Monthly Archives: June 2019

Upnor Castle and the Dutch Raid- upcoming Drill Hall Dialogue

The next Drill Hall Dialogue talk is being held at the Guildhall Museum room DA002 in Rochester on Tuesday 11 June 2019 at 10.00. The focus is on Upnor Castle and the Dutch Raid.

Plague and Fire swept through London in the 1660s and have become established as infamous episodes in England’s history. But the disaster that followed is less well-known, and it happened right here, on the River Medway. This illustrated talk will look at the causes of the event, at the people involved and how it all unfolded in a few momentous days in June 1667.

Dr Jeremy Clarke, who is giving the talk, has been Education Officer at the Guildhall Museum in Rochester since 1998. He is responsible for all formal education and learning programmes supported by the museum collection or its listed buildings.

Most of his work is with or in local schools, but he also runs courses, lectures and illustrated talks for adults. He has also run partnership projects to support children in making music for Dickens’s novels, in illustrating scenes from Great Expectations, and in working with actors at locations made famous by the novel. In 2010 he hosted a shared reading of Great Expectations in the original parts, timed to coincide with their publication 150 years before.

Drill Hall Dialogues is a monthly series of talks held at the Drill Hall Library, the learning resource centre for the Universities at Medway collaborative project. A wide variety of topics has been covered including prison libraries, NHS libraries, Dickens and Christmas, Medway regeneration, the Medway Floods of 1953 and Fort Amherst. We have also received talks from academics based on the campus including the Centre for Journalism (UKM) and the Faculty of Education (CCCU). The talks take place on the first or second Tuesday of the month and usually last no longer than 45 minutes with 15 minutes allotted for any questions and answers.  All staff are welcome to attend.

For more information visit www.campus.medway.ac.uk

Gulbenkian 50th birthday

Gulbenkian is 50 today!

On 10 June 1969, Gulbenkian opened its doors to the public.

50 years later, we remain a busy cultural venue for staff and students, and for the local community. Over 100,000 people attend live performances and film screenings each year, and our Creative Learning team provide amazing creative opportunities for over 8,000 children and young people across Kent.

So, we are celebrating with a 50 Years Festival! There are free events, including the Radical Roots festival day on Saturday 15 June packed with activities and performances, and ticketed events like the New Canterbury Sound (Nelson Parade, The Selkies & Evil Usses) on Friday 21 June and THE Canterbury Sound (Caravan & Soft Machine) on Saturday 22 June.

Please join us if you can. You can find out more on Gulbenkian webpages.

group of students in graduation gear sitting smiling at each other

Ensure the correct name is on your graduation certificate

DEADLINE: Monday 17 June by 17.00.

Ensure the correct name is on your graduation certificate.

There are strict rules governing your legal name which should appear in full on your certificate as on other legal documents, i.e. passport.

  1. Check your name on Student Data System – this is how it will be printed on your certificate

If it is correct? You do not need to do anything further regarding your legal name.

If it is NOT correct, please see step 2 below.

  1. If your legal name is not correct, you must contact the Central Student Administration Office.

You must contact CSAO (csao@kent.ac.uk) if your legal name is wrong before the deadline listed above. If you submit a name change after your ceremony, your certificate will not be reprinted.

close up of doctors arms holding stethoscope

Have you had your MMR and MenACWY vaccines?

Make sure you’re up-to-date with your measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and MenACWY vaccines. And if you’re not, book in with your GP Surgery to get the vaccine.

University campuses are the perfect environment for measles and meningococcal diseases to spread.

Make sure you register with the local GP surgery and look out for symptoms of measles and meningitis.

Facts about measles

  • Measles is circulating in England and in Europe, particularly among 15 -25 year olds.
  • Measles is very infectious, it can cause serious complications and, in rare cases, can be fatal.
  • Measles can be more severe in young people and adults, often leading to hospital admissions.
  • Measles starts with cold-like symptoms and sore red eyes followed by a high temperature and a red-brown blotchy rash. If you experience these symptoms, call NHS 111.
  • The best way to protect yourself against measles is have two doses of the MMR vaccine. It is never too late to get the vaccine. There are no risks to your health if you get an extra dose.
  • Young people are strongly advised to check if they had the MMR vaccine. Check if you have had two doses of the vaccine with your GP and arrange a catch up NOW if necessary.
  • If you suspect you have measles stay away from others for at least four days after the rash has appeared.
  • Call NHS 111 if you think you might have measles or have been in contact with someone who has had it.

