eNews 22 February
eNews: Employee engagement survey goes live, LGBT+ History Month, Staff Festival charities announced, industrial action, new IT website, sculpture installation, Student Money Week and more.
Have your say
Take part in our new employee engagement survey
We’ve launched our new employee engagement survey. It’s your chance to have your say about what matters most to you. You should have received a message from Culture Amp – the software platform we’re using to deliver the survey – containing your unique link to take part. Please check your junk folder if you haven’t received this.
Open until 20 March, the survey takes an average of 15 minutes to complete, depending on how detailed your answers are. Thank you to those colleagues who’ve already taken the time to fill out the survey.
Visit the employee engagement survey online hub for further information, including video messages explaining why it’s so important to take part and some FAQs.
Celebrate
Why LGBT+ History Month matters
February is LGBT+ History Month – a celebration of LGBT+ people, their lives and their experiences. Read an interview with Roy Ward, Equality and Inclusion Project Officer at the University-linked National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), in which he explains the importance of LGBT+ History Month, how people can be good allies, and his top recommendations for related films and books, as part of this year’s theme of ‘behind the lens.’
Challenging the cycle of poverty to free families from crisis
Two incredible charities helping “tired, desperate and hopeless” people rise up from surviving to thriving will receive a fantastic financial fillip from this year’s Staff Festival fundraising. Homeless Street Angels and Zarach will both benefit from the proceeds of this year’s event.
Industrial action
Chief Operating Officer Rachel Brealey wrote to all colleagues on Monday to update on Acas-facilitated discussions between the Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) and the higher education trades unions.
We welcome the joint announcement by the University and College Union (UCU), UNISON and Unite to pause strike action over the next two weeks as talks continue.
Our regular meetings with our three campus trades unions provide clear, established routes to discuss all employment matters. We continue to progress the work underway to improve conditions locally, including how we address pay gaps, reduce the number of staff on fixed-term contracts, address the cost of living crisis and workload.
More information can be found on our Industrial Action In depth and FAQ pages on For Staff.
Climate change
Fight climate change with rationing?
Second World War-style rationing could be an effective way to reduce carbon emissions, according to new research from the University. Colleagues, including Dr Rob Lawlor, argue that capping an individual’s personal carbon usage could help countries reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly and fairly.
Meet the researchers | Tackling global water challenges
Water is at the core of human survival and recent decades have brought increased urgency to tackle the many water-related challenges facing the world. In the latest webinar series from the Advancement team, researchers from water@leeds will explore global challenges, such as glacier melt and climate change. Sessions will be held on Zoom from 6.30-7.30pm every Wednesday from 8-29 March.
Digital developments
New look IT website
The University’s IT website will be changing soon. Together with an updated look and improved accessibility, it will include new features to make it easier to use and find support. You’ll also be able to discover more about what’s going on behind the scenes in IT.
Windows Refresh project ending
The Windows Refresh project is ending soon. If you still have a Windows 7 computer that hasn’t been scheduled for replacement, or removal if it’s no longer required, please contact the Windows Refresh team before 24 February or use this form after that date. Thanks to everyone who has supported the project and updated their devices, helping to ensure the University has up-to-date, secure technology.
Campus life
Expanded range of affordable meals
Eat for less on campus with Great Food at Leeds (GFaL) now offering an expanded range of hot meals for less than £3. Fuel your day with affordable options, including early bird breakfast specials, daily lunch specials at the Refectory and delicious homemade soups. Find out more about eating for less on campus.
Inspiring sculpture installation
Inspiring artwork by famous sculptor Sir Eduardo Paolozzi – donated by a Leeds alumnus – joins a growing collection of public art on campus. Finishing touches are being added to landscaping around the bronze sculpture – being installed outside the Edward Boyle Library today (22 February) – which is based on a drawing by artist and poet William Blake of the physicist and mathematician Sir Isaac Newton.
Students
Helping students make the most of their money
Please encourage students to participate in Student Money Week (SMW) from 27 February to 3 March. Held in partnership with Leeds University Union (LUU), SMW features a packed programme of free on-campus and online activities, including careers advice, financial tips from a bank, giveaways and more to help students make the most of their money.
