HHJ David Griffith-Jones QC to give annual Tucker Millward Guest Lecture

HHJ David Griffith-Jones QC, a record-breaking skydiver with considerable expertise in Sports Law, will be offering his personal ‘Reflections on the Law’ for the Tucker Millward Guest Lecture at Kent next month.

The annual lecture, co-hosted by Kent Law Society and Kent Law School, is open to all and will be held in Grimond Lecture Theatre 1 on Kent’s Canterbury campus at 18.30 on Thursday 15 November.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC was appointed a Circuit Judge at Maidstone Crown Court in 2007. Earlier this year he became Resident Judge and Honorary Recorder for Maidstone. He is a keen sportsman with interests in triathlon and golf and, this summer, was one of a group of skydivers who broke the UK, European and Commonwealth record for the number of skydivers over 60 in a completed formation (at 15,000ft over Lincolnshire). His interest in sport is reflected throughout his long legal career which includes: being a Committee Member of Bar Sports law Group from 1999 – 2007; joining the Sports Disputes Resolution Panel in 2000; and, as a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, serving on the Panel of Sports Arbitrators since 2002. He has also served as Chairman of the International Criminal Court’s Drugs Appeal Tribunal from 2004 – 2007 and was Chairman of the Lawn Tennis Association Appeals Committee from 2004 – 2006. He has been a contributor for Sport: Law and Practice, a major UK textbook on Sports Law, and is the author of Law and the Business of Sport (Butterworts, 1998).

The lecture will be preceded by refreshments, served in Grimond Foyer, from 18.00. All are welcome, and attendance is free, but attendees are asked to register in advance online.

Science and Society: Ethical concerns in the development of new technologies

Are you interested in the ethical concerns surrounding the development of new technologies? We are in a rapidly-changing world, so how do we view the future?  Science and technology have often provided new developments to solve old problems but we can not necessarily rely on answers being available for all situations.  Furthermore, there may be ethical issues to consider about the use of new techniques, so where are the boundaries between science and society?  What kind of world do we want?

This FREE course aims to provide you with the opportunity to learn more about the above and discuss with fellow colleagues the issues surrounding the following topics:

  • KE185: Energy
  • KE186: Conflict and Warfare
  • KE187: Health and Medical Developments
  • KE188: Biotechnology
  • KE189: Artificial Intelligence
  • KE190: Machines, Robots and A.I.

Employability Points will be awarded to students that attend the course.

For more information, please visit the Study Plus webpage.

Or book your place via SDS.

Introduction of pink zone car share parking bays (trial)

The Estates Department are running a trial to introduce pink zone car share bays at the Canterbury campus. The aim of the trial is to encourage car sharing and reduce single car occupancy where possible, in accordance with the University Travel Plans.

How will the trial work?

From 11 October, 16 parking bays within the Estates car park will be designated for the car share bay trial. These bays will be operated and enforced as follows:

  • Monday to Friday 8.00-9.30 vehicles displaying two (or more) car share parking permits can park here. No other permit holder (or non-permit holders) can park here during this time.
  • Monday to Friday 9.31- 17.00 vehicles with a pink zone parking permit or displaying car share permits can park here.
  • At all other times permit holders and non-permit holders can park here.

As this is a trial, some changes may be made in order to make the car share bays work more effectively. We will regularly review the use of the car share bays. Please send any feedback to TransportTeam@kent.ac.uk

Why has the Estates car park been chosen for the trial?

The Estates car park has been chosen for the trial due to its central location on campus and because it is easy to monitor during the trial period.

What are the benefits of car sharing?

There are many benefits to sharing your journey. Car sharing helps the environment by reducing pollution and congestion, and is a great way to save money.

How do I find someone to car share with?

We have teamed up with the University of Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church University to create UniShare South East (Liftshare.com) – a place to find other staff and students to car share with.

This week is also Liftshare week (1-7 October 2018). If you form a Liftshare team between 24 September and 14 October you will be entered into a prize draw to win a year’s cinema pass for you and a friend.