Facts about meningococcal disease

  • Meningitis and septicaemia can develop suddenly and can kill or leave people with life changing disabilities and health problems.
  • There has been a rapid increase in MenW, a type of meningococcal disease in recent years in the UK.
  • This recent MenW strain has been particularly serious and can be difficult to diagnose because it has been associated with symptoms less frequently seen with meningococcal disease, such as severe diarrhoea and vomiting.
  • Symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia include: a blotchy rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it, fever, aching muscles and joints and a stiff neck.
  • The MenACWY vaccine is available free to students who are going to university for the first time up until their 25th birthday.
  • Any student born after 1 September 1996 who missed the MenACWY vaccine at secondary school can have the vaccine before their 25th
  • Higher Education students are known to be at increased risk of meningitis and septicaemia. Being in confined environments with close contact, such as university halls, hostels when travelling, or attending festivals, increase the chances of infection if unprotected.
  • Students should be aware of the symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia and tell someone if they or their friends feel unwell.
  • It is vital for students to register with a GP and take up the vaccination as soon as possible. You can book an appointment to get the MenACWY vaccine via your GP.

Read 5 avoidable health threats every student should know about for more information.

A photo of Tony Antonelli

Join us to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing with astronaut Tony Antonelli!

Following another hugely successful and sold out Pint of Science Festival last month, the Kent Pint of Science Team are now hosting a talk by astronaut Tony Antonelli at 7.30pm on Wednesday 3rd July in the Sibson building on the Canterbury Campus.

Book your ticket now, and share Tony’s experiences of ‘piloting a NASA Space Shuttle into space’!

And of course do tell your friends, family and any partner organisations whose members might be interested.

Advance tickets only from pintofscience.co.uk

See you there!

person using macbook pro while holding ceramic mug on gray wood surface

Two-day Introduction to Project Management Course

L&OD are running two 2-day Introduction to Project Management courses as follows:

Tuesday 18 and Thursday 19 June 2019 from 09.30-16.30 on both days or Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 July 2019 from 09.30-16.30 on both days

This is an in-depth and practical course running over two full days and participants need to be working on a current University project to get the maximum benefit from the course.

Participants will;

  • Develop an understanding for the need for a consistent approach to project management within the University
  • Use the underlying principles contained within the University of Kent project management framework on all future projects
  • Develop a personal action plan and work with a colleague post-course
  • Be able to communicate the new project management approach to colleagues and partners within the University

Criteria for nomination:

  • Nominees should be currently working on or about to start working on a key University project

Managers are asked to discuss attendance on the course with their staff, and then email nominations through to Ldev@kent.ac.uk

Kent Union summer service relocation

Due to the exciting redevelopment of the Mandela Building a number of Kent Union services will be relocating for the summer.

All of these services will be closed on 14 June to enable their temporary relocation.

They will reopen in the following locations from Monday 17 June, unless otherwise noted:

Kent Union Reception ➝ Student Media Centre

Closed 17 June.

Open Monday to Friday 9.00 until 17.00.

Services available will be limited due to temporary location.

Advice Centre ➝ Student Media Centre

Closed from 12 June until 17 June.

Open Monday to Friday 10.00 until 16.00.

A drop-in service will be available Thursday 13 and Friday 14 June 10.00-16.00 in Eliot Becket Court seminar Room 16.

Home Stamp ➝ Student Media Centre

Open Monday to Friday 11.00 until 15.00.

Jobshop ➝ Woody’s (Downstairs Meeting Room)

Open Monday to Friday 10.00 until 16.00.

Love my Genome screening at the Gulbenkian

A documentary following the journey of 10 healthy volunteers who have agreed to be genetically screened for future disease will be shown at the Gulbenkian on Monday 17 June.

All of the volunteers featured in pioneering documentary Love my Genome currently work in the field of genomics, including world-leading genetic scientist Professor Darren Griffin.

Genetic testing is an increasingly important tool for clinical practitioners investigating the cause, prevention and treatment of disease. By tapping into each person’s unique blueprint researchers can predict the likelihood of each of us inheriting a range of medical conditions including breast cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s.

