Monthly Archives: September 2017

Call for Papers: ‘The Future of Normativity’

The Centre for Practical Normativity will be hosting a conference on ‘The Future of Normativity’ to be held at the University 28-30 June 2018, sponsored by The Analysis Trust The Aristotelian Society and the Mind Association

The concept of normativity, especially work on reasons, has attracted a great deal of attention in recent philosophy. Work has focused on many interrelated topics and questions such as: Reasons and their Ground; Conceptual Priority; Reasons, Motivations and Actions: Reasons and Values; Reasons and Nature; The Moral and the Epistemic and Normativity elsewhere.

The conference will serve to reflect on much of this recent work in order to extend it in new directions. Abstracts are sought for the conference, asking the central question: where do we go from here?

We welcome thinkers who work across all areas of analytic philosophy and its history. It is our intention to have a number of open sessions at the conference. Speakers will be given 30 minute slots; a 20-minute presentation with 10-minute Q&A.

Abstracts should be 1,000 words in length and may be on any topic related to the conference theme.

Please email them to Dr Simon Kirchin, from the Department of Philosophy, S.T.Kirching@kent.ac.uk

The deadline for submission is Thursday 1 February 2018. We hope to advertise the full conference programme by late Spring 2018.

Find out more about the conference

Autumn short courses at the Tonbridge Centre

The Tonbridge Centre short course programme has been published, with part-time course subjects in Art History, Creative Writing, Film and TV Studies, History, Literature and Music. Ranging from one-off study mornings or days, to six-week courses, the programme runs on weekdays and also offers some Saturdays. Find out more

The centre is pleased to continue to offer its Postgraduate-level programme: the subjects offered in the Autumn term are Art History, Creative Writing, History, Literature, and Psychology. These courses of up to five weeks in length. They do not award academic credits but can be studied for pleasure or as preparation and an indication of suitability for applying for a full postgraduate qualification programme. Find out more

Bookings for Tonbridge Centre courses can be made through the University’s Online Store

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Tonbridge Centre by email tonbridgeadmin@kent.ac.uk or call ext 4990. External tel 01732 352316.

British Library Inequality Lecture

Professor Mary Evans, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR), will be delivering the Annual Equality Lecture at the British Library this year, in partnership with the British Sociological Association. The title is ‘The Persistence of Gender Inequality’ and it will take place in the British Library Knowledge Centre on 23 October 2017, 19.00-20.30 as a ticketed event.

Professor Mary Evans argues that demonstrable inequalities between women and men remain, and that definitions of equality often fail to take gender into account.

For more event details and to book tickets, visit the British Library event webpage

Ageing of British Gerontology Exhibition

Launched at the 46th Annual Conference of the British Society of Gerontology in July, the ‘Ageing of British Gerontology Exhibition’ comprises portraits of, and interviews with, 50 key writers and policy-makers who have contributed to the study of ageing over the past 50 years.

The digital exhibition features 50 individuals who have been influential in building the UK’s knowledge base in ageing. The slideshows and images form part of a two-year Leverhulme-funded research project which also includes film footage. The project explores the evolution of British gerontology from the founding of the British Society of Gerontology in 1971 to the present day and features three senior academics from the University of Kent: Professor Julia Twigg, Leverhulme Fellow and Professor of Social Policy and Sociology; Professor Bleddyn Davies, Emeritus Professor of Social Policy; and Professor Ann Netten, Professor of Social Welfare.

Recognised as a centre of expertise in ageing studies, Kent has contributed to the study and interpretation of growing older in our society over several decades. The University’s Personal Social Services Research Unit (PSSRU) has conducted a range of research in the field of gerontology. Working with providers, service users and analysts, PSSRU research has helped to inform our understanding of ageing and social support. Professor Julia Twigg’s research has established the field of Cultural Gerontology; her work on a series of interconnected projects exploring clothing and age can be viewed on www.clothingandage.org

More information about the Ageing of British Gerontology Exhibition can be found on the project site where you can also watch Professor Julia Twigg discuss her personal journey to working in the field of ageing and how we adjust to the process of leaving our youth behind.

Study space changes for the Autumn term

Templeman Library

There’s more study space than ever in the Templeman Library, now that Block C has been refurbished. The new space includes desks for individual or group work overlooking the new Welcome Hall, and bookable group study rooms

The library also has other spaces to suit all study needs, including silent study zones and PC rooms.

To find a space, check the screens in the Library or look online for free PCs and free seats

Study hubs

Oaks Study Hub is closed from Friday 15 September to create more teaching space.

Find other study hubs and PC classrooms around campus

Senate Study Hub (pictured) will open early in the Autumn term, with 37 PCs and 12 study spaces. If you’ve been at Kent for a few years, you may remember this study hub. Now it’s back by popular demand. The space is available again following the completion of the latest stage of the Templeman Library development.

We’re improving study hubs across campus; Keynes and Eliot study hubs have already been refurbished into bright spaces with new furniture and improved facilities. Look out for more to follow!

