eNews 8 June
Queen's Birthday Honours, Sustainability Report, Spacefinder app, eduroam update, Window on Wellbeing, staff offers, events and more
Celebrate
Members of the Leeds community honoured
A number of people from across the Leeds community have been recognised for their services to the country in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list – including leading academic researchers, alumni, a former Vice-Chancellor and a Council member. Among them were Professors Paul Johnson and John Barrett, who have been named Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), while Professor Michael Arthur, who served as Vice-Chancellor of the University from 2004 to 2013, has been knighted.
Athena SWAN | School of Dentistry success
The School of Dentistry has successfully renewed its Athena SWAN Silver award – recognising its ongoing efforts to promote equality and inclusivity for all staff and students. The Athena Swan Charter supports and transforms gender equality and inclusive working practices, which the school has fully embraced through its culture.
Campus life
2020-21 Sustainability Report
Read the 2020-21 University of Leeds Sustainability Report, celebrating the continued work of the many staff and students involved in making sustainability second nature at the University in unprecedented times. Find out more about the value of collaborative work in embedding sustainability as a core value at Leeds, and how our achievements are addressing global challenges.
Digital developments
Update to eduroam
To maintain the security of our wireless network, you will need to update any devices accessing eduroam from Thursday 16 June.
Logging onto Office 365 applications on Friday morning
On Friday 10 June you may be prompted to sign in with Duo authentication when you log into a Microsoft application, such as Outlook. Our IT team is working on making University accounts even more secure as part of our Digital Transformation Programme, and we’re rolling out changes over several months. As future updates are introduced, please be aware you might be prompted by Duo authentication when you login to an Office 365 application.
New Spacefinder app
Find out about the new Spacefinder app – a handy tool to help staff and students find work and study space on campus. See spaces that are close to your current location, filter them according to preferences like facilities or atmosphere, and see photos and descriptions of what’s available, including opening times.
Windows 7 project
The IT Service is preparing a project to address all computers running the Windows 7 operating system before Microsoft support ends in 2023. If you use, or are responsible for, a University Windows 7 computer, please read our knowledgebase article for further information, including how to submit key information about your computer(s) to the project team.
Retiring software | Internet Explorer 11
From Wednesday 15 June, Microsoft will retire Internet Explorer 11 (IE11). If you’re using IE11, we recommend you switch to Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as soon as possible. This may affect the functionality of some websites. If this creates any issues, you can use the IE mode in Microsoft Edge.
Minerva Ultra Course View | New module areas available
Academic staff will need to refresh their Minerva teaching areas before the start of the 2022/23 year as part of the move to Ultra Course View. New module areas will be available for population from Thursday 9 June, with guidance and support being provided to staff to assist in the transition over the summer period.
Wellbeing and support
Window on Wellbeing (formerly Staff Healthy Week)
Find out more about our new Window on Wellbeing initiative. Formerly called Staff Healthy Week, the exciting programme of online and in-person events – running from Monday 13 to Friday 17 June – offers opportunities for all colleagues to explore a wide range of wellbeing activities and support, from Qigong classes and healthy posture advice, to indoor bouldering and high-energy dance sessions. There will also be a day of activities devoted to menopause support. Everything is free and you can book as many sessions as you like.
Take part | Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Data Quality project
Sign up for the EDI Data Quality project to help us gain a better understanding of why some colleagues aren’t updating their equality information at Leeds. Having accurate data enables us to monitor progress and ensure the University better reflects the wider community we serve. You can help by completing our three-minute survey, signing up to a focus group (via the survey) for the week commencing Monday 13 June or contributing comments via our Padlet, which goes live in the same week. Contact the EDI team for further information.
Students
Join | Student Success Forums mailing list
Join the Student Success Forums (SSF) mailing list, hosted by the Student Success at Leeds team, to receive event invites. The SSF bring staff and students together to reflect, discuss and share best practice to maximise student success. Upcoming forums include ‘Inclusive Assessment’, from 10am to 12 noon on Wednesday 15 June, and ‘Inclusive Pedagogies’, from 2-4pm on Wednesday 29 June. Visit the Student Success at Leeds webpage for further information and resources.
Homestay host applications
Unipol is currently seeking new Homestay hosts to provide accommodation for students studying at the University’s Language Centre. Whilst Homestay hosts will need to engage with their student so they can get the most out of their time at your house, it’s a commitment that can fit around your work and family life. Please contact the Homestay team via homestay@unipol.org.uk or 0113 205 3418 with any questions or to find out more.
Research
Apply now | White Rose Collaboration Fund
Applications are open to the White Rose Collaboration Fund, which encourages emerging research partnerships across the universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York. Grants of up to £20,000 are available. The deadline is 12 noon on Friday 30 September. If you need help applying, sign up for the collaboration fund webinar, at which organisers will introduce the scheme, share examples and answer questions. The event takes place from 11am to 12 noon on Thursday 16 June.
Learning and development
Register | Management Essentials Programme
New and existing managers can now book on to the next block of OD&PL’s Management Essentials programme. Sessions take place in June and July, covering a variety of topics to help equip you with the tools you need to effectively manage your team, as well as understand the processes and responsibilities you have at the University.
