Monthly Archives: October 2020

Student Alanah standing in front of lake and snow capped mountains in Canada

Global Pathways: Which one will you take to explore the world?

(Photo by Study Abroad student Alanah Moore taken in Canada.)

International Partnerships is currently working with Stage 1 and 2 students to offer support with their study placement opportunities overseas. On Friday 16 October, we hosted a virtual Global Pathways presentation and the recording can now be found on the DP6100 Moodle module.

Stage 1 and 2 students are encouraged to listen to this recording which outlines the application process to study abroad, the support available to students and any other important information including finances. Please note that only Stage 2 students are expected to complete the DP6100 Moodle module and application form. Stage 1 students will not come to apply until their second stage of studies.

The deadline for Stage 2 applications is Friday 20 November, 2020.

We will also be hosting a virtual Global Pathways drop-in session on Thursday 5 November from 14.00-15.00 in order to answer any queries that students may have at this stage. This session is open to both Stage 1 and 2 students. For details of how to join, please email internationalevents@kent.ac.uk.

Learn more about our Go Abroad opportunities.

We look forward to hearing from you soon,

The Go Abroad Team

 

Kent logo

Covid-19 update – 27 October 2020

Since the start of October, there has been a weekly update on the number of cases of students and staff who havreported that they are currently self-isolating following a positive test for Covid-19.  

The Update on Covid-19 cases webpage now includes additional information such as what to do if you are self-isolating or if you have symptomsIn response to feedback from staff, the cumulative figure for the total number of cases reported is also being published as part of our weekly update. Since the start of September, the cumulative number is 96.

The number of cases of students and staff who are currently self-isolating following a positive test for Covid-19 that have been reported to us is currently 30, including one member of staff.  Again, although figures remain comparatively low, there is no room for complacency. We continue to remind students of the need to comply with government and University guidelines.  Although the vast majority continue to do so, we have robust procedures in place to manage any exceptions.  

Staff working on campus should ensure that they are fully aware of the safety measures we have put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19.

We continue to work with the public health team who are satisfied with the measures we have in place at the University. Their advice supports the decisions that are being made across all activities, including the plans for the end of term and the Christmas period. Staff will be updated as soon as these are finalised

Two students sat on low wall outside

Canterbury Student Hub – we are moving

Canterbury Student Hub – Central Student Administration

From Monday 2 November the Canterbury Student Hub is moving back to the Student Reception in the Registry Building. This is where our offices are usually based. You can find directions on our maps webpage.

We are still offering the same services and support.

  • New student ID card collection (you no longer need an appointment to collect your ID card but please wait for your email to say it is ready)
  • Student queries
  • Visa support
  • Finance payment/queries – via the Income Office

We are open to walk ins but if you would like to make a dedicated appointment to ensure someone is available please see our website.

Student Support and Wellbeing have moved back to their reception area located in the Keynes Building.

Medway Student Hub – Medway Student Administration

The Medway Student Hub will remain in the Gillingham Building. You can find directions on our maps webpage.

We are open to walk ins but if you would like to make a dedicated appointment to ensure someone is available please see our website.

Dr Gloria Chamorro

Dr Gloria Chamarro receives grant for Refugees project

Dr Gloria Chamarro, Lecturer in applied linguistics in the Department of Modern Languages and Linguistics, has received a grant from the Orange Tree Trust and The Thomas Sivewright Catto Charitable Settlement for her work on The English Hub for Refugees project.

The project helps refugees and asylum seekers gain the English language skills they need in order to integrate into their new communities and access mainstream education and jobs while also allowing University students to gain teaching experience. Apart from the English classes, the project also develops language learning materials for refugees and migrants, which are freely available in our Materials section.

Gloria says: “Thanks to the funding received from the Orange Tree Trust we will be able to continue supporting unaccompanied refugee minors with their language skills so that they can successfully integrate into their new communities and access mainstream education and jobs. It will allow us to continue with our English classes as well as with the development of language learning resources to support these and other migrants for two more academic years.”

Kent Union Weekly Wind-Downs

Every Friday at 15:00, Kent Union will be hosting Weekly Wind-Downs where students will be able to discuss any of their concerns or just have a catch up with the Union.

Whether you have any questions about your time at university, worried about COVID-19, or just want a chat, Aisha Dosanjh, your Vice-President Welfare & Community, will be available for you to drop in anytime. If you want to talk about something more privately, feel free to email beforehand via a.dosanjh@kent.ac.uk.

The Weekly Wind-Downs run until until 18 December.

You can join the sessions by clicking on the link below:

https://bit.ly/3dBTwmu

For more information, please head to Kent Union’s Facebook page.

safety graphic

Help us keep our community safe

Keeping our university community as safe as possible is a top priority for us all.

Staff working on campus should ensure that they are fully aware of the safety measures we have put in place to limit the spread of Covid-19.  Whether it’s arranging a meeting, in a teaching setting or simply walking across campus, please remember to follow the guidelines for ‘hands, face, space’ and the ‘rule of six’ as they apply in a work setting.

Risk assessment

Make sure you are aware of the detailed risk assessment, which has been applied across the University ahead of staff return to work across campus.

The risk assessment covers measures such as

  • Disease control (including downloading the NHS Test and Trace app, and staying at home if you feel unwell)
  • Improved hygiene (such as extra hand-washing and sanitisers in all key areas and enhanced cleaning of buildings)
  • Social distancing set at 2m in most areas but 1m+ in teaching rooms (where all students should be wearing face coverings and staff have access to face shields, particularly for over-the-shoulder supervision)
  • PPE/face coverings
  • Safeguards for vulnerable individuals

Code of Conduct

You should also familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 Code of Conduct for Staff and Students.

