eNews 1 November
eNews: Message from the interim Vice-Chancellor and President, celebrating our groundbreaking research, fair fashion, keeping campus safe and more.
Professor Hai-Sui Yu takes up the role of interim Vice-Chancellor and President of the University
“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to guide our institution and continue to build a university known for its global outlook, world-changing research and innovation, and exceptionally talented staff and students.”
Hai-Sui has today written to all colleagues and students setting out his commitment to enable all in our community to thrive, deliver against our 2020-30 strategy and create the conditions for achieving and celebrating excellence in all we do.
Thought pieces
Celebrating the collaborative achievements of our ground-breaking research community
“We want to celebrate the people behind the many discoveries, inventions and research that’s making a difference in all kinds of ways.”
Read the latest stories in our Further Together campaign, celebrating the work and discoveries of some our inspiring colleagues. The latest features include:
- researchers working to understand changing food systems in Africa
- an innovative project making safe operations affordable and accessible
- collaboration focussed on helping nature thrive in the Yorkshire Dales.
Listen | How do we make fashion fair?
The fashion industry is a huge contributor to pollution and climate change, but how do we ensure the clothes we buy are sustainable? How can we know if they’re made ethically and how do we make fashion more accessible?
Listen to this week’s podcast featuring Dr Mark Sumner, Lecturer in Sustainability, Retail and Fashion; Dr Bethan Bide, Lecturer in Design and Cultural Theory; and Dr Matthew Davis, Associate Professor in Organisational Psychology.
Feedback
QS Academic Reputation Survey
We’re asking colleagues to identify potential respondents for the QS Academic Reputation Survey by 17 November. We will need to contact them for their consent to take part. The survey is based on external colleagues’ opinions of the University and carries a 30% weighting in the QS World University Rankings.
Campus life
Fifteen to One | Helping keep campus safe
“Leeds has a diverse community and everyone should feel safe and able to be themselves.”
New Police Higher Education Liaison Officer (PHELO), PC Vanessa Jardine, outlines her role helping keep campus safe and how she plans to further develop networks across the University. Discover what inspired Vanessa to join the Force, her pride at helping support the next generation of police officers and her top tip for staying safe.
Alice Bacon Lecture | The Female Leader
6.30-7.30pm, tomorrow (2 November)
Dame Sharon White, who chairs the John Lewis Partnership, will deliver the 2023 Alice Bacon Lecture titled ‘The Female Leader – Looking to the day that it’s unremarkable’. Questions and a drinks reception follow the lecture.
2023 Festival of Social Science
Until 17 November
With events exploring the world of social science, from how society has shaped our local areas to behaviours helping fight climate change, Leeds is one of the hosts of the 2023 Festival of Social Science. Delivered across 42 institutions, this year’s festival includes sessions focusing on lifelong wellbeing, exploring mental and physical health at all ages and celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
Watch | Inspiring speakers
Catch up with the sessions from October’s sold-out TEDxUniversityofLeeds event on the TEDx YouTube channel. Be inspired by Leeds alumni Theo Youds and Jamie Crummie, as well as Leeds colleagues Rachael O’Connor and Dr Radhika Borde, Paralympian Kadeena Cox OBE, Global Philanthropy Advisor Minhaz Abedin and entrepreneur Anu Shah. Just search via the speaker’s name.
Award | University campus strikes gold!
The University has achieved Gold status and been crowned a winner in the Universities, Colleges and Further Education category at this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom Awards. Thanks to the hard work of the Estates and Sustainability teams, the award was made for a variety of well-maintained planted areas across campus, the volume of green space and plans for the creation of green walls.
Did you know?
Our Grounds and Gardens team helps plant 12,000 bulbs across campus every year alongside 10,000 bedding plants, grown locally by Leeds City Council. That’s bloomin’ amazing!
Graduation
Order | Graduation ceremony gowns
Academic colleagues attending graduation ceremonies in December have until 27 November to order a gown. Those who’ve ordered before have been sent an invitation to register attendance and submit their requirements. Please check your junk folder if the email hasn’t landed in your inbox. New colleagues should contact the graduation team at graduation@leeds.ac.uk to set up an account.
Sustainability and Climate
Climate Week
Until 3 November
Want to meet Leeds-based organisations doing incredible work on sustainable and social action? Keen to hear about the University’s Climate Plan? Or maybe you’re ready to swap some unwanted clothes or household items? If so, take part in Leeds University Union (LUU) Climate Week.
Launch | New Repair Café on campus
12.30-4.30pm, 3 November
The Sustainability Service and Makerspace are launching a new Repair Café to help staff and students save money, reduce waste and keep items in use for longer. Part of LUU’s Climate Week, you can take along your broken items – including textiles and small electronics – and skilled volunteers will help fix them using Makerspace facilities in the Edward Boyle Library.
