Tag Archives: Medway

Professor Richard Whitman appointed to Research Excellence Framework sub-panel

Congratulations to Professor Richard Whitman, Head of the School of Politics and International Relations, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Global Europe Centre, on his appointment to Research Excellence Framework (REF) Sub-panel 19, Politics and International Studies, which has been announced by HEFCE today.

The full list of members of the sub-panel are available at the REF website.

This is excellent news for the School and in addition to the recognition of Professor Whitman as a leading scholar in the discipline, it represents an acknowledgement that Kent deserves a place within the REF evaluation process. This goal has been at the centre of the School’s REF Strategy since 2014 and is a testament to its enhanced external profile and the quality of research being conducted within the School.

Through the Lens Festival of Photography

School of Music and Fine Art MA student Steve Kilmartin has organized an exhibition called Through The Lens – Festival of Photography, running from 31st August to 8th September.

Held at St Mary In The Castle, Hastings, East Sussex, this magical festival is for any photographer, photo-enthusiast, keen amateur or anyone who wants to see the world through a different lens. Offering a mix of world-class guest speakers, with new emerging photographic talent exhibiting alongside well-established photographers, viewers can see contemporary photography and reportage all under one roof.

There is also an opportunity to submit photographic work – closing date for submissions is 1st July. Visit the festival website for more information.

Update for students on industrial action

Dear Student,

As you may know, together with the Vice-Chancellor, I attended a meeting with student reps and others on Tuesday 14 March. The aim of the meeting, organised by Kent Union, was to hear student concerns relating to the industrial action being taken by some members of our academic staff. Both the Vice-Chancellor and I greatly appreciated having the opportunity to attend and hear from students about their concerns.

We realise that those of you who are in schools affected by this action are inevitably worried about the impact it might have on your assessments and academic progress. While we have a website for students which includes a broad range of FAQs, it was clear from yesterday’s meeting, and from other conversations and communications we had from students, many of the questions you are raising are specific to both your subject and school.

I want to reassure you that the Executive Group of the University and faculty Deans are working with schools affected by the industrial action to put systems in place to mitigate against its impact on you and will communicate what these are over the coming weeks. At the beginning of next week, your school will email you with detailed updates which respond to the concerns raised at the student reps meeting and through other channels. It is important that you are aware that the guidance will come from your Head of School (or in his or her name) and that it is guidance from that source that you should regard as authoritative.

I also want to reassure those students who are emailing me and other colleagues with a range of issues and queries that these are being collated centrally to ensure we have a sense of the nature and scale of the concerns. These will be reflected in the information you will begin to receive from your school next week. I should add that we are endeavouring to reply to those emails as quickly as possible, and where school-specific issues are raised we are forwarding to the school so that they can respond to you directly.

There is no doubt that staff have a great commitment to you as students. The University, Kent Union and the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) at Kent have jointly called on all those involved at a national level to work together to reach a solution, and the University will continue to seek an outcome that protects the interests of our staff and students.

Yours sincerely,

David Nightingale | Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

Funding opportunity for Essex Summer School course

The Eastern ARC and the Graduate School will fund an opportunity for one Social Science PhD student working on a project with applied quantitative methods to attend an Essex summer school training session.

This includes the fees for one course, accommodation during the training period as well as travel. To apply, please email EARCpgmobility@kent.ac.uk with the title of the course you wish to attend, and up to 500 words addressing the following points:

Background summary of your PhD project
How the method proposed will advance your PhD project
How attending the course will advance your skill set as a PhD candidate
Why you wish/need to attend the course this year

You will also need to include a half page supporting statement from your supervisor, and a short CV outlining training courses you have already attended and indicating your current level of statistics training.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 20th April 2018, and the award will be announced by the end of April. If you have any queries please email Hannah Swift and/or EARCpgmobility@kent.ac.uk.

Please note that applications from first and second year full-time PhD students (up to the fourth year for part-time PhD students) will be prioritised.

Submit your PRIDE Awards Nominations

The PRIDE (‘Personal Responsibility In Delivering Excellence’) Award recognises members of Kent Hospitality staff who go out of their way to deliver excellent customer service.

Any Kent Hospitality staff member (permanent or casual) may be nominated from Canterbury and Medway campuses. The award is given out four times a year with each winner receiving £100 of shopping vouchers, a certificate and a badge.

Nominations can be made online by any member of University staff, students and visitors. Alternatively you can pick up a paper form next to the red nomination boxes located in all Kent Hospitality’s catering outlets in Canterbury and Medway, as well as College reception areas.

Please make your nominations detailed, providing as much information as possible on why the nominee is being put forward for a Pride Award. The panel are looking for staff who achieve more than just what is expected in their role (i.e. hardworking, professional, positive and friendly attitude).

