Author Archives: fjm

French PM announces end of vaccine passport

On Wednesday, 2 March, the French Prime Minister Jean Castex announced that the current pass vaccinal (Covid-19 passport regime) will end on 14 March 2021. A pass vaccinal demonstrating that an individual is fully vaccinated against Covid-19 is currently required to enter bars, restaurants, galleries, and cinemas.

In addition, the French government briefed that mask wearing will no longer be required in the vast majority of venues, with the notable exception of public transport, where individuals will still be required to wear face coverings.

The University of Kent Paris School will continue to keep staff and students updated on national requirements as they become available.

Kent welcomes UN Special Rapporteur On The Right To Food (7-8 March)

The UN Special Rapporteur On The Right To Food, Professor Michael Fakhri, will participate in a number of free public and academic events at the University on 7 and 8 March.

Organised by the Centre for Critical International Law (CeCIL)Kent Law School and the Division of Law, Society and Social Justice (LSSJ), these events will consider the impact of Covid-19 on food security and the right to food worldwide.

During his visit, Professor Fakhri will deliver the 2021-2022 CeCIL Annual Lecture at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre on 8 March (7-9pm), preceeded by a reception (6-7pm). His lecture, entitled, ‘The Radical Potential of the Right to Food’, is free and open to all. Free tickets can be booked here. This event will be live-streamed by KMTV.

On 7 March, Professor Fakhri, who is also Director of the Food Resiliency Project at the University of Oregon School of Law, will participate in an in-conversation style event featuring Young Food Ambassadors from The Food Foundation and the organisation’s Executive Director, Anna Taylor. Organised and hosted by CeCIL and LSSJ, this event will take place in Keynes College Lecture Theatre 1 (7-8.30pm), preceeded by a reception (6-7pm). Free tickets for this event are available here. This event will also be live-streamed by KMTV.

In addition to these public events, Professor Fakhri will attend seminars with Law LLM students at Kent Law School to share Special Rapporteur’s insights, experience and expertise, as well as meetings with leaders from community groups whose work interfaces with Professor Fakhri’s mandate to address the need for an integrated and coordinated approach to promoting and protecting people’s right to food.

Professor Fakhri’s visit will feed into the Special Rapporteur’s broader consultations on identifying solutions to mitigate harmful impacts of the pandemic on the realisation of the right to food.

Dr Luis Eslava, CeCIL Co-Director and Reader in International Law at Kent Law School, said: ‘We are extremely honoured to be hosting Professor Fakhri. His visit will give students and the broader community the opportunity to learn more about his incredibly important work on the promotion of the right to food, in an era in which access to adequate food is increasingly under threat from factors including climate change, endemic conflict, harsh economic conditions and, of course, the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic and other health crises.’

Anna Taylor, Executive Director of The Food Foundation, said: ‘We welcome the opportunity to discuss and share evidence about the current situation in the UK and we look forward to hearing more about UN’s international work on the importance of a rights-based approach to food and how we must protect the most at risk in society.’

Russia-Ukraine conflict Update

We are deeply saddened and concerned by the invasion of Ukraine and our thoughts are with any of our students and staff who have been affected by the escalating conflict. 

Over the past week the University identified several staff and students from Ukraine and Russia and have taken immediate steps to support these individuals. Additionally, we have been supporting students based in both countries to ensure we can get them to a safe place as quickly as possible. Teams are also tracing any further staff or students who have travelled to the regions to make sure they can access the help they need.

We understand this is a worrying time and we are here to help. Here are a range of support services available for both staff and students, including:

We will provide further updates once we are clear on any developments that impact our students, staff, or university.

Photo: JB Jurliat / Ville de Paris

School of English proud to sponsor 2022 Republic of Consciousness Literary Prize

The University of Kent School of English is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s Republic of Consciousness Literary Prize.

Now in its sixth year, the Prize is open to works of fiction by a single author published by a small press in the UK and Ireland with five or fewer full-time employees or equivalent. It is the only prize in the UK that welcomes long form, short form, English language and translated fiction. Over the past five years the Prize has recognised 38 small presses from 13 towns and cities in the UK and Ireland, and awarded over £60,000 in prize-money to publishers and authors in that time. Last year half of the £20,000 prize fund was awarded to the long list, with the other half distributed among the shortlist – a literary prize first.

The longlist will be announced soon, with the shortlist announced in mid-March and the winner in April.