Apply | Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
Applications are now open for a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA). Designed to develop the leadership skills of new and existing managers, the programme explores the functional, operational and strategic aspects of management across five themes. An event to find out more about the CMDA will take place from 1-2pm on Thursday 16 June. Course fees are paid by the University and the deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 25 November.
Book | Research Culture Cafés
Book your place on upcoming Research Culture Cafés. The next event – on Tuesday 14 June – focuses on reward and recognition, as well as fostering a collegiate environment. The online café-style conversations aim to promote a positive and inclusive research culture.
Register | PebblePad workshop
Sign up for the latest PebblePad workshop. Natasha Watchorn will present on implementing PebblePad into clinical practice, while her School of Medicine colleague, Imelda Marshall, will explore how PebblePad can be used as a paperless, streamlined student workbook. The event takes place from 11-11.30am tomorrow (Thursday 9 June).
Staff offers
Enter now | Bike competition
Cyclescheme, which administers our Cycle to Work Scheme, has teamed up with retailer Marin to give away a Sausalito E2 electric bike, worth £2,595. All colleagues, whether they’re scheme members or not, can enter the competition before midnight on Thursday 9 June. Good luck!
Discount | Inaugural Summer Festival 2022
Staff can take advantage of 50% off tickets for evening concerts at the inaugural Summer Festival 2022, using the discount code FESTIVALUOL50. Join the International Concert Series at the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall from Friday 1 to Friday 8 July to celebrate the success of School of Music alumni who’ve gone on to enjoy professional careers in the music performance industry. The festival includes free, daily lunchtime concerts, as well as additional evening performances, a community ‘Come and Sing’, industry sessions, panel events, and more. View the festival’s full programme
Events
Register | The Decolonising Conference
Sign up for The Decolonising Conference, which takes place online from 10am to 4.30pm on Tuesday 14 June. A collaboration between staff and students at Leeds, the event offers the opportunity to pause, reflect and engage with decolonising work being undertaken both within, and outside, the University. The aim is to further equip you with the skills and insight needed to bring a decolonial approach to your work. Activities include a roundtable discussion, workshops and a student showcase. Join us for one session or sign up for the whole day!
Volunteer | Community litter pick
Join Sustainability Services for a litter pick of the Hyde Park community from 3.30-5pm on Friday 10 June, as part of the Leeds Goes Purple campaign. Organised by Litter Free Leeds, the campaign aims to change the behaviour of a minority of people who don’t realise, or care about, the impact they have on the environment through littering, fly-tipping and dog fouling. Staff and student volunteers should meet at the Wellington Statue. Litter pickers, gloves and bags are provided but please wear comfy shoes and warm clothing.
Register | Global Citizenship Conversation
Sign up for the latest Global Citizenship Conversation, which will take place online from 2-3pm on Monday 27 June. Led by Leeds Institute of Teaching Excellence fellows, this is an opportunity for staff to discuss what is meant by global citizenship in the context of Higher Education, and explore if there are possible alternatives to a Global Citizenship education.
Submit | Leeds Digital Festival 2022
Event submissions for the September Leeds Digital Festival (LDF) 2022 are now open until Wednesday 3 August. We’ve renewed our sponsorship of the tech showcase, being held online and in-person from Monday 19 to Friday 30 September. The festival aligns with our vision to solve global challenges through digital means, as set out in our Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030, and LDF are looking to host innovative events to help showcase the city’s dynamic digital sector. For support with your submission, and handy tips, download the Event Organiser’s Guide
Register | International Medieval Congress 2022
Online registration to attend the International Medieval Congress (IMC) 2022 is available until Wednesday 15 June. Run by the Institute for Medieval Studies, this year’s event will see more than 2,000 scholars from around the world presenting their research on campus from Monday 4 to Thursday 7 July, alongside festivities, stalls and exhibitions that will be open to all. Visit the IMC website for further information, including the full programme.
Sign up | University Data Strategy event
Join Monica Jones, the University’s Chief Data Officer, on MS Teams for a presentation on the University's Data Strategy, followed by a question and answer session. Hosted by the Student Education Service Analyst Network, the event takes place on Thursday 16 June from 10-10.45am. All colleagues are welcome to sign up in advance or join on the day, via the Data Analytics Community on MS Teams, and submit questions before the session on Padlet.
Register | Virtuocity facilities tour
Book a tour of the Virtuocity facilities, as part of the Institute for Transport Studies’ 50th anniversary celebrations. Staff and postgraduate students can sign up for sessions running from Wednesday 6 to Friday 8 July. Tours, which last for 60-90 minutes, include a short demonstration of each Virtuocity lab by the team of developers and the chance to meet our researchers. You’ll also be able to discuss opportunities for future collaboration in software development, research projects and student education. The closing date to book tours is Monday 13 June.
Reminder | Future Fashion Factory Virtual Showcase 2022
This year’s Future Fashion Factory Virtual Showcase takes place from 8.45am to 6.30pm on Wednesday 15 June. Hear from leading designers, as well as manufacturer and technology experts, on topics ranging from industry skills and digital fashion, to sustainability and some of the new innovations being supported by the Future Fashion Factory
In case you missed it
Introducing our new approach to ways of working
Leeds Partnership Awards | Wellbeing winners
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