eNews 5 October
Kindness blog, Black History Month, Further Together, Campus Live, eye examinations, cybersecurity, climate action, Light Night Leeds and more
Thought pieces
Medium blog | Kindness
In a blog to mark the start of the academic year, Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education, talks about the importance of kindness as a virtue for educators.
Celebrate
Black History Month 2022
Visit the Equality and Inclusion Unit Black History Month (BHM) 2022 webpage to access resources and information to help mark this year’s programme, including a history of the initiative, guidance on how to support the anti-racism movement, and details of local and online events. Running throughout October, BHM provides an opportunity to promote and celebrate contributions of Black people to British society and foster a deeper understanding of Black history. University buildings will be lit up in yellow, red and green on Monday 31 October to mark BHM.
Further Together | New stories
New stories celebrating the excellent and impactful collaborative work our talented research community has achieved are now showcased on the Further Together website. From examining how social media can give insights into mental health and climate change, to the network of technicians supporting these projects, we highlight the fascinating people behind the headlines.
Campus life
Campus Live | Join us this Friday
Yorkshire Circus is on the way, musicians are tuning up and a pop-up artwork is already taking shape on campus. Check out the week one programme for Campus Live, which kicks off on Friday 7 October. Keep an eye out for fire breathers, musicians and stand-up comedians during the coming weeks – and that’s before we mention the student performances! Get involved online using #LeedsCampusLive and sign up for weekly Campus Live email updates so you don’t miss a thing.
Governance
Updates | Council news
Visit the Secretariat SharePoint site for the latest news from the University Council. This includes highlights from the first meeting of Council this session, featuring the outcome of the faculties and services Integrated Planning Exercise; an update on student recruitment for undergraduate 2022 entry; and the University’s 2022 National Student Survey results.
Wellbeing and support
Eye examinations
A contract is currently being finalised with our new eyecare provider. If you require an urgent eye examination, please contact Wellbeing, Safety and Health for interim arrangements.
Digital developments
Promotion application process for academics goes online
The promotion application process for academic colleagues has now gone online using the Stonefish system. Applications can still be submitted outside of Stonefish until January 2023. Information and guidance on the University’s promotions process is available on the HR website.
Cybersecurity Month
October is European Cybersecurity Month, with this year's theme focusing on phishing and ransomware. Make sure you know how to stay safe by completing your Information Governance training. Hosted on Learning Pool, the new training has been rolled out across the University, and all colleagues must complete it every year.
Research
Final call | Research Development Fund
Applications for the next round of the Research Development Fund are open until 5pm today (Wednesday 5 October). Awards of up to £600 are available to support patient, public or stakeholder involvement or engagement in the research design stage.
Register | Research Journeys workshop
Apply now for Research Journeys – a personal development workshop giving researchers the training, tools and confidence they need to speak publicly about their personal journey and field of study. Open to colleagues at any level in their research career, including postgraduate researchers, project managers and technicians, discover how to engage audiences in your passion. Applications close at 5pm today (Wednesday 5 October), with the first workshop – presented by Storycatchers – taking place on Friday 14 October.
Industrial action
UNISON industrial action
Strike action by UNISON relating to the nationally negotiated pay award is taking place at several universities, including Leeds. For further information, read the Questions and answers (UNISON action) page on For Staff.
Learning and development
Sign up | Introduction to academic personal tutoring
Sign up for an introduction to academic personal tutoring, running from 10-11.15am tomorrow (Thursday 6 October). Designed for those new to the role at Leeds, this online session will consider key aspects of academic personal tutoring, such as the boundaries of the role, referrals, facilitating a sense of belonging and a range of resources and support. The event runs again in January 2023. You can also access academic personal tutoring guides and resources on the Digital Education Systems Help webpage.
Celebrating our PGCAP graduates
Congratulations to colleagues who have recently graduated from the PGCAP (Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice). Participants reflected on their academic practice and undertook individual pedagogical research projects. As a result, they’ve been awarded Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and continue to experience the impact of the programme on their student education practice. Applications are open until 5pm on Monday 21 November to join the next PGCAP cohort in February.
Book | Building a relationship-based approach to working with students
Book your place on a two-day workshop looking at building a relationship-based approach to working with students. Sessions take place on campus, from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 November. The workshop is designed for academic personal tutors and colleagues working in student support roles, providing the opportunity to reflect on your practice and utilise coaching tools and techniques.
Sign up | Psychosocial Resources suite of workshops
Register for the Psychosocial Resources for Personal Wellbeing and Professional Competence suite of workshops, delivered by the Staff Counselling and Psychological Support Service and OD&PL. This series used to be titled Personal Resilience and still offers many of the same sessions, but there are also three new workshops: exploring neurodiversity; setting limits and saying no; and understanding grief, loss and setback.
Events
Sign up | Regional collaboration for climate action: a leadership discussion
Book tickets to hear from four key regional voices as they discuss climate action and the importance of collaboration. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk; Mayor of West Yorkshire,Tracy Brabin; Priestley Centre Director, Professor Piers Forster; and Professor Andy Gouldson, representing the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission, will form a panel for the event. The discussion will take place in The Great Hall from 11am to 12.30pm on Tuesday 18 October.
Register | Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre Leeds launch
Register for the Vulnerability and Policing Futures Research Centre Leeds launch, taking place in the Liberty Building from 3-5pm on Wednesday 12 October. The event will outline the vision for the centre, which aims to shape the future of policing and other services for vulnerable groups.
Light Night Leeds
Light Night, the UK’s largest annual arts and lights festival, returns to Leeds on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 October. As part of the celebrations, the University will host three exciting installations on campus, titled ‘Under Pressure’, ‘Voicing Silence’ and ‘Extreme Water’.
International Concert Series | Autumn Season
The University of Leeds International Concert Series resumes this week. Taking place in Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall and featuring a diverse range of classical and contemporary music, weekly Friday lunchtime concerts are a perfect way to spend a lunch break. Entry is free and no booking is required.
In case you missed it
Inside Track | Improving the way we measure success
Blog | The Vice-Chancellor’s reflections
Listen | World Changers podcast
Watch | Research Culture Awards video
Zoom | Duo two-factor authentication
Update | Changing your identity at the University
Updating modules in Minerva Ultra Course View
Support | Flu and COVID vaccinations
Wellbeing support and advice for students
Register | For the Public Good
Apply | Build a research network
Submit | Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme proposals
Information Governance training
Student education development opportunities
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