Monthly Archives: October 2015

Festival of English Open Lecture: 27 October

As part of the Festival of English Open Lecture Series, Professor Malcolm Andrews will give an Open Lecture on ‘Dickens’s “Imaginary Worlds” in Kent: from Pickwick to Drood’ on Tuesday 27 October at 18.00 in Grimond Lecture Theatre 2.

A wine reception will follow in the Grimond foyer. All are welcome.

Malcolm Andrews is Emeritus Professor of Victorian and Visual Studies at the University of Kent and, since 1991, the Editor of The Dickensian. He has published on Dickens and on landscape art (Landscape and Western Art, OUP) and the Picturesque, and is currently working on a study of the evolution of iconic English landscape imagery. His most recent book is entitled Dickensian Laughter: Essays on Dickens and Humour.

Kent alumni launch The International Student Law Review

Kent Law School alumni Michael Testori and Andre Sinanan have launched The International Student Law Review (TISLR), a new online academic publication providing a peer-reviewed platform for students and academics alike to publish their work.

Michael and Andre are the Editors in Chief, managing the journal in collaboration with a diverse group of international students, all of whom share a commitment to developing critical and intra-disciplinary legal scholarship. In addition to student submissions, contributions to TISLR are invited from academics and practitioners, irrespective of their jurisdiction of practice.

Andre, who was previously Executive Editor of the Kent Student Law Review whilst studying his Law LLB degree at Kent, said: ‘Our aim is to promote an academic and intellectual discussion of topical, legal issues around the world. We seek to publish the most innovative and critical scholarship, particularly those that offer an intra-disciplinary or unique perspective on these areas, and believe that TISLR is in a unique position to capitalize upon the commonalities that exist across legal jurisdictions.’

Amongst the members of the Editorial Board are Kent English and French Law student Morgan Taylor together with Kent Law School alumni Indre Dapkeviciute and Stacia Franz.

TISLR utilises a double blind peer review process; articles undergo a first round selection process by the Editorial Board before being referred to a separate Review Committee comprised of academics from the University of Hong Kong. The Review Committee then make a recommendation regarding publication. Details of how to make a submission are available on TISLR’s website: www.tislr.com

As well as seeking submissions, the TISLR team is seeking to recruit new members of its Editorial Board and Review Committee. It is also keen to hear from staff writers willing to write contributions for TISLR’s ‘Recent Issues’ blog: www.tislr.com/#!recent-issues/c1m7b

Sri Lanka: The Roadmap to Reconciliation

As part of the School of Politics and International Relations Beacon Project, Diplomacy@Kent is pleased to welcome Erik Solheim, Chair of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee.

Erik Solheim was the former Norwegian Special Envoy to Sri Lanka and one of the key diplomats leading the Norwegian Peace Process (2001-2006). He has also held the combined portfolio of Norway’s Minister of the Environment and International Development (2007-2012). As Minister, he contributed to peace processes in Sudan, Nepal, Myanmar and Burundi. He is presently Chair of the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee.

Erik Solheim will be presenting ‘Sri Lanka: The Roadmap to Reconciliation’. The talk will take place on Wednesday 28 October 2015 at 09.30-11.00am in Darwin Lecture Theatre 3.

All are welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing you there.

Please do come early as seating is limited.

Read more at: https://www.kent.ac.uk/politics/news-events/calendar.html?eid=15939&view_by=day&date=20151028&category=Lectures%20talks%20and%20seminars&tag=

Research Prizes 2016 – nominations now open

The University’s second annual Research Prize competition is now open for nominations.

The Prizes recognise exceptional achievements in research and are open to all research active staff and doctoral students at Kent.

This year’s Prizes include:

Three University Prizes (worth £1,000 each)

  • University Research Prize
  • University Early Career Research Prize
  • University Postgraduate Research Prize

Nine Faculty Prizes (worth £500 each)

  • Faculty Research Prize (one to be awarded per Faculty)
  • Faculty Early Career Research Prize (one per Faculty)
  • Faculty Postgraduate Research Prize (one per Faculty)

Nominations must use the Research Prize Nomination Form and must be received by Research Services by 17.00 on 18 January 2016.

The winners will be celebrated at a gala dinner and ceremony to be held on 1 April 2016, hosted by Pro-Vice-Chancellor – Research and Innovation, and attended by representatives of funders, charities, the media and the wider public.