How do I change my permit to a car share permit?

You will need to complete the car share application form with the people you will be car sharing with and return this to the Transport Team. Please ensure you have read the car share guidelines and agree with these before applying. Once your car share permit has been processed please contact the Transport Team to cancel your previous permit.

Will blue zone car share bays be introduced in the future?

If the trial for pink zone car share bays is successful we may look into the possibility of introducing car share bays in the blue zone car parks.

Learn a language with Language Express

There’s still time to book your place on our Language Express courses starting on Tuesday 9 October 2018! Choose from a wide variety of languages at a number of different ability levels.

Learning a language is a great way to enhance to your CV whilst improving your communication skills and opening your eyes to a different culture.

The courses run throughout the autumn and spring terms and take place in the evening from 18:00 – 20:00.

For more information please visit the Language Express webpages or email languageexpress@kent.ac.uk.

Or if you would like to book your place, please visit our Online Store.

 

Enhance your teaching with a TESSA

Want to try something new in your teaching? If so, why not apply for a TESSA – our Teaching Enhancement Small Support Awards?

TESSAs, introduced last year, are intended for Kent colleagues who are interested in encouraging and enabling teaching and learning innovation; or who have a great idea that would improve the quality of teaching, teaching-related activity, support for teaching, or the student learning experience at Kent.

We already have University Teaching Prizes, which reward colleagues on their achievements. But sometimes what’s needed is a bit of funding to try something new, or test out an idea or a different way of working – and now you can apply for a TESSA to do just that. We piloted this small grants scheme during 2017-18, and were delighted to be able to award a total of £28,000 to 21 successful projects – so we have been encouraged to continue for a second year!

You can apply for funding of between £500 and £3,000, with up to £5,000 on offer for large, high-impact, collaborative projects operating across Schools and ideally in more than one Faculty, or across Schools and PSDs. All colleagues who contribute to teaching, learning or teaching support are eligible to apply – you don’t have to be an academic, or based in a School.

There will be two rounds for applications in 2018-19. The first deadline, for projects to start during the Spring or Summer Terms 2018-19, is 12 noon on Tuesday 27 November 2018 (and you will hear the outcome by Tuesday 11 December). There is a second opportunity to apply by 12 noon on Tuesday 14 May 2019, this time for projects to start during the summer of 2019 or in the Autumn Term 2019-10 (and we will tell you the results by Tuesday 28 May).

Find out more, and download the short application form for a TESSA, on our Teaching webpages. You’ll see that previous applicants have been generous in allowing us to publish their forms, so you may be able to link up with someone doing a project similar to the one you are planning.

Please send us your applications and help improve the quality and enjoyment of education and the student learning experience here at Kent.

If you have questions, please get in touch with April McMahon or Jess Sutherland.

LTN Session – Working with and understanding international students, follow-up session for professional services staff

Following the positive feedback of the introductory LTN ‘Working with and Supporting International Students’ offered in the Spring Term 2018, we have organised sessions particularly aimed at professional services staff interacting with international students in a variety of settings.

Wednesday 17 October, 13.15-14.30, UELT Seminar Room, Canterbury Campus

Thursday 8 November, 13.30-14.45, Pilkington Building Room 127, Medway Campus

During the session we will explore some common scenarios and we will discuss possible communicative strategies to facilitate intercultural interaction and understanding.

The session will be hands-on and participants will have the chance to ask questions, share experiences and examples and develop a common frame to enhance students’ confidence and a smooth transition in our University system.

To confirm your attendance at one of the sessions please complete the online booking form.

New exhibition in Colyer-Fergusson explores a dark reimagining of ‘Hansel and Gretel’

The new exhibition in Colyer-Fergusson Gallery explores a new version of ‘Hansel and Gretel’ ahead of a performance of a new chamber work coming to the concert hall on Sunday 21 October.

