Author Archives: Allie Burnett

Sophia Labadi’s latest book discussed in a report by the French Ministry of Culture

Dr Sophia Labadi, Senior Lecturer in Heritage & Archaeology for the Department of Classical & Archaeological studies, has recently been featured in a report by the French Ministry of Culture in regards to her book Museums, Immigrants and Social Justice (Routledge, 2017).

Museums, Immigrants and Social Justice (Routledge, 2017) is referenced in this report, entitled ‘Culture and Migrants’ (Culture et migrants), to explain the unique role that museums can play in providing opportunities for immigrants to learn the language of their host countries. The conclusion of Dr Labadi’s book and the recommendations from the report by the French Ministry of Culture are aligned: provisions of language skills must be improved and expanded. Museums could play a greater role in this process, to tackle better multiple forms of exclusions faced by migrants.

Museums, Immigrants and Social Justice argues that museums can offer a powerful, and often overlooked, arena for both exploring and acting upon the interrelated issues of immigration and social justice. Based on three in-depth European case studies, spanning France, Denmark, and the UK, the research examines programs developed by leading museums to address cultural, economic, social and political inequalities. Where previous studies on museums and immigration have focused primarily on issues of cultural inequalities in collection and interpretation, Museums, Immigrants, and Social Justice adopts a more comprehensive focus that extends beyond the exhibition hall to examine the full range of programs developed by museums to address the of cultural, economic, social and political inequalities facing immigrants.

Chapter 1 of Museums, Immigrants and Social Justice is available online.

Kent Hospitality Pride Award Kent Hospitality Pride Award nominations close tomorrow (13 March)

The Pride (‘Personal Responsibility in Delivering Excellence’) Award recognises members of Kent Hospitality staff who go out of their way to deliver excellent customer service.

Any Kent Hospitality staff member (permanent or casual) may be nominated from Canterbury and Medway campuses. The award is given out four times a year with each winner receiving £100 of shopping vouchers, a certificate and Pride badge.

Nominations can be made by any member of University staff, students or visitors. Make your nomination online or alternatively you can pick up a paper form next to the red nomination boxes located in all Kent Hospitality’s catering outlets in Canterbury and Medway, as well College reception areas.

Please make your nominations detailed, providing as much information as possible why the nominee is being put forward for a Pride Award. The panel are looking for staff who achieve more than just what is expected in their role (i.e. hardworking, professional, positive and friendly attitude).

Congratulations to December 2018 Pride Award winners – Linda Jarvis, Rutherford College Receptionist and Sam Riddington, Medway Food and Beverage Manager.

For further information or for guidance on submitting nominations please contact: pride@kent.ac.uk

Celebrating International Women’s Day at Kent Sport

In celebration of International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March, we’re excited to announce a few opportunities to get involved with Kent Sport.

Celebrating through the medium of fitness, dance and beyond, join us for our women-only classes. Booking only available at the Sports Centre and Pavilion receptions. Open to all. Free for Gold and Silver. Non-members pay £2 per class.

Start the day off right with our 30-minute Express Yoga class at 8am. Wake up the body and the mind before stepping out into the world.

Get your blood pumping in our energetic Dance Mix class at 2.15pm. Guaranteed to put you in a great mood, this class blends multiple dance moves so you can learn different routines and feel on top of the world!

Finish off your afternoon with our Relax and Unwind class at 3.15pm. Calm the mind and relax the spirit, perfect for grounding yourself.

As part of the Gulbenkian’s This Girl Can Family Day on Sunday 10 March, join Kent Sport for a very exciting Zumba workshop from 2pm to 2.30pm – a great time for the whole family!

Through our Let’s Play timetable, every Wednesday from 2pm to 3pm Kent Sport offers ‘This Girl Can Lift’ session specifically geared towards female students and staff who want to get in the gym with guidance on weightlifting.

Want to feel really empowered? Join UKC MMA on Thursday 14 March as they host a self-defence seminar taught by the female world champion of Brazilian Jui Jitsu, Claudia Do Val. Tickets are limited, so be sure to book early.

Events:

Friday 8 March: Women’s Day dance and fitness classes
Sunday 10 March: This Girl Can Family Day at the Gulbenkian
Wednesdays: This Girl Can Lift as part of our Let’s Play timetable
Thursday 14 March: Claudia Do Val

Kent Velo Palooza

Want to push your pedal to the metal? Think your RPMs are up to speed? Then join Kent Sport for the Kent Velo Palooza, a competitive sprint cycling tournament on static bikes, coming this Friday 8 March at the Pavilion Café Bar.

Doors open at 6pm, with the first race due to start at 8pm. Not everyone needs to get on a bike to take part though – you can come and simply watch all the action while supporting your favourite riders. Food and drinks will be available at the bar throughout the event. There will also be a fun cycling-themed quiz between rounds for the spectators.

The charge for competitors is £2, with all money raised going to the the National Children’s Football Alliance (NCFA) and the Peace Ride.

If you want to join the action, whether cycling or watching, be sure to book early at the Sports Centre reception or by calling 01227 823 623. There will be on-the-day registration for competitors, but subject to availability as spaces are limited.

To stay up to date with Kent Sport news, events and special offers, Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @UniKentSports.

Templeman Library Block B closed 06:30-11:00 this weekend

Block B in the Templeman Library will be closed 06:30-11:00 on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 March while essential building work is carried out.

Access to building

The Terrace and Grimond entrances will be open 06:30-11:00 on both days for access to Block A.

