Staff Briefing

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Next editions Next editions and entries to the briefing General University notices Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Address to Assembly Research Showcase Event - Wednesday 29 November 2006 Advance Notice of Telephone System Upgrade - Friday 15.12.06 Adult Learners' Week 2007 - Awards nomination requests Use of General Teaching Rooms Want to buy a van? Copy deadline for January 2007 edition of News & Views Do you regularly travel to work on public transport? Metrocard Scheme Christmas Lunches in the Refectory University Fellows in Learning and Teaching Children's Christmas Party 2006 Training and Development Opportunities for Staff Forthcoming Staff Development opportunities Learning in Groups Residential Training Event Staff Training Opportunities - full list Arts on Campus Theatre in the Mill - this week Free music in the Atrium Works on Campus Demolition of Shearbridge Green Hall Chesham B and Chesham C Buildings Lectures, seminars and newsletters After the US elections: prospects for Iran with Dilip Hiro and Paul Rogers Cousin Marriages: a genetic problem or not? Centre for Community Engagement Seminar Royal Institute of Philosophy Lecture this week CCCMH seminar Research Bulletin Job Vacancies at the University

Next editions and entries to the briefing

• Monday 27 November
• Wednesday 6 December
• Tuesday 19 December (last one before Christmas)

Please keep entries concise with, if necessary, a link to further details on the web. Please check entries for accuracy and timeliness before sending. Deadline for entries is (generally) 12 noon each Friday.

Email: briefing@bradford.ac.uk

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General University notices

Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Address to Assembly

All colleagues are invited to the Vice-Chancellor’s Annual Address to the Assembly.

Thursday 23 November 2006 at 1pm in the John Stanley Bell Lecture Theatre.

The Agenda for the meeting and minutes of the previous meeting are available from the Assembly website at: http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/assembly/minutes/

We look forward to seeing many colleagues there.

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Research Showcase Event - Wednesday 29 November 2006

All staff and research students are invited to a research showcase, to be held on Wednesday 29 November here at the university.

Research is the oxygen of Universities. Bradford has established international research groups, some world-class facilities, and exciting emerging research areas. Come to see a fuller picture of what is happening in your University!

Full details are at: http://www.bradford.ac.uk/news/private/research-showcase.htm

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Advance Notice of Telephone System Upgrade - Friday 15.12.06

An upgrade to the University telephone system will take place, commencing Friday evening 15th December 2006. The system will go down at 5.p.m. for approximately five hours; no incoming or outgoing calls will be possible during this time and the voicemail service will also be unavailable.

Security Services will be provided with corporate mobiles for emergency use during this period - the mobile numbers will be advertised in the immediate run up to the upgrade weekend. Saturday 16th December will be reserved for testing; the system will be up and running, but may well be unstable during this period as we test a variety of telephony functions. First business day in service will be Monday 18th December, when telephone engineers will be on site to resolve any problems that were not immediately apparent over the weekend - please report any faults to ICT Servicedesk on ext: 3333 or email ictservicedesk@bradford.ac.uk

As part of the upgrade process, all telephony data will be backed up (and frozen) on Monday 4th December. Please note, only imperative moves, changes and additions to the telephone system will take place during the fortnight thereafter. The backup data will be reloaded on Saturday 16th December.

If you believe your planning unit/department will require new extensions, moves or changes during this time, please contact ICT Servicedesk immediately on ext: 3333 or email ictservicedesk@bradford.ac.uk

With regard to voicemail, there is a risk that any saved messages will be lost during the upgrade process. We advise all voicemail users to make a written note of any important messages prior to 5.p.m. on Friday 15th December.

A reminder email, including emergency mobile numbers will be sent out week commencing 11.12.06.

With apologies in advance for any inconvenience caused.

Roger M Goodair
Telecoms & ICT Support Manager

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Adult Learners' Week 2007 - Awards nomination requests

Do you know an adult learner who has overcome adversity (e.g. illness, gaps in education, travel difficulties and care commitments) and whose achievements could inspire others?

If so, why not nominate them for an Adult Learners’ Week Award? It’s a great way of celebrating the achievements of learners and, in doing so, encouraging others to get involved as well.

