Monthly Archives: February 2019

Do you want to help implement the UN Sustainability Development Goals at Kent?

The ‘Teaching Sustainability’ one-day conference will take place on Friday 1 March from 09.00 – 18.00 in Keynes College, Canterbury. Register at Eventbrite for free now.

Staff and students are invited to attend the FREE conference hosted by William Rowlandson, Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Studies for the Department of Modern Languages, and Catherine Morris Environmental Adviser in the Estates Department’s Sustainability Team. Students will receive 20 Employability Points for attending.

The conference aims to build networks across the University and beyond to embed the UN Sustainability Development Goals into the University’s curriculum.

On the day, speakers from across the sector will share how these issues have been addressed at their university. You will also get the chance to explore:

the possibility of stand-alone sustainability modules,
how sustainability topics/skills can be embedded into existing teaching,
and help shape how we teach sustainability at Kent.

The conference is supported by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education through the Teaching Enhancement Small Support Award (TESSA).

Further support has been provided by the Master of Keynes College as part of Keynes College 50 year anniversary celebrations.

Photo by Bas Emmen on Unsplash

Valentine’s flash sale

This Valentine’s day, we want you to love yourself. That’s why we’re offering students an exclusive one-day-only 20% off flash sale where you can save up to £32. So if you’re not already a member of Kent Sport, this is a great opportunity to join us. You can even purchase for that special someone; you simply need their student ID number, found on the back of their Kent One card.

The 20% student membership discount is available on Thursday 14 February only. Gold will be reduced to £131.20 (was £164) and Silver will be £112 (was £140). Student memberships are valid until 31 August 2019.

Purchase membership online at before 11.59pm and use discount code VDAY20 at the checkout. Alternatively, visit the Sports Centre and Pavilion receptions to purchase.

To stay up-to-date with the latest Kent Sport news, activities and special offers, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter @UniKentSports.

‘Out and Proud’ LGBT+ Role Models Exhibition, Medway, 14 February

For LGBT History Month, the ‘Out & Proud’ LGBT+ Role Models Exhibition, previously at the Templeman Library, will be at the Drill Hall Library.

The exhibition will be opened by University of Kent Vice Chancellor Karen Cox, Champion for the LGBT+ Staff Network, at the Drill Hall Library (Medway campus) on Thursday 14 February at 16.00.

Please register for your FREE ticket on Eventbrite.

‘Out and Proud’, curated by the University of Kent LGBT+ Staff Network, aims to highlight the diverse experiences of staff on our campuses who share their stories to show the realities of being a queer person. From coming out stories to awkward conversations and incidences of discrimination and harassment, the exhibition is an honest representation of real people, from the harsh realities to the wonderful acts of solidarity and humanity.

Dr Bike free bicycle check-up (Medway)

Fancy getting your bike checked over for free? Visit Dr Bike on Thursday 21 February outside the Student Hub from 11.30-14.30.

Dr Bike are trained bicycle mechanics who regularly come onto campus to check and adjust your bike for free. The service is available to University of Kent and University of Greenwich students and staff.

Additional work will be quoted individually but will always be at a special reduced rate.

For more information visit our Dr Bike webpage

If you do not own a bike, check out the Rent & Ride cycle hire scheme.

Nostalgia podcast with Jeremy Scott

In the latest episode of the Nostalgia podcast series, Dr Chris Deacy, Reader in Theology and Religious Studies in the Department of Religious Studies, speaks to Dr Jeremy Scott, Senior Lecture in the Department of English Language & Linguistics.

In this episode, the Jeremy discusses growing up in the ‘stab’ capital of the Metropolitan area; why pubs are an important part of the British landscape (and why their demise might be seen as an instance of secularisation); spending so much of his childhood outdoors; growing up in a musical house; the name of the first record that he bought; his passion for writing stories; putting on various ‘masks’ at university; being at odds with current literary practice; and why he is an ‘aspiring, recovering nostalgist’.

Coming up in just over two weeks will be Professor Darren Griffin, Professor of Genetics in the School of Biosciences, who is doing groundbreaking work on IVF, human sperm, how genes organise into chromosomes, and the genome structure of dinosaurs.

Appraisal (RPD) Workshop for reviewees

This workshop aims to provide an understanding of the appraisal (RPD) process, including how to plan for the discussion and how managers may wish to flex their approach to this.

It will also provide insights into some of the skills required to make the most of an appraisal (RPD) discussion and understanding of objective setting.

The workshop is aimed at all staff members who are interested in preparing for their appraisal (RPD) discussion and is taking place on Friday 22 February. Book your place by logging onto Staff Connect.

New issue of University magazine out now

The winter/spring issue of the University magazine is out now.

Features in this edition include:

Visiting and revisiting the Western Front 1919-1939, by Professor Mark Connelly
On top of the scrapheap? Youth unemployment and the link to health and wellbeing, by Dr Olena Nizalova
Staff profile – Lorraine Spence, Security Officer
Student profile – Selena Snoding, Apprentice at Pfizer
University and community news, and more!

Canterbury: You can currently pick up a copy from the Gulbenkian and the Sports Centre (Templeman Library coming soon).