More details, including eligibility criteria, the judging panel and the nomination form, are available at: www.kent.ac.uk/researchservices/prizes.html

You can find out about the inaugural Research Prizes and the winners in 2015 at: http://www.kent.ac.uk/research/prizes/

Additional coach running to Canterbury Careers Fair

In addition to the usual Campus Shuttle, an extra bus will run from the Medway campus in the morning and will return from the Canterbury Campus in the afternoon.  The bus will pick up from the dockyard at 11.15, then from the Campus Shuttle stop at 11.25 before continuing to Canterbury for about 12.20.  The coach will then return from the Darwin bus stop at 15.15.  To book a seat please email medwaycareers@kent.ac.uk.

For more information about the Careers Fair please see the website.

http://www.kent.ac.uk/ces/careersfair/index.html

 

Mobile phone fraud

The National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU) has notified the University that students are being targeted in a suspected mobile phone fraud. Students have been offered incentives to sign up to mobile phone contracts that lead to significant debts being run up.

Students are advised to remain vigilant if such offers are received and contact the NMPCU if they believe they have been affected. Read more.

Photo credits
Title: Sony Experia Neo MT15i Mobile Phone
Author: Matt Kieffer
Source: Flickr
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
Link: https://flic.kr/p/9Z4Ary

 

Understanding and supporting student needs – bitesize talks

University of Kent staff are warmly invited to attend a series of brief, informal lunchtime bitesize talks given by specialist staff from Student Services and Kent Union on ‘Understanding and Supporting Student Needs’.

First launched in February 2015, these talks provide a perfect opportunity for University staff to gain a greater understanding of important student issues and the support services available.

This academic year the talks have been expanded and split into three themes:

Theme 1: Supporting Students
Theme 2: Student Disability
Theme 3: University Staff and the Student

The sessions will take place from 13.00 – 14.00 hours on the dates listed below and will be video linked to Medway campus. To allow staff time to arrive, the talks will start at approximately 13.10.

Theme 1

Wednesday, 28 October 2015
The role of the Master’s Office and the Student
Dermot O’Brien (Master of Turing College)
Canterbury room KS17 Medway room M1-16

Wednesday, 4 November 2015
The role of the University’s Counselling Service and the Student
Gerard McGill (Wellbeing Team Manager)
Canterbury KS17 Medway M1-16

Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Inclusive Learning Plans
Tom Sharp (Disability Team Manager), Kate Pitchforth (Senior Wellbeing Advisor), Pauline Farrance (SpLD Team Manager), Andres Velarde (International / European Disability Advisor)
Canterbury KS17 Medway M1-16

Wednesday, 18 November 2015
The Challenge of Supporting International and EU Students with Disabilities
Andres Velarde (International / European Disability Advisor)
Canterbury KS17 Medway M1-16

Monday, 23 November 2015
The role of Kent Union Advice Centre and the Student
Jill Plows (Advice and Information Services Manager)
Canterbury KLT5 Medway M1-16

Room information KS17: http://www.kent.ac.uk/timetabling/rooms/room.html?room=KS17
Room information KLT5: http://www.kent.ac.uk/timetabling/rooms/room.html?room=KLT5
Room information M1-16: https://www.kent.ac.uk/timetabling/rooms/room.html?room=M1-16

Staff are welcome to bring their lunch along and listen to a talk of 10-15 minutes. The rest of the time will be left open for Q&A and discussion.

 

Kent hosts Eastern ARC Digital Humanities Group

Core members of the Digital Humanities group in the Eastern ARC, which brings together academics from the Universities of Kent, Essex and East Anglia, met recently at the University of Kent.

Joining the Academic Leads and Fellows were three newly appointed Doctoral students (Alex Turton, Scott Fenn and Ish Bhandal) who have been funded by EARC to progress research in the broad field of Digital Humanities utilising a range of methodologies and objects of study.

Priorities for the group include:

  • Identifying academics across the Consortium (and more widely) who might collaborate to develop their shared interests and expertise in Digital Humanities as a discipline and in the use of digital methods in research
  • Providing expert advice and training on digital methods
  • Capturing, communicating and celebrating the diverse activities of the Digital Humanities Fellows and, as their research progresses, of the PhD students
  • Strengthening strategic partnerships with other academic collaborations, such as CHASE.

The group will come together again on 6 November at the first Eastern ARC Conference (Eastern Arc) to be held at the University of Essex, which will provide an opportunity for the collected members of EARC to discuss progress and prioritise activities for the year ahead.

For further information on the work of the Digital Humanities group, or any other aspect of the EARC, email Sarah Tetley, EARC Officer.

Social Sciences Faculty Research Fund

The Social Sciences Faculty Research Committee invites applications from Academic and Research Staff for the allocation of financial support to promote and enhance activities that lead to high quality research.

The deadline for applications this term will be by 17.00 on Friday 4 December 2015. Completed application forms should be emailed to Maryse Duarte.

Details on how the fund operates and an application form are available online.