The Main Entrance and Library Road Entrance will be open as usual providing access to Blocks C and D.

Access to books and services

There will be no access to the following books and services in Block B during this time:

Classmarks: B, J, K, L, M, N, P (Journals), Q
DVDs and viewing stations
Laptop loans
Library Café
Study carrels

Laptop loans will still be available from Block C, Floor 2. The Library Café will open at 12:00 midday on both Saturday and Sunday.

If you experience any problems entering the building or accessing the upper floors please contact our Welcome Desk (01227) 82 4777.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Kent Gives Back in Washington DC

At the start of this year our University of Kent in America Washington DC organised and took part in a Kent Gives Back project.

Kent Gives Back is a community outreach project which gives alumni around the world the chance to come together by encouraging them to take part in a local community project such as volunteering at a homeless shelter or a food bank or helping tend to a garden (and much more).

The DC chapter volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House on 9 February and made chicken tinga tacos for the residents earlier this month! The house helps keep families together, by providing accommodation near specialist children’s hospitals. It gives them a ‘home away from home’ where they can rest, cook and take time out.

We would like to say a BIG thank you to our alumni volunteers in Washington DC and would encourage others to take part where they are!

Find out more about other projects we have taken part in.

If you would like to bring alumni in your area (wherever that may be!) to take part in a Kent Gives Back volunteer project together please email alumni@kent.ac.uk or direct message us!

#KentGivesBack #UniKentAlumni

Timetables should now be working

Update 10.30 Mon 25 Feb 2019 – We believe that student timetables should now be working again through the Student Guide. Students may need to exit the student guide and log in again to it to see their timetable.

Post at 9.30 on Mon 25 Feb 2019 – Classes are happening as usual, however we’re urgently investigating why you may not currently be able to access your timetable.

We’ll update Service Status with progress, so please check there for the latest.

Information Services
helpdesk@kent.ac.uk
01227 82 4999

Unravelling the mysteries of the Menopause

The Learning and Organisational Development Team will be running a seminar on HRT and The Menopause on Friday 8 March 2019 in the Rochester Board room, Rochester Building, Medway campus starting at 09.30 until 11.15. This important seminar will provide information, advice and guidance on the Menopause, how it affects women and the impact of this from a work perspective.

This seminar will be delivered in two parts:

Part 1 a presentation by Anita Ralph MSc (Herbal Medicine), MNIMH MCPP, who will share and open for discussion holistic medical approaches in treating the symptoms of The Menopause.
Part 2 of the seminar will be a presentation by Miss Anne Henderson – Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, who will share information and discuss The Menopause and Prescription HRT, medications etc.

This seminar is open to everyone (this includes men). The menopause is something that affects not only those who are going through it but also colleagues, managers and others who are there to support people who are going through it.

Do you want to help implement the UN Sustainability Development Goals at Kent?

The ‘Teaching Sustainability’ one-day conference will take place on Friday 1 March from 09.00 – 18.00 in Keynes College, Canterbury. Register at Eventbrite for free now.

Staff and students are invited to attend the FREE conference hosted by William Rowlandson, Senior Lecturer in Hispanic Studies for the Department of Modern Languages, and Catherine Morris Environmental Adviser in the Estates Department’s Sustainability Team. Students will receive 20 Employability Points for attending.

The conference aims to build networks across the University and beyond to embed the UN Sustainability Development Goals into the University’s curriculum.

On the day, speakers from across the sector will share how these issues have been addressed at their university. You will also get the chance to explore:

the possibility of stand-alone sustainability modules,
how sustainability topics/skills can be embedded into existing teaching,
and help shape how we teach sustainability at Kent.

The conference is supported by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education through the Teaching Enhancement Small Support Award (TESSA).

Further support has been provided by the Master of Keynes College as part of Keynes College 50 year anniversary celebrations.

Photo by Bas Emmen on Unsplash

Researching the Kent student experience – findings

Not every student’s experience is going to be the same and we do not think it should be. However, what are the key ingredients for a great learning experience at Kent?

Last year we spoke to nearly 2,000 students and 60 staff members to try to answer that question and articulate what every student should experience while at Kent.

Our research found that through your studies and co-curricular activities you want to experience:

Learning that is relevant to your goals, interests and ambitions

You thought the University offered opportunities that support your passion for your subject and personal growth. You also said that teaching needs to make explicit connections to the real world and potential careers.

Active learning with feedback

Learning happens when you read, talk, write, explain, make connections between ideas, try things out and observe the results, analyse, evaluate, apply, and organise your knowledge in meaningful ways. When you do these things, staff can give you feedback, which also helps your learning.

A challenging, supportive and inclusive environment

We hear that you value challenge, but also need guidance about new expectations, how you can rise to them and how you can take best advantage of co-curricular opportunities.

A diverse student and staff population from around the world

Many of you want to engage with peers intellectually. You also recognise that peer interaction – in and outside of classes – supports a range of educational goals.

Meaningful interactions with staff

You particularly appreciate inspiring or helpful interactions with staff members. Yet the report shows that many of you are disappointed when you do not experience this.

Work experience, real world projects, public exhibitions/performances or study abroad

Many of our courses offer a fourth year in industry/abroad or a final year project. You told us that these experiences help to enhance your learning and student experience at Kent.

Work has already started to enhance course and co-curricular opportunities. If you want to get more from your time at Kent visit the Student Guide and Kent Union website for all the opportunities available to you.

Thank you to everyone who took part in this study. If you would like to know more you can read the full report online (pdf).