16 November 2022

eNews 16 November

eNews: Transformation, cost of living support, Campus Live, COP27, industrial action FAQs, 100 Black Women Professors Now!, UK Disability History Month, University Carol Service and more

K-pop Dance Society performance

Image from K-pop dance society performance showing students on stage smiling.

Transformation 

Fifteen to One | Jenny Baynes 

Read the first in our new series of Q&A features in which we put 15 challenging questions to one of our recently appointed senior leaders … from the key projects they’re working on to random claims to fame! First up in the ‘hot seat’ is Jenny Baynes, Director of the Transformation Office at Leeds. Find out what inspires her… and how she once bumped into a world-famous rock star! 

Register | Transforming our staff and student experience

Join us for 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.

Wellbeing and support 

Additional cost of living support  

We know that the cost-of-living crisis is already affecting many in our University community, just as it is in wider society. So, we’ve worked with colleagues and partners across the University to develop a set of measures to help staff and students. Read the all staff email from Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simone Buitendijk, for further information. 

Campus life 

Campus Live attractions 

Campus Live continues today (Wednesday 16 November) with a K-pop Dance Society performance at 2pm (pictured above). Attractions tomorrow (Thursday 17 November) include Irish Dance at 1pm and an opportunity to co-create art about belonging from 1-3pm. Get involved online using #LeedsCampusLive and sign up for weekly Campus Live email updates so you don’t miss a thing.  

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. 

Industrial action  

Industrial action FAQs 

Please refer to the updated industrial action FAQs on For Staff for the latest information relating to strike action announced by the trades unions. Seven days of strikes have been announced by UNISON, running from Thursday 24 to Wednesday 30 November. Five days of strike action have been announced by Unite on Thursday 24, Friday 25, Monday 28, Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 November. This is in addition to strikes previously announced by University and College Union (UCU) on Thursday 24, Friday 25 and Wednesday 30 November. 

Feedback 

Have your say | 2022 UniForum Service Effectiveness Survey 

A number of you have been invited to take part in the Service Effectiveness Survey, as part of the UniForum programme. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and closes at 6pm today (Wednesday 16 November), so it’s not too late to have your say. Participants will have received emails from yourviews@uniforum.leeds.ac.uk containing a unique survey link. Results will be used to help make our professional services as efficient and effective as possible – an important part of the enabling work supporting our University strategy. 

Celebrate 

Breaking barriers: Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris 

Read a special feature about Professor Lisa-Dionne Morris (School of Mechanical Engineering), who was promoted after taking part in the national career acceleration programme, 100 Black Women Professors Now!  

UK Disability History Month 

Visit the Equality and Inclusion Unit website for information about the events we’re hosting to mark UK Disability History Month 2022, together with available support for staff and students. Running from today (Wednesday 16 November) until Friday 16 December, this year’s theme is disability, health and wellbeing. University buildings will also be lit purple for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Saturday 3 December. 

Digital developments 

Recordings | IT open sessions 

Watch recordings from the four IT open meetings held last week to give colleagues an opportunity to put their questions to the IT Executive Leadership Team, and hear the latest updates about Teams Voice and the Windows Refresh project, as well as the migration of M/N drives and Documentum. 

Learning and development 

Deadline extended | Laidlaw Leadership and Research Programme 2023

Academic colleagues are invited to 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. Online forms need to be submitted by Monday 28 November.  

Sign up | Build your Scholarship Practice 

Book your place at the launch event for Build your Scholarship Practice, running from 2-4pm on Monday 21 November in the Newlyn Building. Featuring speakers including Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education, the event will provide the opportunity to explore the strategic context for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) at Leeds programme, connect with peers, and raise your ideas, experiences and questions about the programme. 

Register | Assessment Matters: Accessible Criteria 

Sign up for the next Assessment Matters event, taking place from 10-11am on Wednesday 23 November in the Esther Simpson Building and online via MS Teams. Dr Huahui Zhao, Lecturer in Language Education, will invite participants to critically reflect on their use of assessment criteria and think ahead to how we can make this more accessible for all students.  

Book | Pedagogical Power of PebblePad workshop

Book your place on the next Pedagogical Power of PebblePad workshop, taking place from 11-11.30am on Thursday 24 November via MS Teams. Rachael O’Connor, Lecturer in the School of Law, will speak about her use of PebblePad for students’ authentic reflection, while Judith Simpson, Student Education Service Manager, talks about the platform’s usefulness as an electronic guidebook. 

Watch | Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) recording 

You can now watch the PGCAP recording for further information about the programme, which is designed for colleagues involved in student education at Leeds. It aims to enhance your academic practice, connect you with peers and challenge your thinking. There’s still time to apply to join the February 2023 PGCAP cohort ahead of the deadline at 5pm on Monday 21 November. 

Drop-in session | Personal and professional development 

Attend the next drop-in session run by Organisational Development and Professional Learning (OD&PL) at the LOGIK Centre on Tuesday 22 November to find out more about personal and professional development for colleagues working in roles graded two to five. The event runs from 10am to 12 noon with no need to book. Sessions take place on every fourth Tuesday of the month, unless the University is closed. 

Events 

University Carol Service 

Start the festive season on a high note by attending the University Carol Service, featuring traditional readings and Christmas music. Taking place in the Great Hall from 5.15-6pm on Tuesday 6 December, the event is free and no booking is required. Contact the Chaplaincy for further information.  

Launch | Another Brick in the Wall exhibition 

Book a free ticket to attend a special preview event launching a new exhibition at The Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, taking place from 6-8pm on Tuesday 22 November. ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ delves into the architecture of British university campuses in the postwar period. The exhibition opens to the public from Wednesday 23 November. 

World Unite Festival  

Leeds University Union’s annual celebration of global community has returned with a packed programme of events. Final sessions planned today (Wednesday 16 November) for World Unite Festival include a range of intercultural activities, including a global night market, a discussion of cultural quirks, a Latin American music performance and themed menus in our cafés and food venues, with colleagues invited to get involved. 

Sign up | Women in Data 

Join us on campus from 12 noon to 2pm on Monday 21 November as we co-host a Women in Data (WiD) event. Part of WiD Week 2022, the event features our Chief Data Officer, Monica Jones, together with Jackie Shears (NHS, Our Future Health) and James Morgan (ASDA), sharing their insights on reinvention, transition and upskilling. This is followed by Roisin McCarthy, WiD founder, moderating a panel on the power of networking and partnership. Join the WiD community to register or for further information. 

Register | Menopause in the Workplace workshops 

Our next Menopause in the Workplace workshops take place from 1-3pm today (Wednesday 16 November) and on 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. 

International Concert Series | Autumn Season 

The University of Leeds International Concert Series Autumn Season continues with a student showcase, taking place in Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall from 1.05-1.55pm on Friday 18 November. Entry is free and no booking is required. 

Register | MedTech Showcase 2022 

Register to attend the MedTech Showcase 2022. We’re joining forces with our innovation community at Nexus, The Data Shed and Leeds Digital Festival to provide a platform to the region’s MedTech innovators to shine a spotlight on the important work being undertaken and the challenges they face. This is an opportunity for industry professionals and colleagues working in these fields to connect, share knowledge, support one another and advance innovation. 

In case you missed it 

Appeal | Food donations 

Watch | LinkedIn Learning case studies 

Join | Student Success Team mailing list 

Register | Research Supervision Development Community  

Join | Peer Support Staff Network 

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