Yearly Archives: 2020

Online Global Hangout- Friday 29 May

We are very excited to announce our first online Global Hangout! This will take place on Friday 29 May. There are a variety of sessions available and you can sign up to one or all or them. Once you have registered your attendance you will be sent joining instructions for your event.

Kent WebChat 10.00 – 11.00 UK Time – Sign up
An informal series of live online discussions via Zoom designed to help you keep in touch with other students and staff at the University. The theme for this week’s WebChat is ‘next steps’ with the Careers and Employability Service as well as other University colleagues sharing information about further study options available at Kent. You will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance or during the WebChat which the panel will answer.

Sustaining Happiness 12.30 – 13.30 UK Time – Sign up
Whether you are in a happy place now or not, or whether Covid-19 has impacted your wellbeing, this interactive session will present you with a formula to develop an insight into how you can sustain happiness in your life through meaningful activities. Includes a surprise gift of happiness at the end of the session! (This session will be delivered by Ozin, (Prof. Nitin Arora) from our partner institution, Amity University.)
In addition to registering for the event, please spend 5 minutes completing this questionnaire in advance to help you get the most out of the session.

Global Hangout Quiz 15.00-16.00 UK Time – Sign up
Test your knowledge from around the world at this fun, relaxed event which includes live music. A great opportunity to chat and meet with friends.

Free online consultations available with Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic

The Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic are offering free 20 minute consultations until the end of June to students. They will take place online or over the telephone with Vicky Annis, their lead physiotherapist.

Vicky has a wealth of physiotherapy experience and expertise and is keen to continue to assist and support people during these challenging times.

Many people may be tolerating issues without knowing where to turn for help and advice during this time of social distancing and isolation. The clinic wants to continue to support your freedom, ease of movement and quality of life during this pandemic.

The consultations are open to all, whether you have used the clinic previously or whether you have never experienced physiotherapy. All student or staff members from the wider community are welcome.

The sessions are offered on a first come, first served basis. To book please email: physio@kent.ac.uk.

They are asking people to show their support by donating to the NHS charities.

To find out more about Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic please visit their website www.kent.ac.uk/sports/physio.

Free online consultations with Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic!

UPDATE: Our free initial online consultations have been extended throughout June 2020!

The Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic is pleased to now offer free 20 minute online or telephone consultations with Vicky Annis, lead physiotherapist. Consultations are open to all, whether you have used the clinic previously or whether you have never experienced physiotherapy; and whether you are a student or staff member at the University of Kent or whether you are from the wider community.

The clinic, situated at the University of Kent sports centre on the Canterbury campus, remains physically closed while following government coronavirus guidance. However, Vicky has a wealth of physiotherapy experience and expertise and is keen to continue to assist and support people during these challenging times.

“I am extremely excited to offer free online physiotherapy consultations. This will enable me to keep in touch with clients and is currently the closest opportunity to fulfil what I enjoy doing the most. Whether this time is used to simply touch base, update on where you are at or ask questions, I am more than happy to help.”

She recognises that the unusual circumstances that we find ourselves enduring may for some lead to increased stress, anxiety, discomfort or pain. Many people may be tolerating issues without knowing where to turn for help and advice during this time of social distancing and isolation. The clinic wants to continue to support your freedom, ease of movement and quality of life during this pandemic. You can hear more from Vicky about this announcement in this video.

“The online physio appointments with Vicky have been so helpful and beneficial. She was able to apply her skills and knowledge about physiotherapy via a Zoom meeting during our consultation, and she provided me with a variety of exercises to work on during a two-week period after which we had a follow up appointment. Vicky is genuinely nice and caring and really helped me improve my running performance–I would not hesitate to contact her again!” Suzy Mejia-Buenano

To find out more about Kent Sport Physiotherapy Clinic please visit our website and to stay up to date Like us on Facebook.

Lockdown Lunchtime Music Scholars’ Concert

Join the Music Department for a unique event on Tuesday 2 June, as we present a online Lockdown Lunchtime Concert as part of an online Summer Music Week!

