eNews 13 July
Knowledge Equity Network, Further Together, staff survey, new EDI Dean, research awards, Celebrate Our Staff, NSS results and more.
Thought pieces
Inside Track | Knowledge Equity Network
In an Inside Track feature, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor Nick Plant, explain the aims of the Knowledge Equity Network – a major new initiative to collaboratively tackle our biggest global challenges by truly opening up access to quality higher education for all.
Inside Track | Further Together
Professor Nick Plant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, uses his latest Inside Track feature to launch our new campaign, Further Together, which celebrates the excellent and impactful work our talented research community has achieved together.
Feedback
Staff survey delayed
The launch of our planned staff engagement survey using the Culture Amp platform has been delayed. Details of the revised launch date will soon be communicated to colleagues via the For Staff website and eNews.
Appointments
New Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Dr Kendi Guantai, Associate Professor in the Marketing Department of LUBS, has been appointed Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). Working in partnership with fellow EDI Dean, Professor Louise Bryant, and leadership team members, Dr Guantai will be instrumental in driving forward our vision to further foster an equitable, inclusive and diverse environment at the University, as enshrined in our new EDI strategy being launched later this week.
Celebrate
Research Culture and Engaged for Impact Awards
Winners and runners-up in the inaugural Research Culture and Engaged for Impact Awards will be announced during a campus showcase on Tuesday 19 July hosted by our Chancellor, Professor Dame Jane Francis, and Professor Nick Plant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation. The impressive number of applications highlight the broad spectrum of world-changing research at Leeds, together with the amazing work being undertaken by a wide range of colleagues to support this vibrant community.
Celebrate Our Staff
Read the latest edition of our regular feature celebrating the achievements of colleagues across the University, showcasing new fellowships, awards and more! Contact Internal Communications and Engagement to make submissions for the next roll of honour. This is open to all colleagues.
Leeds Partnership Awards | Student CEO wins innovation accolade
Read the latest in our series of articles profiling the winners of this year’s Leeds Partnership Awards. The feature highlights the achievements of Jack Miller, a student in Leeds University Business School who started his own sustainable mobility company, winning him the innovation accolade in this year’s awards.
Students
National Student Survey results
Results of the 2022 National Student Survey have been published. The percentage of Leeds final year respondents stating that, overall, they were satisfied with the quality of their course fell to 69% from 76% last year. There was an increased score for satisfaction with learning resources at the University – up nine percentage points to a rating of 80% this year. Find out how the transformation of learning and teaching at Leeds is already helping address some of the issues raised through the NSS.
Digital developments
Removing unused phones
From today (Wednesday 13 July), external contractors Dataflow – working with IT – will be on campus removing unused office phones, as part of the Teams Voice project. If you've already collected any old phones, please let the team know when it visits your area during the next few weeks.
Campus life
Laidlaw Library closures
The Laidlaw Library will be closed for two separate weeks during the summer, so repairs can be made to the central staircase. The library and Caffè Nero are currently shut until Sunday 17 July, and will be closed again from Monday 15 to Friday 19 August. There will be a book retrieval service when the building is closed. Visit the Library website for further information.
Research
Final call | Michael Beverley Innovation Fellowship applications
Are you an early or mid-career researcher at Leeds? Do you want up to £7,500 to create economic and societal value from your research? If so, time is running out to apply for the Michael Beverley Innovation Fellowship Programme. The pioneering initiative is designed to equip the next generation of academics with the skills to achieve impactful research through cross-disciplinary collaboration, partnership development and commercial awareness. Benefit from facilitated networking with business experts, academics and alumni, together with support and guidance from up to three mentors. Applications close at 12 noon on Friday 15 July. Contact the programme team for further information.
Book | Inspiring Innovation Seminar Series
Book a place at the latest Inspiring Innovation Seminar, which takes place from 12 noon to 2pm on Monday 18 July, followed by lunch and networking. The seminar, which is being held at the Nexus lecture theatre, will showcase real-life examples of innovation journeys taken by researchers and provide insight on how to move an idea arising from research through to implementation.
Listen | Global Challenges podcast
Listen to the first episode of Global Challenges, the new podcast series from the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC). Host Dr Mark Sumner speaks to guests about the global environmental issue of microfibres.
Wellbeing and support
Sign up | Menopause in the Workplace workshops
Our next Menopause in the Workplace workshops take place on Wednesday 20 July and Wednesday 10 August. The interactive sessions are designed to raise awareness of menopause and develop a supportive culture for colleagues. Workshops are aimed at all colleagues, but there’s also a specific session for managers.
Register | Meditation and stretch sessions
Sign up to take part in free 15-minute live meditation and stretch sessions, run online by Deborah Marcus, a qualified yoga teacher who works in IT at the University. Sessions provide a mix of physical movement and meditation. They will help to stretch your body, release muscle tension and create a sense of calm. No previous experience or equipment is required; just wear comfortable, loose clothing. Please contact Deborah to be added to the mailing list.
Sign up | 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 support session at 11am on Wednesday 20 July will discuss ‘progressing your career with a family’. Contact Gemma Traviss-Turner or James Willmoth for further information and to be added to the Teams group.
Events
Register | Determining key colours in design
Sign up for the latest event in the Life of Colour Seminar Series, being run by the Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour from 2-3pm on Thursday 28 July. In the online event, Arjan Gijsenij, from AkzoNobel, will focus on automatically extracting key colours from a design perspective from digital images, such as mood boards.
In case you missed it
Blog | Understanding and taking action on postgraduate diversity
Award winners honoured for supporting students
Access to administrative privileges on University computers
Join | Research Supervision Development Community
Sign up | Research leadership development
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