From Emma Wilcox, Project Director for Creative Estuary

The University is helping to shape the Creative Estuary, a four-year funded project driving forward the creative and economic evolution of the Thames Estuary. The aim is to unlock its potential as an international production hub and as a collaborative, inspiring place to live and work.

The stunning Creative Estuary place brand was launched in November 2020, supported by our inaugural Creative Estuary Champions, including Kent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Karen Cox. The event was a huge success with over 300 virtual attendees and received fulsome praise and positive feedback. You can watch a film linked to the brand launch here: https://vimeo.com/483767452

Under the Creative Estuary banner, the University of Kent is leading a consortium of public sector and cultural organisations to support the Thames Estuary Production Corridor. This is an ambitious 30-year vision to unite East London, the North Kent Coast and South Essex to create a world-class centre for creative and cultural production.

In 2019 the creative industries contributed in excess of £110bn to the UK economy. By comparison, the construction industry contributed £129.3bn, the automobile industry contributed £49.1bn, and agriculture £13.0bn. The success of the Production Corridor will contribute to wider national programmes to generate investment, jobs and creative industry opportunities for the whole Thames Estuary, making it one of the most attractive places to live and work in the UK.

Initially funded for three years, the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport, awarded us a 12-month extension at the end of 2020 to mitigate the impact and disruption of Covid. This welcome news presents us with an opportunity to reflect on our progress to date and take advantage of the University’s reorganisation and refreshed strategy, to ensure that Kent can make the most of its role in this project. Creative Estuary is now part of the programme that our Institute for Cultural and Creative Industries (iCCi) is delivering.

Coming up

A key part of the Creative Estuary is Estuary 2021. Opening on 22 May, this large-scale arts festival is curated in response to the spectacular Thames Estuary and the lives, landscapes and histories found there. A mix of large scale and intimate visual art, literature, music and film, the festival celebrates culture, creativity, recovery and renewal. Alongside an online discussion and events programme, the physical programme will explore and respond to powerful themes resonant to the Estuary, from the climate, to rebellion and imperial legacy. Re-framed in light of Covid-19, the festival invites visitors to take an epic walk along the stunning coastline of South Essex and North Kent encountering contemporary artworks and performance within the estuary landscape, historic sites and coastal towns.

Commissions include an opening weekend of live broadcast discussion and specially commissioned online artworks exploring the three key themes of climate, rebellion and imperial legacy. The event will be brought together by four artists and curators all of whom know the estuary as home.

Our project team is hugely excited about the many challenges and opportunities ahead, and we look forward to sharing more updates and involving colleagues right across the University.

Emma Wilcox | Project Director for Creative Estuary

The University has set a target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040 but is already planning how to engage students, staff and other stakeholders to achieve this target earlier – by 2035.

Our Executive Group has agreed the new target following a review of our current emissions, building performance, financial resources and available technologies.

The target applies to scope 1 and 2 emissions (gas, electricity and University-owned vehicles) by 2040 at the latest, with scope 3 emissions (including business travel, emissions from waste and water) targeted for net zero by 2050.

The new target will be a key objective in the University Sustainability Strategy currently being developed by our Sustainability Steering Group. It builds on a carbon emissions reduction target set in 2010, which aimed to reduce emissions by 23% by 2020 and was achieved a year early.

Next steps

A Carbon Management Plan will set out the roadmap for achieving the new target, stating how we will reduce carbon emission across the whole institution, from buildings and operations to teaching and research. Progress will be monitored by our Sustainability Steering Group, chaired by Richard Reece, DVC Education and Student Experience.

Catherine Morris, Environmental Adviser at Kent, comments: While technologies such as renewable energy generation and decarbonised heating systems will play a large part in achieving the target, ultimately, it is people’s behaviours’ and activities that drive the demand for energy. By adopting a whole-institution approach to carbon management, we hope to reduce demand alongside supporting our staff and students to adopt low-carbon lifestyles and to contribute to local, national and global sustainability efforts.’