From Scottish piping and Baroque woodwind to nimble electric guitar and a song from ‘The Prince of Egypt,’ we’re delighted to present a special Lockdown Lunchtime Concert!

Taking place between 13.15 – 13.40, this virtual concert will be featuring several University Music Performance Scholars and Award Holders recorded performing in isolation in their homes (and gardens!).

Click on this YouTube link and you can watch from wherever you are as we bring a selection of musical morsels for your lunchtime viewing pleasure.

Important changes to Pay and Reward at Kent

The Reward Strategy proposals for changes to pay and additional reward are available to view on the HR staff webpages. All University staff are affected by these proposals and you are invited to give feedback before 5 June 2020.

The proposals are the result of a project that has been underway since 2018 to revise the University’s Reward Strategy, with the aim of:

Providing a competitive offering across all roles and pay scales
Futureproofing our pay arrangements
Supporting our work to close gender pay gaps and increase transparency
Addressing anomalies from the last Equal Pay Audit
Accommodating growth in the National Living Wage

The proposals are also aimed at minimising redundancies as part of ongoing collective consultation, with a forecast that the proposed changes will save the equivalent of 23 posts, providing an important contribution to improving the University’s finances.

Proposed changes include:

Changes to the Grades 1-10 pay framework
Redesigned pay scales for senior Professional Services staff and Professors
A new reward framework
Additional reward mechanisms

Full details are included on a dedicated staff web page, together with background and transition information to enable you to understand what is being put forward.

Senior Professional Services staff and Professors should send their feedback directly to the Reward Team at hrrewardfeedbackseniorstaff@kent.ac.uk before 5 June 2020.

Staff in grades 1-10 should send feedback to their Staff or Trade Union Representative before 5 June 2020. Names of Trade Union and Staff Representatives are included on the web page to guide you to the appropriate person.

The proposals for staff in Grades 1-10 and the reward framework/additional reward will be discussed at the next JSNCC meeting on 5 June 2020 with a view to reaching a collective agreement. The proposals for the senior staff pay scales will be considered at the Remuneration Committee meeting on 12 June.

Your feedback is therefore important – thank you.

Alison Ross-Green | Director of HR and Organisational Development

Dr. Laura Bailey appears on the ‘Voice of Islam’ radio show

Dr Laura Bailey, Lecturer in the Department of English Language and Linguistics, recently appeared on the Voice of Islam radio show to discuss the evolution of language.

Laura considered the recent statement by Elon Musk that language may well disappear in the next five years as an effect of technology.

“This is not something that we have the technology to achieve based on what we have now,” Laura stressed, “However, it is a thought experiment worth thinking about. Technology could help those who have disadvantages. However, we don’t want to reach the point where we’re reading each other’s thoughts.”

When asked on how technology could affect the way we communicate and talk, Laura responded: “I dare say it would, but whether it would be for better or worse, I don’t know. As linguists, we wouldn’t say any form of communication is better or worse.”

Listen to the full episode on Soundcloud (Laura’s segment begins at 37:57).

Mental Health Awareness Week- reading ideas

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 has been kindness. Throughout the week you might have seen us sharing some kindness in the form of book recommendations on our social media. We focused on titles that have been good for our Mental Health during lockdown and we hope that if you read any of them, they’ll have the same positive effects for you too.

Here’s a compilation video of all the recommendations from Templeman Library staff and your Kent Union officers. Do you spot any familiar faces?

Scroll down for a list of the titles mentioned. Let us know in the comments if you’ve read any of these, or if you’re thinking of adding any of them to your collection.

Christine Davis, Templeman Library Learning Environment Assistant
Game of Thrones audio-books by George R.R. Martin
The FODMAP Friendly Kitchen by Emma Hatcher

Omolade Adedapo , Kent Union VP Welfare
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Sue Grimer, Templeman Library Assistant (Social Sciences)
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach

Sasha Langeveldt, Kent Union President
21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuvul Noah Harari

Veronica Lawrence, Templeman Library Head of Front Line Services
The Windhover by Gerard Manley Hopkins

Sarah Field, Templeman Library Sciences Librarian
Wintering: How I learned to flourish when life became frozen, by Katherine May

Theresa Thurston, Templeman Library Law Librarian
Lean in 15 by Joe Wicks

JSNCC – nominations for non-union representative

The Joint Staff Negotiating and Consultation Committee (JSNCC) is the main forum for consultation between the University and its staff on matters of mutual interest.