Amy Sackville, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing and Deputy Head of School, said: ‘Creative Writing at Kent is all about unique, original voices and we have long-standing relationships with a number of small presses, so the Republic of Consciousness Literary Prize is an initiative we’re really pleased to be supporting.’

A novelist and prose writer, Amy Sackville convenes the ENGL8990 Paris: Portfolio module at our Paris School of Arts and Culture.

French vaccine passport enters into force from 24 January 2022

The French parliament approved the implementation of a vaccine passport scheme across France on 16 January 2022. Coming into force on 24 January 2022, the new law will require individuals to present a certificate of vaccination when entering public spaces such as restaurants and bars, cinemas, museums and galleries, and long-distance trains. Previously, individuals were able to present either proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test result. The latter will no longer be accepted for anyone over aged 15. Individuals will also have to present a form of photo ID when their vaccine passport is being scanned.

The vaccine passport, known as a pass vaccinal in French, will not be required to take public transport or to go shopping, nor to see a medical professional (though individuals are still required to present a negative Covid test in order to be seen by medical professionals).

All vaccines recognised by the European Medicines Agency will be compatible with the new vaccine passport.

France will accept the UK’s proof of COVID-19 recovery and vaccination record. If you are travelling with a printed PDF proof of vaccination status, it must date from 1 November or after to ensure that the certificate can be scanned successfully, if domestic certification is required. Your NHS appointment card from vaccination centres is not designed to be used as proof of vaccination and should not be used to demonstrate your vaccine status.

Those vaccinated in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can also choose to scan and save the NHS QR code into France’s “TousAntiCovid” app.

Please refer to instructions from both the French government and also your home country’s local French embassy for details on converting a non-EU vaccine certificate into a French/EU vaccine certificate.

Photo: la-croix.com

Kent alumnus and emeritus professor Abdulrazak Gurnah wins Nobel Prize For Literature 2021

The University is delighted to report that Emeritus Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah has won the Nobel Prize For Literature 2021.   

The Nobel Committee awarded this year’s Prize to Professor Gurnah for ‘his uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents.’  

The University’s Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Karen Cox was among the first to offer congratulations. She said: ‘On behalf of the entire University I’d like to extend our huge congratulations to Abdulrazak for this tremendous achievement. Abdulrazak is a complete inspiration to all of us – as a teacher, an alumnus of Kent and as such a powerful voice in postcolonial literature. His stories, some of which were first drafted in our very own Templeman Library, have touched millions worldwide and shine a light on human experiences that are so often ignored. We couldn’t be prouder of his success.’  

Dr Bashir Abu-Manneh, Head of the University’s School of English, added: ‘Abdulrazak Gurnah’s writing epitomises our contemporary condition of displacement, violence, and belonging. His is the struggle for individual voice, for justice, for feeling at home in an ever-changing world. No one writing today has articulated the pains of exile and the rewards of belonging so well. Canterbury and Kent are both his exile and home.’ 

Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah was born in 1948 in Zanzibar, Tanzania. He is the author of the highly acclaimed novels Memory of Departure, Pilgrims Way, Dottie, Paradise, which was shortlisted for the 1994 Booker Prize, Admiring Silence, By The Sea, Desertion, The Last Gift, and Gravel Heart. His latest book, Afterlives is published by Bloomsbury. Until his recent retirement, he was professor of English and postcolonial literatures at Kent’s School of English. Professor Gurnah was a member of the Man Booker Prize judging panel in 2016. 

Watch his Think Kent talk on Indian Ocean Journeys here and his reading of The Arriver’s Tale for Refugee Tales here. You can read more about Professor Gurnah’s life and work here.

Our commitment to teaching during the pandemic: Update for September 2021

Welcome to Paris!

As we move into the summer months, we look forward to welcoming students in September and to a new academic year with face-to-face teaching in one of the world’s richest cultural capitals, Paris.

The global pandemic has made clear just how important creative practices and engagement, artistic values and critical thinking are. In challenging times, we need skills and ideas for effective solutions to world problems and the Paris School of Arts and Culture has a rich range of programmes to elevate our contributions to, and experience of, the new worlds we face.

Covid-19 has changed our worlds, but it has also meant we have found new safe and flexible ways to live. Our aim is always to teach in-person where possible and our safety measures make this possible.

