The Understanding Unbelief programme at Kent, led by Dr Lois Lee, Research Fellow in the Department of Religious Studies, is the focus of one of the lead articles in this week’s New Scientist magazine, dated 15 April 2017.

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

The article, entitled ‘Faith of the Faithless: Is Atheism Just Another Religion’ asks whether, if it is impossible to disprove the existence of God, then is atheism just another faith?

‘This idea turns up all the time, and it is very loaded,’ Lois says in the article: ‘When people say ‘atheism is just another religion’, they normally mean it in a pejorative way.’

The issue is currently available in newsagents, and is also available online (via a subscription) here.

Kent staff took part in The University Caterers Organisation’s annual competition (TUCO) held on 10-11 April at Warwick University. The competition saw over 50 members and 150 delegates competing against each other in a wide range of culinary activities.
The TUCO competitions provide an opportunity for members to showcase their skills across a variety of disciplines, from barista skills to speed cooking.

This year the University of Kent was represented by:

• Scott Tulloch, from Cargo in Medway, who wowed the judges with his signature cocktails in the bar skills category.
• Dan Weale, from Mungo’s in Eliot College, who showed off his knack for cold brew coffee in the barista skills category.
• Chinonso Onuigwe and Leighton James, from Dolche Vita and Origins, who together rustled up a tasty three course meal in the Chefs Challenge category.

Despite not returning with a trophy, the four representatives did a fantastic job on behalf of the University of Kent and were thrilled to be a part of the competition.

Scott Tulloch, Bar and Bistro Supervisor, said:
The TUCO Competitions are great because it gives you the motivation and desire to push yourself and learn more about the industry. I have learnt so much from my two days in Warwick.

The Competitions, held at Warwick University, are enhanced with a table-top exhibition from industry suppliers with innovations and new products for delegates to sample, culinary classes, and social dinners.

Sent in by: Phillipa Page

As part of our ongoing work to provide support and information to staff that are impacted by the UK’s decision to leave the EU, and in response to staff feedback, the University is adding to the support we put in place last year.

Loan scheme extended

First I am pleased to confirm that the short term loan scheme announced last year is to be kept open until further notice.   This scheme offers an interest free loan to assist staff who make a decision to apply for citizenship, residency or who feel they need to meet the costs of legal advice. In offering this loan the University is seeking to provide choice to individual members of staff to respond to the Referendum decision in a way that they feel is best for them and their families. It is though important to note that the University is not encouraging staff to take up these options which may ultimately prove unnecessary depending upon the outcome of Article 50 negotiations. You will find further information and an application form on our loan scheme web page

Family Networking Event to take place on Saturday 20 May 2017

In response to feedback from our initial immigration information sessions, the University is organising this event as an opportunity for staff and their families to share learning and experiences with others affected by the Brexit vote. The event will take place in The Gulbenkian from 10am till 4pm and will include refreshments (pastries on arrival and a light sandwich lunch at 12.30). Please note that this event is open to all staff and their families.

As well as a chance to network and share experience on relevant topics, Kesar & Co Solicitors will be on hand throughout the event to provide information. There will also be entertainment for children including film screenings (Ratatouille and Harry Potter), drama and craft activities.

As we have booked Kesar & Co Solicitors for the whole day there will also be a limited number of slots for short one to one/family appointments in the afternoon which will be allocated on a “first come first served” basis.  These slots will be 20 minutes long only and can be booked in advance by making a request to ldev@kent.ac.uk. Please note that there will be no entertainment for children after 2pm and so unless different personal arrangements can be made, children will also need to be present at these appointments.

Please put the date in your diaries and, to help us plan around potential numbers,  let us know as soon as possible whether you intend to  attend, and would like to receive further information about this event in due course.  Please respond using the email address ldev@kent.ac.uk.

Information is also available on the HR EU Referendum web site If you have specific queries that are not answered there, please do email us at staffeuqueries@kent.ac.uk

Last year, as part of the Faculty and School Administration Excellence Initiative, we ran a pilot Shadow Matching scheme. The scheme offers staff an opportunity for reciprocal shadowing opportunities between Schools and Central Services, to better understand the impact of their work and the work of others. The pilot was a great success with over 80 staff across the University taking part, developing new working relationships and broadening their understanding of roles.

We are delighted to be running this initiative again and invite you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Timeline:

• Thursday 6 to Thursday 27 April – Staff in Central Services can register to take part
• Monday 8 to Thursday 25 May – Staff in Schools can register to take part
• Early June – Pairs are matched and applicants informed
• Thursday 22 June, 10.00 to 12.00, Darwin – Meet Your Match event
• June-November – Two half-days of work shadowing to be arranged by participants

If you are interested in taking part please discuss this with your line manager, who has already received information about the scheme, before completing a short online application.

Registration is now open for Central Services staff.

Registration will open for school-based staff on 8 May. A link to the application form will be circulated nearer the time.

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity. If you have any questions please email r.a.millns@kent.ac.uk

Directed by award-winning artist Sarah Turner, SMFA’s Reader in Fine Art and Director of Research, the Grierson Award nominated film Public House (96 mins, 2016) which premiered in October 2015 at the BFI London Film Festival, and has also been screened at Tate Britain and the ICA, is being toured nationally through PictureHouse and other cinemas, including the Gulbenkian Cinema on 21 June at 18.45.

Organized and sponsored by Kent’s Interdisciplinary Centre for Spatial Studies (UKC) and the Gulbenkian Cinema, the film screening will be followed by a Q&A with Sarah Turner, chaired by Thanos Zartaloudis (Kent Law School; AA School of Architecture and Co-director of KISS).

Are you a student in Medway? Complete our Medway catering survey to be in with a chance to win £100 KentOne credit.

We are interested in hearing the views of students to help us shape improvements to No.1, Galvanising Shop Cafe and Cargo. It will approximately take you 10-15 minutes to complete our online survey.

We look forward to receiving your feedback.

Dear Colleagues,

There is currently an issue with the heating plant for Templeman East. This work will affect the heating system, and this is scheduled to be repaired next week. The ventilation plant will not be affected, and this will be adjusted to provide higher heating levels during the period while the heating is off.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused. If you have any queries, please contact the Helpdesk on ext 3209.

John Kingsland
Senior Energy Systems Engineer
Estates