Author Archives: Annabel Chislett

Vegan cookery masterclass for University chefs

During the Easter vacation, a small group of chefs from the University of Kent were given the opportunity to take part in a two day cookery workshop led by local food based company, Dr Legumes. This workshop was designed to teach skills in vegan food preparation as well as raise awareness of how we, as a population, can support our health and wellbeing through a more plant-based diet.

What is Dr Legumes?
Dr. Legumes is the brainchild of Folkestone based duo, Jim and Lee, who aim to impact the health and wellbeing of the local community in a positive manner. Their mission is to show how we can support our health and happiness with plant-based nutrition and sustainability in mind. They deliver Secret Dinner Clubs, pop-ups, community events, cooking workshops and more, working not only with the public, but also schools, colleges and community groups.

During their time at the University, the duo had a great time sharing and cooking nine new recipes, including Mushroom Carpaccio, Cashew Stuffed Peppers, Wild Mushroom Pie, and Chocolate Beetroot Brownies. These dishes were then shared with eager staff and students from Sibson building who were delighted to sample new and exciting vegan dishes while learning about the health benefits.

The number of people in the UK who consider themselves vegan has risen by 350% in the past decade. Today, 542,000 people identify themselves as vegan, with another estimated 500,000 vegetarians considering the move. This plant-based movement has predominantly been driven by the young, with close to half of all vegans aged 15-34 (42%).

Watch Dr Legumes masterclass video here.

Free Professional Development event Power Dynamics at the Workplace

Discover how to enhance your professional knowledge and skills at this free professional development event run by Kent’s Centre for Professional Practice: Power Dynamics at the Workplace.

The workshop taking place on Wednesday 24 May 2017 will focus on the principles of power in relation to working practice and will give you an opportunity to reflect on techniques relevant to your own workplace.

Programme of the event:
14.30-14.45 Arrival and refreshments
14.45-15.00 Welcome by Dr Claire Parkin, Programme Director
15.00-16.00 Workshop: Power Dynamics at the Workplace, Tania Hopper, Programme Director
16.00-16.30 Development opportunities with the Centre for Professional Practice
16.30-17.00 Networking and wine reception

Who should attend?
The event is open to all members of the University staff and students who would like to attend.

Book your place now
For more information or to book a place please email or call 01634 88 8929, or visit our webpage.

The Centre for Professional Practice offers part-time, flexible work-related programmes. Our BA/BSc Top-up or MA/MSc in Professional Practice programmes and short courses including Introduction to Masters-Level Study have been specifically designed to meet the needs of working professionals who wish to develop their academic ability while maintaining their professional role. Students may be eligible for loans or staff fee remission for both undergraduate and postgraduate study (subject to eligibility criteria).

After the workshop you will have an opportunity to hear about our flexible, work-related programmes. The event aims to give you a taste of what you can achieve with the Centre for Professional Practice – an opportunity to study part-time to a degree or Master’s level focusing on your world of work.

The event will take place in:
Darwin Boardroom, Darwin College, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NS

For more information contact:
cppmarketing@kent.ac.uk
01634 888929
www.kent.ac.uk/cpp

International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT)

The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) aims to raise awareness of the LGBT+ community and to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in our society. The LGBT+ Staff Network has organised a number of activities for all staff and students at Kent.

Monday 15 May:

An Introduction to Trans Awareness workshop:
12.30, Grimond Lecture Theatre 3
Provided by advocacy group Gendered Intelligence. This session will be particularly helpful for line managers.

This 90-minute session will set the wider context for Trans* identities – how sex, gender and sexual orientation interact. The workshop will:

  • Explore key terms and uses of language
  • Offer basic grounding in the legislation around the rights and responsibilities around trans identities; the Equalities Act 2010, Gender Recognition Act 2004
  • Begin to explore how an organisation can ensure it is being trans-inclusive
  • Provide links to a wide range of resources

Wednesday 17 May:

Take on the Pronoun Challenge!
The LGBT+ Staff Network challenges you to use non-gendered pronouns for the day! Help us raise awareness of the Trans* community by using non-gendered pronouns with colleagues for the day – if you slip up it’s 10p in the ‘swear jar’ – proceeds will go to Trans* support charity Mermaids UK.

LGBT+ on the plaza
The LGBT+ Staff Network and Student Society (Kent Union) will also be hosting a stall on Jarman Plaza 12-2pm on 17 May to promote LGBT/straight alliance and to give information and advice about sources of support and upcoming activities. Come along and see us!

