CSHE Seminar Series 2018-19

The Centre for the Study of Higher Education (CSHE) Seminar Series for 2018-19 is now available.

 In this series of public seminars, CSHE spotlights different qualitative methods used in higher education research.  Speakers have been asked to discuss a method with which they have particular expertise, considering what makes it similar to and distinct from related methods and reflecting on challenges in using it.  Although the series focuses on applications in higher education, researchers across the social sciences may find it useful. 

To confirm your attendance at a seminar please complete the online form on the webpage.

Double Binds of ’68 Conference- 50th anniversary of the global uprisings and the bicentenary of the birth of Karl Marx

On the 50th anniversary of the global 1968 uprisings, and on the bicentenary of the birth of Karl Marx, this two-day multidisciplinary conference seeks to cast a retrospective light on the legacy of the former in order to illuminate the spectre of the latter. By thematising the figure of the double bind, this conference intends to explore the extent to which, and by means of which mechanisms, it can be argued that the radical social, political, psychic, and conceptual potential of the events of 1968 has ultimately been co-opted by the unfolding of neoliberalism over the past fifty years (the latter to be understood here as a political and economic system for organising society, subjectivity, culture, and thought).

 Keynote speakers: Prof Benjamin Noys (Chichester) and Dr Iain MacKenzie (Kent)

Please e-mail doublebinds68@gmail.com in advance to confirm attendance

 Double Binds of ’68 Conference

29-30 September 2018

Keynes College, University of Kent

 All are welcome (staff, students and the general public) but please e-mail doublebinds68@gmail.com in advance to confirm attendance.

 The conference programme and further information available here.

Podcast on comedienne Linda Smith’s signature gags

Dr Oliver Double, Deputy Head of the School of Arts and Director of the Centre for Popular and Comic Performance, has just released the latest episode of the podcast series ‘A History of Comedy in Several Objects’.

In the podcast series, Olly examines objects from Kent’s British Stand-Up Comedy Archive alongside Project Archivist Elspeth Millar.

The recent film Funny Cow (2017) uses one of the late, great Linda Smith’s signature jokes without permission or attribution. ‘Comedians and funny men see material as being common property… A lot of the jokes are shared,’ explains Olly in the episode.

Elspeth and Olly look through Linda’s old set-lists and unpublished recordings going back to the 1980s to trace the origins of the joke, and look into how it fits into her development as a comedian. You’ll hear different versions of the gag at different points in her career, to show how it changed and developed. It’s still quoted as one of Linda’s best jokes today. So what is the gag? All I’ll say is if you’re a fan of Linda’s – and not so much of her hometown Erith – you probably already know it. In any case, listen to the episode and find out.

The podcast is free to download and is available here.

 

FREE Language Express Meet the Tutor Event

Are you interested in learning a language? Would you like to find out more about the language learning opportunities available on campus?

 If the answer is yes, please come along to our Language Express Meet the Tutor event taking place in the Main Plaza (opposite the Essentials shop) on Wednesday 26th September from 12:00-14:00.

 Teachers from our Language Express programme and World Language modules will be ready to answer any questions you may have.

 The event is open to all and there is no need to book – just turn up on the day!

 Courses are available in a choice of 11 modern foreign languages at a number of different ability levels including Arabic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Modern Greek, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish.

 For more information, please visit our website or email languageexpress@kent.ac.uk

 

Unirider early bird discount ends soon

Purchase the Unirider up to and including 1 October 2018 for the early bird discount of £180 for the academic year. This is a saving of 77% on the public price. After the 1 October, the price will change to £255 for the academic year.

The green Unibus will be parked on campus for the first 2 weeks while the early bird discount is in place. Find the Unibus located on the lawn outside the Registry building on the Canterbury Campus between 10:00 and 16:00. It is also available to buy online on the Stagecoach website.

 This discount is available for students at both campuses. For more information about bus routes, timetables and discounts visit our Canterbury bus webpage.

 

College Colour Run

On Saturday 29 September the University’s College Committees have organised the  first University of Kent College Colourthon.

