24 January 2024

eNews 24 January

Grade 2-4 pay scales, VC blog, NSS and more 

University improves grade 2-4 pay scales  

“It’s right that we focus on supporting our lowest paid staff whose hard work is integral to the University’s operation.” 

More than 1,300 University employees on pay grades two, three and four will be moved up at least one pay spine point from 1 February 2024.  

Targeted at the University’s lowest paid staff, this is the first step in a broader review of the University’s pay and grading structure which we will be commencing shortly. 

Vice-Chancellor’s blog 

Research and innovation 

In his latest blog, Professor Hai-Sui Yu, Interim Vice-Chancellor and President, looks at research and innovation at the University, and the importance of providing our research community with the time, confidence and resource to successfully deliver our transformational research. 

Students 

National Student Survey (NSS) 
Until 30 April 

“We want our students to provide honest thoughts, work with us to make their time at university better and inspire change for future students.” 

The NSS – the annual UK-wide survey that asks final year students about their course and university experience – is back for 2024. We want colleagues to help raise awareness of the NSS and encourage eligible students to take part.  

Find out more about the survey by exploring our NSS 2024 staff toolkit, which you can also use to: 

Fresh Start Festival  
29 January to 4 February 

The Fresh Start Festival for 2024 is nearly upon us – a week of food, fun, friends and opportunities. Help students make the most of everything life at Leeds has to offer by checking out our range of information and templates to use in your own communications. 

Student Success Forum 
4-6pm, 29 February 

Registrations for the next Student Success Forum are now open. Join Professor Arunangsu Chatterjee, Dean of Digital Transformation, alongside influential guest speakers Olli-Pekka Heinonen, Director General of the International Baccalaureate, and Julia King, Baroness Brown of Cambridge and advisor to the government on sustainability, as they discuss the future of Higher Education through the lenses of inclusivity, sustainability and the impact of artificial intelligence. 

Thought pieces 

Does the 2024 US presidential primary really matter? 

“Unusually, both parties have candidates who seem to be destined to win their party’s nomination: current president Democrat Joe Biden and his Republican predecessor Donald Trump.” 

This time next year we’ll be inaugurating a new US President, or will we? Familiar faces are in pole position. US politics lecturer Dr Christine Harlen looks at the forthcoming primary elections. 

Appointments 

Meet the University’s new Waste Manager 

Read the latest Facilities Directorate ‘Ten Minutes With’ feature, which introduces the University’s new Waste Manager, Fariha Aasam. Discover how Fariha aims to create a greener and cleaner environment at Leeds through her role coordinating waste collection, recycling programmes and disposal methods on campus. 

Climate and sustainability 

£2m climate education expansion for England’s young learners 

“With our wealth of expertise in climate research, the University will create a strong network of climate ambassadors across the Yorkshire and Humber region.” 

Every school and college in England will have free access to expert support to become greener and more climate resilient in a national scheme run by a consortium of universities including Leeds. 

Groundbreaking project exploring geothermal heat on campus  

Work will start on campus on 29 January to test the potential for using geothermal heat to help provide a clean, fossil-free heating system on campus, as part of our Net Zero Delivery Plan. It involves drilling eight boreholes in several locations. There are ways to seek support or raise concerns if you’re adversely affected by the disruption. 

Campus life 

Staff Festival 2024 | Nominate your chosen charity 

“We’re delighted to have supported so many good causes over the years, and we need your help again to select another charity to receive a funding fillip.” 

There’s still time to choose the charity to benefit from this year’s Staff Festival. Nominations close at 5pm on 26 January. 

Holocaust Memorial Day  

We’ll be lighting up key University buildings in purple on 27 January to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. 

Did you know?  

The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed today (24 January) as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development. 

Digital developments  

SAP unavailable this weekend 

SAP will be moving to cloud-based servers this weekend to improve security and reliability. SAP, including the Self Service portal (selfservice.leeds.ac.uk) will be unavailable from 1pm on 26 January to 9am on 30 January. Contact SAPMigration@leeds.ac.uk if you have any queries. 

Have your say | Share your feedback on Minerva 

We’d like to know what you think about Minerva to ensure we deliver the best experience to you and your students. Please complete our Minerva Staff Survey by 31 January so we can better understand your views. 

Survey | Where do you store your files? 

Help us understand where you currently store your files and what resources could help you make the most of OneDrive. Complete the short IT survey by 31 January. 

Research  

Celebrating International Day of Education 

“Our world leading research in early years and education tackles key areas where our research can improve the lives of young children across education, public policy and health.” 