As with many great scientific breakthroughs, however, human genome sequencing comes with a cost. The film chronicles the reactions of each person as they contemplate not just their own future but that of their children, spouses, siblings and loved ones. With one couple about to start a family of their own this film explores the ethical, moral and practical challenges that confront them.

Location: The Gulbenkian Cinema. University of Kent, Canterbury Campus.

Date and Time: 12:15pm on Monday 17 June 2019.

Duration: 20 minutes followed by a Q&A with Professor Darren Griffin and contributors.

Attendance: OPEN to everyone. Attendance is free. Please register with Eventbrite here.

 

New Online Expenses Module via Staff Connect

From 12 June 2019 all professional services, academic and research staff will be able to use Staff Connect to submit expense claims replacing the existing paper based solution.

If you need assistance with transitioning to the new system please contact the Payments Office at expenses@kent.ac.uk

The Staff Connect Expenses module will allow the submission of expense claims online and to attach scanned copies of receipts to the claim. The claim will then be forwarded, via the system, to an agreed Authoriser within your area, for approval.

Once the claim has been approved it will be forwarded automatically for payment. Payments will be made on a fortnightly basis into the same bank account used for your salary payments.

Drop-in sessions
Drop-in sessions will be held in the period following the launch of the expenses module to allow anyone who wishes to attend for informal training, support and to answer any questions. Please find dates, times and room locations within Cornwallis South East Octagon below:

Monday 10 June all day – SE14
Wednesday 12 June all day – SE14
Thursday 13 June 10.00-12.00 – SE20
Tuesday 18 June 10.00-12.00 – SE20
Wednesday 19 June 14.00-16.00 – SE14
Monday 24 June 14.00-16.00 – SE14
Friday 28 June 10.00-12.00 – SE20
Medway TBC

Further help

If you have any questions about Staff Connect and the launch of this new module, there is guidance, including a frequently asked questions section, on the Staff Connect website.

To find out more about using Staff Connect to make expense claims, please come to one of the demo and drop-in sessions available for all staff and line managers.

There is a high level guide available in relation to the process for submission and approval. Please go to support to find out more. Online user guides are available.

New Studio 3 exhibition: ‘Catching Flies’

Students from the MA in Curating, run by the Department of Art History, will open a new exhibition entitled ‘Catching Flies’, on Friday 7 June 2019 at the Studio 3 Gallery at the University of Kent.

‘Catching Flies’ will be an immersive exhibition exploring the theme of distractions. It will raise the questions; what are the consequences of being constantly distracted?  Can we function efficiently whilst simultaneously being distracted? How much does the omnipresent internet have to do with this and is a lot of what we see on the subject scaremongering? How great of an escape do distractions provide? And, is it even possible to find respite in such frenzy?

Each artwork in the exhibition explores different narratives surrounding the theme of distractions, whether it is in regards to the distractions we face through social media, the use of art as a distraction from reality or simply a musician being distracted from his practice.

Vanessa Giorgo, who is studying on the MA in Curating, explained the background: ‘This exhibition is the result of the collaborative and team effort of four Curating students, each one coming from completely different backgrounds, who managed to raise the issues regarding technology and aesthetics, and how habitual these have become within our collective consciousness.’

Elaborating on the theme of the exhibition, she said: ‘The invention of the Internet has been the one of the epochal shifts of late modernity. Its social, cultural and economic advantages? Immense. Children born after the new millennium cannot even imagine their life without it. Everything is made so easy, just with the touch of a keyboard and the hidden search algorithm. However, the Internet can also be something frustrating, distracting, something dark. Being part of the last generation which experienced the initial stages of our lives without the Internet, all four of us as a group have observed the differences of lives lived before and after.’

The artists featured in the exhibition will include: Alexander Benjamin, Maria Bogatyreva, Megan Boyle, Flora Bradwell, Benedict Drew, Martyna Pisorkz, Cristián Fernández Ocampo, Michal Raz, Connor Sansby, Ross Sinclair, Orfeo Taguiri and Magdalena Zoledz. The resulting collection will include an array of artworks from historic prints to video art, mixed media canvases and Social Media art.

‘This exhibition would not have been possible without the invaluable contribution of our artists,’ said Vanessa.

The exhibition will be open on Mondays-Fridays, 9am to 5pm, and will run until 31 July 2019.

There is an Instagram page for the exhibition here