From Brenda Brunsdon |Occupational Health and Wellbeing Team Manager

We are going through a sustained period of very hot weather and the Met Office issued its first ever red warning for extreme heat last month. Such high temperatures present a challenge to our health and wellbeing. In addition to sun care awareness, it’s important to know the signs of when the heat or sun exposure can affect someone to the extent that they can become ill and be aware of what one can do to prevent becoming overheated in the first place.

OH issues advice on sun exposure every year. We refer people to the advice given by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) and the NHS. BAD offers advice based on an easy to remember SOS theme: Save Our Skin:

• Slip On a Shirt
• Seek Out Shade
• Slap On Sunscreen

Accessing their website below provides additional information on sunscreen, skin advice for skin of colour, sun protection advice for children and babies, a Vitamin D factsheet and sun awareness leaflets.

The NHS also offers comprehensive advice on how to keep yourself safe in the sun; the link to their website is also below.

What can you do you do to stay safe in the heat? The UK Health Security Agency have the following advice:

• stay cool indoors by closing curtains on rooms that face the sun – and remember that it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
• drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
• never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
• check that fridges, freezers and fans are working properly
• try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest
• walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat
• avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
• make sure you take water with you if you are travelling

When a person does get too hot, it can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion is the lower level condition which can progress to heat stroke. Both can occur when a person’s body overheats to the extent that its natural temperature control mechanisms fail to cope. When this happens, the affected person feels unwell, lacking in energy, and is usually dizzy and nauseous. They could develop cramp in their limbs or in their stomach. Signs you can observe for heat/sun stroke are a person having clammy, very sweaty, pale skin, and they often have a faster pulse than normal, sometimes exceeding 100 beats per minute.

Some sectors of the community are more susceptible to developing heat exhaustion/stroke: babies and toddlers; the elderly; people who are physically active through work or exercise; people with chronic, debilitating illnesses.

The NHS advice on immediate treatment for helping someone with heat exhaustion is:

1. Move them to a cool place.
2. Get them to lie down and raise their feet slightly.
3. Get them to drink plenty of water. Sports or rehydration drinks are OK.
4. Cool their skin – spray or sponge them with cool water and fan them. Cold packs around the armpits or neck are good, too
5. Stay with them until they’re better.

They should start to cool down and feel better within 30 minutes.

They also give advice on when you should consider reaching out for assistance by ringing 999, either because the situation is the same after 30 minutes or because the person’s symptoms are so debilitating that you suspect heat stroke; follow the NHS link below to read more.

For those of us who are able and where it fits in with the demands of our role, the University has said we currently have the flexibility to work from home if this provides us with a cooler work environment. However, not all members of the University workforce are able to do that. Cleaners and maintenance and grounds staff have to work as usual. They and their managers need to be more aware of the possibility of heat/sun stroke.

‘Heatwave: National emergency declared after UK’s first red extreme heat warning’ on bbc.co.uk

British Association of Dermatologists’ Sun Awareness website

‘How to Stay Safe in the Sun’ on the British Skin Foundation website

‘Staying Safe in Extreme Heat’ by Agostinho Moreira Sousa on ukhsa.blog.gov.uk

Heat Exhaustion and Sun Stroke on NHS website

‘Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke’ by Dr Sarah Jarvis MBE on the patient.info website

‘Signs of Heat Exhaustion, Heat Stroke’ by CBS Los Angeles on YouTube

‘How to Identify and Treat Heat Stroke’ by BBC Earth Lab on YouTube (very good demonstration of simple First Aid treatments for heat exhaustion)

‘How to Treat Heat Stroke – Signs and Symptom’s by St John’s Ambulance on YouTube

As temperatures today could hit record numbers, make sure you take precautions and look after yourself during the heatwave.

Whether you’re working from home or on campus, here are a few tips on how to take care of yourself:

Tips to say cool and well

1. Keep your windows closed so you don’t let the hot air inside. Only open your windows first thing in the morning or late at night once the temperature has dropped
2. Keep blinds and curtains closed to stop heat from the sun warming up your home or office
3. Use a fan – if you’re on campus contact the Estates team to see if you can borrow one
4. If you’re on campus and are too hot in your office, you could visit an air-conditioned area of campus (see locations below)
5. Keep hydrated (see water refill locations below)

Where are the coolest spots on campus?

