eNews 10 May
Leeds Partnership Awards winners, Climate Plan, modernising our staff website, keeping campus ticking, countdown to Be Curious 2023, research news, student support, events and more.
Celebrate
Leeds Partnership Awards 2023
Winners of the Leeds Partnership Awards were announced during a special ceremony held in Leeds University Union (LUU) last night (9 May). More than a thousand nominations were whittled down to reveal this year’s shortlist, with awards presented to inspirational winners in 14 categories. Celebrating collaboration across the University, the coveted accolades recognise the achievements of staff and students who truly put into practice the Leeds Partnership – an agreement setting out our commitment to work together to support all aspects of our University community. Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.
Climate Plan
Watch | Using data to understand our climate impact
A new video by Sarah Bilton, Chair of the University’s net zero reporting group, discusses how the University collects data on its carbon emissions and ensures this helps us achieve our climate goals.
Becoming climate resilient
A new video featuring Climate Resilience Officers Juliet de Little and Julie Mair, together with Facilities Directorate Architectural Technical Officer, Christopher Wade, explains how the University can implement climate resilience measures so we can identify and adapt to climate hazards threatening the University’s core activities.
Climate Plan Hub
Visit our Climate Plan Hub to keep up to date with how we’re tackling climate change at the University. You can also post questions, add comments and read more about the latest developments.
Digital developments
Help us modernise our staff website
We’ve launched a discovery project to help design and build an improved digital news and information experience. We want you to have a staff website or intranet you truly value. Participation will involve an online questionnaire and focus groups during May. Register to take part in the project if you’re interested in sharing your experiences and ideas.
Creating web content | New guidance and updates
Guidance has been refreshed on the Communications website to help you plan and create engaging, user-focused online content. Creating web content is a complete guide, from user stories and persona research through to structure and writing tips. The updated Analytics and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) webpage includes Google Analytics information and training resources.
Accessibility Matters | Get involved in Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Interested in digital accessibility? Global Accessibility Awareness Day is taking place on 18 May and the University is asking colleagues to consider the accessibility of their content to improve the digital experience for all staff and students. Visit the Digital Accessibility website to find out more about how you can get involved.
Update | Information Security Training
University Secretary Jennifer Sewel wrote to all colleagues last week, urging everyone to remain vigilant against cyber fraud and to ensure they undertake the mandatory information governance training modules when prompted to do so.
Campus life
Spotlight | Keeping campus ticking
Have you ever wondered how we maintain campus buildings, or the logistics involved in staging major events such as graduation and open days? Find out more by reading the latest in a series of Facilities Directorate (FD) features, which this week focuses on Facilities Team Leader, Stevie Kilgour.
Road restrictions | Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon
Road closures will affect access to campus, as well as off-site residential and sports facilities, during the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on 14 May. More than 15,000 runners take on a route through the city that starts and finishes at Headingley Stadium. There will be no access via the Woodhouse Lane entrance from 7.30am until the road is reopened. Hilary Place and Cavendish Road will also be closed. Please ensure no vehicles are parked in Cavendish Road, Hilary Place or Lodge Street, as you will be unable to move them until the event has cleared.
Research
Countdown to Be Curious 2023
The countdown has begun to our jam-packed programme for the entertainment extravaganza that is Be Curious! The annual open event – showcasing the University’s world-changing research to colleagues and the wider public – returns from 10am to 4pm on Saturday (13 May). Read about the full Be Curious programme and how you can attend for free.
Take part | LITE study on Curriculum Redefined
Share your honest experiences of how Curriculum Redefined has impacted working at the University as part of a Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE) fellowship study run by Dr Sarah Joyce. Open to all colleagues, the study will influence the continued progress of the Curriculum Redefined project. Watch a video by Sarah to learn more. Further information and a link to sign up can be found in the introductory document on the study.
Support for postgraduate researchers
Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Simone Buitendijk, has signed a letter calling on the Government to help postgraduate researchers access government childcare subsidies. The letter outlines why the inability to access these subsidies will have a detrimental impact on diversity in postgraduate research.
What Comes After the UN Sustainable Development Goals?
11.30am to 1pm, 17 May
Register for the first in a series of three interdisciplinary panel events organised by the Horizons Institute to discuss some of today’s most pressing global challenges. Panel Chair and Horizons Institute Director, Professor Stuart Taberner, is joined for the free online session by Ravi Gurumurthy (Nesta), writer Sarah Ichioka, Research Fellow Jordan Mullard and Kavitha Hariharan (Marsh McLennan).
Making parks safe for women and girls
Practical guidelines to help make parks and green spaces safer for women and girls have been launched at a conference organised by the University. It follows a recent study led by Dr Anna Barker, an Associate Professor in Criminal Justice and Criminology in the School of Law at Leeds, which found most females believed their local parks to be unsafe. The research – funded by the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin – concluded feeling vulnerable in parks is a barrier that needs to be urgently addressed.
