eNews 3 August
Pay increase, fixed-term contracts, year planner, Cycle to Work Day and more

A fairer future for all
Pay increases for 2022-23
Colleagues employed on the University pay scale will receive a base pay increase of at least 3% from this month, with many eligible to receive more. Read more about the nationally negotiated pay increase for 2022-23
Fixed-term contracts update
We’re committed to reducing our use of fixed-term contracts, helping to build a fairer future for all our staff. Read about the considerable progress made towards this pledge since the last update in May.
Campus life
Download | 2022/23 year planner
Download our planner for the new academic year, featuring key dates such as term times, exam periods and University holidays.
Cycle to Work Day | Read the new campus cycling guide
Tomorrow (Thursday 4 August) marks Cycle to Work Day. Are you thinking of cycling to campus but don’t know where to start? Read the new cycling to campus guide, which covers campus facilities, bike security, route planning and more. To mark the event, share a snap of your bike route to the staff Twitter account for a chance of a retweet!
Sign up | Leeds International Summer School 2023
Academic colleagues are invited to get involved with Leeds International Summer School (LISS) 2023, following the success of the 2022 summer school. It’s a great opportunity for module leaders to deliver teaching to a diverse international audience and earn some extra money. If you’re interested in delivering a module for LISS 2023, email the LISS team
Feedback
Sign up | Communications focus groups
What do you think about how the University communicates with you? We’re holding online focus groups to explore how we share information with colleagues, with spaces available in the coming weeks. Sessions are run by an independent agency, and you can have your say in a constructive but frank fashion. Register your interest online or contact the Internal Communications and Engagement team
Digital developments
New IT chatbot live
Falco, the new IT Services chatbot, is now available to help you with your IT questions. Falco is on hand 24/7, and can be found in the bottom right-hand corner of any IT Services webpage. Visit the IT website and give Falco a try!
Reminder | University remote access
As previously notified, to protect University systems and data, we need to make sure all our methods for accessing them remotely are secure. You should only use the University’s approved methods – Virtual Windows Desktop, cluster remote access, the Remote Desktop Gateway, SSH and the VPN. Access via non-approved routes, such as TeamViewer or Anydesk, will be removed today (Wednesday 3 August), unless you have an exemption from the Security Operations team
Research
Apply | Worldwide Universities Network Research Development Fund
Applications for the next round of the Research Development Fund (RDF) are open. Offering grants of up to £10,000, this round’s principal research theme is sustainable development. Projects involving or led by early career researchers are encouraged. For more information please review the RDF 2022 Guidelines. Contact Anna Lewandowska for the application form and further details.
Learning and development
Apply | Enhance Your Student Education Practice course
You can now apply for OD&PL’s Enhance Your Student Education Practice course. The programme is designed for early and mid-career academic teaching colleagues. It features six workshops which take place in September. The course provides you with the tools and skills to plan, evaluate and enhance your teaching and scholarship practice. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 26 August.
Events
Visit | Leeds Pride 2022
After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, Leeds Pride returns on Sunday 7 August, with the event’s 17th parade leaving Millennium Square at 2pm. The Parkinson Building will be lit up in rainbow colours to mark the occasion.
Event submissions | Leeds Digital Festival 2022
Event submissions for Leeds Digital Festival (LDF) 2022 are open until midnight tonight (Wednesday 3 August). We’ve renewed our sponsorship of the tech showcase, which aligns with our vision to solve global challenges through digital means, as set out in our Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030. LDF is looking to host innovative events online and in-person from Monday 19 to Friday 30 September, to help showcase the city’s dynamic digital sector. Download the Event Organiser’s Guide for support with your submission and handy tips.
Book | Research Culture Café
Book your place at the next Research Culture Café, tomorrow (Thursday 4 August). The virtual event will focus on responsible research, open research and impact. The online café-style conversations aim to promote a positive and inclusive research culture.
In case you missed it
Inside Track | Faculty of Biological Sciences going Further Together
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy launched
University of Leeds Teaching Awards 2022 winners
Campus Live | Share your talents!
Vernon Road closure (Monday 1 to Friday 26 August)
Apply | UK Research and Innovation Impact Acceleration Account
Guidance | Chronic Pain and Fatigue
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Keeping up to date
This eNews is brought to you by the Communications and Engagement team. You can:
- keep up to date with our latest news on the For Staff website and by following the staff Twitter account
- view our previous staff email communications on our dedicated In depth webpage; and
- access key University systems and information, such as HR self-service, IT, the Office365 web app, year planner, Minerva and purchasing, via the staff systems and quick links sections towards the top of the For Staff homepage.