eNews 9 November

Climate change and COP27, transforming our staff and student experience, Campus Live, Remembrance Day Service, industrial action, welcome event, campus tours, food donations, events and more.

eNews 9 November 2022

Climate change

Leeds at COP27

World leaders, researchers (including from Leeds) and civil society are meeting in Egypt until Friday 18 November at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27) to negotiate the next steps in tackling the climate crisis. The University has sent a delegation to host events and contribute to the accountability of the process. You can:

Our COP27 delegation represents a range of expertise and voices from across our community. Discover how integrating research across disciplines is important to driving implementation of climate action.

Watch | COP27 video mini-series

Watch the full ‘Ask A Climate Researcher’ video series on YouTube. Six experts from the Priestley Centre answer a series of climate change FAQs in these short, informative clips to help demystify key COP27 topics. You can also ask your own question by emailing climate@leeds.ac.uk or by using #AskAClimateResearcher on Twitter.

Book | Theatre performance

Book your tickets for a new one-person performance by Professor Steve Scott-Bottoms, which attempts to kick-start a conversation about how we’re adapting to climate change. Using a few chairs, buckets and a whole lot of sand, Professor Scott-Bottoms invites the audience to help shape a less frightening future than the one we might otherwise be looking at. The show takes place at 5pm today (Wednesday 9 November) in the stage@leeds venue on campus.

Register | Water Day webinar

Join water@leeds colleagues for a COP27 webinar, taking place from 1-3pm on Monday 14 November. Organised in association with the Water Security Hub and the Priestley Centre, the event will bring together experts from multiple disciplines and geographical locations working to identify how water security is impacted by climate change.

Consultation | Climate Plan Annual Progress Report

There’s still time to have your say about the University’s Climate Plan Annual Progress Report. The Priestley Centre has been commissioned to coordinate an independent progress review of our Climate Plan. As part of this, a consultation is open until 5pm today (Wednesday 9 November) to ensure staff, students and the public can submit feedback on the report, which covers the period from November 2021 to October this year.

Transformation

Register | Transforming our staff and student experience

Join us at an online event to learn how the Transformation Office (TO) is improving the experience of our University community. Taking place from 11am to 12 noon on Monday 12 December, you will hear from our Chief Operating Officer, Rachel Brealey; Professor Jo-Anne Murray, our newly appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation; and TO Director, Jenny Baynes. TO Programme Directors will also be on hand to share our progress to date and answer any questions you might have about change or transformational programmes at Leeds.

Campus life

Campus Live attractions

Highlights from week five of the Campus Live programme range from fire eating and pole archery to an origami roadshow and learning to skydive – there really is something for everyone to enjoy! Get involved online using #LeedsCampusLive and sign up for weekly Campus Live email updates so you don’t miss a thing.

Remembrance Day Service 

Our Remembrance Day Service takes place in the University Precinct, outside the Leeds University Union (LUU) building, from 10.55am on Friday 11 November. There will be a two-minute silence at 11am followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Brotherton Memorial in the Parkinson Building. Contact chaplaincy@leeds.ac.uk for further information.

Nightline Awareness Week

University buildings will be lit up blue to mark Nightline Awareness Week on Friday 11 November. Leeds Nightline, a confidential listening and information service for students aged over 16 in Leeds, is a student society based at LUU.

Vernon Road closure

Vernon Road is closed today (Wednesday 9 November) and tomorrow (Thursday 10 November) for the completion of paving works. Contact the Estates Helpdesk for further information.

Industrial action 

UCU strike   

Strike action by University and College Union (UCU) related to disputes regarding pensions and pay will take place this month at 150 universities across the country, including Leeds. Read the all staff email for further information

Research

Apply | Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme 2023

Academic colleagues can still submit project proposals for the Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme 2023. The scheme invests in talented and motivated undergraduate students, giving them the knowledge, skills and experience to become active global citizens and future leaders. Applications close on Friday 11 November.

Register | For the Public Good

Academic colleagues have until 8pm tonight (Wednesday 9 November) to apply to take part in ‘For the Public Good’. Part of Leeds 2023, and supported by the Horizons Institute and the Cultural Institute, this is an opportunity to collaborate with internationally based artists to create technological solutions for climate justice.

Apply | Build a research network

The Horizons Institute is welcoming applications to create four new interdisciplinary networks. If you have an idea for a research network, Horizons can offer support, mentorship opportunities and funding for 12 months. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 11 November.

Learning and development

Watch | LinkedIn Learning case studies

Explore a series of case studies showing how colleagues have used LinkedIn Learning. You can find out more about using LinkedIn Learning at Leeds on the Organisational Development and Professional Learning (OD&PL) website. 