Research
Overcoming boundaries in global research
Research projects crossing international and disciplinary boundaries have a range of benefits – but what are the challenges? In an event organised by the Horizons Institute, Professor Martin Dallimer from Leeds and Professor Aliyu Barau, of Bayero University Kano in Nigeria, will reflect on their collaboration and how they approach challenges posed by global research projects.
Final call | Funding to support research engagement
Applications for the next round of the Research Development Fund close at 5pm today (22 February). Awards of up to £600 are available to support patient, public or stakeholder involvement or engagement in the research design stage. Contact the Public Engagement team for further information.
Learning and development
Register | Burst of energy design sprints training
Take the first step in influencing the future of collaboration at Leeds by signing up to Design Facilitator training. A design sprint allows staff and students to work together to create the best possible learning experiences at Leeds. Please register for either of the training sessions on 13 March or 20 April.
Watch | University of Leeds Teaching Awards video
Watch the recording of a recent briefing session to find out more about the University of Leeds Teaching Awards. The awards celebrate excellent practice in student education and are open to all colleagues involved in teaching or supporting the student learning experience at Leeds. Applications are open until 5pm on 24 March.
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 28 February 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 every fourth Tuesday of the month, unless the University is closed.
Become a LinkedIn Learning curator
LinkedIn Learning curator roles are an ideal opportunity for any colleague with a focus on learning, teaching or leading the development of others. Upload your own custom content, create and share learning pathways and get insights into the number of content views and completions.
Events
Sign up | Colour Design in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
2-3pm, 23 February
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly moving into the mainstream, demonstrating greater production efficiencies, marketing precision and, at times, creative design than humans can generate. Register for the latest Leeds Institute of Textiles and Colour (LITAC) seminar – taking place online – to hear Professor Anat Lechner from NYU Stern School of Business.
Irregular Art School exhibition
Until 24 February
Find out about inclusive art education at The Irregular Art School, an exhibition about how neurodivergent and learning disabled artists can develop their careers. View these extraordinary works for free at the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.
Celebrating undergraduate work
Until 24 February
Attend the Undergraduate Research Experience 2023 – the annual celebration of undergraduate work in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures. The event features more than 40 student presentations, as well as information panels. No booking required.
Book | International Celebration of Women at Leeds
12 noon to 2pm, 8 March
To mark International Women’s Day, the Women at Leeds Network (WALN) is hosting an event celebrating the University’s female staff and postgraduate researchers. A panel of colleagues will explore their experiences of adapting to a new cultural environment, with audience members invited to share their thoughts.
Register | Use of AI in higher education
4-5pm, 8 March
As part of Open Education Week, students from the MA Digital Education course in the School of Education are organising an online event to discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education from a student perspective.
Book | Gryphons Go Kids Camps
3-14 April
Want to get ahead and plan some entertainment for your kids this Easter? There’s still time to book them onto Sport and Physical Activity’s Gryphons Go Kids Camp at The Edge. Children can swim, climb and explore the outdoors, as well as develop their physical skills and make use of our superb educational facilities.
Workshop | The Emotional Labour of Research
12 noon to 1pm, 26 April
The Women at Leeds Network (WALN) workshop event on The Emotional Labour of Research has been rescheduled to 26 April. It brings together three speakers on how the often ‘hidden’ elements of the research journey can be recognised in a supportive way to build a sense of connection among participants.
International Concert Series
Various dates
The University of Leeds International Concert Series continues with four more performances. First up is the student showcase from 1.05-1.55pm on 24 February, with the chance to hear work by School of Music students. Pianist Siwan Rhys brings together diverse works from the past five years from 6-7pm on 2 March. The Jervaulx Singers entertain from 1.05-1.55pm on 3 March, followed at 7pm the same day by the concerts+ open mic night. Taking place in Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall, entry to all these events is free and no booking is required.
Tell us your story
We’d like to hear about the great work you’re doing. Contact the Internal Communications and Engagement team to share your stories.
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 previous editions of eNews and other 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.