eNews 14 February
eNews: Leeds Teaching Awards, LGBT+ History Month guest lecture, UK Corporate Games and more.
Celebrate
Watch | University of Leeds Teaching Awards 2024 video
Watch the recording of a recent briefing session to find out more about the University of Leeds Teaching Awards 2024. Celebrating excellent practice in student education, the awards are open to all colleagues involved in teaching or supporting the student learning experience at Leeds. Applications are open until 5pm on 15 March.
Celebrating collaboration across the University
Time is running out to help celebrate the amazing colleagues who collaborate, support and enhance the Leeds community. Nominations are open until midnight on 26 February for the annual Leeds Partnership Awards, which celebrate the achievements of staff and students who truly put into practice our shared commitment to work together to support all aspects of our University.
Thought pieces
Fifteen to One | Gabriel Cavalli
Hear from Gabriel Cavalli about his new role as Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence (LITE) Director, his previous achievements and his first impressions of campus.
Community
Credit due where credit deserved
“For technicians working in research, it’s important to know that their contribution is not only valued locally, but that there is a public record of the contribution they make.”
The brilliance and dedication of University technicians and skilled specialists delivering breakthroughs in research are to be fully acknowledged under new Fair Attribution guidelines.
LGBT+ History Month guest lecture
5-7pm, 26 February
The Equality and Inclusion Unit (EIU) welcomes colleagues and students to a guest lecture for LGBT+ History Month. Dr Koen Slootmaeckers, Reader in International Politics from City, University of London, will be delivering a talk titled: ‘What progress, and progress for whom? LGBT equality beyond legislative initiatives.’
In conversation with: Lord Michael Cashman and Professor Paul Johnson OBE
6-7.30pm, 29 February
Join us as we round out LGBT+ History Month with this event. Host Professor Paul Johnson will be in conversation with actor, politician and LGBT+ activist Lord Michael Cashman, best known for playing Colin Russell in Eastenders. Gain valuable insights into LGBT+ activism as Professor Johnson and Lord Cashman discuss the ongoing importance of LGBT+ History Month in 2024. Book your tickets for the ‘in conversation’ event.
Students
Leeds student backs anti-knife crime campaign
Anti-knife crime campaigner Sarah Lloyd has been described as “phenomenal and inspirational” at the launch of a striking sculpture at the Royal Armouries Museum. Sarah, who’s studying for an MA in Social Research, spoke of the horror she felt following the fatal stabbing of her 17-year-old son Kieran a decade ago in Harehills.
National Student Survey 2024
“An important measure of our progress in supporting students is the insight provided by final year undergraduates via the National Student Survey (NSS).”
The NSS launched at Leeds last week and will remain open until 30 April. Colleagues can use the NSS staff toolkit to raise awareness of the survey and encourage eligible students to take part. Find out more about the survey, attend an NSS drop-in session and access a whole host of resources, including PowerPoint slides, videos, posters, digital banners and more!
Register | Student Success Forum
4-6pm, 29 February
Registration for the next Student Success Forum is now open. Join Professor Arunangsu Chatterjee, Dean of Digital Transformation at Leeds, 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. You can also read the case study outlining how we’re supporting students through their Leeds journey.
Campus life
Register | Hear more on crucial University change in the latest COO session
1-2pm, 5 March
Register for the next COO Professional Services Open Meeting to hear more about the University’s strategic priorities and current focuses direct from Chief Operating Officer (COO) Rachel Brealey. Rachel will be joined by Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation, Professor Nick Plant, Executive Dean Professor Andrew Thorpe and the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures Operations Director Emily Abbey. There’ll be time for questions and the chance to network with colleagues afterwards.
Lunar New Year 2024
As we welcome the Year of the Dragon, our global community share their Lunar New Year wishes and how they will be celebrating.
Attend | Undergraduate Research Experience (UGRE)
19-23 February
Students from the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Cultures will showcase their brilliant and innovative work in this year’s UGRE programme. More than 40 speakers and an eclectic mix of presentations, from aboriginal awareness, to gender and lobotomy, to the 1980s rave scene, will be taking place. No booking is needed.
Consultation | Have your say on Woodhouse Lane
19 February
A consultation has launched to improve walking, cycling and public transport along Woodhouse Lane.The council would like to know your thoughts on current issues, what changes you’d like to see, and what you think should be prioritised to improve the Woodhouse Lane Gateway, which runs past the University and connects the city centre with the Hyde Park and Woodhouse areas. Feedback will help develop plans for a safer, more welcoming community.
Take part | UK Corporate Games
Colleagues are invited to get involved when the UK Corporate Games kicks off this month, supported by Sports Ambassador Alastair Brownlee and hosted in collaboration between the University and Leeds City Council.
Digital developments
Register | IT open session
9.30-11am, 21 February
Register to attend the next online IT open session to discuss how you interact with IT and put your questions to the IT Executive Leadership team. Don’t worry if you can’t attend – you can still use the registration form to submit your questions and a recording will be made available afterwards.
Email system overhaul
Read how email systems have been improved for all users to minimise further disruption. Please note you’ll need to log in to the IT website to view the article.
Digital Education Network
2.30-4pm, 21 February
Register your interest to join colleagues at the February meeting of the Digital Education Network, where you can hear about the latest in digital education, including the launch of the JISC Discovery Tool video and an update from Digital Education Enhancement on ThingLink and synoptic assessment.
Leap into OneDrive
29 February
Come along to one (or all) of four sessions looking at different aspects of OneDrive. Every session is 40 minutes long, with a short presentation followed by an opportunity for questions. All sessions will be recorded and available on the IT website afterwards.