Getting involved

The Sustainability Team is keen to hear what you think about its sustainability plans. Have your say now via our sustainability consultation, which is open until the end of April.

Staff can also get involved by becoming Futureproof sustainability champions and students have the option to become sustainability ambassadors.

Further information is available on our Sustainability webpages.

Picture shows: John Kingsland, Energy Engineer, Estates Department.

We are launching a staff survey looking at the ‘Future of Work’ at Kent. With your input, we’re keen to make sure we find the right balance between new and old approaches, capture the best parts of what’s happened over the past year and find out more about what you feel would support you most once more of us are able to be back on campus.

We’d like to hear about your experiences of work since this time last year: what you’ve learnt and what is (or may have become) important to you. We’re inviting your views on working practices you believe we should keep, where we need to do better, and what you think could be left behind.

The findings of this survey will be highly influential in determining the ways we choose to work in the future and the infrastructure and support we will need. It is a survey that requires reflection but will hopefully be worth the time that you invest in it. The findings and feedback from staff will be discussed at EG and JSNCC and be an important consideration in our plans for the future.

The survey has been designed under three headings: ‘Physical Space and Working Environment’, ‘Technology’ and ’Culture’, all of which reflect the changes to the way in which we work and how we each experience our connection with the University and its community.

Completing the survey

The survey will take around 20 minutes to complete. You’re encouraged to take the time you need to properly reflect on the answers you give – it is possible to complete the survey in stages if you need to.

Some of the questions will be more relevant to staff who have been prioritised to work on campus, and others to those continuing to work remotely. Please answer all questions that you feel apply to you and your working arrangements. The survey is now open and you can access it by following this link.  If you have any questions about completion, please email the team at staffsurvey@kent.ac.uk.

Closing date 

The closing date for completion of the survey is 17.00hrs on Friday 9 April.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to share your experiences, reflections and suggestions. The results will be shared with staff and the JSNCC.

Please remember that the University’s Employee Assistance Programme is available to provide confidential information and advice to all staff on a range of workplace and personal issues.

Alison Ross-Green | Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development

An update on student travel over the Easter vacation, which staff should be returning to campus, the importance of Covid-19 testing, and vaccination bookings.

Easter vacation

According to the latest Government guidance, students already back at their term-time address are permitted to travel home to their permanent address during the Easter vacation. As the Government is still trying to reduce travel where possible, students should only do so if it is necessary.

Any students wishing to travel during Easter should get tested at our on-site Asymptomatic Testing facilities before they leave. They should then be tested at a community facility, if possible, before they make their return journey to campus. Any students that test positive should self-isolate for 10 days and not travel until after their isolation period has been completed.

Working on campus

Covid-19 testing

We have launched a new campaign to encourage staff and students to get tested for Covid-19. From this week, anyone being tested at the Canterbury Asymptomatic Testing Site will receive a loyalty card allowing them to claim a free coffee after their second test and free lunch after their eighth test. We are currently looking at how we can provide an incentive to staff and students being tested at the Medway facility.

All students and staff accessing campus facilities should be tested twice every week. Staff may get tested during their working hours.

Regular testing is such an important step to help us keep Covid cases low among our community and ensure we can get back to the life at Kent we all miss.

Covid vaccinations

For any staff invited for their Covid-19 vaccination, we would strongly advise you to take up the opportunity if you are able.

It is important to attend your vaccination appointment at the earliest possible opportunity. If it is not possible to book your appointment outside of working hours or doing so would significantly delay you receiving the vaccine, you can request time off at full pay. Please speak with your line manager for further information.

A new FAQ concerning staff Covid-19 vaccinations has been added to the Staff Coronavirus website.