The Code of Conduct is updated regularly in line with latest government guidelines. It outlines changes to our environment, adaptations to ensure our sites are Covid-secure, and what we all need to do to make sure we keep each other safe.

All staff and students are expected to follow the Covid-19 Code of Conduct guidelines while on campus, as well as standards within our existing Charter/Code of Conduct.

Find out more

To find out more about staying safe while on campus, see our staff Covid-19 webpages.

A lion

Oxford University, Hinduism and Narnia: Nostalgia interview with Jessica Frazier

In the latest episode of the Nostalgia podcast series, Dr Chris Deacy, Head of the Department of Religious Studies, interviews Jessica Frazier, former University of Kent member of staff and current Lecturer in Theology and Religion for the University of Oxford.

Jessica was born in Washington D.C. and came to England when a child. Jessica reveals how she fantasized about going to Narnia as a kid, and we learn about the appeal of Thailand where it is always summer – indeed, a portal into something magical.

Jessica also talks about teaching Hinduism at Oxford, how she wanted to be an explorer growing up, why she has become more of a Platonist as she gets older, why she has never been frightened of solitude, and how it is okay to be a nerd.

Time1 PATH poste

Attitudes to Perinatal Mental Illnesses – Study for recent parents

Are you an expectant parent or did you become a mum or dad last year?

You are invited to take part in an online study about your mental health and wellbeing around the time of the birth of your child.

If you want to take part then click on this survey.

Led by the NHS Kent and Medway Partnership Trust, with the University of Kent as one of 24 formal participant identification centres, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a perinatal mental health multimedia campaign (PATHMC) in England. In light of the current coronavirus pandemic, the study also includes questions which aim to assess the differential impact of COVID-19 on parents and partners.

BAME Staff Network All Staff Survey 2020

Don’t forget to have your say in the BAME Staff Network All Staff Survey 2020, which is open until 8 November.

Why we are running this survey
The University of Kent has committed to addressing racial inequalities and creating an inclusive culture and environment where individuals are able to thrive, irrespective of their race, ethnicity or various intersections. To help facilitate progress, the University of Kent’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff Network is working in collaboration with the University senior management team.

We want to hear your views on working at the University of Kent, and whether you think there is anything the University can do to eradicate racial discrimination and advance race equality. This survey is just one of the ways you can be involved. We will be communicating with you regularly to keep you up to date with the race equality work we are undertaking and will seek your views on future actions we intend to propose. If you would like to be further involved in this work, or become a member of the University of Kent Staff Network, please email bamestaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk.

Who should take part?
This survey is for both BAME and White staff working in academic or professional services roles within the University of Kent.

Why should you take part?
This survey is the first part of a wider piece of research that seeks to understand the culture of the University of Kent, in order to advance race equality. By taking part in this survey, you are adding to the knowledge of the University of Kent and helping us to identify areas for improvement, and ways to make those improvements.

The results of this survey will be published on our website. We hope you will see your views and ideas acted upon and reflected within the University Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) strategy, in order to make progress on race equality. The survey will be followed by a qualitative study that will involve participants from this survey who have willingly expressed an interest in being part of a case study. The second phase will involve participants of the survey who have willingly expressed an interest in being part of a case study who will be contacted by the management research team. At the end of this survey, you will be asked to indicate if you would be willing to participate in the case study.

Data security and anonymity
Throughout the survey, please only answer the questions with which you are comfortable. All of the information you provide will be held in the strictest confidence and will only be seen by the University of Kent BAME Staff Network management team which comprises the four co-Chairs of the BAME Staff Network, Dr Heejung Chung and research associate (RA) Hyojin Seo. The data will be stored according to the Data Protection Act 2018. The University’s privacy notice contains information that outlines how your personal data will be processed as part of this research process.

Only the research team will have access to this database. Aggregated, anonymised analysis will be shared with other departments in the University to inform the development of services, policies and processes. At no point will the information you provide be shared in a way that would allow you to be personally identified. Any published material will be anonymised.

If you have any questions about this survey that have not been answered by this information page, please contact the BAME Staff Network by emailing bamestaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk.

Proceed to the survey
To proceed to the survey, please click on this link.

The link also includes more information about the survey’s purpose and objectives, and outlines its complete anonymity and confidentiality.

The Survey will be open until 8 November 2020 and the Network hopes that as many staff members as possible will participate. Please remember, if you have any questions about the survey, email the Co-Chairs at bamestaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk

Thank you,
Bridget, Dave, Barbara and Vanisha, Co-Chairs of the BAME Staff Network

Close up of someone typing on laptop

Preferred name changes – transgender / non-binary students

The Central Student Administration Team are able to amend personal details on your student record.  

If you identify as transgender or non-binary we can: 

  • Add your preferred name  
  • Amend your Title (options include Mx) 
  • Amend your gender identity marker (Male, Female, Other, Prefer Not to Say) 
  • Change your legal name (if you have some form of legal documentation) 

Any communications with our team will be treated in strictest confidence, and your personal data will be held securely. 

By adding a preferred name to your record, we can issue a new student ID card (free of charge) and update how your name is displayed on registers and Teams.  

Please note a preferred name does not change the legal name on your record, your certificate will be printed in your legal name at the end of your studies.  

To make your request or for further guidance, please contact us: 

Canterbury Students: csao@kent.ac.uk 

Medway Students: msao@kent.ac.uk  

See additional support.