‘Good Vibrations?’ – Café Science Extra on 11th March

Ways of potentially overcoming the problems associated with high-speed rail travel will be explored at a Café Science Extra event in Dundee next week. Dr Xueyu Geng will deliver a talk, entitled ‘Good Vibrations? – Engineering Safer and Quicker Railways & Roads’ at Dundee Science Centre at 6pm on Wednesday, 11th March.  Dr Geng, a researcher in the University of Warwick’s School of Engineering, said, “High-speed rail networks have become one of the most advanced and fast developing branches of transportation and are the focus of recent investment from UK government. “However, with the increasing of the train speed, the intensity of railway generated vibrations and noise become higher, which not only present major environmental problems, also potentially increase the maintenance costs for the rail-tracks in a long term. “I will explore some of the options for efficient and economical ground improvement techniques which could mean that the ground vibrations, and associated uneven settlement, caused by the high-speed trains can be reduced significantly.” Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted more than 6000 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening locally. Café Science Extra allows members of the public to meet with up-and-coming scientists from the Universities of Dundee, St Andrews and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre as well as occasional guests from institutions further afield. ‘Good Vibrations? – Engineering Safer and Quicker Railways & Roads’ takes place at Infusions Coffee Shop, Dundee Science Centre, on Wednesday, 11th March.  Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended. More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.            The lecture is part of International Women’s Day celebrations in the city and also marks the start of the 2015 Women in Science Festival which runs from 7th–28th March. Forty-five exhibitions, talks, film screenings, fun days and other events will take place across the city in March as part of the festival, a collaboration between the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, Hannah Maclure Centre and Dundee Science Centre. It is supported by many of the internationally acclaimed female scientists and researchers working in Dundee. To find out more about the festival, please visit http://www.womeninscience.org.uk.   For media enquiries contact: Grant Hill Press Officer University of Dundee Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN TEL: 01382 384768 E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk MOBILE: 07854 953277

» more

Loughborough College student named as national digital champion

After a country-wide search a Loughborough College student has been named as a national digital champion.

Andrew Carter-Smith impressed judges for the programme, launched by technology services company CAE and supported by World-leading ICT manufacturers, with a proposal showing how his knowledge of technology could help improve the college experience.

The 18 year old, who is studying BTEC IT at Loughborough College, is one of only 12 champions from across the UK set to receive benefits including exclusive access to demonstrations of the latest technology and its potential, support and collaboration by industry experts and references to support employment or university application. Andrew will also be eligible for an annual award and prize for the Student Digital Champion who has made the biggest impact in their college.

Andrew said: “Three of us applied for the programme and it would have been great if we had all been successful and could have done it as a team – but I was surprised, and thrilled, when I heard I had been selected.

“I love studying IT at Loughborough College and the staff have been so supportive throughout the application process. The idea was mine and I worked hard on putting it together but it was reassuring to have them backing us.

“I was inspired by a film called The Boy in the Plastic Bubble and came up with a proposal of how web cams and video conferencing could be used to support students and staff who were unable to make it into college, for example due to illness.

“My parents are absolutely over the moon and this has made me even more motivated and focused on making my dream of working in software development a reality.”

Loughborough College programme area lead for IT and Media Production Rachael Folds added: “Three of our BTEC IT students - Andrew Carter-Smith, Krishnan Hughes-Rai and Connor Adams - submitted high-calibre applications, supported by the ELearning team in College.

“We were delighted to hear CAE had selected Andrew as one of their 12 national Student Digital Champions. They said his application had been ‘a pleasure to review’ and that they were ‘extremely impressed with the enthusiastic approach to utilizing technology in Further Education.’

“We know Andrew will be brilliant at respresenting the Department of Technology at Loughborough College in his new role on the national stage. Our students really are an asset to us and we are very proud of them all.”

Pictured: Loughborough College Head of Technology Dr Martin Killeen with national Student Digital Champion Andrew Carter-Smith

Publish Date: 

18 hours ago

» more

Call for Papers: Critical Commentary

Critical Commentary is the Student Journal of Newman University published under the aegis of Newman University, in collaboration with the Consortium for Research Excellence, Support and Training (CREST). Critical Commentary exemplifies the development of student research and scholarship at Newman …

» more

Research Associate -SYNAPS (CT3022)