Staff membership of the JSNCC comprises representatives of each of the trade unions and four representatives of non-union staff: two from the professional services and research support staff in grades 1 to 6; and two from the academic, research and professional services staff in grades 7 and above.

One of the current representatives, Denise Twomey, will be leaving the University, and so nominations are now invited for one position to represent staff grade 7 and above. Staff members working within grade 7 and above are encouraged to apply.

Nominations can be made by responding to the nomination email which was sent to eligible staff on Tuesday 26 May 2020. All nominations must be proposed and seconded by two other staff members and nominees must confirm that they agree to be nominated. The deadline for completed nomination forms is 17.00 on Tuesday 9 June 2020.

Why join the JSNCC?
Acting as a staff representative is interesting and rewarding. It provides the opportunity to discuss and comment on University plans and policies, to meet a wide range of new people and to gain valuable personal development. Training and support will be provided to the successful candidates.

Find out more about the JSNCC and the nomination and election processes on the JSNCC website or by contacting HR via ERBP@kent.ac.uk

What to do with your library books (Templeman)

While the Templeman Library remains closed due to COVID-19, we want to share advice with you for what to do with your library books, depending on your situation.

Returning to Kent in September

If you’re coming back to Kent next academic year, we recommend you hold onto your books. You won’t have to return them until at least 31 July. We’ll review arrangements over the summer and will be in touch with more information and advice.

If you’re finishing your undergraduate degree, have a confirmed postgraduate place at Kent for September and would prefer to keep your books for now, please contact us.

Books left in campus accommodation

If you have left books in your Canterbury campus accommodation, please email lendingenquiries@kent.ac.uk with your details and the room address and we’ll arrange to retrieve them.

Final year student or not returning in September

If you’re a final year student or want to return your books now for another reason, you have several options:

If you live on the Canterbury campus, live locally, or have arranged to collect your belongings from campus, please use the book drop at the Library Road Entrance or return them to any accommodation reception.
Posting books: depending on weight and volume, you could consider breaking up a large parcel into smaller ones. Courier services (like Parcel Monkey or Hermes) might be cheaper than Royal Mail and pick up the parcel from you. Whatever method you use, please make sure you get a receipt.
Our postal address is: Templeman Library, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NU
If you’re unable to return your books by any of these methods, please get in touch with us and we’ll work out a solution with you.

Contact us

Please contact us if you need any help or advice around returning books or any other library or IT query. We know these are difficult times, and our staff are here to help and support you:

Winners of the 2020 Graduate School Prizes

We are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Graduate School Prizes. Visit the Graduate School for what the winners and nominators had to say.

Postgraduate Researchers

Laura Thomas-Walters, School of Anthropology and Conservation, with particular recognition for their contribution towards public engagement

Boniface Otieno Oyugi, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, with particular recognition for their contribution to publications and grants

Simon Cooksey, School of Computing, with particular recognition for their contribution towards impact

Gianna Maria Eick, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research, with particular recognition for their contribution towards external collaboration

Alice Helliwell, School of Arts, with particular recognition for their contribution towards cohort building.

Postgraduate Administrator

Emily Rae, Paris Centre Administrator

Postgraduate Supervisor

Professor Murray Smith, Professor of Film Studies, School of Arts

Dr Tamar Jeffers McDonald, Head of School of Arts

Postgraduate Teacher

Eva Sigurdardottir, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research

The Graduate School was delighted to receive a high number of exceptional nominations for this year’s Graduate School Prizes competition. The Graduate School recognises the significant contribution made to the University of Kent by Postgraduate Researchers, Postgraduate Teachers and academic and professional services staff across the University. We would like to thank everyone for their excellent work in support of postgraduate education and research at Kent.