Full details are at: http://www.bradford.ac.uk/news/alw-2007.htm

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Use of General Teaching Rooms

You will know that the vast majority of General Teaching Areas have now been fitted with Salto locks(soon they all will be on Salto locks). The reason for this is that the University has spent a lot of money installing standardised equipment: digital projectors, PC's with interactive screens (in large theatres), video and DVD units and sound equipment, plus the control panels to make the rooms easier to use for those who don't do electrical wiring. From past experience these attract thieves like flies to honey. Therefore alongside all these features it was decided to invest in Salto locks and other security measures.

It is pointless having all this expensive equipment and locks if staff don't bother to lock the room at the end of a lecture. The impact of any break-in will be that rooms will be out of action for extended periods and may not be able to be fully restored until the following semester.

We need staff who are teaching in GTA to make sure that if there are no classes after them they:

1. turn the lights off
2. turn the projector off (a new bulb for one of these costs £500) and most importantly
3. lock the door.

It takes a minute to do this, but is far easier than it will be to have to repair a room after the projector has been ripped off the ceiling.

Thanks

Simon Duarri
Ancillary Services
Department of Estates and Facilities

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Want to buy a van?

In Ancillary Services we have a van we would like to sell to anyone within the University who is interested. The details are:

Freight Rover Sherpa 250CB - Petrol engine Registered January 1989

If anyone is interested in bidding for this vehicle, sealed bids should be sent to Purchasing by 12 noon on 24th November.

Many thanks for this.

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Copy deadline for January 2007 edition of News & Views

Dear Colleagues

Could anyone with a story idea or submission for the January edition of News & Views please get in touch with Emma Banks (ext: 3089) or Oliver Tipper (ext: 3084) in the Press Office by Friday 24 November.

You can also send hard copy via internal mail to Marketing and Communications, or email us at: press@bradford.ac.uk

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Do you regularly travel to work on public transport? Metrocard Scheme

If so, the metrocard scheme allows you to obtain an annual travelcard through the University for either unlimited bus travel throughout West Yorkshire, or a number of railzones (with unlimited bus travel), and the total annual cost of the metrocard is recovered through equal deductions from your salary/wage over the year.

Staff joining the scheme in February pay a pro rata fee for the metrocard up to the 30th September and can then renew from the 1st October for a full 12 month period.

Applications to be received no later than Friday 15th December 2006.

For further information including zone prices, please see http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/estates/environ/metro.html or contact Personnel on ext: 5347 or pop in to D35, Richmond Building.

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Christmas Lunches in the Refectory

As the Staff Refectory is no longer (it is now offices) Christmas lunches will be offered from Monday 11th until Thursday 14th December in the main refectory. This will be done as a counter service like a normal day. No booking is needed.

Further details from Catering on ext: 4901, or email: catering@bradford.ac.uk

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University Fellows in Learning and Teaching

The University is seeking to appoint up to 4 Fellows in Learning and Teaching. These are 3 year appointments with negotiated release from 25% of workload. Successful candidates will be academic and learning support staff who can demonstrate outstanding commitment to and current success in the enhancement of student learning. During their Fellowship, they will develop their contributions to student learning and to the scholarship of learning and teaching to the level expected of National Teaching Fellowship candidates. University Fellows will make a significant contribution to the University's strategic developments in learning and teaching, including the development of future CETL proposals and other funded project initiatives.

For further details, please go to http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/tqeg?ltf0607

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Children’s Christmas Party 2006

The annual Christmas Party for children and grandchildren of staff and students of the University will be held in the Communal Building 14.30 - 17.30 on Saturday 2nd December, cost £3.00 per child. For further details click on the website address below and print off the single page combined information sheet and application form. For the web-wary and web-weary paper copies are available from all School/Departmental/Area secretaries.

The Organising Committee would also be very grateful if you could bring this event to the attention of any student parents of whom you are aware. An item will also be included in this month's Campus News which goes to all students. Ask students to collect a form from their School/Dept/Area Secretary.

We hope to see you all at the party, in the meantime a Happy Christmas to all our readers.