Type: Education & Research | Department: Electronic & Electrical Engineering | Location: Bath | Closing Date: 12 Apr 2015 | The Centre for Sustainable Power Distribution at the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, University of Bath is researching all aspects of power system modelling and analyses that underpin the development of key technical and commercial innovation. We have a track record of working with industry, have undertaken significant research and consultancy for the UK government, direct international collaboration with top globally leading Universities, the energy regulator and all UK’s transmission and distribution licensees. Significant outputs of our research have been taken up by the electrical power industry. We have an excellent opportunity for a post-doctoral Research Associate, who will join a large industrial and academic consortium, including Intel and UCL, sponsored by Innovate UK (formally Technology Strategy Board). Project SYNAPS will directly address the largest source of lost customer minutes, LV cable faults, through greater automation and intelligence into the LV network through high sample-rate monitoring and the development and automation of LV solid state circuit breakers. The successful candidate will have experience in distribution system modelling and analysis, particularly in power system protection, automation and control. Secondary system knowledge and automation of LV industrial networks is of particular interest. During the project the successful candidate is expected to consolidate and develop new knowledge in LV distribution network modelling, LV network protection and hardware in the loop simulation using Bath’s RTDS system. Opportunities for contribution to publications are expected to be ample. This post is being offered on a Fixed Term Contract basis, with a likely expiry date of 23 February 2017.  The hours will be 36.5 per week (full time), Mon-Fri.

» more

KTP Recruitment and Administration Officer (CT3023)

Type: Management, Specialist and Administration | Department: Research and Innovation Services (RIS) | Location: Bath | Closing Date: 12 Apr 2015 | The University of Bath has an excellent reputation nationally for the delivery of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) in collaboration with industry partners. We are looking for a proactive individual to join the Research & Innovation Services team to support our continued delivery of KTP. The role will be responsible for overseeing the recruitment process of Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associates at the University of Bath and supporting the delivery of Local Management Committees (LMCs) in awarded programmes. The postholder will be required to work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver the efficient recruitment of good quality candidates to KTP programmes. The KTP Recruitment and Administration Officer will need to ensure that the KTP recruitment process maintains all required standards and complies with all University processes. It is expected that the successful candidate will have worked in an HR administration role, ideally have previous experience of KTP administration and be CIPD (or equivalent) part or fully qualified. The role will require you to have excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills and be comfortable working with academic and industry partners. This post is being offered on a full time basis of 36.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri. Interviews for this role will take place in week commencing 20 April 2015.  For an informal discussion about this post please contact Dr Miles Davis, Head of Research Development and Knowledge Exchange, Tel: 01225 384795 or email: m.davis@bath.ac.uk

» more

Lateral thinking about chromosome linking

Scientists led by a group at the University of Dundee have made a significant discovery about how our cells properly inherit their genetic information. The research team led by Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow Professor Tomo Tanaka and colleagues Dr Maria Kalantzaki and Dr Etsushi Kitamura in the College of Life Sciences at Dundee, working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Oxford, has studied a process of `lateral linking’ by which cells can properly multiply, one of the basic processes in all life. The researchers say their findings give an insight into how abnormal cell division ends up causing cancers and genetic diseases. Chromosomes carry genetic information in cells. When cells divide and multiply, a complete set of chromosomes must be duplicated and separated into each new cell with precision, as any error in this process might cause cell death, cancers and genetic diseases. Proper separation of chromosomes relies on their linking to wire-like structures in the cell. If chromosomes are linked to the wires incorrectly, that link must be removed and a correct one formed. Professor Tanaka said, “We have discovered that a chromosome is initially linked to the lateral side of a wire, before moving to its tip. The lateral linking allows a chromosome to catch a wire very efficiently. Once a chromosome reaches the tip of a wire, incorrect linkages are recognized and removed, whereas correct ones are retained. “As lateral thinking often helps us to find a bright idea, so lateral linking helps a chromosome to find a right wire quickly. Future research should address not only how genetic information is inherited during normal cell division but also should study how this process could go wrong.” The results of the research are published in the journal Nature Cell Biology. The research has been funded by The Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research, the European Research Council, CR-UK, the Human Frontier Science Programme and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. NOTES TO EDITORS Life Sciences at Dundee Dundee was the UK’s top ranked university for Biological Sciences in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. With more than 900 scientists, research students and support staff from 62 countries and external funding in excess of £50million per annum, the College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is one of the largest and most productive Life Sciences research institutes in Europe. The College has an international reputation for its basic and translational research. The University of Dundee is the central hub for a multi-million pound biotechnology sector in the east of Scotland, which now accounts for 16% of the local economy. www.dundee.ac.uk The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to improving health. We support bright minds in science, the humanities and the social sciences, as well as education, public engagement and the application of research to medicine. Our investment portfolio gives us the independence to support such transformative work as the sequencing and understanding of the human genome, research that established front-line drugs for malaria, and Wellcome Collection, our free venue for the incurably curious that explores medicine, life and art. The Medical Research Council has been at the forefront of scientific discovery to improve human health. Founded in 1913 to tackle tuberculosis, the MRC now invests taxpayers’ money in some of the best medical research in the world across every area of health. Thirty-one MRC-funded researchers have won Nobel prizes in a wide range of disciplines, and MRC scientists have been behind such diverse discoveries as vitamins, the structure of DNA and the link between smoking and cancer, as well as achievements such as pioneering the use of randomised controlled trials, the invention of MRI scanning, and the development of a group of antibodies used in the making of some of the most successful drugs ever developed. Today, MRC-funded scientists tackle some of the greatest health problems facing humanity in the 21st century, from the rising tide of chronic diseases associated with ageing to the threats posed by rapidly mutating micro-organisms. www.mrc.ac.uk About Cancer Research UK Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated. Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years. Today, 2 in 4 people survive cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 people will survive cancer within the next 20 years. Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.   Roddy Isles Head of Press TEL: 01382 384910 MOBILE: 07800 581902 E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk

