The Transport Team relocated 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 staff will provide further updates.

We look forward to seeing you in the new Security and Transport Centre.

On 13 May at 7.30pm, the City of Rochester Symphony Orchestra (CRSO) premieres a new work by SMFA MA Music Technology student Jeriah Nadesan. The programme, conducted by director Peter Bassano also includes music by Brahms, Rodrigo, and Saint-Saens and takes place at The Central Theatre Chatham.

Says Jeriah, “My piece is called Glorious Streams and I have aimed to convey this in the flowing rhythms and rich harmonies the orchestra plays. When writing this piece I attempted to be less strict in keeping my composition traditionally classical, but allowed for the nuances of my musical influences such as Jazz, Gospel and Pop. I have also added some live electronics to this piece, using different types of synths, to accentuate the music the orchestra plays.”

Jeriah was born in South Africa, his family moving to England when he was 6 years old.  Comments the composer, who also achieved his BSc in Music Technology in the School of Music and Fine Art, “I grew up in a home that was always filled with all types of music as both my parents are singers and accomplished musicians.  I developed an interest in classical music as a result of studying classical piano. After completing my studies, I hope to pursue a career in Music Arrangement, Film Composition and Music Production.”

SMFA’s partnership with the CRSO has already resulted in 5 world premieres of music by student composers from the School of Music and Fine Art.

Formed in 1969, the CRSO has approximately 60 playing members, both amateur and professional musicians, who perform concerts at The Central Theatre, Chatham, and other venues in Kent. Rehearsals take place at the Pilkington Building, University of Kent at Medway, on Mondays, 7.45-9.45pm.

Tickets for the concert on 13 May are available from MedwayTicketsLive.co.uk

For more details go to http://crso.org.uk/concerts/

Photography: Sarah Bennett

The University has launched a new approach to the management of Athena SWAN (AS). A national scheme established by the Equality Challenge Unit in 2005, AS initially focused on advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine employment in higher education and research.

The scheme has now been expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law and in professional roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women. AS awards are made at three levels – bronze, silver and gold.

The AS Working Group, chaired by Professor Sarah Vickerstaff, will enable the University to respond positively to this broader criteria and fulfil the requirements of the University Plan 2015-20. The aim is to enable current bronze holders to achieve at least silver by 2020, with all other schools to achieving at least bronze. The University should also obtain at least a silver institutional award by that date.

The working group will be supported by new, expanded project team, led by Sarah, which will oversee the delivery of these outcomes over the next 3 years. Minna Janhonen, AS Advisor, will have a key role in the team, and she and Sarah will be joined by a project manager, data analyst and a post-doctoral research associate.

Sarah said ‘I am delighted to lead on this project. The University has had a long-standing commitment to Athena SWAN and this new approach will allow us to build on this to make a real step change in how we understand and respond to the challenges of gender inequality.’

Throughout December our Conference Suite will exclusively host groups from 40 up to 150 guests, offering a glass of prosecco on arrival followed by a three-course meal. The party then continues with music, dancing and a cash bar until midnight.

Located just outside of the city centre, our campus is easily accessible from the Canterbury train stations and surrounding areas, with ample free parking on-site.

Our three-course Christmas menu is £32 per person. We can accommodate any dietary requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us so we can discuss this further.

To make a booking please call 01227 828000, email conferences@kent.ac.uk, or visit our website

Dr. Cecilia Sayad, Senior Lecturer in Film, was the winner of the Best Journal Article Award annually given by the British Association of Film, Television and Screen Studies (BAFTSS).

The article, titled ‘Found-Footage Horror and the Frame’s Undoing’, appeared in Cinema Journal 55.2. The panel commented: ‘A comprehensive and persuasive analysis of the found footage horror subgenre: the article skilfully balances the particular and general in a way that is appealing to a broad readership. Its discussion of the frame as a figurative and stylistic device is rich and ambitious. Overall, this is an important contribution that casts new light on the wider significance of documentary style, narrative space and the screen’s borders. Sayad’s analysis of the Paranormal Activity films equally considers optical and aural dimensions arguing for a flexible and porous interpretation of the filmic frame.’

On Tuesday 27 June 2017 the University will be hosting a Leadership Forum event focusing on the themes of change and resilience during change. The event is open to leaders and managers at all levels across the University and will comprise of a number of key note speakers, presentations, workshops and the opportunity to network with management colleagues as part of a lunch.