We believe in the importance of delivering our educational experience in-person because it builds a community of learners, but this is always supported by virtual supports and we use the richness of digital input in a changing and networked world to enhance the in-person and when necessary. Whether in-person or online, our expertise remains one to transform your future and to create new opportunities.

Our unique size and context allow us to deliver as much in-person teaching as possible, with new rules and guidance for our Covid-19 safety. It is our aim to offer safe in-person teaching, dynamic online interaction and allowing you to make the most of the opportunities Paris has to offer in a world adapting to new times.

The health and safety of our students and staff is the highest priority. We follow University of Kent and all French government regulations to ensure the Paris School of Arts and Culture is safe; we have put in place new health and safety measures to ensure we can support our educational vision.

The world is now more adapted to Covid-19 measures and before returning or arriving it is important you are aware of our Covid Code of Conduct and follow its guidance, which makes our education possible. We will provide an additional briefing on the COVID-19 Code of Conduct to new students as part of Welcome Week beginning 20 September 2021.

The world is different, but the academic work, the opportunities for learning and the intellectual engagements will be as deep and as rich as our international reputation for scholarship and teaching has always been over the years. We have worked hard to maintain the close-knit Paris School community and we are delighted with the spirit that students have approached this new world – with enthusiasm to study, resilience in adjusting and engaging in hard-work to build new careers.

We look forward to you joining us to build your new worlds of possibilities, living safely, exploring new ideas and finding solutions to the challenges.

I look forward to welcoming you all to the University of Kent Paris School.

Jeremy Carrette
Dean for Europe

Spring Term Teaching Update

February 2021 update 

These continue to be difficult and challenging times. France officially came out of lockdown (confinement) in early December 2020. Since that time, a 6 p.m. curfew has been in place across the country. Shops, parks and outdoor spaces and public services are open, but bars, restaurants, cinemas, and museums remain closed until further notice.

In accordance with French government regulations, as of 5 February 2021, the University of Kent Paris School is now able to return to face-to-face teaching in small groups.

Students who wish to take advantage of this opportunity must read our Code of Conduct carefully and adhere to all polices outlined within it. All classes will take place in a socially distanced format at our study centre at Reid Hall.  Please remember in particular:

  • Masks must be worn at all times on the premises
  • Follow social distancing guidelines.
  • Wash your hands regularly.

Those students who do not wish to attend class in-person or are unable to do so, can continue to join their classes remotely.

The University would like to remind all students and staff to look after themselves, keep safe, adhere to the Code of Conduct and support each other.

Please address any questions to paris@kent.ac.uk.

December 2020 Update

Since the decision was made to move all PSAC teaching online, government restrictions have remained in place with regard to the delivery of face-to-face university teaching. Our priority is the safety of staff and students and our support of the government measures to overcome the pandemic. We will continue to review the situation as it evolves.

FRENCH GOVERNMENT UPDATES

On November 28, the French government announced that France would begin the process of “déconfinement”, or gradually stripping back lockdown measures. At this stage, plans are still vague, but the French government has announced that universities are likely to re-open their doors in late January 2021, with in person teaching beginning approximately two weeks after this date. Looking ahead to the Spring Term, which starts on Monday 18 January 2021, we hope to return to face-to-face teaching as soon as we are able to do so, in line with government guidance. 

If government measures allow, we hope to be able to welcome all incoming students to Reid Hall from 20 January, and return to face-to-face teaching (for applicable modules) shortly thereafter. We expect the first week or two of the Spring Term to be delivered 100% online, in accordance with French government guidelines. Some modules will be delivered 100% online over the course of the entire term, whereas others will be delivered in a face-to-face format.  

More information on restrictions currently in place in France can be found here.

WELCOME WEEK: 18-22 January 2021 

Welcome week will begin for all incoming students (students beginning their programmes in January 2021, but also students coming to Paris after spending the Autumn Term at our Canterbury campus) on Monday, 18 January. We highly recommend that all students join us in Paris by this time if possible; however, please note that it is vital to have good internet access to participate in all welcome week sessions.  The vast majority of our sessions will be held virtually, with a few in-person meetings where possible. We will be releasing the welcome week programme shortly.

SPRING TERM DATES

23 December 2020-3 January 2021 (inclusive): Christmas closure. All university offices will remain closed over this period, and re-open virtually on Monday, 4 January 2021. Please note that University staff will answer all messages received during this time after 4 January 2021.  