Researching Gender and Sexuality in Africa Workshop
9.30am to 5pm, 18 May
Register via african-studies@leeds.ac.uk by 14 May to attend an on-campus interdisciplinary workshop run by LUCAS (Leeds University Centre for African Studies) that centres on sharing and discussing current research on gender and sexuality in diverse African contexts.
Apply | Horizons Institute Crucible programme
Early career researchers can now apply for the Horizons Institute Crucible programme, which helps build interdisciplinary skills and global collaborations. Email horizons@leeds.ac.uk for an application form. Closing date is 31 May.
Students
Final call | Helping improve students’ academic experience
The Undergraduate Programme Survey 2023 closes on 12 May. All non-finalist undergraduate students have been invited to have their say. Your support to enable students to participate would be greatly appreciated, as their feedback helps us improve their academic experience.
Last chance | Making a difference to the lives of students
Applications for the 2023 round of Footsteps Funding close on 15 May to support projects that enhance widening participation activity, the student experience and student opportunities. Sign up for the mailing list or contact the Footsteps Fund Committee at ffc@leeds.ac.uk for further information.
Access and Student Success Strategy progress page
See how the University made progress with the Access and Student Success Strategy in the 2021-22 academic year on our new webpage. The strategy sets out how the University is going about making sure students from all backgrounds have fair opportunities to study and thrive at Leeds.
Module enrolment guidance and resources
Module enrolment for all returning students opens on 16 and 17 May. The Student Communications and Engagement team has put together guidance and resources for communicating to current students.
Learning and development
Visit our For Staff webpage for all the latest learning and development opportunities available at the University, including information about the:
- LITE Fellowships
- Values in Teams workshop
- Aurora leadership development programme
- online Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice event
- PebblePad webinar
- Active Listening workshop; and
- Research Culture Change for Leaders pilot.
Wellbeing and support
Sign up | Walking for Wellbeing Step Challenge
Registration closes at 5pm tomorrow (11 May) for the Walking for Wellbeing Step Challenge. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week, the challenge runs from 15-21 May. Those signing up will be randomly assigned to a team of six colleagues. People of all abilities are encouraged to take part, with a range of methods available to measure and track your movement. There are photo bonuses up for grabs and a lively Microsoft Teams chat to keep you motivated.
Register | Parent and Carer Peer Support Network
10-11am, 17 May
Are you a parent or carer looking for extra support? Help is available through the Parent and Carer Peer Support Network, which includes monthly online sessions. The next one focuses on the benefits of physical activity for wellbeing. Contact Gemma Traviss-Turner at g.traviss@leeds.ac.uk or James Willmoth at J.L.Willmoth@leeds.ac.uk for further information and to be added to the Teams group.
Sign up | Adult Oral Health Survey 2023 preparation
Volunteer to take part in the preparation for the Adult Oral Health Survey 2023, the national study that’s the main source of NHS information on UK oral health. Taking place at the Royal Armouries on 8 June, participants will receive a £50 shopping voucher for taking part. Contact Dhriti Mandalia at Dhriti.Mandalia@natcen.ac.uk or Alanna Ryder-Dalton at Alanna.Ryder-Dalton@natcen.ac.uk for further information or to volunteer. The deadline for registrations is 28 May.
Staff benefits
Enter | Win a folding e-bike
Cyclescheme, which administers the University’s Cycle to Work Scheme, has teamed up with Gocycle to give away a G4 Folding E-bike, worth £3,399. All colleagues, whether they’re scheme members or not, can enter the competition before midnight today (10 May).
Events
Events Network | Near, far, wherever they are: Engaging audiences at online and hybrid events
12.30-1.30pm, 11 May
Book your place at our next Events Network meeting. Bringing people together is more important than ever, and the events we run have an important role to play in providing feelings of community and connection. Hear from guest speakers discussing hybrid event functionality, running virtual events and how platforms can create a more engaging audience experience, whether online or on campus.
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia 2023
17 May
International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) draws attention to violence and discrimination faced by LGBT+ people across the world. This year the theme is ‘Together always: united in diversity’. Visit the IDAHOBIT website for further information.
N8 Digital Health Community Conference
9.45am to 4.30pm, 22 June
Join the Digital Health Community for a day of learning and networking. Researchers from across the N8 group of universities will come together to hear from experts in health data and explore the future of digital health. All colleagues are welcome and registration closes on 8 June.
Sign up | Charity five-a-side football tournament
12 noon to 4pm, 26 June
Sport and Physical Activity is hosting a five-a-side football tournament at The Edge to fundraise for the Gryphons Abroad programme. This project engages young people in rural South Africa in a programme of cycling, sport and education. Tournament registration is £30 per team. Contact Rachel Harrison at R.J.Harrison1@leeds.ac.uk for further information.
Register | Research showcase: Tackling violence against women and girls
12 noon to 5.30pm, 29 June
Hear the latest research from projects where researchers are working in partnership with police to tackle violence against women and girls. The series of short talks brings together multiple projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) to explore their findings.
Tell us your story
We’d like to hear about the great work you’re doing. Contact the Internal Communications and Engagement team at internalcomms@leeds.ac.uk 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.