From

Santa’s Pixies

http://www.bradford.ac.uk/briefing/christmas.htm

In the event of any problems please contact one of the following:

Denise Hastings, 3877, d.a.hastings@bradford.ac.uk
Jess Boot, 3845, email j.c.boot@bradford.ac.uk
Ian Scowen, 3764, email i.scowen@bradford.ac.uk
Michele Mozley, 4174, email m.e.mozley@bradford.ac.uk

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Training and Development Opportunities for Staff

Forthcoming Staff Development opportunities

Basic Meditation Techniques
Mondays 27 November & 4 December 2006, 12.30 - 13.30
Lunchtime sessions for learning techniques to calm the mind and return you refreshed and alert for the afternoon's challenges.
http://www.brad.ac.uk/dev-prog/development/index.php?course=MEDI

Leadership Development (4 days) (only chance this academic year)
Starts: 30 Nov-1 Dec 2006, and continues: 16 - 17 March 2007
Target audience: Especially suitable for managers.
Prerequisite: Commitment to attend all four days of the course.
http://www.brad.ac.uk/dev-prog/development/index.php?course=LDEV

Minute Taking and Writing: Refresher (only chance this academic year)
Friday 8 December 2006, 09.30 - 13.00
Target audience: This is a refresher course for University Staff who are already taking minutes and who wish to learn more about the University conventions for Committee Meeting minutes.
http://www.brad.ac.uk/dev-prog/development/index.php?course=MIN2

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Learning in Groups Residential Training Event

This is an invitation to staff who are interested in developing groupwork for their students. On offer is the opportunity to participate in the annual “Learning in Groups” weekend run by Student Development at the University. The focus for this training event is how students learn in groups and how to facilitate and support this learning. The weekend is an excellent opportunity for you to be a participant observer in the process of group learning and will show you how the right learning environment can produce more profound and stimulating learning for students. The most interesting aspect of groupwork is group dynamics. This weekend will enable you to experience group formation as a group member and to learn how groups move from “forming” to “performing”. This experience will give you plenty to reflect on and hopefully make it much easier for you to develop groupwork with students you are responsible for.

It’ll also be a fun weekend away from Bradford in the rather splendid environment of Ingleborough Hall at Clapham. You will be able to get out into the local hills, if you wish, and enjoy the facilities of the hall and Clapham village.

The Learning in Groups Residential Weekend is taking place from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th November this year and you can book your place by visiting the following webpage: http://www.brad.ac.uk/dev-prog/development/index.php?course=LIGW

If you would like to know more about the weekend, please email Frances Dowson on f.m.dowson@bradford.ac.uk.

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Staff Training Opportunities - full list

Arts on Campus

Theatre in the Mill this week

Hot Pursuit
Plested & Brown

Friday 24th November | 7.30pm
Tickets £6.50/£4

When a crime wave hits the sleepy rural village of Upper Lower Greater Middle Gobbleston, PC Butler and DS Cassidy are forced into an unlikely partnership. Together, this chalk and cheese duo swing into action and are faced with a series of dangerous and daunting adventures. ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a slick crime thriller - an edgy tale of an odd pair who forge an intense friendship whilst solving one of the worst crime waves to hit the Home Counties.

It’s time to lock your doors, secure your belongings and reach for the pepper spray . . . there’s something funny going on around here - could it be Plested and Brown?!

http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/theatre/season/hot.php

Book on ext: 3200 or email: theatre@bradford.ac.uk

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Free music in the Atrium

Wednesday 22 November at 12.30pm

Tibetan Monks from Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, South India

In collaboration with Bradford Centre for International Development

This is a rare opportunity to be entranced by the deeply spiritual and uplifting mantras and chants of one of the world's most profoundly respectful monastic groups.

http://www.brad.ac.uk/university/music/lunch/tibetan.php

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Works on Campus

Demolition of Shearbridge Green Hall

The demolition of Shearbridge Green Hall is to commence in the New Year. The site compound will be set up shortly.

Particular dates are:

11th December - set up site compound.

8th January - start demolition followed by formation of temporary car parking.

13th April - completion of contract.

From the 11th December the site compound will be set up and there will be no pedestrian or vehicle access through the site until further notice. All vehicles must be removed from Shearbridge Green Hall car park before this date. Any vehicles not removed will be towed away. Drivers/owners will be liable for the cost of any removal and storage.

In connection with the University's ecoversity policy 95% of all materials arising from the works will be recycled.

Alan Harrison
Building Maintenance Officer
Email: A.J.Harrison@Bradford.ac.uk

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Chesham B and Chesham C Buildings

Modifications to the Fire Alarm Systems within the Chesham Building B and Chesham Building C, will result in the Fire Alarm Sounders being a mixture of electronic sounders and fire alarm bells until this work has been completed.