18 January 2021: Spring Term begins/welcome week for all incoming students. We strongly advise all students to return to Paris before 18 January if they are able. Please check any travel restrictions in place before travelling to France. 

20 January 2021: French Government announces updated Covid guidelines. 

25 January 2021: Spring Term classes begin (Week 14) for all Paris programmes/modules. All classes will begin online. 

5 February 2021: Expected return to face-to-face teaching (with social distancing measures in place) in applicable modules.  

We will continue to monitor government announcements and hope that we will be able to deliver face-to-face teaching as early as possible in line with our Covid-19 Code of Conduct. We will keep all staff and students informed of our plans as soon as the situation becomes clearer in the new year. 

Photo credit: (c) Guillaume Bontemps / Ville de Paris (December 2020)

Kent wins Guardian University Award 2020 for Digital Innovation

We are delighted to announce that the University has won the Digital Innovation category of the Guardian University Awards 2020.

This win is for our innovative and highly acclaimed One Hour Degree.

Launched in 2019, One Hour Degree is an online simulation game designed to provide the complete university experience for those contemplating taking the three-year academic route. Created by the University’s Student Success Team, it enables prospective students to take an immersive series of “quests” designed to give authentic insight into the university experience, all within one hour. Players are able to choose to participate via either Kent’s Canterbury or Medway campuses.

The One Hour Degree was developed in collaboration with a number of specialists across the University. The game was written and developed by Alison Webb, Systems Development Manager in the Student Success Team. To date it has been played over 7,000 times by players in 124 countries.

Professor Richard Reece, Kent’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience said: ‘This is fantastic news and many congratulations to all those involved with this truly innovative project. The global reach of the game has been phenomenal and its impact truly beneficial to both current and prospective students at Kent.’

Alison Webb said: ‘Not only was this a fantastic collaborative effort between many colleagues and departments, but it also highlighted the importance of speaking to students and gaining their insights on specific university experiences. We also had the benefit of a work-study student to really bring this to life. The analytics prove the game has been played far and wide and student feedback has been incredibly positive.’

The Guardian described the game as one that ‘introduces key concepts, terminology, locations and processes to new students before they arrive, while images of the campus helps those who have been unable to attend an open day.

‘An easy-to-read narrative takes players through five “quests” covering welcome week, the first assignment, first-year exams, year two and year three, offering choices between hundreds of different scenarios.

‘Badges are awarded for each completed quest, while knowledge and happiness points reward choices that take full advantage of the education and networking opportunities available. Together these dictate the classification of the degree players receive at the end.’

Kent was also runner up in the Widening Access and Outreach category of the Guardian Awards. This was for the first degree-level apprenticeship in economics. This project was led by Digital and Lifelong Learning and School of Economics, alongside the Government Economic Service (GES).

View the original blog post here.

Literature, Life and Lockdown: How the Humanities can help the Species Survive

Lockdown means different things to different people, but one thing it has meant to all of us is more time with ourselves. How can the Humanities help us reflect on our grave new world? What lessons can we learn from the past as we look to a future beyond lockdown? What can culture teach us about quarantine?

Drawing on examples from the history of literature, philosophy, and cinema, scholars from the University of Kent’s Division of Arts and Humanities will discuss the value of thought in the age of confinement. If the UK’s government’s advice is to ‘stay alert’, perhaps the Arts can help teach us what this means.

Date: Monday 1 June 2020

Time: 15:00 (Paris time)

Title: Literature, Life and Lockdown: How the Humanities can help the Species Survive

The discussion will be hosted by Professor Jeremy Carrette, Dean for Europe and Professor of Philosophy, Religion and Culture.

Panellists:

Ben Hutchinson, Professor of European Literature and Academic Director, Paris School of Arts and Culture, University of Kent

Dr Frances Guerin, Senior Lecturer in Film and History of Art and Deputy Director of Graduate Studies (Paris programmes), University of Kent

Dr Lauren Ware, Lecturer in Philosophy, School of European Culture and Languages, University of Kent

If you missed the event, you can now listen to the recording here.

You may also want to check out some of our past events:

Whatever Happened to Brexit? Europe after COVID-19 (past event recording, 7 May 2020)

Pandemic and Politics: COVID-19, Global Crisis and the Challenge to Humanity (past event recording, 14 May 2020)