Getting Started with Minerva
1-2.30pm, 14 March
Colleagues can sign up for the March Getting Started with Minerva online training session, aimed at staff and postgraduates who are new to Minerva and will use the platform to deliver or support learning and teaching. You’ll develop a broad understanding of the key functionality of Minerva and the module template as a result of the course.
Minerva New Feature: AI Design Assistant
An AI (Artificial Intelligence) Design Assistant has been introduced in Minerva to help academic colleagues create content in their module areas, including module structures and test questions for formative assessments.
Did you know?
Romance met research in a Valentine’s special of the Quantum Sauce live science show in Farsley last night (13 February). Professor Emilia Jamroziak from the School of History delivered a talk titled ‘Medieval Saints – Superpowers for Love and Life, introducing the central element of the medieval cult of saints, reciprocity’.
Research
Decolonising our research
What do we mean when we say we’re decolonising research at Leeds? Read our working definition in the Decolonising Research Framework, which includes key principles, values and broad actions for our University community, together with available support. Be inspired by the amazing examples of decolonising research already happening at Leeds and share your own by emailing the Research Culture Team.
Have your say | Research Culture pulse survey
The latest Research Culture pulse survey closes tomorrow (15 February). This time focusing on recognising diverse research activity, your feedback will play a vital role in helping create a positive and inclusive research culture at Leeds.
Exciting refurbishment of world-leading technology
Time has been called on the current generation of our advanced driving simulator in Virtuocity – a unique programme for city simulation and co-design. Launched in 2006, the University of Leeds Driving Simulator (UoLDS) remains one of the most technically advanced systems of its kind in use within a research environment anywhere in the world today. Virtuocity’s other labs will remain fully operational while the simulator is upgraded.
Igniting research with the cultural sector
The University’s Cultural Institute fosters collaboration between researchers and the cultural sector in West Yorkshire in several ways. The Ignite Fund is one of these ways, supporting projects that not only make an impact in themselves, but pave the way for future research and engagement. Discover which four projects have received Ignite Funding this year.
Information session | Collections Research Fund
Uncover the past and shape the future with the Collections Research Fund (CRF), which offers academics from all faculties a chance to apply research methods to world-class museum collections alongside specialist curators. Applications will open after an online CRF information session on 22 February. The deadline to apply for the fund is 19 April.
Events
International Concert Series
Multiple dates
The University of Leeds International Concert Series continues its 2024 season this week. Lucy Railton and Joseph Houston perform Morton Feldman’s ‘Patterns in a Chromatic Field’ from 6-7pm today (14 February). This is followed by Ben Goldscheider and Richard Uttley performing Beethoven’s Horn Sonata op 17 from 1.05-1.55pm on 16 February. An evening of authentic Andalusian Flamenco dance and music is promised when Tabanco de Jerez take to the same Clothworkers Centenery Concert Hall stage from 7.30-9.30pm on 17 February. Tickets for the first two events are on a pay-as-you-feel basis, or £10 for Tabanco de Jerez (free for students).
Biodiversity monitoring session
1-2pm, tomorrow (15 February)
Learn more about the wide range of wildlife on campus in the first biodiversity monitoring session of the year. Alongside a relaxed stroll, you will learn about the abundance how these animals can be recorded for research purposes. No experience is necessary, just a desire to find out more.
Smeaton300 | Be Curious at Leeds Industrial Museum
12 noon to 4pm, 17 February
Meet University researchers at this free, 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 research colleagues from across our faculties.
Book | Ultimate introduction to climbing
17 February to 26 March
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 offered at The Edge, taught in convenient six-week blocks with 90-minute sessions each week.
Visiting Artist’s Talk
2-4pm, 19 February
Our next Visiting Artist’s Talk welcomes Chila Kumari Burman, an artist with a long-standing attachment to Leeds.
Data science at LIDA | Online Behaviour Insights
10-11am, 21 February
This installment of the LIDA data science mini-series features two 10-minute lightning talks from data scientists about their research into Online Behaviour Insights.
Lecture | Pinter, Pensions, Artaud, and the Absurd
5.30-7pm, 23 February
The School of English is proud to announce the first in a new series of professorial inaugural lectures. Professor of Theatre and Performance Mark Taylor-Batty will present his lecture ‘Pinter, Pensions, Artaud and the Absurd’ at the Workshop Theatre on campus. The lecture will be followed by a reception and book launch in the School of English. Tickets are free and can be booked online.
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.
Pedagogical Power of PebblePad workshops
11-11.30am, 22 February
Book your place at the next Pedagogical Power of PebblePad workshop. In this series of online sessions, colleagues from across the University share innovative and interesting ways they’ve used PebblePad. The next event will feature presentations from Dr Benjamin Chong and Jenny Brady. Recordings of previous workshops in this series are also available to watch.
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 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.
Development drop-in sessions (Grades 2-5)
10am to 12 noon, 27 February
Attend the next Organisational Development and Professional Learning (OD&PL) drop-in session for colleagues in Grade 2-5 roles. This session takes place from 10am to 12noon in the Esther Simpson building. There’s no need to book and all colleagues are welcome, including those who support staff in these roles.
Active listening for APTs workshop
10-11am, 22 March (rescheduled from 21 March)
Sign up for an online workshop explore how active listening can enhance your academic personal tutoring practice. A series of practical and reflective activities will help refine your active listening skills and explore listening from different perspectives. You’ll also consider possible issues and how these might be avoided or overcome.
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.
Submit a request
You can submit a request for an eNews entry via this form. Please contact us in advance of the deadline (the Friday preceding the relevant Wednesday circulation date), so we can advise you on our editorial and content guidelines.
Other than in exceptional circumstances, eNews entries should be no more than 50 words long, as these are designed to be bite-sized chunks of news linking to other trusted sources (such as University websites) for full details.
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
Posted in: EnewsUniversity news