The artwork by Clive Hicks-Jenkins and Phil Cooper reflects the visual imagery created for the performance in both developmental stages in the creation of the set and animation, as well as the figures of Hansel and Gretel themselves. Some of the work features in the performance itself, a unique blend of live music, animation, puppetry and narration, with words by the poet Simon Armitage and music by Matthew Kaner, former Embedded Composer with BBC Radio 3 and Professor of Composition at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. The touring performance comes to Colyer-Fergusson in partnership with this year’s Canterbury Festival, and the event on campus is the only instance of the formative artwork being exhibited.

The exhibition, on display until 26 October, is open during normal working hours including weekends, and there is disabled access; admission is free.

Visit Bodiam Castle and Rye: Day Trip by Coach Sat 20 Oct

After travelling through the attractive countryside in the Weald of Kent, we visit the ‘fairytale’ Bodiam Castle (built 1385) which is in an excellent state of preservation. We then proceed to the coast near Rye for a seaside walk. The day ends with free time in the attractive medieval town centre of Rye, with its historic buildings and unusual shops. This popular annual excursion, organised by the University Chaplaincy, departs from the Canterbury Campus at 09.00 on Sat 20 Oct. Students and staff welcome. We aim to have arrived back in Canterbury by about 18.00. Cost is £15, including travel, castle admission and picnic lunch.

Tickets and details available from the University of Kent’s Online Store.

CPP hosts a training day for Kent’s Coroner Service Team

The Centre for Professional Practice (CPP) hosted a training day for Kent’s Coroner Service Team on Saturday 29th September at the University of Kent Medway campus.

The workshop offered individuals the opportunity to consider how they may contribute to the strategic development of the Kent County Coroners Investigative Team by developing strategies to enhance professional expertise and team effectiveness.

A group of 22 people took part in the workshop, delivered by the CPP’s Lecturer Tania Hopper. As part of the workshop De Bono’s Six Thinking Hats Model was used. The Six Hats method allowed the participants to lay out all views side by side (in parallel) to separate out the different aspects of thinking. The concept of ‘parallel thinking’ enables co-operative, co-ordinated thinking leading to rounded considerations about how to move forward.

Debbie Large, Head of Coroner Service, was pleased with the outcomes of the day; one of which was to enable the participants to identify opportunities for personal and professional growth and it is hoped that the knowledge gained during the training day will lead to positive impacts and enhancements for both the individuals and the investigative team.

The Centre for Professional Practice offers part-time, flexible work-related programmes and short courses. MA/MSc in Professional Practice programme has been specifically designed to meet the needs of working professionals who wish to develop their academic ability while maintaining their professional role. To find out more visit: www.kent.ac.uk/cpp

Staff discounts- two award-winning shows at the Gulbenkian

This month, Gulbenkian hosts two brilliant, award-winning theatre shows that highlight the challenges and the joys of human migration.

Specially discounted tickets are available online and at the ticket desk for all university staff. Don’t forget that as staff members you already get £2 off all standard films and many theatre performances at Gulbenkian.

The Believers are But Brothers (£5) , Wed 16 & Thu 17 Oct, 7.30pm

  • £5 tickets for University Staff (normally £12.80) – book here

The Believers are but Brothers delves deep into the misty waters of radicalization, religious fanaticism and the rise of resentment towards Western society. The show utilizes technology to draw the audience right into the heart of the story with a continuous WhatsApp group chat rolling throughout the show.

“an extraordinary, teched up show… the buzz of last year’s Edinburgh Fringe”, – New York Times

Old Stock: A Refugee Love Story (£7), Fri 19 & Sat 20 Oct, 7.30pm

  • £7 tickets for University Staff (normally £16) – book here

A humorously dark folktale woven together with a high-energy concert – with a live band playing throughout.

★★★★★ “playful, mysterious, brave and astonishingly captivating” … “The music, the vocal performances and musicianship are all excellent here – emotionally engaging, visually stunning and at 80 minutes leaves us still wanting more.” – Musical Theatre Review