eNews 29 March
Climate Plan, fixed term contracts, pay award, digital transformation event, Horizons Institute anniversary, spring break and more.
Climate Plan
Building solid foundations for a sustainable future
Find out more about the progress we’re making on implementing our Climate Plan and the work done by colleagues at Leeds to tackle climate change.
The University’s Climate Plan is helping us to plot a path to a fairer and more sustainable future. A collaborative effort involving colleagues and students, the plan includes how Leeds is reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, reorienting our research and teaching away from the fossil fuel sector and developing a sustainable investment portfolio.
Hear from Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Principal Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, as he outlines the vision behind the Climate Plan, the progress made so far and the work still to do.
Watch | The seven climate principles
Watch an animation outlining why the University needs its Climate Plan and the seven climate principles guiding our transition to a more sustainable future.
Fairer Future for All
Significant progress on fixed term contracts
Professor Nick Plant, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, outlines how our ambitious plans to achieve a significant reduction in the number of colleagues on fixed term contracts will reach a key milestone in April as the majority of those eligible move to ongoing contracts. You can also watch a video from Nick in which he also discusses our progress to date and next steps.
Pay and contracts
2023-24 pay award
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Simone Buitendijk, wrote to all colleagues on 22 March with an update on the 2023-24 pay award. You can see the impact of this pay award on the salary scales section of our website.
Strategy
Book | Achieving digital transformation: The roadmap and latest developments
1-2.30pm, 12 April
Interested in hearing about our Digital Transformation Strategy? Book your place on a hybrid event to share the roadmap and latest developments, including the opportunity to ask questions. You’ll hear from Pro Vice-Chancellor: Digital Transformation, Professor Jo-Anne Murray, and Professor Arunangsu Chatterjee, Dean of Digital Transformation.
Register | Libraries strategy progress
12 noon to 1pm, 10 May
University Librarian and Keeper of the Brotherton Collection, Masud Khokhar, will use an online event to give an update on progress made towards the Libraries vision for 2030 – Knowledge for All. Introduced by Professor Jeff Grabill, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Education, with a commentary by Professor Andrew Thorpe (Executive Dean of Arts, Humanities and Cultures and Chair of the Libraries Strategic Advisory Board), join us to hear about the Forward Plan – achievements to date and challenges faced – to become one of the greatest libraries in the world.
Thought pieces
Blog | Promoting research collaborations for the global good
To mark the first anniversary of the University’s Horizons Institute, Professor Stuart Taberner, Institute Director, writes about his highlights from the past 12 months and next steps. The institute was launched to promote new, cutting-edge interdisciplinary research collaborations for the global good.
Fifteen to One | Adam Toulson
The University’s Chief Information Security Officer, Adam Toulson, discusses his role in protecting our infrastructure and assets from cyber threats.
Celebrate
Trans Day of Visibility
Trans Day of Visibility takes place on 31 March. The event celebrates trans and non-binary people, while also raising awareness of the discrimination they face worldwide. To mark the day, the School of Geography is hosting an online event from 9.30-11am and the Parkinson Building will be lit up in pink and blue – the colours of the trans flag.
Sign up to support Staff Festival success
An urgent appeal has been issued to help make this year’s Staff Festival the best ever. Success of the eagerly anticipated event – being held on 30 June – will once again rely on the hard work of a dedicated team of volunteers, together with those willing to showcase their skills through a variety of wonderful workshops and memorable musical performances. Applications close on 21 April.
University of Leeds Teaching Awards 2023
Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry for the University of Leeds Teaching Awards 2023. The panel will now review the range of entries showcasing individual and collaborative excellence and innovation in student education. Winners will be announced in the summer with a celebratory event on campus in September.
Leeds Sports Awards
We’re proud to say colleagues and students were among the winners and nominees at this year’s Leeds Sports Awards. Now in their 20th year, the awards celebrate athletes of all ages and levels, coaches, administrators and volunteers across the city. Congratulations to all those honoured at the event.
Digital developments
Helping shape digital experiences
Teaching staff and colleagues working in professional services roles are encouraged to complete their respective Jisc Digital Experience surveys. The surveys are an important way to understand how digital tools and technology are helping to support colleagues in their roles and to identify where improvements can be made. Participants will be entered into a draw for the chance to win one of six £50 Love2shop vouchers.