The event has been organised to raise money for the charity, Mary’s Meals, who provide life-changing meals to some of the world’s poorest children every school day.

The hope is that the event will build relationships within the colleges and wider university community, encourage new and returning students to make friends, new memories and have fun while raising money for charity!

Whether you aim to test your marathon skills and represent your college by going for gold, or whether you are just looking for a fun, inviting experience in-between the introductory lectures and socialising. Everyone is welcome to take part.

 

Kent ranked 11th in UK for Law in latest Times Good University Guide

Kent Law School’s strong performance in national and international league tables continues with news that it has been ranked 11th out of 102 UK institutions for law in The Times Good University Guide 2019. 

 In addition to climbing three places from last year’s subject ranking, the Law School is ranked 8th in the UK for the quality of its research and 14th for student experience. The ranking, published yesterday, also takes into consideration student opinion on teaching quality, graduate job prospects and course entry standards.

Last month, the Law School was ranked amongst the top 100 law schools in the world in the 2018 Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. The Law School is also currently ranked 50th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2018 and is among the top 150 law schools in the QS World University Rankings 2018.

Kent is a leading UK law school, ranked 13th in The Guardian University Guide 2019 for law and 18th in The Complete University Guide 2019. It is one of only 14 UK university law schools to be ranked in the top 20 of all three major UK league tables.

Head of Kent Law School Professor Toni Williams said: ‘As we begin our 50th anniversary celebrations, it is particularly gratifying to see Kent’s reputation as a leading UK law school endorsed in this latest league table ranking. Our top 20 ranking for student experience reflects the enormous efforts made by colleagues to ensure our students receive an intellectually challenging critical legal education within a supportive environment, enriched by world-leading socio-legal research.’

 

Childcare vouchers – Busy Bees scheme to close

The deadline for signing up for Busy Bees childcare vouchers is Thursday, 27 September, at midday. Please visit https://www.bbblogin.com/Register/LZQIKWEO and enter the password CLEM52. You will need a copy of your payslip to hand.

Government changes to childcare funding, in the offing since 2015, are due to take effect in October when the new Tax-Free Childcare scheme will replace childcare vouchers. Anyone already in the Busy Bees scheme may remain a member, however the deadline for new entrants is this Thursday. This will not affect the Oaks’ Workplace Nursery Salary Sacrifice Scheme.

Please address any queries to the Payroll team on ext 3602.

Changes to Medway Activities

As of 2018-19 academic year, all Medway activities, events and trips can be found on the What’s On page on the GK Unions website.

Trips can be found via the GIAG programme organised by GK Unions and the Medway Chaplain will be offering a number of trips for students.

The Student Activities and Scholarships Officer, Debbie Worthington who succeeds Karen Lomas-Roadnight, will now be working cross campus and working with student volunteers for residential based events and supporting student scholars on the Community Scholarships programme.

If you have any questions about the Community Scholarships programme please contact: communityschoalrships@kent.ac.uk ​

If you’re living at Liberty Quays, the Student Activities and Scholarships Officer is recruiting for student volunteers to form the Liberty Quays Student Team for 2018-19.

The purpose of the Liberty Quays Student Team is to help enhance the Liberty Quays non-academic and co-curricular ‘student life’ experience.  The aim of the role is to assist the Student Activities and Scholarships Officer with creating a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment and a strong sense of community for University of Kent students living within Liberty Quays.

These positions are open to University of Kent students residing at Liberty Quays and enrolled at the Medway campus from all stages, disciplines and modes of study. All volunteers will be given training to enable them to effectively carry out the duties required.

The positions available are:

– Event Coordinator

– Graphic Designer

– Social Media Coordinator

– Photographer

– Treasurer

Applications open: 15 September 2018

Closing date for applications: end of September / beginning of October 2018

Interviews to be held on: October 2018

Start date: October 2018

Training: October 2018 ​

​For further information and/or to apply please contact: medwaycollegelife@kent.ac.uk