Medway: Copies of the magazine will be available from the Deep End foyer from Friday afternoon.

Alternatively, if you’d like to be sent a copy in the internal mail, please email your name and location to Chris Wenham: c.wenham-455@kent.ac.uk

You can also take a look at the latest magazine online on the Alumni webpages.

Work has already started on the winter 2018 issue of the magazine, but if you’ve got ideas for it, please contact the Editorial Board via c.wenham-455@kent.ac.uk

Researching the Kent student experience – findings

Not every student’s experience is going to be the same and we do not think it should be. However, what are the key ingredients for a great learning experience at Kent?

Last year we spoke to nearly 2,000 students and 60 staff members to try to answer that question and articulate what every student should experience while at Kent.

Our research found that through your studies and co-curricular activities you want to experience:

Learning that is relevant to your goals, interests and ambitions

You thought the University offered opportunities that support your passion for your subject and personal growth. You also said that teaching needs to make explicit connections to the real world and potential careers.

Active learning with feedback

Learning happens when you read, talk, write, explain, make connections between ideas, try things out and observe the results, analyse, evaluate, apply, and organise your knowledge in meaningful ways. When you do these things, staff can give you feedback, which also helps your learning.

A challenging, supportive and inclusive environment

We hear that you value challenge, but also need guidance about new expectations, how you can rise to them and how you can take best advantage of co-curricular opportunities.

A diverse student and staff population from around the world

Many of you want to engage with peers intellectually. You also recognise that peer interaction – in and outside of classes – supports a range of educational goals.

Meaningful interactions with staff

You particularly appreciate inspiring or helpful interactions with staff members. Yet the report shows that many of you are disappointed when you do not experience this.

Work experience, real world projects, public exhibitions/performances or study abroad

Many of our courses offer a fourth year in industry/abroad or a final year project. You told us that these experiences help to enhance your learning and student experience at Kent.

Work has already started to enhance course and co-curricular opportunities. If you want to get more from your time at Kent visit the Student Guide and Kent Union website for all the opportunities available to you.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this study. If you would like to know more you can read the full report online (pdf).

Football Shirt Friday – 15 February

Calling all staff, students and alumni! Please support us in our fundraising drive to enable the National Children’s Football Alliance (NCFA) and Slum Soccer to send a team of children from India to the 2019 Global Peace Games, a week-long peace education and football programme in Messines, Belgium.

How to get involved – Football Shirt Friday, 15 February
All staff, students and visitors are encouraged to support ‘Football Shirt Friday’ and contribute whatever they can via collection buckets in the Sports Centre reception and via the crowdfunding page – suggested minimal donation £2.

If you love your team, wear your shirt with pride on this Friday and support this great cause. If football doesn’t float your boat then you can wear a rugby or other team jersey accordingly.

We are also looking for cyclists to take part in the sponsored bike ride on Saturday 23 March. To enable as many cyclists as possible to take part, Football Shirt Friday will raise money to help the cyclists reach the baseline donation figure.

If every Kent student and member of staff contributed just a couple of pounds to the fund, it would make a huge difference towards making this opportunity a reality for as many young people as possible!

For further information about the cycle ride, please contact Oli Prior at o.prior@kent.ac.uk

For further information about the fundraising campaign, please contact Ernie Brennan at erniebrennan@thecfa.co.uk

Parking on large Applicant Days (Canterbury campus)

This is a reminder that large Applicant Days are starting at Canterbury campus from Wednesday 13 February.

For large Applicant Days, parking will be reserved in Rutherford and Tyler Courts car parks, whereas for smaller Applicant Days parking will continue to be reserved in Giles Lane car park (the area behind Woolf).

While we do not expect parking on campus to be completely full, it may be helpful to consider car sharing or using alternative modes of transport where reasonably possible on the large Applicant Days. If you are able to work from home and wish to do so, please arrange this with your manager.

Large Applicant Days

Applicant Days are essential for recruiting new students to the University. The larger Applicant Days starting from next week tend to be held on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the Spring Term.

A significant number of bays (100-225 based on requests for parking from bookings) will be reserved in Rutherford and Tyler Court car parks to assist with parking on the following Applicant Days, as requested by Enrolment Management Services:

Wednesday 13 February – 137 bays reserved (confirmed)
Wednesday 20 February
Wednesday 27 February
Wednesday 6 March
Wednesday 13 March
Wednesday 20 March
Wednesday 27 March
Wednesday 3 April

Please note that the locations are subject to change. Keep up to date with the Transport Team newsletter and events calendar which we will update as details are confirmed.

Refer to our interactive parking map for parking areas.

Smaller Applicant Days

Up to 40 bays (based on requests for parking from bookings) will normally be reserved in Giles Lane car park (area behind Woolf) on the smaller Applicant Days to assist with parking as requested by Enrolment Management Services. These events are held on weekdays and Saturdays in the Spring term. The weekday dates are below:

Thursday 14 February
Thursday 21 February
Friday 22 February
Thursday 28 February
Thursday 7 March
Friday 8 March
Thursday 14 March
Thursday 4 April
Friday 5 April

When numbers are confirmed they will be updated on the events calendar.