Colleagues in student-facing roles are asked to encourage them to complete the student Jisc Digital Experience survey by the deadline of 31 March. Participants will be entered into a draw to win an iPad.
New | IT Services updates
Curious about some of the latest developments behind the scenes in IT? Read the first in a new series of IT Services features. The March edition includes information about email improvements, postgraduate systems, course searches, network upgrades and the IT impact on research. Use the star rating at the bottom of the article to let IT know what you think!
QlikView decommissioning
The University will stop using the QlikView analytics service by October. New dashboards, software and data processes, such as PowerBI and Tableau, will be introduced to update and improve reporting. Colleagues who currently use QlikView can contribute feedback on the reporting tools they currently use or would like to use in the future.
Spring break (6-11 April)
University closure
Colleagues are reminded the University will be closed from 6-11 April inclusive for the spring break. It will reopen on 12 April. Check out the updated spring break opening hours for Great Food at Leeds and The Edge.
Helping students stay up-to-date
Keep students informed of University opening hours, services and events during the spring break with editable content and templates to share in your local communications. Visit the holiday information page on For Students to see what’s on and access the student comms SharePoint hub to download email and social media templates to share with your students.
eNews deadlines
Due to the spring holidays, eNews will take a break after next week’s edition (5 April). The deadline for submissions is this Friday (31 March). eNews will resume from 19 April (deadline 14 April).
Students
Student education | Curriculum… or Culture Redefined?
In the latest blog in our ‘Leeds Educators present’ series, Dean for Student Education: Student Experience, Professor Paul Taylor, shares his thoughts on how listening to diverse student voices can help us redefine our curriculum – and our culture. Subscribe to the student education priority mailing list to receive more content like this.
Volunteer | In2science work placements
The In2science summer work placement programme helps inspire Year 12 students from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and maths. The charity is seeking volunteers to host short in-person placements for students in July or August. An induction course is provided and applications close on 31 March.
Research
Sign up | Research Culture Cafés
9.30-10.30am, 17 April
Book your place at the next Research Culture Café. The online event will discuss the themes of equality, diversity and inclusion in research. Dates and themes for sessions running in June and August are also available to book. The online café-style conversations aim to promote a positive and inclusive research culture at Leeds. They help colleagues propose solutions for change, share experiences and create a community network.
Final call | Leeds Creative Labs: East Street Arts Edition
Applications for Leeds Creative Labs – a programme delivered by the Cultural Institute that pairs researchers with creative professionals in a non-traditional and experimental setting – close tomorrow (30 March). Those involved this year can collaborate with the artist-led community charity East Street Arts.
Launch | Northern Cell Metrology Hub
2-3.30pm, 31 March
Sign up to attend the launch of the Northern Cell Metrology Hub – a collaboration between the University and the National Measurement Laboratory to use innovative technology to support the health and life science industries. Taking place at Nexus, the event will also be an opportunity to learn more about the collaboration between our innovation hub, the University and the wider community.
Expression of Interest | Climate Change and Africa
Showcasing the wide range of research projects relating to climate change and Africa, the Leeds University Centre for African Studies (LUCAS), the Priestley International Centre for Climate and the Centre for Global Development are organising an event for colleagues from across the University interested in collaborating and showcasing their research. The event takes place in July and colleagues can submit their research for the showcase by emailing the LUCAS team at African-Studies@leeds.ac.uk by 6 April.
Call for proposals | ‘African Ecologies’
LUCAS and the British Institute in Eastern Africa are hosting an interdisciplinary writing and mentoring workshop on the theme of ‘African Ecologies’. Taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, from 29-31 July, Africa-based Arts, Humanities and Social Science early-career researchers can submit papers by emailing the LUCAS team at African-Studies@leeds.ac.uk by 12 April.
Campus life
Update | Water supply issues
Work to fix problems with the water supply in the Ziff Building (floors 13 and 14), Social Sciences and the Edward Boyle Library is on schedule. Final connections are due to be made during the spring break (6-11 April), after which it’s hoped services will return to normal. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue. Please contact the Estates Helpdesk at eshelp@leeds.ac.uk with any questions or for further information.