Our Education and Student Experience Managers within each of the Divisions – Natalie Conetta (Arts & Humanities), Chris Barron (Computing, Engineering & Mathematical Sciences), Bob McKay (Kent Business School), Charlotte Ransom (Human & Social Sciences), Siobhan Dumphy (Natural Sciences) and Emma Spiller (Study of Law, Society and Social Justice) – tell us more about their new role and how it’s going so far.

Why has your role been created and what’s its remit?

As part of Organising for Success, a defined education and student experience portfolio was created in each of the new Divisions to ensure more cohesive working between school-level professional service teams. Our new roles as Education and Student Experience Managers are pivotal to delivering this. We manage all Divisional matters associated with the student journey, ensuring we follow the University’s codes of practice and that our students are offered the best possible experience from the moment they arrive to when they graduate. 

Education and Student Experience Managers (Top, from left: Siobhan Dumphy, Bob McKay, Natalie Conetta. Bottom, from left: Emma Spiller, Chris Barron, Charlotte Ransom)

What does a typical day for each of you involve at the moment?

There is no such thing – for most of us, a large strong coffee in the morning is the only constant! It’s a cliché but every day is different and sees us ensuring that “business as usual” keeps happening through the staffing changes brought about by O4S, developing Divisional strategies, or working with professional service departments to develop frameworks for future collaborative working. Every day presents new challenges, and that’s without mentioning Covid-19!

Are there any particular challenges you’re all facing – eg Covid! – and how are you overcoming them?

There are so many challenges at the moment, the biggest of which is bringing together a team that covers such a large portfolio, whilst working remotely and still ensuring we are providing a great level of service for our colleagues and students. We are overcoming this by finding new ways to stay connected, creating a supportive working environment which is understanding of the challenges we are facing both at work and at home. We are in awe of the pace of our teams’ learning and their resilience.

There is an ESEM for each of the new divisions – how are you all sharing best practice as a cross-division team of professionals?

We’re actually a really tight team! We meet on a weekly basis and have a vibrant Teams chat where we discuss how we are approaching processes and talk through the most streamlined way of working. From the very outset, we all understood the need to work collaboratively, and this has had a really positive impact on our progress across all our divisions. Often, one or two of us will represent the six at committees and meetings and so clear communication between us is key. We’ve transferred this model to our teams through the creation of ‘Leadership Groups’ which is enabling the managers within our ESE teams to share information and best practice more fluidly too.

As an ESEM team, what are your immediate priorities?

Our immediate priorities are supporting our teams to be able to offer a great student experience. This year has been challenging in so many ways and our teams have worked incredibly hard so having a focus on their wellbeing and ensuring they feel supported and happy and are working well is really important to us.

What else have you got in mind for the longer term?

We are all looking forward to being able to be more strategic and less reactive; being able to move away from the issues that the pandemic has presented and building on a long-term strategy with students at the forefront.

How can colleagues get in touch/find out more?

We have a catchy distribution list for anyone wanting to work with us as a team:
div-edstudex-managers@kent.ac.uk.

Otherwise, if you are in a Division, just come and ‘speak’ to us (virtually at the moment, of course) and we’ll be happy to help!

Congratulations to Mita Mondal on her appointment as South Network Coordinator for the Association of University Administrators (AUA).

The AUA is the professional association for higher education administrators and managers. It is committed to connecting every professional within its network and supporting members throughout their career in HE.

Mita, who is Quality Assurance and Accreditations Manager for our Division of Computing, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, has been an AUA member since 2014. Her new new Coordinator role involves overseeing networking across 265 South Region members.

She says: ‘Being a member has proved invaluable in terms of both developing my own skills, and sharing good practice within Kent and across the HE sector. I’m excited about taking on this new role to enable other colleagues to benefit from this valuable experience.’

Mita joined Kent in 2007, working in various roles in student administration, HR and finance, becoming Centre Administration Manager in 2014 and then, more recently, School Administration Manager for the School of Engineering and Digital Arts. She completed the AURORA leadership programme in 2018.

