In a first for the ever-developing #EarBox series that brings together music and visual art, the next event on Thursday 24 May features the hypnotic soundscape of ‘Night Liminal,’ an electroacoustic piece by Simon Cummings inspired by the transitional period of Compline, which will be unveiled in the sepulchral environs of Studio 3 Gallery.

Released in 2012, the piece is an enthralling sound-odyssey, a slow-moving exploration of the mystery of the ever-changing moment. Like drifting clouds, sounds blossom gradually, changing as they grow in a way that reflects the creeping changing of shadows as daylight fades and dusk draws on.

The piece lasts just under forty minutes and will unfold against the backdrop of Studio 3 Gallery’s new exhibition, ‘Enhancing the Frame,’ which opened last week.

Admission to #EarBox is free, and the event begins at 13.10. Prepare for an  immersive experience of contemplative listening; more details online here:

Find out what’s on here.

Historic England has announced this week that a number of major postmodern buildings will receive listed building status, thus preserving this important period of British architecture for posterity. Dr Timothy Brittain-Catlin, CREAte member and deputy chairman of the Twentieth Century Society which campaigned for the change, hailed this as a major event in architectural conservation history.

Dr Brittain-Catlin said ‘The Twentieth Century Society sees this announcement as an important turning point. Many of these buildings were at serious risk, and some were already being damaged or destroyed. This decision by Historic England comes as a result of a long campaign by the Society to draw attention to the monuments of British postmodernism and the risk they are at. We were the first to organise a major symposium on the issue, we made a presentation at the RIBA with a group of highly influential speakers, and we have organised walking tours and sell-out lectures to spread the word. It is important when making the case to protect buildings that show that there is wide public interest in them.

‘We won an important battle to protect James Stirling’s No 1, Poultry in the City of London from mutilation, and this latest decision shows that we were in the vanguard of the movement to protect Britain’s best postmodern heritage.

‘We supported the successful campaign to protect Sir Terry Farrell’s Comyn Ching development in 2016. KSA and the CREAte research centre value very greatly our connection with Sir Terry and we are delighted to be playing this an active role.’

Architectural historians Elain Harwood and Geraint Franklin from Historic England recently published their book on post-modern buildings in Britain in collaboration with the Twentieth Century society.

Each year the University awards a number of prizes to individual staff or teams for outstanding work in teaching and/or learning support. The call for applications for the 2018 prizes is now open. The closing date for applications is Friday 25 May 2018.

Further details and information on how to apply are available on our web pages here.

The prizes will be awarded by the Vice-Chancellor at a lunchtime ceremony on Wednesday 3 October 2018, to which all staff are invited. Please email us if you would like to attend.

Out and Proud, an exhibition of LGBT+ role models and allies will be staged at Kent from 17 May – 6 July 2018 at the Templeman Library.

Kent is proud of its diverse student, staff and alumni community. ‘Out and Proud’ aims to showcase some of our LGBT+ role models and allies to highlight the amazing people on our campuses who share their stories to inspire others. This exhibition also features books from the Templeman Library on LGBT+ role models throughout the ages.

Role models challenge stereotypes, provide guidance and advice, and they are examples to all about overcoming prejudice and discrimination and about being proud of who you are. This exhibition is designed to share experiences, good and bad, and to be a reminder that we are all citizens of this beautifully diverse world.

Curators are Christin Hoene and Jan Moriarty for the LGBT+ Staff Network, and Joanna Baines and Elspeth Millar (Special Collections & Archives) for the Templeman Library. Design is by Leanne Taylor.

There will be a launch event on Thursday 17 May at 16.00. If you would like to attend, please book via our Eventbrite page. You can find out more on our blog pages.

“And to those who are living out and proud. You are a beacon for others to find their way home.” Julie Anne Peters

The Corporate Events team is looking for volunteers to help during congregations for Canterbury and Medway – can you help?

MEDWAY (Rochester Cathedral):

• Tuesday 10 July (x2 ceremonies), 10.30, 14.30

CANTERBURY (Canterbury Cathedral):

• Monday 16 July (x2 ceremonies), 10.30, 14.30
• Tuesday 17 July (x3 ceremonies), 10.30, 14.30, 19.30
• Wednesday 18 July (x2 ceremonies), 10.30, 14.30
• Thursday 19 July ((x3 ceremonies), 10.30, 14.30, 19.30
• Friday 20 July (x1 ceremony), 10.30

This is a special day for all of our graduating students, and a great opportunity to be involved in a feel-good University event.

We have a variety of roles available for volunteers, so whether you would like to be in the Cathedral for the ceremony, helping the graduands check-in, or managing the guest queue, there is something suitable for everyone.

Things to know:

• Volunteers working two consecutive ceremonies will be provided with lunch or dinner in between their two shifts
• Volunteers can choose any ceremony ‘shifts’ from the above list, and full training will be available for your designated role in the lead-up to congregations
• In any role, there will be a member of the congregations team on hand to support you
• Different roles will have different start and finish times due to the requirements of that role for the ceremony
• It’s a wonderfully joyful week and is a great opportunity to see any students that you have supported graduate.

If you would like to get involved in July 2018 congregations, we would be delighted to have you!

To register your interest or to find out more about the roles available, please email congregations@kent.ac.uk with your preferred ceremony/ies or your query.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Corporate Events, Development Office