In the latest episode of the Nostalgia podcast series, Chris Deacy, Head of the Department of Religious Studies, interviews Dr Patty Baker, Senior Lecturer in Classical & Archaeological Studies and School Equality, and Diversity and Inclusivity Representative.

Patty, who is originally from Pennsylvania, has been at Kent for 18 years. In this episode, the pair talk about Pennsylvania, the concept of ‘home’, running into people from your past, the different dreams that we chase, visiting exotic places, Patty’s love of the sea, sailing and flower arranging, gardens in the ancient world, the History teacher who made the subject come alive, voting in the UK and US, marching in Washington, why Patty likes reading obituaries, her dream trip to the South Pacific, what her 15-year-old self would think about what she is doing now, and why Patty is a looking forward type of person.

On Friday 22 November, Chris will be running ‘Nostalgia Night’. This will be a free evening of live music, readings, clips, interviews and interactions celebrating the pull of Nostalgia in shaping us as human beings – which will be taking place in the Colyer-Fergusson Hall at 19.30.

It is a common feature of gender equality events that most of the attendees are women so we often miss out on the male voice when discussing issues that affect us all such as work-life balance, wellbeing and workplace culture.

Last year the Athena SWAN team addressed this by surveying* our male colleagues on their experience of gender equality in the workplace.

This year we are using the occasion of International Men’s Day to hold a panel and audience discussion, on the key themes arising from the survey:

• Does it feel that gender equality initiatives are targeted only at women?
• Is there a macho culture that prevents an inclusive one?
• What is it like being a Dad at the University?

The event is being held in Grimond Lecture Theatre 3, Tuesday 19 November. Teas, coffees and afternoon treats from 14.30 and discussion 15.00-16.00.

Everyone is welcome! Book your place and pass on the details to any colleagues you think may be interested.

*You can read more about the responses to our gender equality surveys on our Equality Matters blog.

The Centre for Study of Higher Education (CSHE) is very proud to announce that AdvanceHE now recognises 77% of the University’s academic and teaching staff as Associate Fellows (32%), Fellows (63%), Senior Fellows (4.6 %) or Principal Fellows (5). This is well above the sector average of 47% and been achieved through a number of nationally recognised programmes, including the taught postgraduate certificate in higher education (PGCHE) and related programmes for early career academics. 

The new Route to Recognition for Experienced Staff (RRES), launched in 2017, has also contributed to this success. CSHE has trained staff as internal assessors and mentors for RRES, and successfully supported a 5-fold increase in Senior Fellows at Kent. This positive upward trajectory from 32% in 2015-16 means that the University is close to achieving its ambitious target of 80% of our teaching staff being qualified by 2020.

The University Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral is at 8pm on Monday 2 December. This annual event, partly lit by candle-light, will feature the University Chamber Choir and other performances as well as traditional carols and readings. The charity collection will be for Porchlight, addressing homelessness in East Kent.

Admission is by free ticket only, and ticket requests from staff are welcome until Friday 22 November. Details are available at the Event’s page. 

Contact: Revd Dr Stephen Laird

Gulbenkian’s Christmas Season 2019 is a scrumptiously festive selection box of treats! From merry music gigs, festive family events to comedy nights full of Christmas cheer, Gulbenkian has Christmas all wrapped up this December.

The Gulbenkian café is putting a special festive twist on their menu throughout December including pigs in blankets, pizza for mischievous little elves and a turkey and cranberry sauce burger fit for a king.

 To see full listings and purchase tickets please visit the Gulbenkian’s website or call 01227 769075.

Colleagues are invited to the CSHE Seminar titled ‘Concerns about racism in our teaching and seminar discussions’ presented by Professor Miri Song, SSPSSR. The seminar takes places on Thursday 21 November 2019, 1pm-2pm in the UELT Seminar Room, Canterbury Campus

Given the plethora of claims made about racism across a wide variety of social spheres in contemporary Britian, how do we as teachers and researchers deal with what can sometimes feel like a minefield? How do we balance concerns about addressing forms of racism with the need to preserve healthy debate and the exchange of views in the university context?

To confirm your attendance please complete the online booking form. 

Dr Patricia Novillo-Corvalan, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Comparative Literature, was invited to speak at the ‘Institutions of World Literature’ workshop in London on Tuesday 29 October.

This workshop investigated the twin processes of institutionalisation and internationalisation of literary studies. What was the relationship between them in different nations and at different times? What is the influence of migration and international collaboration in the institutionalisation of letters in a national context? How are theories of world literature shaped by institutional histories? And how can sociological approaches, in particular Bourdieu’s field theory, help us navigate these questions? We aim to discuss these issues in a comparative and global context. This event is part of the TORCH Global South Fellowship scheme.

Patricia says: “The workshop created a productive dialogue between the global North and the global South, a dynamic exchange made possible through the interaction of truly transnational research networks. These transcontinental multilingual dialogues enabled the recovery of neglected literary histories, especially by situating global South spaces at the foreground of these debates, creating meaningful interactions that can overcome the homogenising and monolingual tendencies of world literature approaches”.

Patricia will also be holding another workshop on ‘Modernism and Translation: A Workshop’ at the University of York on Friday 22 November.

The School of Engineering and Digital Arts warmly invites you to a Mechanical Engineering Taster Event taking place from 10.30 am to 16.00 pm on Saturday 7 December at the University of Kent, Canterbury.

Mechanical Engineering is at the forefront of the most innovative and progressive industries, from robotics and automation through to aerospace and automotive applications. As Mechanical engineers we are involved at almost every stage of a design process including design and manufacture through to test, research and commissioning.

 At the School of Engineering and Digital Arts you can learn these keys skills and be able to implement them in industry. During our Taster Event, you’ll meet  our staff and current students, you will be able to explore our facilities and gain hands-on practical learning by building your very own walking robot .

 The programme for the event is as follows:

 10.30 – 11.00  Arrival and refreshments

 11:00 – 12:30  Interactive laboratory taster session

 12:30 – 13:00  Lunch

 13:00 – 14.00  Campus tour

 14.00 –  15.00  Taster lecture/presentation

 15.00 – 15:30  Life at Kent Talk

15.30 – 16.00  Refreshments and Close

 This exciting day is designed for people with an interest in our BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering degree.

To apply for a place at the Mechanical Engineering taster event, please email eda-admissions@kent.ac.uk