AUA membership

The University of Kent has been active participant in the AUA for many years and more than 50 professional services colleagues are currently members. Membership is open to anyone working in university administration and benefits include:

• professional recognition
• networking opportunities & mentoring
• professional development, including a PG Cert Programme
• events and conferences
• access to resources and publications.

Networking event

One of Mita’s first tasks as AUA South Network Coordinator is to organise a series of networking events, inviting speakers to deliver training and development activities for South network members. The first event, ‘Opportunities for Enhancing Student Experience Through Internationalisation at Home’ will take place on 16 March from 12.30-13.30. Both AUA and non-AUA members are welcome and can sign-up via this AUA link.

If you work in professional services and would like to know more about or get involved in the AUA, you can email Mita. More information is also available by visiting the AUA website

KentVision, a new, simpler way of supporting the student journey, will be available to staff from 19 April.

KentVision brings together a number of different administrative processes to help us work better together. It includes a new Student Record System to replace the Student Data System (SDS) and introduce easier, more consistent ways to input, manage and process our student data

Launch timetable

To prepare for the University-wide launch of KentVision on 19 April, staff should make note of the following key dates:

• Friday 9 April – Student Data System, Cressida and Admissions System close at 17.00
• Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 April – KentVision data migration
• Monday 19 April – KentVision will open to all staff

Regular updates and reminders will be shared with affected staff as we get closer to launch, including detailed information and support on managing the transition between the two systems.

We are also planning a Staff Webchat on KentVision, led by Richard Reece, William Collier, Paul Sales and Anthony Brenton, on Wednesday 7 April, from 12.00-13.00. More details and sign-up information for this webchat will be circulated shortly.

Training and support

A series of online and face-to-face support has been available to staff in the run-up to the KentVision launch. This will continue throughout 2021 as users get used to the system, and we identify further ways to improve it. The KentVision team will also be on hand, with their dedicated trainer Paul Sales leading on ensuring that colleagues are equipped to make the most of the new simplified system.

A number of resources and video guides are available on the KentVision staff webpages to help staff familiarise themselves with the new system at their own pace ahead of more in-depth support and guidance provided throughout the year. Further staff and student communications will be scheduled in the run-up to launch.

Find out more about KentVision

From Monday 8 March, the first step of the Government’s roadmap for moving the country out of lockdown comes into force. This means that the guidelines will change slightly and more of our students will be returning to campus.

To support them, a small number of additional essential staff have also been asked to return. For the vast majority of staff, it is still important to stay at home – you should only be returning to campus if you have been asked to do so.

What you need to do

If you are already working on campus, or about to return, here’s a helpful reminder of our current safety guidelines:

• Keep to 2m social distancing in all areas, including research laboratories, teaching spaces and facilities.
• Unless you’re exempt, face coverings should be worn in all areas which are accessed by others. This includes multi-occupancy offices even if individuals are working at 2m social distancing or there are Perspex screens in place. More widely, staff and students are expected to follow Government guidance on face coverings.
• Face shields should be worn by staff in all student-facing roles and, if it does not interfere with communication, learning or teaching, also wear a face covering.
• All staff accessing campus regularly should be tested for Covid-19 twice a week. The University has Asymptomatic Test Sites in the Sports Centre at Canterbury campus and the Deep End in Medway. Booking is available via our Coronavirus webpages. If visiting on an ad hoc basis, you should be tested on the days you are on campus. Anyone receiving a positive test result while on campus must go home immediately, following our COVID reporting procedure.