Learn to communicate in British Sign Language

The Centre for English and World Languages (CEWL) is launching a 60-hour (20-week) course in British Sign Language (BSL) open to anyone who wants to learn BSL.

There is no need to be a University of Kent student to take this course and you do not need any previous experience of BSL.

The course is run by Palm Deaf BSL Training Ltd and accredited by Signature, the awarding body for BSL qualifications.

The qualification allows you to gain basic skills and confidence in the production and reception of BSL. Find out more about the qualification

It is suitable for anyone who:

wants to learn basic language skills to communicate simple conversations with deaf people;
wants to progress to more advanced study and/or employment using BSL;
wishes to study BSL for personal development;
is the parent, family, friend or colleague of a deaf person.

Visit the CEWL website to find out more and book

English language exam preparation courses

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Cambridge Assessments English (CAE) language tests are two of the most well-known and trusted English language qualifications. Both IELTS and Cambridge exams assess the candidate’s proficiency in English.

The Centre for English and World Languages (CEWL) offers part-time exam preparation courses for IELTS and both the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) and Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE). Both courses run twice a year starting either in September or January and are open to all.

Why take CAE or CPE?

The CAE shows that you can follow academic courses at degree level. You will also be able to communicate effectively, fluently and confidently in a professional context.

The CPE shows that you can communicate fluently at the level of a highly competent English speaker with the level of English needed to study or work in a senior professional or academic environment, including postgraduate study, senior management and teaching in English.
Both the CAE and CPE are recognised worldwide but are seen as the gold standard in European countries. Both qualifications have life-long validity.

Why take IELTS?

The IELTS test has an excellent international reputation and has become the most widely recognised English language test in the world. IELTS is accepted as evidence of English language proficiency for education, immigration and professional purposes. The test is designed to prepare you to communicate in real-life situations.

How can I find out more about the courses?

More information about the courses and details about how to book and pay can be found at www.kent.ac.uk/cewl or e-mail examenglish@kent.ac.uk A free taster session for the Cambridge course runs on Tuesday 26 September at 18.00 and the free taster session for the IELTS course is on Wednesday 27 September at 18.00. You can meet the teacher, take part of a test to gauge your language level and ask any questions.

Join the University of Kent Players

The University of Kent Players are looking for members of staff to join them on their new production.

The staff amateur dramatics group are presenting their first live radio play, The Philidelphia Story, to be performed on the Gulbenkian Cafe/Bar stage on 24 and 25 November 2017.

The actors would be joined by an on-stage foley team; actors who provide all the sound effects using props and recordings. The cast and crew will be dressed in period-appropriate costume (black tie/evening dresses) and have hair and make up to match.

If you would like to be part of the production, auditions will be held on 3 and 5 October 2017. Experience is not necessary and if you are too nervous, or think you could never learn the lines, the brilliant part of this concept is that you will be able to perform with script in hand or be part of the foley cast.

If you wish to attend, please contact Kevin White – k.a.white@kent.ac.uk.

Meanwhile the Players perform Jeckyll and Hyde at The Gulbenkian 28-30 September, tickets available

Last chance to nominate for Pride Award

The deadline for the next Pride Award is 13.00 on Wednesday 27 September.

The Pride (Personal responsibility in delivering excellence) Award recognises members of Kent Hospitality staff who go out of their way to deliver excellent customer service. Any Kent Hospitality staff, whether permanent or casual and based at the Canterbury or Medway campuses, may be nominated. The award is given in October, December and April, with each winner receiving £100 of shopping vouchers, a certificate and a badge.

Nominations can be made by any member of University staff, students or visitors. Make your nomination online or alternatively you can pick up a paper form next to the red nomination boxes located in all Kent Hospitality catering outlets in Canterbury and Medway, as well as college reception areas.

Please make your nominations detailed, providing as much information as possible about why the nominee is being put forward for a Pride Award. The panel is looking for staff who achieve more than just what is expected in their role (ie hardworking, professional, positive and friendly attitude).

For further information please contact: pride@kent.ac.uk

Charity walk on the Via Francigena

Julia Peters, a PhD student in the Department of Classical & Archaeological Studies, has organised a charity walk along the historic route, the Via Francigena, from Canterbury to Dover for the charity Save the Children, to take place on Saturday 7 October 2017.

The Via Francigena (the French Way), was originally the Roman route which connected the British Isles to Rome. The UK section today is better known as the North Downs Way. The walk will begin at the gates of Canterbury Cathedral, progress through the picturesque villages of Patrixbourne and Womenswold, through Shepherdswell and finishing at the port of Dover.

The walk aims to raise £3,000 for Save the Children. The funds raised by the charity walk will contribute to the programmes run by Save the Children to provide education for some of the 28 million children living in areas of conflict who are currently out of school.

The walk is open to all. You can sign up with a suggested donation of £20 (£1 per mile), or simply donate.

Find out more, including how to donate or register online.