The following buildings on our campuses have areas of air conditioning:

Canterbury campus

• Templeman Library
• Sports Centre

Computer rooms on campus are also generally air conditioned.

Medway campus

• Gillingham building
• Medway building
• Medway Park
• The Engineering Workshop (Dockyard)
• Drilling Shed (Dockyard)

Computer rooms on campus are also generally air conditioned.

Where can I refill my water bottle on campus?

Locations behind the counter – ask colleagues who will happily fill your water bottle for you

• Create Café (Marlowe Building)
• K-Bar (Keynes College)
• Origins Bar & Grill (Darwin College)
• Gulbenkian

Open access locations

• Sibson Café (Sibson Building) – designated water station next to coffee machine
• Rutherford Dining Hall (Rutherford College) – designated water station in open fridge in the dining area
• Dolche Vita (Keynes College) – designated water tap in dining area
• Oasis Lounge in Rochester building – tap
• The Hook Lounge in Clocktower building- tap

NHS advice

The NHS provides advice for how to cope during the hot weather and signs of heat related illnesses to watch out more.

This year’s University Teaching Prizes were awarded to applicants from across the University. The panel, chaired by Professor Richard Reece were very impressed by the array of applications demonstrated real impact and commitment to education and the student experience.

The award winners demonstrated both strong evidence of engagement and impact across all 3 criteria:

1. Excellence in Teaching or Supporting Learning
2. Dissemination and Influence and
3. Above and Beyond Expectations of their roles.

Winners from both 2021 and 2022 were presented with their Certificates at the end of this years Learning and Teaching Conference. 

Congratulations to the following winners:

Ru Su  – The Language Centre                                          

For innovative approaches to tackling the challenges presented by the pandemic to ensure the student learning experience was sustained rather than negatively affected.

Debbie Kemp – Kent Business School

For extensive, wide-ranging, innovative work within and beyond their context which influenced and enhanced the education and student experience.

The Mechanical Engineering Group – Division of Computer, Engineering and Mathematical Sciences

For establishing and delivering a new and thriving programme that aligns with the University strategic objective of employability.

Professor Mark Wass – Division of Natural Sciences

For sustained and demonstrable impact upon Learning and Teaching practice and innovation within their school and wider division.

Congratulations to Mita Mondal for her AUA Member of the Year award!

The Association of University Administrators (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. The awards ceremony took place during the AUA’s 2022 Annual Conference & Exhibition, Manchester and was announced on 7 July as part of their Gala Dinner.

The Member of the Year award recognises the contribution of an individual member. The judges looked for a high level of commitment and dedication to the AUA and Higher Education. Mita said ‘I am truly humbled and excited about winning this award. I am pleased that I can make this contribution as I strongly believe in collaboration and sharing professional knowledge and practice with others. I hope to carry on championing a professional culture in HE and hope to make a difference via my work at Kent and with AUA’.

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.

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

From Martin Atkinson | Director of HR and Organisational Development

As we updated earlier in the year, we recently ran a short-life Voluntary Severance scheme for specific cohorts of staff across the University intended to explore any potential savings we could make before the end of the financial year. This is part of helping us get ahead of any future financial constraints where we can, bearing in mind the additional pressures we are all facing due to the cost of living crisis. 

We had a good response to this scheme so I’d like to thank all those eligible for their careful consideration of it and extend my good wishes to those who applied and will be leaving the University. Now that we have a clearer picture of the funds available this year to support this scheme, we will also shortly be opening it up to a further cohort of Grade 9+ staff in case there is more we can do to find savings while minimising the impact on overall staffing levels. All staff who will have the opportunity to apply will be contacted directly this week. 

While I know any mention of redundancies can be worrying, creating voluntary opportunities for people to leave the University that will make savings and suit all parties is one of the ways we can ensure we remain sustainable. The University also has a number of existing options available to staff across the organisation who are looking to move on at a time that is right for both them and their division/directorate, including efficiency retirement, flexible/phased retirement and ill health retirement. 