Safety measures on campus

A number of measures are in place to ensure staff stay as safe as possible while on campus. These include:

• Maximum occupancy numbers calculated based on social distancing requirements and the need to minimise the transmission of the Coronavirus. Individual room occupancies have been determined by applying the 2m rule and each room in use will have occupancy limits indicated on the door.
• Social distancing signage displayed in all areas of the buildings to highlight maximum occupancies for different spaces.
• A one-way system in common areas of buildings (corridors, reception areas, stairwells, lifts) to help with social distancing.
• Signage to remind staff of good hygiene: washing hands more regularly, proper hand washing technique, use of tissues to catch coughs and sneezes etc.
• Sanitising units with hand sanitizer at strategic locations in every general building on campus.
• Staff should work at their own defined work area to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed, that communal use of equipment is avoided as much as possible, and to prevent the need for people to pass close by each other to reach equipment.
• All staff working on campus are expected to download the NHS coronavirus tracing app, if they have a suitable mobile device.

Remember that every member of staff plays a key role in ensuring their own personal safety and that of their colleagues. If you have any questions, please see our Staff Coronavirus webpages or email CovidSupport@kent.ac.uk for further support.

Phil Robinson is a busy man! Not only does he have two day jobs – Learning Technologist for both Kent Business School (KBS) and the Division of Law, Society and Social Justice (LSSJ) – but he volunteers much of his spare time for good causes.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic started, Phil, who is General Secretary of Lions Clubs International British Isles as well as Treasurer of Thanet Lions Club, has helped:

• provide PPE and other equipment for local hospital staff at the QEQM hospital, Margate, as well as care homes and funeral directors
• support University colleagues making PPE equipment, including visors
• manage parking at the local (Thanet) Asymptomatic Testing Site (ATS)
• raise and donate money for food bank equipment and hot food deliveries.

Phil says: ‘My voluntary work with the Lions is the best thing in the world to do. When you help people, you get more back than you can ever give’

PPE supplied by Thanet Lions to QEQM staff

Volunteering role

Phil first became involved in volunteering with Lions Clubs International 21 years ago, but became more active in 2010 when he retired as an Area bank manager for Santander in Kent. Phil rose through the ranks, becoming Chairman of the British Isles and Ireland from 2014 to 2015. His Lions roles have taken him as far afield as Belarus (after the Chernobyl disaster), Sri Lanka (following the 2004 tsunami) and the Philippines (post the typhoon in 2015).

‘After my early retirement from banking, my wife Jackie and I became even more involved with Lions Clubs International, the largest voluntary service organisation in the world with 1.4 million members. Since then, we’ve been lucky enough to get involved with projects ranging from supporting the Kent Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance to helping to build an eye hospital in Ghana. But much of our activities are about helping people in our local Thanet community.’

Now as General Secretary, Phil also has a management role, which includes overseeing a small office team based in Birmingham and representing Lions at international meetings around Europe, and is a Trustee for the Lions UK Charity Foundation. ‘My role in Lions usually takes up more time than my now full-time job at the University!’ he jokes.

At local level, for the Thanet Club, much of the recent effort has focused on the community response to Covid-19. Phil says: ‘Most of my recent weekends have been spent overseeing the carparking for our local Covid Vaccination centres, which often means going home cold and soggy. But it’s so rewarding actually doing something to help us all.’

Phil’s wife Jackie presenting equipment for QEQM staff areas to Theatre Assistant, Steve Griggs

Kent role

Phil first joined the University in 2010 working in all sorts of roles for the temp bank. ‘I had retired after 30 years of banking and got bored after a couple of months so returned to work!’, he said.

Initially, he worked as a finance officer on the JISC project for the School of History and EDA, but for the last five years, he has supported distance learning via Moodle and film editing for the Tizard Centre. Following the Organising for Success restructure, he has moved to his full-time shared role with KBS and LSSJ.

‘I’ve gone from four days a week to full-time even though I’m retired,’ said Phil, ‘but I really enjoy what I’m doing. And my work at the University enables me to volunteer at the level I want to.’

Getting involved

Lions Clubs International is always looking for more like-minded volunteers. ‘We welcome support from anyone keen to support their community,’ said Phil, ‘whatever their interests or background.’ You can find out more on the Lions Club International website.