Wear the Rainbow!
Student Services at Medway invite staff and students to join us in celebrating IDAHOT by wearing colourful clothing for the day and donating to support METRO Charity – a local charity supporting LGBTQ+ young people in Medway, and across London and Kent.

Donation boxes will be at the Gillingham Building and Medway Building reception desks and room G0-05, and also at The Deep End Front Social Space in the Student Hub where, from 10am-2pm there will also be a stall with information and goodies!

LGBT+ Staff Network social
Join colleagues for an informal drink after work from 5.15pm on Wednesday 17 May in the Gulbenkian. All are welcome, including guests/partners.

Email lgbtstaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk to find out more, or visit our blog.

University of Kent logo

New Security and Transport Centre

The Transport Team are relocating to the new Security and Transport Centre (map) with Campus Security on 8 May 2017. The building is an extension of the current Campus Security building, located between the two banks on central campus.

The move is an opportunity to improve collaboration between the Transport Team and Campus Security and enhance the services we provide. The new location also provides an improved working environment for the teams and includes a reception area that has been specifically designed to improve customer experience.

The opening times for the Security and Transport Centre are as follows:

  • Transport Team: Monday- Friday 8.30- 17.00
  • Campus Security: always open

For all travel enquiries, including collection of parking permits and staff bus passes, please come to the Security and Transport Centre. The building continues to be developed and so will provide further updates.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused but look forward to seeing you in the new Security and Transport Centre.

Apprenticeships brochure

Staff apprenticeship briefings

Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships – All staff briefings

You are invited to attend one of the upcoming staff briefings on higher and degree apprenticeships.

These meetings hosted by the Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships will be taking place over breakfast or lunch throughout the beginning of the summer term.

Briefings will be an opportunity to find out more about: How academic Schools can go about offering higher and degree apprenticeships The opportunities associated with delivering higher and degree apprenticeship training What the Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships can do to support academic Schools with the delivery apprenticeships What opportunities there are to deliver apprenticeships internally

Please select one of the dates below to attend and indicate your preference using this Doodle Poll:

  • Canterbury: Wednesday 10 May, 12.00 – 14.00 (lunch 12.00 -13.00), GLT3 (please note the change of location)
  • Medway: Wednesday 17 May, 12.00 -14.00 (lunch 12.00 -13.00), PK107
  • Canterbury: Thursday 25 May, 9.00 – 11.00 (breakfast 9.00 – 10.00), CNESR1
  • Medway: Wednesday 31 May, 8.00 – 10.00 (breakfast 8.00 – 9.00), DA101

If you have any dietary requirements please email apprenticeships@kent.ac.uk

The delivery of apprenticeships represents a significant new area of provision, with upwards of 80 learners currently enrolled on Kent apprenticeships. The Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships was established in 2016 to support growth in this area. The Centre is located on the Historic Dockyard and operates under the direction of Dr Scott Wildman.

For more information, please visit www.kent.ac.uk/apprenticeships

Please direct any queries relating to apprenticeship provision to apprenticeships@kent.ac.uk

Keynestock 2017

The University’s annual music festival, held in the grounds of Keynes College, is an event definitely not to be missed. Keynestock sees the whole college embrace the festival vibe, with bars in Dolche Vita and K-Bar and a whole load of student acts showcasing their musical talent up on stage. All profits from this year’s event goes to Rhythmix, which is a music and social welfare charity that provides opportunities for music making to people in challenging circumstances.

Keynestock will be taking place on Saturday 27 May, with tickets released on 20 March. Tickets will be:
£7.00 if bought online,
£8.00 on the door
£5.00 if you have already bought a summer ball ticket.

For a Guest Ticket, you must get a current student to log-in and purchase an extra ticket. They must then sign you in on the night of the event.

Full line-up acts can be seen below, with the winner securing a spot to appear at Summer Ball 2017.

Celebrate Europe Day on 9 May

Europe Day (9 May) is the annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical Schuman declaration, which is now celebrated as a key moment in the creation of the EU.

As the UK’s European university, Kent is committed to the opportunities provided by European and international engagement. To mark Europe Day and to celebrate the University’s role within Europe, various exciting activities have been planned to which everyone is welcome.

What’s On
A range of activities are available during the day including:

  • Erasmus+ celebrations
  • Learn and play the game of Pétanque
  • European Opportunities Fair
  • Special talks and presentations from the Vice-Chancellor, Dean for Internationalisation and Erasmus students and staff.
  • Opening of the new ‘We are European’ exhibition that will feature a series of paintings from Kent Alumnus Eric Kaiser and two guest fellow-artists, Sophie Guinzbourg and Lysa Bertholom (Keynes Atrium)
  • Shortlisted entries of the ‘We are European’ photography competition.

