STAFF ROUND UP

A Bite of Queen's tour of CCRCB

To coincide with October's Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the next A Bite of Queen’s campus tour will give staff the opportunity to find out about some of the cancer research taking place at Queen's.

During the tour of the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology staff can don a lab coat, visit the laboratories and meet some of the researchers who are pursuing breakthroughs in breast cancer.

The tour will take place on Friday 11 October, 1.05-1.50pm in the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology.

The tour is free and will include a brown bag lunch.  To take part, please fill in the online booking form. Places are limited. Please advise of any dietary requirements.

Vice-Chancellor's Blog

As the first semester of the new academic year gets underway, Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor James McElnay shares his first blog post.

To read the blog visit: http://blogs.qub.ac.uk/vcblog/

Latest edition of Queen's Now

The September 2013 edition of Queen's Now is available online.

Queen's Now is in a new format making it easier for staff to browse stories and allowing you to print the edition if you prefer to read it in hard copy.

In addition to the latest news and research stories, this month's edition focuses on the Student Experience and features some of our colleagues who are helping to deliver it. Regular sections include Green at Queen's, a list of new members of staff, social media updates and a competition.

To read the latest edition, click here.

Reduction in electricity consumption

Over the past quarter (May-July), we reduced our electricity consumption by over 3% when compared with the same period last year. This resulted in savings of 145 tonnes of carbon and £37,000. That's equivalent to what it takes to heat all of University Square for six months.

Senior Managers have been issued with a breakdown for their individual areas.

Sign Up for Green Impact

This year's Green Impact Scheme starts on 1 October 2013. Last year 48 teams, representing two thirds of Schools and Directorates, successfully received accreditation. Taking part in the scheme resulted in a number of benefits for participating Schools and Directorates, including reductions in electricity consumption.

Teams can register to take part in this year’s scheme up until Monday 11 November.

If you would like to find out more about Green Impact or speak to staff who have previously taken part, please email carbonmanagement@qub.ac.uk

ISCTSJ Newsletter

The third edition of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation and Social Justice (ISCTSJ) Newsletter is now available online.  This edition features a report on the Institute's launch, new staff appointments, Interdisciplinary Research Group updates and Working paper seminar.

Car Free Fridays at Queen's

The next Car Free Friday will take place on Friday 4 October. The aim of the initiative is to encourage more staff to leave the car at home and to travel to the University by public transport.

On the day, staff can enjoy 20% off your total bill at Molly’s Yard and 20% off the price of a regular staff ticket to QFT on presentation of a valid public transport ticket.

Further information on this initiative and other sustainable travel offers can be found here.

2013/4 Eaton Lecture: Friday 11 October

This year's Eaton Lecture will take place on Friday 11 October at 3.00pm. Entitled Think Anew, Act Anew- The 5 "A's" of the 21st Century, the lecture will be given by Gordon Campbell, Canadian High Commissioner to the UK, who will talk about Asia, aging, atmosphere, Arctic and arithmetic.

The event will take place in room 0G-029, Elmwood Building, School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Elmwood Avenue. If you would like to attend, email rsvp@qub.ac.uk to register.

The first Eaton Lecture took place in 1994 when the Governors of the Eaton Foundation of Toronto, Canada made a gift to permanently endow the Lecture to be held annually at Queen's.

Deanes at Queen's Christmas Menu

Click on the link to access Deanes at Queen's Christmas Menu: Deanes at Queen's Christmas Menu 2013

CED

Teaching, Learning and Assessment in Higher Education

All CED courses are now available for booking. Below is a list of those scheduled for the next month

