The new SMFA Lunchtime Concert series begins next week, with talented students studying band and ensemble performing a range of musical styles to launch the season at 12.00 on Tuesday 25 October. Taking place in the Galvanising Shop Performance space at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, all the lunchtime concerts are free to attend and usually last for an hour.
You can find out more about all these events online.

There are more lunchtime concerts on 30 November, and 7 and 13 December.

And don’t miss the Music Masterclass with Joe Stilgoe on October 26.

Dr Anna Katharina Schaffner, Reader in Comparative Literature and Medical Humanities, has been further interviewed for her work on exhaustion, following publication of her book Exhaustion: A History (Columbia University Press, 2016) earlier in the year.

The new piece is the cover article for this week’s New Scientist, dated 15 October 2016, entitled ‘Tired All the Time? Why Fatigue Isn’t All About Sleep’ by Emma Young, about the latest scientific research into the causes of fatigue.

New Scientist is a weekly magazine, established in 1956, to focus on all aspects of scientific research. It currently has over 100,000 readers.

In investigating fatigue, it is important to remember that exhaustion is not a modern phenomenon, as Anna’s work highlights. ‘Over the centuries, fatigue has been blamed on the alignment of the planets, a lack of godliness and even an unconscious desire to die,’ explains Anna in the article.

The article goes on to explore modern research into fatigue, including epidemiological and neurological investigations.

The issue is widely available in newsagents, and the full article can be accessed with a subscription here:
www.newscientist.com/article/mg23230950-400-getting-a-fix-on-fatigue/

*CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS*

The Centre for Professional Practice is delighted to announce its new Advanced Journal of Professional Practice (AJPP). The AJPP has a specific remit for contemporary work which addresses trans-disciplinary, work-related, practice-based applications of new knowledge, technology, discussion, research or practice-based innovation. The journal allows for the sharing of experiences and gold standard practices from anyone working in a professional role and is inclusive of student dissertation papers, from all faculties across the University.

‘The journal has been established as a portal for new knowledge created for the advancement of exceptional professional practice. AJPP will host new creative work and welcome submissions of traditional or untraditional nature, but which demonstrate translational work-related professional practice application. I am looking forward to welcoming new submissions and hope to present the first issue of the journal this academic year’ said Dr Claire Parkin, Director of Health Programmes, CPP, the Editor-In-Chief of the AJPP.

As such, we will look for submissions that do any of the following:

• Offers a critical discussion of any area of contemporary professional practice
• Describes applications of research findings, innovation or other initiative to an area of professional practice; and particularly which might be considered and applied by analogy to other disciplines
• Brings together trans-disciplinary activities in relation to professional practice
• Explores the inter-relationship of professional practice
• Contributes to recent developing conversations within professional practice
• Offers innovative, surprising, unexpected and creative innovations within a professional practice context
• Has an emphasis on a professional work-related application

To submit, please follow the link to find out about the focus and scope of the journal, author guidelines and submission process: http://journals.kent.ac.uk/index.php/ajpp/index

Send your enquiries to: C.L.Parkin@kent.ac.uk

This two-day conference in Nicosia, co-organised by the Conflict Analysis Research Centre at the University, will aim to to present a new conceptual map in the study of referendums and their impact in peace mediations drawing on experts’ views particularly in the comparative analysis of public opinion surveys, communication strategies and alternative institutional designs. Quintin Oliver, the event’s keynote speaker, is a leading international conflict expert and the director of Stratagem International. He has previously served as the Chairman of the ‘YES Campaign’ during the 1998 Good Friday/Belfast Agreement referendum in Northern Ireland.

For more information please visit the Conflict Analysis Research Centre events web page.

The search is on for unsung heroes across the Medway region.

Nominations are now open for this year’s Pride in Medway awards, co-sponsored by the University.

The awards aim to reward people who go above and beyond the call of duty in their everyday lives – for example, showing courage, being a good carer or community volunteering

As well as an overall award, each of the sponsors – also including the Medway Messenger, Uniper, Mid Kent College, mhs homes, Medway Council and Southeastern – also choose their own individual winner.

In 2016, the University’s award went to Amy Harwood who, aged 13, was diagnosed with Alopecia Areata, a disease causing hair loss. She was nominated by her mum for being ‘incredibly brave’ in coping with the condition.

Overall winner was Anita Marinelli who raised almost £600,000 for the Ruby Young Appeal. Ruby was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive childhood cancer, just before her second birthday.

Nominations for Pride in Medway 2017 are open until 9 December 2016. Find out more on the Pride in Medway webpages or following them on Twitter (@PrideInMedway #prideinmedway or Facebook by searching ‘Pride in Medway’.

You can get free admission to the Historic Dockyard and discounted admission for up to five guests when you present your Kent ID.

Kent students and staff also receive a 10% discount in the Wagon Shop and Mess Deck restaurants (excluding alcohol).

Keep an eye out for discounted admission to the Historic Dockyard’s special events throughout the year!

Graduate students considering a PhD in Law are encouraged to come to a Postgraduate Research Funding Open Day at Kent Law School on Wednesday 30 November.

The event, which runs from 11.00 to 16.00, will cover topics such as how to write a good proposal, how to find a supervisor, and how to apply for scholarships and funding. We’ll explain our own admissions system, introduce you to potential Law School supervisors, give you a free lunch, and give you feedback on your proposal.

Kent Law School is ranked 8th in the UK for Research Intensity in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) and is ranked as a top 20 UK law school in three of the major league tables for Law.

Co-Director of Postgraduate Research at Kent Law School, Dr Emily Grabham, said: ‘Kent Law School enjoys a pluralistic intellectual environment for research, in which traditional and critical legal scholarship, theoretical and empirical work, and interdisciplinary studies all flourish. We particularly welcome research proposals in socio-legal studies, law and the humanities, and critical legal studies. Every year, we offer several scholarships funded by the Law School, the University of Kent, the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC), and the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC), amongst others.’

Places for the Open Day are limited to 25 – to apply for one of these places, please send an email to klspgfunding@kent.ac.uk including your name, address, and any institutional affiliation along with:

1. A draft research proposal
2. A maximum one page CV
3. A list of up to two academics at Kent Law School whom you have already contacted with a view to applying for a PhD.

The deadline for receipt of applications is 16.00, Wednesday 9 November 2016.

The Rutherford 50th Anniversary lecture is being given by Emeritus Professor, and former Rutherford College Master, John Todd and is entitled ‘Rutherford and Rosetta – two explorers of the unknown?’ and will take place today (Friday 14 October) in Rutherford Lecture Theatre One at 18.00. All welcome.

Sent in by: s.m.casement@kent.ac.uk

The Graduate School has launched a new Postgraduate International Families Network to serve as a platform to support international students who have families and spouses joining them in the UK during the course of their postgraduate study at Kent.

Recognising the complexities involved in moving to a new country while balancing study commitments and raising a family, the network was created to enable international students with families to network and share their experiences.

Each academic term we will be holding an informal lunchtime gathering to provide an opportunity for members of the group (students, partners, and children) to meet together on campus. Contact Jo Addison (graddean@kent.ac.uk) for more information and to confirm your attendance.

You might find also find it useful to join the Network’s Facebook group for international students with families. It is a platform to share experiences, ask for and receive advice from fellow students/partners, or talk about fun activities around Canterbury.

For more information visit the Network’s webpage at or email Jo Addison (graddean@kent.ac.uk) for how to join the Network mailing list and receive notifications of upcoming events.