University Road parking restrictions
Parking will be prohibited along the entire length of University Road during the spring break (6-11 April) while line markings are refreshed. Please don’t leave your car there during this time. Contact the Estates Helpdesk at eshelp@leeds.ac.uk for further information.
Take part in the UK’s largest health research programme on campus
Our Future Health – the UK’s largest health research programme – has a clinic at Beech Grove House on campus. You can book an appointment on the Our Future Health website. A blood sample and physical measurements will be taken, and you will receive blood pressure and cholesterol level results in return. You can also hear from staff and students about their experiences of taking part.
Shakespeare’s first folio goes on display
An historic collection of plays by William Shakespeare has gone on display at the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery. An original folio containing 36 of his plays, the collection is 400 years old this year. The gallery is open to all and can be visited from 10am to 5pm between Tuesday and Saturday.
Watch | Parkinson Peregrines
Eagle-eyed followers have been monitoring the progress of three eggs spotted in the nest of a breeding pair of Peregrine falcons currently ruling the roost on the Parkinson bell tower. The eggs are expected to hatch during the spring break and you can watch a live stream of the falcons on the sustainability website.
Learning and development
Sign up | Introduction to LinkedIn Learning
Join Organisational Development and Professional Learning (OD&PL) for a virtual event to find out more about LinkedIn Learning. Running from 10-11am on 24 April, the session is designed specifically for colleagues working in roles graded two to five and introduces how you can use LinkedIn
Learning to support your personal and professional development.
Webinar | Enhance your LinkedIn profile
Register for a free webinar to make the most of your LinkedIn profile. Hosted by LinkedIn from 3-4pm today, the event will look at how you can build a great profile that speaks directly to your ideal audience and provides the opportunity to get your questions answered by experts. Other dates are available. You need a LinkedIn account to register for the session.
Wellbeing and support
Ramadan Mubarak
Ramadan Mubarak to staff and students observing the Muslim holy month (taking place until 21 April). Read about advice and support available during Ramadan, including links to campus prayer spaces, the Iftar programme, celebrating Eid and how to ask for help.
Special offer | The Edge pass
Get a seven-day pass to The Edge for just £12 during the spring break! Make the most of all the facilities, including the 25m swimming pool, newly refurbished gym and spin studio, climbing wall and a variety of exercise classes for any week until 1 May. This special offer can be purchased from the 1 April at The Edge reception or contact the team on 0113 343 5095.
Reduce stress with free mindfulness course
Join the next eight-week mindfulness-based stress-reduction course, run online via Zoom by the Staff Counselling and Psychological Support Services. Contact Yvonne Bell for further information and to book your free place.
Events
Register | 2023 British Academy Lecture
5-6.15pm, 29 March
Book your free place at the 2023 British Academy Lecture, taking place in Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall. Tamara Levitz, Professor for Comparative Literature and Musicology at UCLA, will talk about The Future of Music Studies.
Meet the researchers | Tackling global water challenges
6.30-7.30pm, 29 March
Melting ice from the Himalayas is the focus of the final webinar from the Advancement team on water-related challenges facing the world. water@leeds researchers will use the online event to outline how climate change is hitting Earth’s highest peaks the hardest.
International concert series
1.05-1.55pm, 31 March
The University of Leeds International Concert Series continues as Opera North colleagues, cellist Jessica Burroughs and pianist David Cowan, bring together 19th century romantic works by Schumann, Chopin and Dvorák on the Clothworkers Centenary Concert Hall stage. Entry is free and no booking is required.
Free piano lessons
10am to 4pm, 2 April
As part of Piano Week, Leeds International Piano Competition is offering free piano lessons in the Parkinson Building. Whether you’re a complete novice or want to brush up on your skills, you can book 20-minute sessions with Laura Morrell of Leeds Conservatoire. Lessons are also taking place at Leeds Playhouse on 1 April.
Book | Gryphons Go Kids Camps
3-14 April
There’s still time to book your children 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.
International Medieval Congress
3-6 July
Are you keen to learn a new skill or simply find a new hobby? The International Medieval Congress (IMC) 2023 will feature a variety of professional and craft-based workshops for attendees and the public alike, culminating with an exciting day of medieval-themed entertainment on campus on 6 July, including thrilling combat displays, birds of prey, craft stalls and more. View the full IMC events programme.
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Keeping up to date
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