Join | Student Success Team mailing list

Receive the latest updates by joining the Student Success Team mailing list. This includes invites to the Student Success Forums, which provide an opportunity for staff and students to reflect, discuss and work together to improve outcomes for students at Leeds. The next online session, which runs from 2-4pm on Monday 12 December, is titled ‘Decolonising Education – Where are we now and what must we do?’

Register | Research Supervision Development Community 

Join the OD&PL Research Supervision Development Community on MS Teams. It’s a place for supervisors and colleagues supporting doctoral researchers to access professional development resources, accreditation opportunities, news and policy developments.

Join | Peer Support Staff Network

Join the Peer Support Staff Network – a space for colleagues from across the University to come together to share good practice, knowledge and experience in running or setting up peer-to-peer support initiatives for students (including Peer Assisted Study Support, Peer Assisted Learning, mentoring and buddying schemes). Information on peer support is available on the Student Success SharePoint site.

Wellbeing and support

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 events. The next support session, which runs from 11am to 12 noon on Wednesday 16 November, features Professor Sue Pavitt talking about how she progressed her career while having a family. Contact Gemma Traviss-Turner or James Willmoth for further information and to join the Teams group.

Register | Menopause in the Workplace workshops

Our next Menopause in the Workplace workshops take place on Wednesday 16 November and Wednesday 14 December. The interactive sessions are designed to raise awareness of the menopause and develop a supportive culture for colleagues. Workshops are aimed at all colleagues, but there are also specific sessions for managers.

Book | Welcome event and campus tours

Book your place at the next virtual welcome event for new colleagues, taking place from 10-11.30am on Tuesday 6 December. Find out more about the University, meet new colleagues and explore the range of benefits, support and advice available. You can also sign up for one of the campus tours run by Organisational Development and Professional Learning (OD&PL) from Monday 21 to Friday 25 November.

Appeal | Food donations 

The University branch of UNISON is calling for donations of food items and toiletries – from members and non-members alike – in aid of the Trussell Trust (Leeds), Richmond Hill Elderly Action and Zarach charities. A full list of suggested items is available on the UNISON website. Donations can be made at the Ziff Café until Tuesday 6 December.

Staff benefits

Update | Wider Wallet

The University is working hard to introduce extra staff benefits, and we will be announcing a new and improved reward and recognition partner soon. In the meantime, we’ve stopped using the discounts portal, Wider Wallet. Our contract has now expired, and colleagues are advised they will no longer be able to use this scheme. 

Events

Join | Religious Diversity in the Workplace 

Join the Muslim Staff Network for a Religious Diversity in the Workplace event, taking place from 12 noon to 1pm on Tuesday 15 November as part of Inter Faith Week 2022. Join the online event to hear representatives from various UK institutions sharing experiences of supporting diverse faith and religious groups.

World Unite Festival 

Leeds University Union’s annual celebration of global community has returned with a packed programme of events. Running from today (Wednesday 9 November) until Wednesday 16 November, World Unite Festival offers a range of intercultural activities, including a global night market, international karaoke, a Latin American music performance and themed menus in our cafés and food venues, with colleagues invited to get involved.

Sign up | Nexus Connect 

There’s still time to sign up for the latest Nexus Connect event, being held at the University’s innovation hub from 4.30-6.30pm today (Wednesday 9 November). This networking series brings innovators together to make meaningful connections, discuss ideas, share common areas of interest and discover opportunities for collaboration. This is a great opportunity for colleagues to find out more about, and network with, the innovative businesses within the Nexus Community.

Register | 2022 Festival of Social Science

There’s still time to attend the 2022 Festival of Social Science, which runs until Sunday 13 November. As a proud partner organisation, we’ve scheduled a series of events for this year’s programme. Remaining sessions include a film screening exposing the hidden stories of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a live performance highlighting the voices of migrant workers and farmers through music.

International Concert Series | Autumn Season

The University of Leeds International Concert Series Autumn Season continues with a performance by the Pixels Ensemble, a versatile chamber music group. Taking place in Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall from 1.05-1.55pm on Friday 11 November, this is the perfect way to spend a lunch break. Entry is free and no booking is required.

In case you missed it

Rare Brontë manuscripts go online

Community football hub opens

Sign up to BikeRegister

Manage your call settings in Microsoft Teams

Submit ideas for Fresh Start Festival 2023

Apply | Research England Enhancing Research Culture Fund 2022-23

Book | Build your Scholarship Practice programme launch event

Apply | Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP)

Sign up | Women in Data event

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