• Wednesday 2 October: Being an Adviser of Studies, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 2 October: Using the TurnitinUK Originality Checking Software, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Friday 4 October: Using Computer Assisted Assessment (incl. QuestionMark), 9.30am – 4.30pm
• Wednesday 9 October: Small Group Teaching, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 16 October: Preparing and Giving Lectures, Part 1, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 16 October: Interactive PowerPoint Presentations 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 23 October: Laboratory Demonstrating 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 23 October: Preparing and Giving Lectures, Part 2, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 23 October: Using the Personal Response System in your Classes, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 6 November: Small Group Teaching, 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 6 November: Adaptive Assessment using QuestionMark Perception (NEW COURSE), 2.00pm – 5.00pm
• Wednesday 6 November: Using Audio to Enhance Teaching and Learning (6 sessions lasting approximately 30 minutes each), PODCAST
• Wednesday 13 November: Curriculum Design, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
• Wednesday 13 November: Using Computer Assisted Assessment, 9.30am – 4.30pm

Registration is via Queen’s Online.

Reflections
The next issue of Reflections, the Queen’s Learning and Teaching newsletter, is due to be published later this semester. If you would like to submit a contribution, please send it to Linda Carey, l.carey@qub.ac.uk or Liz McDowell, e.mcdowell@qub.ac.uk by 30 October 2013.

Contributions can take several forms:

• Articles: generally between 500 and 750 words approx, although longer pieces would be acceptable, space permitting. Articles can be on an aspect of teaching and learning or student support, in Queen's or in the higher education sector more generally.
• Shorter “newsflash” items, e.g. reporting on a recent event; flagging an up-coming event; advertising a new venture etc. 100 -200 words approx.
• Brief synopses of interesting articles on teaching and learning from the educational literature 100 - 200 words approx.)
• Letters or responses to previous articles or to recent developments in HE. 

Advance Notice: National Teaching Fellowship Scheme 2014 (NTFS)
The National Teaching Fellowship Scheme 2014 will open on 15 October 2013. It is anticipated that Queen’s will be invited to nominate up to three individuals who can demonstrate excellence in supporting the student learning experience in higher education. Details of how to apply to be one of the Queen’s nominees will be widely circulated when the Scheme is opened in October.

A data report on the 2013 round of NTFS has been produced. The report provides data on the nominations to the scheme and the new National Teaching Fellows, as well as details of the key characteristics of successful nominations and information about the assessment process. If you have any queries about the NTFS, please contact Linda Carey, l.carey@qub.ac.uk, 028 9097 3099 or Liz McDowell, e.mcdowell@qub.ac.uk, 028 9097 5301.

Staff Training and Development Unit

The Staff Training and Development Unit’s Course Programme for 2013/14 is now available.  Click here to access the Programme.

STDU Courses in September/October 2013:

• Thursday 26 September: Writing Your Academic CV, 9.30am – 1.00pm
• Wednesday 2 October: Health and Safety Induction, 10.00am – 12.00pm
• Tuesday 8 October: Selection Interviewing, 9.15am – 4.45pm
• Monday 14 October: Active Stress Reduction (Lunchtime ‘Lite Bite’ Session), 12.00pm – 1.00pm
• Friday 18 October: Career Development for Support Staff, 9.30am – 3.00pm
• Tuesday 22 October: Manual Handling and Lifting, 10.00am – 12.00pm
• Thursday 24 October: Induction for Research Staff, 9.30am – 2.00pm
• Tuesday 29 October: Preparing for Academic Interviews, 9.30am – 1.00pm

Management and Leadership Development
The Developing for Success leadership and management development workshops are now available for booking.  Check out the full range of courses and dates: http://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/stdp/. 

Book now for courses in Oct/Nov for staff at AR Grade 7 and above, AC Grade 2 and above

• Wednesday 9 October: Developing your Strategic Focus, 9.30am – 4.30pm
• Wednesday 23 October: Managing Conflict in the Workplace,  10.00am – 4.30pm
• Tuesday 5 November: Introduction to Coaching as a Management Style,  9.30am – 4.30pm
• Wednesday 27 November: Working with Partners – Internal Consulting Skills (NEW),  9.30am – 4.30pm

Booking for all courses is via Queen's Online - www.qub.ac.uk/qol