student Ideas Fund
Additional study spaces on campus
OD&PL’s LinkedIn Learning guide
Apply | Leadership development programmes
Sign up | Astbury Conversation
Watch | Holocaust Memorial Day remembrance event recording
Book | First Kerouac Lives! performance
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Keeping up to date
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