15 June 2022

eNews 15 June

eNews: UCU agreement, equality data appeal, Bragg building officially opened, digital developments, Ukraine update, Key Travel Service, Virtuocity tours, Window on Wellbeing and more.

Vice-Chancellor Simone Buitendijk and other dignitaries around the plaque at the opening of the Sir William Henry Bragg Building.

Industrial action 

Agreement reached | End of marking and assessment boycott 

Following constructive discussions between the University and our local UCU branch, we have reached an agreement that means the current formal industrial action involving a marking and assessment boycott has been called off with immediate effect. 

Thought pieces 

Inside Track | Improving equity, diversity and inclusion for all 

In a new Inside Track feature, Professors Louise Bryant and Iyiola Solanke, Deans: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), outline why we need your help filling gaps in staff equality data to bring about lasting change at Leeds.  

You can also sign up to join one of our EDI Data Quality project focus groups, which are being held on Friday 17 June and Tuesday 5 July. Contact the EDI team for further information. 

Campus life 

Sir William Henry Bragg building officially opened 

The Sir William Henry Bragg building – a hub for physical sciences and engineering teaching and research at Leeds – has been officially opened. The building has been designed to help foster collaborative work across academic boundaries and inspire ground-breaking research. Besides science, the building has already had an impact on the arts world too, with a special fanfare performed by the Black Dyke Band marking the official opening. 

Digital developments 

Campus Wi-Fi changes 

On Friday 17 June, you will be prompted to accept a new digital certificate on any device trying to connect to our campus wireless network – eduroam. Once you’ve accepted it, you won’t be asked again. Find out more about the work we’re doing and what to do if you experience issues connecting to University Wi-Fi  

Apple Mac users | Urgent action required 

If you use a University owned Apple Mac laptop or desktop computer, you must register it with us by completing the Device Data Validation form before 5pm on Friday 24 June. Any devices not registered will no longer be supported by IT and will be in breach of our security guidelines. These devices may also be locked out of University applications, such as Office 365 and Outlook. 

Reminder | Banner update  

Updates are planned for the Banner Student Record system this weekend. This means that Banner will be unavailable on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June. More details will be communicated directly to Banner users once the update is complete. Contact Ruth Wilson or Louise Marr for further information. 

How do I keep personal data safe? 

The University’s Data Protection site now offers a handy one-page sheet of top tips for personal data security. It contains a series of pointers, as well as links to all the relevant policies and process documents for further information. You can find a link to the PDF in the ‘How do I keep personal data safe?’ section of the FAQ page on what you can do with personal data  

Update | New reading lists system  

Tutors are now able to create and edit their reading lists using the new Leeds Reading Lists system in Minerva. Online guidance and video walkthroughs of the new functionality are available on the Library website. Online tutor support sessions will run regularly until September, offering a brief demo of the system and a chance to ask any questions.  

Action required | Windows 7 devices 

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 IT Knowledge Base article for further information, including how to submit key information about your computer(s) to the project team. 

Ukraine 

Update 

Read an update from the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, about what the University is doing to support Ukraine. Measures include university twinning, Sanctuary Scholarships, supporting refugees in University accommodation and pledging additional support for the Council for At Risk Academics. 

Travel 

Update | Key Travel Service  

An important update has been issued regarding Key Travel service response times. As the travel sector continues to experience problems outside the control of the University and Key Travel, a new action plan has been agreed that will help improve the service experience for University users and travellers.  

Research 

Extended deadline | Virtuocity facilities tour  

The deadline to book a tour of the Virtuocity facilities has been extended until Monday 27 June. 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, together with the chance to meet researchers. You’ll also be able to discuss opportunities for future collaboration in software development, research projects and student education.  

Students 

Book | ‘Supporting Student Mental Health’ webinar 

An additional date has been added for this OD&PL webinar, which considers some of the issues faced by students with poor mental health and explores how we might create a culture of acknowledgement and support. The session is aimed at academic personal tutors, as well as other colleagues with an interest in supporting student mental health, and takes place on MS Teams from 10-11.15am on Wednesday 20 July. 

Wellbeing and support 

Window on Wellbeing (formerly Staff Healthy Week) 

There’s still time to take part in our Window on Wellbeing initiative. The exciting programme of online and in-person events runs until Friday 17 June. Still to come this week are several RSPB guided walks around campus, relaxing breathing sessions and more! Sessions are free and you can book as many as you like. 

Staff offer | The Edge membership 

To encourage exercise among colleagues returning to campus and those working in a hybrid environment, The Edge has created a flexible staff offer that fits around new working schedules. Email the Edge for further information or call 0113 343 5095. 