Congratulations to December’s Pride Award winners – Fay Allen, Student Accommodation Co-ordinator and Christine Nottage, Keynes Day Cleaner.

For further information or for guidance on submitting nominations please contact pride@kent.ac.uk

Medway Service of Remembering

Our annual Service of Remembering will be held on 5 April 2018 from 12.15-1.30pm.

The service will be held in the St George’s Centre and is a time for us to honour members of staff, students and loved ones who have passed away in this previous year.

Whether or not you are able to attend the service please feel free to contact Lynne Martin, the Medway Campus Chaplain, with names of those you wish to be remembered.

Jobshop Recruitment Fair

Kent Union is proud to announce the Jobshop Recruitment Fair is back and bigger than ever. Located on the centre of the Canterbury Campus in Eliot Hall, we have a wide variety of businesses promoting their part-time, temporary and seasonal roles in Canterbury as well as nation-wide opportunities. If you’re looking for part-time work don’t miss this incredible opportunity to meet employers!

The fair will take place on Tuesday 13th March from 12pm – 3pm in Eliot Hall, University of Kent. We are pleased to have a number of sponsors for the event including Concorde International, Smaller Earth, P&O Ferries, Embassy Summer, PGL and Pettit Recruitment Solutions.

If you live in Medway, make sure to book yourself a free shuttle bus to the Canterbury Campus!

The following companies will be attending:

Explore Learning Scott Anderson Catering

Dreamland Wesser

New Appointments Group CTM

Kent Autistic Trust Gulbenkian

Frontier Stafford House

Teach First L’Arche Kent

The Challenge Plus Ed

Nurse Plus Centreplate

Churchill House Summer Centres Global Radio

Magical Maths Club Chaucer College

Canterbury Historic River Tours CXK

University of Kent Outreach Careers & Employability Service

Employability Points

We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 13th March!

U.N.I (You and I) Protect: See something? Say something. Do something! Make a difference.

Places are now available on U.N.I (You and I) Protect workshops running in March 2018.

All of us can take action to protect each other and the wider University community to help promote a culture of dignity and respect at Kent. This programme will help you recognise and challenge problematic and harmful behaviour, such as abuse or sexual harassment.

On completion of the course participants will understand what a ‘bystander’ is and be empowered to be able to intervene in situations safely and with confidence.

The workshops will run on Friday mornings from 10.00 to 11.30 during weeks 20, 21 and 22. All students who complete the course will receive 15 Employability Points.

If you want to take part or simply want to find out more please visit the Study Plus website. The module code is KE148. Places are limited so please sign up as soon as you can.

Further information about the course can also be found on the Student Services website.

EasterZone sports camps for kids

Kent Sport has the perfect way to keep your children entertained this Easter, with five days of professional sports coaching, led by qualified and DBS checked coaches and supported by sports supervisors.

If your children are aged five to 14 and would enjoy taking part in a variety of sporting activities on a daily basis, including football, kwik cricket, tag rugby, hockey and tennis, then book them onto EasterZone 2018! An introduction to new sports and activities will be on offer along with the opportunity for children to develop their skills in specific sports and make new friends in a fun environment.

Prices for EasterZone are £35 per day or £130 per week. University of Kent staff and student discounts are available. Late pick-ups until 5pm are also available for an extra £10 per day per child.

Closing date for applications will be Sunday 18 March 2018 and we will be unable to accept bookings after this date.

You can book your places online or download a booking form at www.kent.ac.uk/sports/easterzone. Please complete and return the form with a cheque (made payable to ‘Uni Kent’) to the University of Kent Sports Centre, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NL.

Please contact sportsdevelopment@kent.ac.uk if you have any queries or call 01227 816391.

Changes to senior leadership structures

The Vice-Chancellor has made two changes to the senior leadership structures at the University.

Firstly, the Executive Group plus Deans (EG+) will, from 1 March, become the Extended Executive Group (EEG). The membership will now comprise: EG; Director of Human Resources; Dean of the Faculty of Humanities; Dean of the Faculty of Social Science; Dean of the Faculty of Science; Dean of the Graduate School; Dean for Internationalisation; Dean for Medway; Academic Registrar; Director of Estates; Director of Information Services; Director of Commercial Services; and Director of Student Services.

Secondly, Managers’ Forum has been renamed the Senior Leadership Forum. Its membership includes: Executive Group, Deans, Heads of School, Directors of Professional Service Departments, Heads of Centres and Medway representatives.

The Executive Group (EG) itself remains unchanged with its membership comprising: Vice-Chancellor and President; Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost; Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education); Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation); and the Director of Finance. The Secretary to the Council is in attendance.