Full programme
We look forward to celebrating the day with students, staff and members of the community. Entry to all the events is FREE and full details of the programme are available here.

More information
For more general information about the University of Kent’s engagement, links and commitment to Europe, please visit www.kent.ac.uk/european

You can also visit our Erasmus 30th Anniversary webpage for news on our year-long celebrations on a successful 30 years of Erasmus+ – a milestone for Europe! https://www.kent.ac.uk/european/erasmus30.html

#WeAreEuropean #EuropeDay

University to celebrate Europe Day with range of activities

Europe Day (9 May) is the annual celebration of peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical Schuman declaration, which is now celebrated as a key moment in the creation of the EU.

As the UK’s European university, Kent is committed to the opportunities provided by European and international engagement. To mark Europe Day and to celebrate the University’s role within Europe, various exciting activities have been planned to which everyone is welcome.

A range of activities are available during the day including Erasmus+ celebrations, an opportunity to learn and play the game of Pétanque and a European Opportunities Fair. The day will include a set of special talks and presentations from the Vice-Chancellor, Dean for Internationalisation and Erasmus students and staff. It will also mark the opening of the new ‘We are European’ exhibition that will feature a series of paintings from Kent Alumnus Eric Kaiser and two guest fellow-artists, Sophie Guinzbourg and Lysa Bertholom (Keynes Atrium), plus the shortlisted entries of the ‘We are European’ competition.

We look forward to celebrating the day with students, staff and members of the community. Entry to all the events is free and full details of the programme are available at www.kent.ac.uk/european/europeday.html

For more general information about the University of Kent’s engagement, links and commitment to Europe, please visit www.kent.ac.uk/european

You can also visit our Erasmus 30th Anniversary webpage for news on our year-long celebrations on a successful 30 years of Erasmus+ – a milestone for Europe! https://www.kent.ac.uk/european/erasmus30.html

#WeAreEuropean #EuropeDay

Staff Connect – Update on launch

The Project Steering Group met on Tuesday to discuss launching Staff Connect as planned and previously advised in March’s update. The Steering Group were satisfied that the new system can accurately pay employees and that all staff using the system are fully trained and competent in its use, but noted there remained three critical issues concerned with external processes. Unfortunately, it was therefore decided that together they were significant enough to not Go Live in April. Since that decision, of the three remaining issues; one has now been fixed, one is in testing and the third is still being worked on.

It is anticipated that the remaining issues will soon be resolved and therefore a May Go Live is looking more positive. A decision has yet to be made concerning the exact launch date of employee self-service, but this too is expected to be sometime in May.

Sent in by: Katerina Flint-Nicol, Staff Connect Project Support Assistant.

New Peer Reviewed Advanced Journal of Professional Practice (AJPP) – call for submissions

New Peer Reviewed Advanced Journal of Professional Practice (AJPP) at the University of Kent for academics, professionals and students.

Call for submissions
The Centre for Professional Practice is delighted to announce its new Advanced Journal of Professional Practice (AJPP). The AJPP has a specific remit for contemporary work which addresses trans-disciplinary, work-related, practice-based applications of new knowledge, technology, discussion, research or practice-based innovation. The journal allows for the sharing of experiences and gold standard practices for anyone working in a professional role and is inclusive of student dissertation papers, from all faculties across the University.

As such, the AJPP looks for submissions that do any of the following:

  • Offers a critical discussion of any area of contemporary professional practice
  • Describes applications of research findings, innovation or other initiative to an area of professional practice; and particularly which might be considered and applied by analogy to other disciplines
  • Brings together trans-disciplinary activities in relation to professional practice
  • Explores the inter-relationship of professional practice
  • Contributes to recent developing conversations within professional practice
  • Offers innovative, surprising, unexpected and creative innovations within a professional practice context
  • Has an emphasis on a professional work-related application

John Wightman, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, said:
” We welcome the appearance and creation of the Advanced Journal of Professional Practice (AJPP). The founding of the AJPP at the University of Kent will allow for the publication of new knowledge and innovations of a work-related professional practice nature or practical advancements. It will encourage its readers to apply new knowledge and skills or to unearth new found inspiration to develop innovative practices within their workplace.”

If you are interested in publishing your work, please send email enquiries to AJPP@kent.ac.uk and submissions via the website.