eNews 26 July
eNews: Graduation, Green Gown Awards, British Academy Fellowship, website migration and more
Graduation
Online graduates meet on campus for the first time
A group of international students met in person for the first time during their graduation last week after spending four years learning online together.
Dean of Online and Student Education, Margaret Korosec:
“This was our first fully online Masters programme and the first time we’ve been able to invite our online students to celebrate together with us in HELIX. It was wonderful to have the chance to meet them and their loved ones, who are so much a part of the journey.
“Taking time off work to pursue a degree is not possible for everyone. Studying online is a flexible learning option, allowing learners to fit studies around life and to advance their career whilst working. We are committed to providing online learning that offers an equitable academic experience as our on-campus courses.
“We wish all of our graduates well as they take the next step in their careers.”
Celebrating graduation
It’s the second week of summer graduations with the final set of ceremonies taking place on 28 July. Check out our graduation overview to find out what’s happening and how to get involved, and don’t forget to watch our Forever Leeds graduation video, which captures the memories of our graduating students and celebrates the people, places and experiences that made their time at Leeds.
Pearls of wisdom from BBC presenter
Alumna and BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty discusses what it was like to graduate from Leeds and offers her own pearls of wisdom for graduating students in the latest Leeds Voices podcast episode.
Climate
Green Gown Awards
Leeds has been shortlisted in four categories for the 2023 UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards. The coveted higher and further education accolades recognise outstanding sustainability projects. Our shortlisted projects include Gair Wood, which supports the University’s Climate Plan; Student Engagement through the Residential Services Blueprint team; and the Student Sustainability Research Conference. PhD student Hazel Mooney is also in the running for the student impact award. Winners will be announced in November.
New system for electric vehicle charging points on campus
New equipment for charging electric vehicles on campus will be active next week. The Monta app will be required to operate the system and there are QR codes on the equipment linking to it. The number of charging points has doubled in the Orange Zone of the multi-storey car park, furthering the University’s commitment to sustainable travel set out in our Climate Plan.
Cycle to Work Day
Cycle to Work Day is back this year on 3 August. An event for everyone, from people who haven’t hopped on a bike since school days to committed cycle commuters, it’s a day to get in the saddle and experience the brilliant benefits everyday cycling offers – mental, physical and financial.
Celebrate
Professor Helen Beebee elected for British Academy Fellowship
Professor of Philosophy of Science and Chair of the Editorial Board of BSPS, Helen Beebee, has been elected to the British Academic's Fellowship in recognition of her contribution to humanities and social sciences. The newly elected Fellows, many of whom have received funding and support from the Academy throughout their careers, represent a diverse range of specialism across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. This year, the Academy includes 86 new Fellows.
Thought pieces
Inside Track | Opening our rare cultural collections to the world
Imagine someone on the other side of the planet being able to see our rare and unique cultural collection – at a click of a button within seconds. Claire Knowles, Associate Director: Research and Digital Futures, tells us about the pioneering Digital Library Infrastructure Project.
Digital developments
Changes to Jadu websites
We’ve successfully moved 18 key University websites that use the Jadu content management system (CMS) to the cloud. You’ll need to use a wired connection on campus, the Virtual Private Network (VPN) or the Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD) to access it and set up a new, unique password. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. Our work isn’t finished though, as we’ll now be working hard on patches and bug fixes.
Leeds Digital Festival 2023
Leeds Digital Festival 2023 takes place from 18-29 September, providing an open platform to showcase innovation and digital tech across Leeds city region. Got an idea to share? If so, please let us know. We’re coordinating a programme of events across campus, including a digital innovation showcase. Send your ideas to digiengagement@leeds.ac.uk by 28 July.
Take part | Hybrid meeting rooms pilot project
Have you tried our pilot hybrid meeting rooms yet? Open to all colleagues in multiple locations across campus, discover for yourself how the latest technology can launch your meeting with the click of a single button, offering instant connection to room audio and video, and enabling improved collaboration with colleagues.
We’re regularly making improvements based on your feedback, so why not try the latest setup and let us know what you think?
Instructions for using the new equipment are available online and in each of the pilot rooms, with a technical assistance team on hand to resolve any issues. Book pilot rooms using Outlook or see our handy FAQs for further information.
Data quarantine | Research data action required
GDPR data quarantine for personally identifiable information will start on 3 August. Ensure your research data is exempted by taking necessary actions. Join our Q&A sessions via our Teams site on 28 July (1-2pm) and 3 August (1-2pm) for guidance on the process and to discuss additional concerns. For further queries, email the Information Governance Team at dpo@leeds.ac.uk.
Update | Buying software
We’ve recently updated our Contract Information for Software Compliance (CISC) request to help make it easier for you to use before buying or renewing software or applications. This process helps make sure purchases meet the University’s policy and legal requirements.
Campus life
‘Fantastic’ feedback will refresh future Staff Festivals
Scores of survey responses received following the return of the University’s Staff Festival will help shape future instalments. Organisers were delighted to re-establish the celebration in the University calendar after an enforced absence of four years – a sentiment echoed by the majority of feedback received via the Staff Festival survey, with colleagues hailing the event as ‘wonderful’, ‘superb’ and a ‘great experience’. Some interesting ideas were also shared about how to improve future instalments.
International Medieval Congress (IMC) 2023 image gallery
Did you attend any of the fantastic IMC 2023 events earlier this month? Organisers had a photographer out and about on campus snapping some memorable moments, including the Making Leeds Medieval attractions on the final day. View the IMC image gallery to see if you were captured on camera, and don’t forget to watch the IMC 2023 video for footage of all the fun!
Students
New student success case studies
Read our three new case studies on the 100 Black Female Professors Now initiative, the student voice and StREAM Learning Analytics, and discover how the University is embedding an evidence-based approach to student success, progressing against the Enablers pillar in our Access and Student Success Strategy.
Research
World Changers | Celebrating impactful research
Studying at a large university can be daunting, especially if you feel under-represented amongst the staff and student body. Associate Professor Rachael O’Connor describes how ‘micro-communities’ within enormous institutions can help in bringing staff and students together – and give them the confidence to speak out for broader cultural change that influences and develops the macro-level culture. Read the latest collection of World Changers essays.
Commercialising research guidance for social scientists
Leeds Social Sciences Institute, colleagues at the University and Oxentia – Oxford University’s Global Innovation Consultancy – have developed, with funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, guidance to help support all social scientists at the University to consider commercialisation opportunities from their research as a route to greater impact and societal benefit.
Learning and development
Read | Lifelong Learning Centre (LLC) newsletter
Read the latest LLC newsletter, providing information about how the LLC can support you in your role at the University. Sign up to the LLC mailing list to have the termly newsletters sent direct to your inbox.
Events
Visit our For Staff web page for all the latest upcoming events including:
- Gryphons Go Outdoor Kids Camp
- Arcadia for All? Rethinking Landscape Painting Now
- Child Friendly Leeds Live
- Leeds Pride
- Meltwater at the Howard Assembly Rooms
Tell us your story
We’d like to hear about the great work you’re doing. Contact internalcomms@leeds.ac.uk to share your stories.
Keeping up to date
You can keep up to date with our latest news on the For Staff website and by following the staff Twitter account.
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