Work will commence on Wednesday 22nd November 2006 and be completed by the 1st December 2006.

Should you have any queries, please contact Mr C Overton on ext. 3425.

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Lectures, seminars and newsletters

After the US elections: prospects for Iran with Dilip Hiro and Paul Rogers

An open forum held on Monday 27 November 2006 with guest panelists Dilip Hiro, writer specialising in Islamic countries and Paul Rogers Professor of Peace Studies.

This is the first in what the Editorial Board of Peace Conflict & Development journal hopes will be a series of lectures and panel discussion on topics of contemporary interest in the field of peace, conflict and development. All students and staff of the University are welcome.

Full details are at: http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/peace/tmp/news/iran_prospects.php

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Cousin Marriages: a genetic problem or not?

A public debate organised by the UK charity Progress Educational Trust

6.30 - 8.30pm Thursday 7th December 2006, Richmond Building, University of Bradford

Do consanguineous marriages increase the chances of children being born with genetic conditions? Is this a public health issue or a misunderstood cultural practice?

Speakers:

Ann Cryer MP, Keighley and Ilkley

Dr Aamra Darr, University of Bradford

Mr Mohammad Ibrahim, Khidmat Community Centre, Bradford

Registration: This event is free of charge but places must be booked in advance. To book please contact Progress Educational Trust via email
(admin@progress.org.uk) or call 020 7278 7870

This event is funded by the Wellcome Trust and is part of a series of three debates exploring issues in genetics.

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Centre for Community Engagement Seminar

What does COHESION mean?

Wednesday 13 December 2006, 4 - 5.30pm
The Sanderson Room, Richmond Building.

Cohesion can be a controversial and confusing term, it means different things to different people. Come and find out how the University of Bradford's Community Associate for Cohesion is defining this area of work.

Full details are at: http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/ssis/news/archives/00000032.php

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Royal Institute of Philosophy Lecture

Wednesday 22 November 2006, at 4 pm in E1 (E-floor, Richmond)

Business and Morality; the speaker is Professor Robin Downie, University of Glasgow.

Synopsis: The concept of judgement presupposes that it is possible to reach rational decisions even in contexts of complexity and uncertainty. It might be said that judgement so understood is not possible for business corporations in that their decisions are determined by market forces, share-holder pressures etc. I shall argue firstly that business corporations can exercise reasoned judgement. Secondly, I shall argue that the widespread view (deriving from Adam Smith) that business judgements are necessarily directed to the self-interest of the business is based on confusions.

http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/ihs/seminar/royal_institute/

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CCCMH seminar

Phil Thomas - 'How can Psychiatrists work with recovery - patient's stories and doctor's stories'

Thursday 7th December, School of Health Studies, Main Lecture Theatre, 3.30 till 5pm.

• Full details - word doc, will open in new window

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Research Bulletin

The latest version of the Research Bulletin is now available on the web at http://www.brad.ac.uk/rkts/researchsupp.php?content=researchbulletins

Included in this issue:

• details about the Research Showcase Workshops to be held on 29th November 2006 at the morning session of the Research Showcase
• RCUK Report on Effectiveness of Peer Review
• BBSRC -
  • Technology Development Research Initiative (TDRI2) (second call)
  • Modular Training for Industry Scheme (MTI)
  • Research Networks - Mathematical Tools for Systems Biology
  • Bioprocessing Research Industry Club (BRIC)
  • Bioinformatics and Biological Resources Fund
  • Tools and Resources Development Fund
• Royal Academy of Engineering - INGENIOUS: Engaging Citizens, Engaging Engineers
• British Academy - Africa Academic Partnerships
• Royal Society
  • Wolfson Research Merit Awards
  • International Short Visits
  • Conference Grants
  • International Joint Projects
• EPSRC New Academics
• DEFRA - Advanced Food Manufacturing
• Wellcome Trust - University Awards

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Job Vacancies at the University

Current vacancies at the University can be found at the Personnel website:

http://www.brad.ac.uk/admin/personnel/jobvacancies/

The weekly bulletin can also be found as a pdf from the same page.

All queries should be directed to Personnel: ext: 5347, email: personnel@bradford.ac.uk

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