Cycle to Work Scheme | New options 

You can now take advantage of the Cycle to Work Scheme over a 24-month period. This means you can still enjoy the great discounted rates through salary sacrifice, but your monthly repayments can be even lower if you spread them over a 24-month period. All other terms and conditions of the  scheme remain the same. 

Wellbeing in our ways of working 

Find health and wellbeing information and support related to our ways of working. This webpage provides an overview of the programmes and services available to all University colleagues to ensure they have a safe working environment and balance between work and life commitments. 

Take part | Mindful movement and music 

Chat, have fun and express yourself in a Mindful movement session, which will introduce you to the gentle exercise of Qigong and give you the chance to write your own song lyrics in a group. The sessions are facilitated by a Qigong instructor and two experienced musicians, with light refreshments available throughout. Book a session: 

Join | Parent and Carer Peer Support Network  

Are you a parent or carer looking for extra support? Help is available through the MS Teams-based Parent and Carer Peer Support Network, which includes a series of monthly online sessions. The next Parent and Carer Support session takes place at 11am on Wednesday 22 June. Contact Gemma Traviss-Turner or James Willmoth for further information and to be added to the Teams group. 

Learning and development 

Register | 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 tomorrow (Thursday 16 June). Course fees are paid by the University and the deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 25 November. 

Apply | Building Impact Momentum Programme  

Register your interest in the next Building Impact Momentum Programme, which will help develop concrete ideas for impact that can be applied to research projects or grant applications. Running from September to December, the programme is open to research, academic and professional support staff. It consists of six webinars, additional reading, partner work and impact practice. Closing date for applications is 5pm on Friday 8 July. 

Deadline extension | Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice 

OD&PL has extended the deadline to join the September 2022 Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) cohort until 5pm on Thursday 30 June. The PGCAP is for colleagues involved in student education at Leeds, and aims to enhance your academic practice, connect you with peers and challenge your thinking. 

Sign up | Business Disability Forum 

All staff interested in disability inclusion at the University can now join the Business Disability Forum (BDF) – a comprehensive learning, advice and knowledge resource for disability equality in the workplace. Please take advantage of the help and support the BDF has to offer. Visit the Equality and Inclusion Unit BDF webpage for further information. 

Register | Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE) Masterclass: Towards the inclusive university  

Sign up for the latest LITE Masterclass, which runs from 2-4pm on Monday 20 June. Hosted by Dr Jan McArthur, a Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University, this session is focused on the ‘inclusive university’. It will challenge attendees to adopt a more holistic understanding of inclusion that promotes genuine cultural change at all levels of the University, affecting our entire community. 

Read | Lifelong Learning Centre newsletter 

Read the Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) termly newsletter, providing information about how the LLC can support you in your role at the University. Sign up to the LLC’s mailing list to have the newsletters sent direct to your inbox. 

Events 

Esther Simpson | Sculpture unveiling and memorial concert 

Juanjo Novella's sculpture ‘Curtain’ will be officially unveiled during an event at the Esther Simpson Building, being held from 5.30-7.15pm on Wednesday 22 June. Juanjo will then take part in a conversation with Jane Bhoyroo (Principal Keeper, Leeds Art Gallery) and an audience question-and-answer session. Following this, Opera North and the School of Music will hold a joint concert from 7.30-9pm in Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall to mark Esther Simpson’s contribution to refugee welfare, as part of Refugee Week 2022. Find out more and register your attendance on Eventbrite or contact LUBScomms@leeds.ac.uk for further details. 

Register | International Medieval Congress 2022  

Online registration to attend the International Medieval Congress (IMC) 2022 closes today (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 | White Rose Collaboration Fund webinar 

The White Rose Collaboration Fund encourages emerging research partnerships across the universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York, with grants of up to £20,000 available. 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 tomorrow (Thursday 16 June). Applications for the fund are open until 12 noon on Friday 30 September.

Register | 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 from 10-10.45am tomorrow (Thursday 16 June). 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.  

Last chance | Photo exhibition 

There’s still time to see an exhibition of photographs taken by one of the University’s cleaning team. Rosa Quintana’s striking images depict her colleagues working during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exhibition – ‘Unobtrusive Impact’ – is on display next to the Refectory in Leeds University Union until Saturday 18 June. 

Editions 

Next week’s eNews 

eNews will be issued a day early next week, on Tuesday 21 June. Please contact Internal Communications and Engagement by 1pm on Friday 17 June to request an entry. 

In case you missed it  

Members of the Leeds community honoured

Athena SWAN | School of Dentistry success

2020-21 Sustainability Report

New Spacefinder app 

Minerva Ultra Course View | New module areas available 

Join | Student Success Forums mailing list 

Register | Management Essentials Programme 

Discount | Inaugural Summer Festival 2022 

Register | Global Citizenship Conversation 

Submit | Leeds Digital Festival 2022 

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