As we celebrate International Day of Education, we’re turning the spotlight on the ongoing support, research and collaboration taking place across the University. 

Consultation on the use of AI in research  

Research colleagues are invited to take part in the University’s consultation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI).  

Results from the study will help inform the development of new policies, protocols, training requirements, procedures and guidance for the use of AI in all aspects of research. 

Research Culture Café   
10-11am, 7 February  

Book your place at the next Research Culture Café. This online event aims to promote a positive and inclusive research culture through café-style conversations. The cafés help colleagues propose solutions for change, share experiences and create a community network. The themes of this event are career development and equity, diversity and inclusion in research. Events running until August are also available to book. 

Staff networks 

Join | Working Class Network  
4-5pm, 29 January 

Join the Working Class Network for its first online meeting of the year to hear from two students in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures about their Working-Class Student Experience poster. Join the Working Class Network MS Teams area to access the event invite. 

Wellbeing and support 

Sign up | New Year Step Challenge 
29 January to 4 February 

Sign up to join colleagues across the University challenging themselves to move more! We encourage people of all abilities to get involved, offering a range of methods to measure and track your movement. Those registering will be randomly assigned to a team of six colleagues. There are photo bonuses up for grabs and a lively Microsoft Teams chat to keep you motivated. Registration closes at 5pm tomorrow (25 January). 

World Cancer Day | Wellbeing Lunchtime Learning session 
12.10-12.55pm, 29 January 

As part of World Cancer Day and Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, the Leeds Health Awareness team is hosting a symptoms and screening presentation at the LOGIK Centre on campus. There will be an opportunity to ask private and confidential questions after the talk. 

Book | Menopause Toolkit Workshops 

Enhancing Research Culture committee funding will enable Sport and Physical Activity to run Menopause Toolkit Workshops free of charge until July. Two eight-week courses will run simultaneously every Wednesday and Thursday from 31 January. 

Learning and development 

Building Impact Momentum Programme    

Register your interest in the next Building Impact Momentum Programme, which will help develop concrete ideas for impact that can be applied to research projects or grant applications. Running from April to July, the programme is open to research, academic and professional support staff. It consists of six webinars, additional reading, partner work and impact practice. The closing date for expressions of interest is 18 February.   

Psychosocial Resources suite of workshops  

Sign up for the Psychosocial Resources for Personal Wellbeing and Professional Competence suite of workshops, delivered by the Staff Counselling and Psychological Support Service and Organisational Development and Professional Learning (OD&PL). The upcoming workshops explore a variety of themes, including: active approaches to worry, working with change and uncertainty, relaxation and sleep, and understanding grief, loss and setback.  

Student panel on academic personal tutoring     
2-3.30pm, 22 February   

Join an event to learn more about student perspectives of academic personal tutoring (APT). A panel of our students from a range of schools and backgrounds will reflect on their experiences of APT. The session is open to all colleagues and is designed to facilitate authentic and honest conversations to support the development of our practice. 

Events 

Register | LIFD fifth birthday celebration 
12 noon to 6.45pm 25 January and 9am to 3pm 26 January 

Leeds Institute for Fluid Dynamics (LIFD) is inviting all colleagues to attend the LIFD fifth birthday celebration event. This in-person event is open to internal and external colleagues and is free to attend. Venue details and a finalised schedule will be shared following registration. 

Join | Visiting Artist’s Talk 
2-4pm, 29 January 

We welcome Daniel F Herrmann, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Projects at the National Gallery in London for this week’s Visiting Artist’s Talk. Visit the Arts, Humanities and Cultures website to find out how to attend this and other Visiting Artist’s Talks. 

Register | Data science at LIDA events 

Register for the latest instalments of the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA) data science mini-series, featuring lightning talks from data scientists about their research. First up is a transport and travel segment, which runs from 10-11am on 8 February and features speakers Toluwani Osabiya, Aditi Sudhakar and Lydia Wharton. This is followed at the same time on 14 February with Ahmad Ammash, Preeti Sharma and Abdelrahman Ibrahim talking about societal and environmental challenges. Both events take place in LIDA room 11.87 in the Worsley Building and online. 

Smeaton300 | Be Curious at Leeds Industrial Museum 
12 noon to 4pm, 17 February  

Meet University researchers at this family-friendly Smeaton300 event, packed full of discovery and exciting activities. Don’t miss learning about local Leeds legend and the UK’s first Civil Engineer, John Smeaton, through hands-on workshops led by colleagues. 

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The Internal Communications and Engagement team    

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