Kent Hospitality has launched a new survey, aiming to hear about student, staff and visitors’ experiences at their catering outlets on the Canterbury campus.

The survey, which asks questions about value for money, customer service and food/drink quality, gives customers a chance to provide feedback after each visit.

Customers who leave feedback are entered into a monthly prize draw to win a £20 catering voucher to spend on campus, and each month presents a new opportunity to enter into the prize draw! The feedback received will help Kent Hospitality to maintain and improve their services.

The participating catering outlets are: Bag It, Create, Dolche Vita, Gulbenkian Café, Hut 8, K-Bar, Mungo’s, Origins, Rutherford Dining Hall, Sibson Café, Sports Café and The Street Kitchen.

Have you visited one of Kent Hospitality’s catering outlets recently? Leave feedback on the survey.

Our new Kent Rainbow Lanyard celebrates and promotes our work around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Wearing one shows your commitment to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all of our LGBTQ+ staff and students. It also shows LGBTQ+ people that they can ‘bring their whole selves’ to you without fear of judgement or an unsupportive reaction.

Designed by our LGBTQ+ Staff Network, and based on the Inclusion Flag, the Kent Rainbow Lanyard is a symbol that you are aware of the hardships marginalised members of the community have faced and continue to face, and that you are committed to supporting our LGBTQ+ staff and students by being a friend, advocate and a safe space, otherwise known as an Ally.

Designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018, the Inclusion Flag includes pink, blue, black and brown chevron stipes alongside the rainbow flag to represent the trans community and people of colour within the LGBTQ+ community and places a greater emphasis on inclusion and progression than previous iterations. There are three different types of Rainbow Lanyard available – one for staff, one for students, and one for Student Ambassadors. The lanyards are available in most outlets and reception desks across our Canterbury and Medway sites.

Being an Ally

We know that being an Ally is not always easy, and like any skill it takes practice, awareness and education, which is why we have developed resource pages to help support anyone who wants to enhance their Allyship knowledge and skills. We would encourage anyone wearing a lanyard to explore these resources and self-educate to ensure that they feel confident in their allyship abilities.

Wearing a lanyard and displaying symbols of Pride at our sites is an important way to remind our LGBTQ+ staff and students that they belong here in our community, and should always feel safe, supported, and able to bring their whole selves to work and study with us.

Wear yours with Pride!

Becky Lamyman | Student EDI Officer

Marketing, Outreach, Recruitment and Admissions (MORA) are excited to announce the launch of a brand-new cinema advert, hitting big screens very soon.

Filmed in October, the new advert captures hyper-real scenes from across the Kent student experience and wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of MORA staff and colleagues and students across the Divisions. The advert forms a key part of our undergraduate recruitment strategy for 2022.

Here’s a sneak peek of the video:

We’ll be promoting the video across our social media on Thursday 9 December.

The advert can be seen across Sky Ad Smart from 29 November and in cinemas from 17 December before the new ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ film.

We’d like to extend a special thanks to:

• Academic, professional services and technical support staff in Psychology, CEMS, Law, ASPIRE and MORA
• Estates for arranging collection and return of a mannequin leant to us by M&S!
• IS support
• Gulbenkian Arts Centre
• Chatham Historic Dockyard
• All the University of Kent students who took part in filming

Congratulations to Medway Security Guard Toby Owen (age 26), recently took part in The Men’s Physic Championships held in Maidenhead, where he became the new British Champion whilst also achieving his Pro Athlete card, both significant in their own right.

This natural competition celebrates the hard work and determination competitors put into achieving the very best for their body.

Toby puts his win down to hard work, complete discipline and persistence to attain the best possible results.

Toby not only has this mind-set with his sport but mirrors this in his work ethic as well. He is wished the very best for future competitions.

As we enjoy the lead up to Christmas, our Music department is delighting us with a festive two weeks filled with concerts and cheer.

ALL concerts this autumn term is by ticket only (free for the Lunchtime Concerts) and tickets must be booked in advance. Here’s a few highlights of the events that we can look forward to:

University String Sinfonia – Tuesday 7 December

Directed by Florian Peycelon, the String Sinfonia in an hour-long programme including works by Rutter, Elgar and Kalinnikov. Join us at 19.00.  

Chorus/Orchestra Christmas Concert – Saturday 11 December 

University Chorus and Orchestra, Simon Thorpe (bass) in a seasonal programme with works by Tchaikovsky and Vaughn Williams.  

Carols Around the tree – Monday 13 December 

Open to all staff, students and alumni, come along to the communal carols with the Brass Group on the Registry lawn at 16.50.

Big Band Christmas Swingalong! – Wednesday 15 December 

Get into the swing of things and come along to the annual cracker of a gig with the Big Band conducted by Ian Swatman at 17.15. 

The University was very sorry to hear of the death of Keith Dimond.

Former colleague, Mohamed Sobhy writes:

‘It is with sadness that I report that my friend and colleague Keith Dimond has passed away. Keith joined the University in 1971 as lecturer in the Electronics Laboratories (now the School of Engineering). Prior to joining, Keith worked at GCHQ in Cheltenham. I remember in his interview at Kent, Keith could not give the panel some details of his work, as it was classified. Nevertheless, the panel was so impressed by Keith’s personality and knowledge and had no hesitation in offering him the post.

