On the 6 and 7 April 2017, the University of Kent’s Brussels School of International Studies hosted their annual conference, drawing together students, academics, academics and the curiously minded from all across Europe and beyond. The conference, entitled ‘The Disappearing State? Contested Governance in the 21st Century’, ambitiously aimed to discuss a broad range of the ‘public goods’ that are being contested by both state and non-state actors in the 21st century.

Reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of BSIS, the conference brought together some of the brightest in their fields to discuss topics such as aid and development, Taliban justice in Afghanistan, Education and the future of Iraq, access to the internet, migration and counterterrorism.

The conference and its topics attracted 140 attendees from a great range of backgrounds, including the European Parliament and Commission, think tanks, governmental institutions, current and former professionals and journalists, and many more. Through our lunches, breaks and networking receptions at the end of each day, the panelists and attendees were able to keep the conversation going, sharing even more knowledge and developing contacts that could aid them in the future. This conference allowed those with interest direct access to those with knowledge, and this will only further embolden the will of people to discuss and research the conference topics, many of which are becoming increasingly important in today’s society.

The conference was designed to reflect the overall nature of BSIS, in that it brings together knowledgeable people from a diverse set of backgrounds to discuss the most pressing issues facing the international community today, and aims to ensure all those who spend time at BSIS leave richer for the experience. With the feedback received from attendees and the panelists themselves, we believe this goal had been achieved.

The full story, photos and social media resonance can be followed here, and a post-conference will be available here in the next weeks.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in 2018!

Canterbury and the Via Francigena: Promoting Heritage through Cultural Routes is a new project organised by the Centre for Heritage at the University of Kent, with the aim of engaging the public with heritage, including a workshop, conference and volunteering opportunities. The project has already been able to offer bursaries for walking the Via Francigena in May.

As part of the project, a workshop on ‘Value-based Heritage Management in Canterbury’ will be held in the Learning Lab at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge on 5 May 2017.

The workshop will extend over a half-day period and will be structured to two sessions, the first session asking ‘What is important in Canterbury that needs protection? Why is it important?’ and the second session asking ‘How to protect and manage Heritage Sites? How to involve local communities’ participation in decision-making processes?’

Spaces are limited so attendance is by invitation only. You may be able to receive an invitation by contacting the organisers directly. If you have any queries, please contact Maria Dimitriou: M.Dimitriou@kent.ac.uk

For full details about the workshop, please see the page here.

The annual Enterprise and Impact Training Session is running on Wednesday 26 April 2017, 09:30 to 16:30, and there is still time to register.

This programme will provide you with the knowledge, confidence and practical tools necessary to engage successfully in enterprise activities such as consultancy and collaborative funding streams. You will also increase your potential to apply your expertise within industry, public sector and third sector organisations, and will learn about how enterprise and knowledge exchange activities can support your career.

The training, run by Kent Innovation & Enterprise (KIE), is recommended for academics and researchers, at any stage of their career, who would like to develop skills for enterprise activity and optimise their interactions with external organisations. It is also suitable for members of support staff that work at the interface between academia and external partners.

To book your place, please complete the online booking form.

A light lunch will be provided.

If you have any questions about the training please contact Janine Coomber or Kimm Sutter, Faculty Liaison Officers, on ext 4574 or enterprise@kent.ac.uk.
More information can also be found on our webpages.

Fancy having a go at a Triathlon? Ashford Tri Club is offering Kent staff £5 off entry to the Hythe Bay Tri on Sunday 21 May.

The event is suitable for beginners and experienced triathletes: it features a 250m pool swim, 15km bike leg from Hythe to Folkestone and back, and a scenic 5km run along Hythe promenade.

If you enter the race, you can also go to a free Beginners Guide to Triathlon talk in Ashford on 21 April.

More information is on the Ashford Tri Club website.

Sign up online and use code HBT17UNI to get the £5 discount.
Please note that the discount code is limited to 20 uses.

Chris Scrutton, Assistant Housekeeping Manager has received the April Pride Award. The Personal Responsibility in Delivering Excellence Award recognises his fantastic attitude to strive for excellence.

Here are extracts taken from three nomination forms we received:

I wanted to nominate Chris for the amazing support she provided us all within the BICS Assessor Training. It was a really tough course and there was a lot of expectation on us to succeed. But Chris was really supportive and her mentality was that we were all going to pass together and she wasn’t going to let anyone fail or fall behind. This meant that she took the time to use her breaks and spare time to print our information packs and research the answers to questions she couldn’t answer.

Chris has always been an absolute diamond; she is always there to lend a hand and give advice. However, the particular reason I wanted to nominate her now is for the time, effort and amazing support she put into helping our team through the BICS Assessor Training.

Chris does all of this with good humour. We try to be serious but there have been many funny moments. She is a great calming influence on us all. Nothing ever phases her, not even when many people what her attention. Chris’s work commitment to her team excels and she went well above her job role.

It is really easy to nominate someone for a Pride Award. Just visit our website and complete our online form. The closing date for the next Pride Award is on Wednesday 27 September 2017 at 13.00.