As we approach the end of our Financial Year, we will also be sharing a wider update shortly looking ahead to next year’s budget and updating on some upcoming measures to help staff at a time when so many are feeling the squeeze due to high inflation and rising household costs. In the meantime, do contact either your manager or local HR team if you would like to discuss any of the above. 

A number of the University’s webpages were audited by the Cabinet Office’s Central and Digital Data Office (CDDO) in April and, following some remedial fixes, we have now been informed that they have endorsed our efforts and no further action will be taken. Kent was chosen at random to be audited, alongside a number of other universities, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018. Checks were expected from 2020 but were inevitably delayed due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The areas raised by the audit were minor and were swiftly rectified by the Web Development and Accessible Information teams in plenty of time for the 12-week deadline.

Digital and information accessibility continues to be a high priority for the University in order to highlight our commitment for equality and inclusivity, and to ensure that all students and staff are able to work and learn in ways that work for them, as well as remaining complaint to relevant regulations. Further work is continuing around this area, particularly around accessibility statements. If you are the business owner of a digital platform, app or service, you may need to create or update an accessibility statement. Please contact the Accessible Information team to find out more.

This positive result is thanks to the many people around the University who have worked hard to ensure that Kent remains a sector leader in digital accessibility, and continue to champion equality, diversity and inclusivity in their work and teams.

Staff and students from across the university are invited to join colleagues from across the sector for our third conference to share good practice in the fields of Internationalisation at home and Internationalisation of the Curriculum.  Building on the success of last year’s 2021 conference where colleagues engaged from more than 27 countries, and its digital content received over 1,600 views, this year’s conference is already looking to surpass this.

This year’s theme is ‘The Power of Co-creation’.  We have received 20 pre-recorded video presentations from colleagues around the world sharing their experiences and insights in this area of work.  Topics range from working with students as partners, developing intercultural competences and skills, building a community, to examples of COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning) Initiatives. Colleagues are able to watch these in advance of the live conference which take place on Friday 15 July, 2022 from 14:00 – 17:30 BST.

The full schedule of events for 15 July live conference can be found below:

14:00: Welcome

14:10: Opening Plenary

The Potential of Virtual Exchange/COIL as co-creative experience

Speaker: Eva Haug, Educational Advisor for Internationalisation of the Curriculum and COIL, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

14:40: Live Q&A Session with presenters (Round 1)

15:15: Panel Discussion

Our panel discussion will explore whether internationalisation at home (IaH) activities meaningfully contribute to inclusivity on campus.  We are delighted to bring student’s views on this topic in addition to our plenary speakers.

16:00: The IC Global Café Networking Session

In this session we will dive into the conference theme and if, and how, Internationalisation at Home can benefit inclusivity.  During the Cafe, there will be an opportunity to meet colleagues in small, informal breakout rooms, where you can virtually share your hot or cold drinks as well as your experiences of inclusivity and Internationalisation at Home

16:30: Live Q&A Session with presenters (Round 2)

17:00: Closing Plenary

Innovations in IaH Towards an impact practice: a critical reflection

Speaker: Eveke de Louw, International Policy Advisor for the Curriculum and Co-curriculum, The Hague University of Applied Sciences

17:30: Closing Remarks and Conference Close

Registration for this free conference is now open.  Please sign up here.  For more information, please contact us at iihconference@kent.ac.uk

We hope to see you there!

We are conducting a survey on cyber security awareness at the University. We are trying to get an understanding of your training needs and preferences. We hope to use this information to build the most suitable cyber security awareness program for the university students and staff that address exactly what you need.

It’s completely anonymous and will only take a few minutes.

Your participation would be very helpful and much appreciated.

Just click on the survey link to get started and please share it with your colleagues.

The deadline to complete the survey is Monday 19  July.

This week we celebrate the launch of a brand new podcast, Researching the Rainbow! This project, developed by the LGBT+ Staff Network, explores the exciting world of LGBTQIA+ research taking place at the University of Kent and beyond.