Arts and Climate Week
Until 3 November
Climate Action Leeds and Yorkshire Life Aquatic are hosting a week of Arts and Climate curiosities at Imagine Leeds – the climate action hub in the city centre. Events, ranging from themed workshops to an immersive exhibition, focus on climate and our oceans.
Launch Event | Remaking Places Interdisciplinary Network
5.30-7pm, 21 November
A new network for practice-focused action researchers is launching, supported by the Horizons Institute. Focusing on the triple emergencies of the climate crisis, ecological breakdown and social inequality – and their impact on people, places and the planet – the group is hosting a launch event for the network at Imagine Leeds.
Book launch | How To Save The City
5.30-7.30pm, 29 November
‘How To Save The City’ from Agenda Publishing is a new book by author and campaigner Professor Paul Chatterton, from the School of Geography. A ‘call to arms’ for city teams taking action on the converging and accelerating emergencies of our age, Professor Chatterton will be launching the book at Imagine Leeds.
Competition
National Cat Day winner revealed
The votes are in and the winner of our National Cat Day competition is... Aslan Broccoli Sheppard! We’ll be in touch soon with details of how to claim your prize and we hope Aslan enjoys their paw-some cat hamper. Thank you to everyone who submitted an entry and the many colleagues who took the time to vote.
Digital developments
Changes to web accessibility standards
New requirements for digital accessibility standards that the University must meet have been published by The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). Read more about these changes on our Digital Accessibility website.
Getting started with Minerva
8 November and 5 December
Join the ‘Getting Started with Minerva’ online training sessions if you’re new to the system. These are aimed at postgraduates and colleagues who use Minerva to support teaching and learning and want to gain a broad understanding of how the system works.
What’s New in IT Services
Read about the latest behind-the-scenes activity in IT Services, from project updates to pop-up service desks and more. We also take another trip in the time machine to see what was happening in April 2001!
Students
Take part | Bringing the real world into the curriculum
12 noon to 5pm, 15 November
Experiential leaning is about more than just work placements. Join colleagues from across academic and professional services to explore how we bring the real world into the curriculum. Discover the great work already happening at Leeds, network with colleagues and shape how we can contribute to the national agenda. Register to attend the in-person event, taking place in the School of Music.
Sustainable Commute to Campus Challenge
Throughout October, students have been taking part in our Sustainable Commute Challenge, with 2,077 submissions received as they walked, wheeled, cycled or took public transport to campus. Read about the physical and mental benefits of active travel, as well as how reducing our emissions from commuting will help us reach our net zero target as part of our Climate Plan.
Research
Register | Child Health Outcomes Research at Leeds
3.30-5pm, 7 November
Child Health Outcomes Research at Leeds (CHORAL) is an exciting new programme to support and develop child health research across Leeds, Bradford and beyond. Sign up for an informal autumn gathering in the Worsley Building and meet other child health researchers.
Nominations | White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP) Social Science Studentships
Subject to confirmation of funding from the Economic and Social Research Council, the call for nominations to the first tranche of WRDTP social sciences studentship funding is now open. Social sciences doctoral research students commencing their studies in October 2024 can apply for funding for several awards, as part of the first cohort.
Wellbeing and support
Book | Winter Wellbeing Week 2023
20-24 November
Check out the listings and book your place on events for the first Winter Wellbeing Week. With activities including arts and crafts, yoga, Qigong, chiropractic and physiotherapy consultations, wellbeing walks and a gong bath sound therapy session, there’s something for everyone in the mix of in-person and online sessions.
Book | Ultimate introduction to climbing
9 November to 14 December
National Indoor Climbing Award Schemes (NICAS) course bookings are now open. NICAS is the ultimate introduction to climbing for anyone aged 7-17. Levels 1-3 are available at The Edge, taught in six weekly sessions.
Learning and development
Keep up to date with the latest learning and development opportunities from the University on our For Staff website, including:
- Policy Engagement Kickstart programme
- Building Impact Momentum Programme
- Leading in Student Education Development Programme
- Recording and applications | Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP)
- Inclusive Learning and Teaching Workshop
- Watch | LinkedIn Learning case studies
Events
Attend | ADHD in Women: Embracing Neurodiversity
1-2pm, 8 November
Nadine Cavigioli and Jenny Love share their personal experiences of ADHD and discuss the ways in which neurodiversity has impacted their lives, why ADHD is under-diagnosed in women and the unique benefits that come with it. The online event takes place via the Women at Leeds Network events calendar.
Tickets | Bolton Lecture in Astrophysics
5.30-6.30pm, 21 November
This year’s Bolton Lecture in Astrophysics will look back at a year of discoveries with the new Webb Space Telescope, which builds on the legacy of previous space-based telescopes to push the boundaries of human knowledge.
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.
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Keeping up to date
You can keep up to date with our latest news on the For Staff website and the staff Twitter account.
With best wishes,
The Internal Communications and Engagement team
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