We are currently finalising the schedule and timings of events but please save the date in your diary. The event is anticipated to run across the full day but certain events will be bookable in advance. Spaces at the event will be limited and if you would like to be sent further information of the schedule and bookable events please email ldev@kent.ac.uk

The NHS and health issues remain a key national election issue and are of particular concern here in East Kent.

The Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS) is hosting a health policy debate on Wednesday 31 May 2017 at 19.00 in the Gulbenkian Theatre, to hear more about the parties’ policies in this important area. 

Question your local candidates
All of the main local parties have confirmed that they will be sending their Kent parliamentary candidates to take public questions from the floor and inform the audience what their policy plans could mean for the future of our health and social care.

The following local candidates have confirmed their attendance:
* Sir Julian Brazier, Conservative Party
* Rosie Duffield, Labour Party
* James Flanagan, Liberal Democrats
* Henry Stanton, Green Party

CHSS warmly invites you to join us at this free event, no booking necessary. 

For further information please contact Helen Wooldridge, h.l.wooldridge@kent.ac.uk

As part of our ongoing work to provide support and information to staff that are impacted by the UK’s decision to leave the EU, and in response to staff feedback, the University is adding to the support we put in place last year.

Loan scheme extended

First I am pleased to confirm that the short term loan scheme announced last year is to be kept open until further notice.   This scheme offers an interest free loan to assist staff who make a decision to apply for citizenship, residency or who feel they need to meet the costs of legal advice. In offering this loan the University is seeking to provide choice to individual members of staff to respond to the Referendum decision in a way that they feel is best for them and their families. It is though important to note that the University is not encouraging staff to take up these options which may ultimately prove unnecessary depending upon the outcome of Article 50 negotiations. You will find further information and an application form on our loan scheme web page

Family Networking Event to take place on Saturday 20 May 2017

In response to feedback from our initial immigration information sessions, the University is organising this event as an opportunity for staff and their families to share learning and experiences with others affected by the Brexit vote. The event will take place in The Gulbenkian from 10am till 4pm and will include refreshments (pastries on arrival and a light sandwich lunch at 12.30). Please note that this event is open to all staff and their families.

As well as a chance to network and share experience on relevant topics, Kesar & Co Solicitors will be on hand throughout the event to provide information. There will also be entertainment for children including film screenings (Ratatouille and Harry Potter), drama and craft activities.

As we have booked Kesar & Co Solicitors for the whole day there will also be a limited number of slots for short one to one/family appointments in the afternoon which will be allocated on a “first come first served” basis.  These slots will be 20 minutes long only and can be booked in advance by making a request to ldev@kent.ac.uk. Please note that there will be no entertainment for children after 2pm and so unless different personal arrangements can be made, children will also need to be present at these appointments.

Please put the date in your diaries and, to help us plan around potential numbers,  let us know as soon as possible whether you intend to  attend, and would like to receive further information about this event in due course.  Please respond using the email address ldev@kent.ac.uk.

Information is also available on the HR EU Referendum web site If you have specific queries that are not answered there, please do email us at staffeuqueries@kent.ac.uk

Last year, as part of the Faculty and School Administration Excellence Initiative, we ran a pilot Shadow Matching scheme. The scheme offers staff an opportunity for reciprocal shadowing opportunities between Schools and Central Services, to better understand the impact of their work and the work of others. The pilot was a great success with over 80 staff across the University taking part, developing new working relationships and broadening their understanding of roles.

We are delighted to be running this initiative again and invite you to take advantage of this opportunity.

Timeline:

• Thursday 6 to Thursday 27 April – Staff in Central Services can register to take part
• Monday 8 to Thursday 25 May – Staff in Schools can register to take part
• Early June – Pairs are matched and applicants informed
• Thursday 22 June, 10.00 to 12.00, Darwin – Meet Your Match event
• June-November – Two half-days of work shadowing to be arranged by participants

If you are interested in taking part please discuss this with your line manager, who has already received information about the scheme, before completing a short online application.

Registration is now open for Central Services staff.

Registration will open for school-based staff on 8 May. A link to the application form will be circulated nearer the time.

We hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity. If you have any questions please email r.a.millns@kent.ac.uk