‘Subsequently, Keith made a vital contribution to developing the teaching and research in the department, especially on the digital side and was promoted to a Senior Lectureship in recognition of his work. Keith also made a significant contribution to the administration of The Electronics Laboratories. For 10 years, during my term as director, Keith was deputy director and his help and support were vital to the smooth running of the department. I remember in particular, his help in preparing the application to the Institution of Electrical Engineers (now IET) for accrediting the new courses. Before his retirement, Keith became Master of Keynes College again using his personality and diplomacy to run the College smoothly and effectively.

‘Throughout my knowledge of Keith, I admired his manner of dealing with people in a diplomatic and kind manner that made him respected and loved by all his colleagues and students. Keith will be sadly missed by all who knew him.’

We express our condolences to his wife Judith, his two daughters Rachel and Fiona and their families.  

An article by Hannah Brazier, Marketing and Commercial Services Assistant | Kent Hospitality  

It’s nearly that time of the year. Christmas is coming! Gather your friends and colleagues together for a festive feast with all the trimmings.

Here are a few suggestions of where you can enjoy Christmas food and drink on campus…

Rutherford Dining Hall

Christmas Menu (6 – 16 December)

Traditional Christmas Lunch – 2 courses for £8.95 (ex VAT)
Choose from traditional roast turkey or festive nut roast with all the trimmings, followed by Christmas pudding or vegan chocolate orange torte.

To book a table, please call the dining hall on 01227 823500 or email rutherforddining@kent.ac.uk. All pre-booked groups will receive complimentary Christmas crackers.

Dolche Vita

Christmas Menu (1 – 16 December)

Chef’s Special Christmas Lunch – from £6.00
A Christmas dinner with a Dolche Vita twist. No booking required. Includes a complimentary mince pie (whilst stocks last). 

Gingerbread Latte – £2.50
served with a traditional steamed milk top

Mungo’s

Christmas Menu (22 November – 16 December)

The Very Merry Mungo’s Burger – £6.80
Turkey breast topped with cranberry sauce, cheese, streaky bacon, and cheese sauce in a charcoal infused sesame seed brioche bun. Served with skinny fries.

The Christmas Club Sandwich – £6.00
Toasted triple stacked sandwich with turkey breast wrapped in streaky bacon and stuffed with chorizo, sage and paprika. Topped with cheese, tomato, lettuce, and sweet chilli mayo.

Gingerbread Latte – £3.00
served with whipped cream, cinnamon, and a mini gingerbread man

Mince Pie Milkshake – £4.00
topped with whipped cream

Gingerbread Milkshake – £3.50
topped with whipped cream (Vegan version also available)

Gulbenkian Café

Christmas Menu (15 November – 17 December)

Kentish Pigs in Blankets Mac and Cheese – £7.50
Gooey Kentish Mac and Cheese with extra little chunks of sausage wrapped in bacon.

Kentish Brie and Cranberry Croque Monsieur – £6.00
A festive take on a French classic – Brie and cranberry toasted sandwich topped with a mornay sauce and baked.

Handmade Pigs in Blankets Sausage Roll – £2.50
What do you get if you cross pigs in blankets with sausage rolls? Delicious Christmassy sausage-and bacon puff-pastry snacks.

After Eight Peppermint Hot Chocolate – £3.50
topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and mini marshmallows

Baileys Hot Chocolate – £4.95
topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder

Gingerbread Latte – £3.30
topped with whipped cream and a mini gingerbread man

Create

Christmas Drinks Menu (22 November – 16 December)

Gingerbread Latte – £3.00
topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, and a mini gingerbread man

Mint Hot Chocolate – £3.00
topped with whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and mini marshmallows

K-Bar

Christmas Cocktail Menu (29 November – 17 December)

Gingerbread Martini – £5.00
Baileys, Kaluha, and gingerbread syrup

Hot Apple Pie Cocktail – £5.00
Spiced rum, Licor 43, apple juice, whipped cream, and cinnamon

Bag It

Christmas Signature Sandwiches (6 December – 16 December)

Boxing Day Turkey & Bacon Sub – £3.90
Turkey breast, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise in a soft sub roll

Brie, Chestnut & Cranberry Mayo Doorstop – £3.90
Brie, chestnut, and cranberry mayo between two thick slices of bread

Vegan Christmas Panini – £3.50
Smoked Applewood vegan cheese, vegan bacon, cranberry sauce

And that’s not all! There are plenty more festive offers and promotions across campus to celebrate the season. Keep an eye out for festive drinks, cakes, and street food. Visit your nearest café, bar or restaurant to discover what’s on offer.

Download the Order Up! app and begin your festive order today

An online training session on ‘Getting started with Impact’ is taking place on 8 December from 13.00 – 14.00 . The session targets those of you who might be thinking about developing the impact dimension of your research, but who might also face challenges, including lack of time and resources and competing priorities.

The session will discuss how to start an impact, what impact looks like, how to find time, resources and deal with competing priorities, how to find partners and how to develop meaningful and sustainable partnerships.

The session will start with a panel discussion with Prof. Jennie Batchelor (School of English), Dr Kaitlyn Regehr (School of Arts), and Prof. Henrik Schoenefeldt (School of Architecture and Planning) who will share their experience.

This will be followed by a Q&A session, to discuss further the opportunities and challenges of starting with impact. In this session, impact is understood broadly, as including but as not being limited to impact as defined by the REF.

To join the meeting on 8 December please email the Research Excellence Team.