About the show

Join us on Researching the Rainbow to hear more about the exciting and thought-provoking advances in LGBTQIA+ research. Listen to staff and student researchers across a wide range of disciplines talk about their work… and themselves!

Researching the Rainbow is coming (out) to you from a flamboyant little closet in the Locke Building at the University of Kent, UK. Hosted by the wonderful Rasa Mikelyte (she/her), and produced by the fabulous Josh Turner (he/him) this podcast is for anyone who’s into exploring the big queer questions!

The first episode available to stream now is with the wonderful Dr Jolie Keemink, speaking about her research into LGBTQ+ inclusive care.

New episodes released every Wednesday! Upcoming episodes include interviews with PHD Social Psychology Student Kirsty Gravestock, Kent Law School’s Senior Lecturer Dr Flora Renz and MA Comparative Literature student Michael Redmond.

Listen, like, subscribe and follow

You can listen and subscribe on all major Podcast platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts and you can follow our social media accounts on:

Instagram: @Researching_The_Rainbow

Twitter: @RetheRainbow

Website: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2004730/share

It really helps us out if you can follow, like and subscribe so please do if you can!

Does your research explore  LGBTQIA+ themes? Click here to sign up to be on Researching the Rainbow.

This year’s NSS results were published yesterday and, while we are still looking into the subject level data for the complete picture, it is clear they present a challenging set of results for Kent, with our overall satisfaction score for Full-Time First Degree being 73%. Our students’ views and – more fundamentally – the experience they have with us is of huge importance, so I wanted to update you on the work we are doing to ensure we see steady improvement in this area.

A challenging year for many  

As many have acknowledged across the sector, last year was yet again unusual for a number of reasons as we all adapted to the relaxation of Covid restrictions and the return of face-to-face teaching. Both student behaviour and the campus experience itself have undoubtedly changed through the move to more hybrid models of both work and delivery. Our own student surveys present a mixed picture of what aspects of this students have and haven’t liked, and it will take time to work out which shifts are permanent and which are unique to this cohort.

We also cannot avoid the fact that the NSS survey itself ran during a period of industrial action at Kent with an inevitable impact on student sentiment at the time. Notions of student satisfaction are complex, relying on a wide array of individual factors and interactions with staff from across the University and with our facilities and services. However, what is clear is that we have more to do to ensure the effort we put in to support students is felt by them and comes through in what they report back to us.

Improving students’ experience of Kent  

There are a number of initiatives already underway to make sure students have the best possible time with us, all of which will be a key priority throughout next year:

• Student Voice and Student Participation will be major areas of focus, with our Head of Student Experience Mica Rose leading work to better embed them in our work. This will include developing our Your Uni, Your Say campaign to ensure we give students quicker feedback on how their views shape our work and exploring the use of Listening Rooms so we get a deeper understanding of what they are looking for
• Our Assessment and Feedback Steering Group will work to put in place a more systemic approach to ensuring all students get timely and supportive feedback from their lecturers – this will be done in conjunction with ongoing work to review the shape of the Academic Year so that we can bring teaching and assessment closer together
• After a very difficult initial rollout, enhanced KentVision functionality is now being added at pace which will help address the initial issues many faced
• We have a number of EDI initiatives with a focus on student experience, including our work on both the Race Equality Charter and the University Mental Health Charter  
• We will also focus on building a better sense of belonging for students through a more joined up approach to our communications, following an extensive university-wide review

This work will need to be backed up by robust action plans in specific areas highlighted through the NSS and I will be working with Divisions to ensure these are in place going into next year. We will also set up an NSS Working Group in the Autumn Term led by Mica Rose, our Head of Student Experience and Louise Naylor, our Director of Education, to make sure we get positive engagement from students in the 2023 survey from the start.

Student Experience is a key strand of our University strategy and it is critical that we continually evolve what we do to meet the needs of those who study with us. While yesterday’s results make for difficult reading, I know just how much this matters to all of us across the University and look forward to working with many of you to build on activity underway to get things moving in the right direction.

With all good wishes,

Richard

Professor Richard Reece | DVC Education & Student Experience