As well as clubs across Kent, there is also a newly formed Canterbury campus club for any interested University students. Find out more by following them on Twitter: @ukclionsclub

Kent staff who give up their time for Lions and/or other organisations may also benefit from University support for volunteering activity. Find out more on our Staff Guide pages.

If you know any other Kent colleagues who are going “above and beyond” in helping others, please let us know at communications@kent.ac.uk. We’re keen to celebrate their good work!

When did you join the University of Kent and what did you do before?

I arrived at Kent in May 2011 for a 12-week agency cover, which became a permanent appointment as Housekeeping Manager in January 2012.

I previously worked for the NHS as a Site Coordinator at Sheppey Community Hospital and Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital, responsible for Community Hospital buildings and Fire, Health & Safety, as well as smaller clinical service outlets. I managed reception and office staff as well as portering and domestic teams. I was also a bereavement officer and staff rep for the local units. I loved the diversity but, following a restructure, my role became more about buildings than people. I chose to leave but got bored after three months (!) so joined an agency.

What does your current role(s) involve?

That’s a good question! My main role, as Housekeeping Manager, involves managing a brilliant team of professional cleaners and handy persons who ensure that accommodation is ready for students and maintain it while they’re here. In the summer, we switch over to a hotel-style service. Currently, I am responsible for Park Wood with its 1,938 bedrooms and 355 kitchens. In total across campus, we have something like 4,858 bedrooms and 787 kitchens. I think people would be surprised to know that the team of domestics not only look after the accommodation but also academic buildings– they are a very proud bunch. I have been involved in many accommodation refurbishments, which I love as you can really engage with the students and find out what they want, as well as trying out new colour schemes and ideas.

I am also currently Site Manager for the Asymptomatic Testing Site (ATS) on Canterbury campus. It’s been amazing to help build a new and brilliant team which, in normal circumstances, might never work together. It’s been really good to know we are doing something worthwhile in supporting students and staff to maintain some kind of normality during what has been very trying times.

Last, but not least, is my role with the Joint Staff Negotiating and Consultation Committee (JSNCC). When that first meeting agenda and the volume of papers arrived in my inbox, I couldn’t help but think I was out of my depth! But everyone was so welcoming and taught me little tricks (that will remain secret!) on how to get through it all. The role is about supporting staff and change and being a voice for those who may not always be heard. It’s truly rewarding to know you are in some way making a difference for your colleagues.

Tell us more about who’s who within your team?

There are four Housekeeping Managers, Tracy Rogers, Karen Keen, Lynne Banks and myself, as well as assistant managers who help with day-to-day matters, and supervisors and charge-hands. It’s the domestic team who are very much on the frontline. They are from all over the world and, in better times, we have had some really good cultural days where staff would bring in food representing their culture and we would talk about ‘home’. I love these moments – it reminds me what we represent.

In the ATS, we have worked together as a team since November when we first opened the site. The frontline team are from departments/centres across the University, including Gulbenkian, Sport and Catering. They are now skilled in the testing process and can answer many questions on this. In the beginning, we had some long days, yet they still returned. They choose to be here, which makes them special.

What are your immediate plans/priorities?

Making sure students want to come back to campus when they can and. that when they do,  they enjoy it. If that means keeping the ATS going, and having staff available to do the testing, that’s my priority. If that means making sure their accommodation is ready, that becomes my priority. So really, it’s about making sure we are ready for whatever is needed. I work best when I have challenges as I am reactive and love to get stuck in.

Covid-19 permitting (!), what are your interests outside work?

That’s easy, family is the most important thing to me. I have five grandchildren with my two daughters and their partners and, of course, my wonderful husband who puts up with a lot. I just love spending time with them all – even on the bad days, you can always find a bit of fun.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

My favourite, and one I’ve been known to use, is: “Don’t be telling everyone you’re unhappy, tell the person that can make a difference” A manager gave me that advice in my first volunteering role at the hospital and it has stuck with me ever since.