» more

Wellcome Trust-MRC Newton Fund Collaboration

The Newton Fund is a new UK government initiative intended to strengthen research and innovation partnerships between the UK and emerging knowledge economies. 

» more

Lateral thinking about chromosome linking: Tanaka Lab Paper in Nature Cell Biology

09 Mar 2015

Feature: 

Hot Paper

Scientists led by a group at the College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee have made a significant discovery about how our cells properly inherit their genetic information.
 
The research team led by Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow Professor Tomo Tanaka and colleagues Dr Maria Kalantzaki and Dr Etsushi Kitamura in the Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression at the College, working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Oxford, has studied a process of `lateral linking’ by which cells can properly multiply, one of the basic processes in all life.
 
The researchers say their findings give an insight into how abnormal cell division ends up causing cancers and genetic diseases.
 
Chromosomes carry genetic information in cells. When cells divide and multiply, a complete set of chromosomes must be duplicated and separated into each new cell with precision, as any error in this process might cause cell death, cancers and genetic diseases.
 
Proper separation of chromosomes relies on their linking to wire-like structures in the cell. If chromosomes are linked to the wires incorrectly, that link must be removed and a correct one formed.
 
Professor Tanaka said, “We have discovered that a chromosome is initially linked to the lateral side of a wire, before moving to its tip. The lateral linking allows a chromosome to catch a wire very efficiently. Once a chromosome reaches the tip of a wire, incorrect linkages are recognized and removed, whereas correct ones are retained.
 
“As lateral thinking often helps us to find a bright idea, so lateral linking helps a chromosome to find a right wire quickly. Future research should address not only how genetic information is inherited during normal cell division but also should study how this process could go wrong.”
 
The results of the research are published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.
 
The research has been funded by The Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research, the European Research Council, CR-UK, the Human Frontier Science Programme and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
 

» more

Dundee expands world-leading forensic & medical art offering

The University of Dundee’s world-renowned expertise in forensic and medical art is being further developed with the creation of a range of pioneering new courses. The University was the first in the world to offer courses in forensic and medical art in 2007 in a collaboration between the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design. Since then the work of the Dundee academics has gained worldwide attention for a range of projects, including the facial reconstruction of figures such as Richard III, Johann Sebastian Bach and Robert Burns. Dundee’s expertise has also been deployed in criminal cases around the world, utilising forensic art techniques to aid identification of both suspects and victims that have been crucial in securing convictions or tracing missing persons. Now the University is remodelling its own offering with the provision of updated Masters courses in Forensic Art & Facial Identification and Medical Art. It is also offering a new Postgraduate Certificate, ‘Anatomy for artists’, aimed at students from an art background wishing to improve their understanding of anatomy. Students will study anatomy from cadavers and prosecutions along with life drawing, facial anatomy sculpture and anatomical illustration. “We are already one of the world’s leading centres for education in the field of forensic and medical art,” said Caroline Erolin, course co-ordinator for the MSc in Medical Art. “We continue to welcome students from around the world. “What we are offering them now is an updated and refreshed set of courses, taking into account the latest developments in technology which are impacting on the field, which will help us maintain our international position.” Forensic art encompasses a wide range of subjects, notably facial anthropology and identification, such as two- and three-dimensional facial reconstruction, craniofacial superimposition, post-mortem depiction, composite art and age progression. Medical art encompasses a wide range of applications from patient communication and information to medical teaching and training. It is also used by the pharmaceutical industry to aid in explanation of their products and by television companies in the production of documentaries. Both of the highly innovative one-year taught Masters course employ highly specialised tutors from scientific backgrounds alongside experienced forensic art and medical art supervisors. For more information the Forensic and Medical Art at Dundee see: http://cahid.dundee.ac.uk/about-us/forensic-medical-art For more information of the new MSc courses see: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pg/medicalart/ http://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pg/forensicartandfacialidentification/ Roddy Isles Head of Press TEL: 01382 384910 MOBILE: 07800 581902 E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk

» more

Gold Fairtrade Double for City College

City College Plymouth has won two Gold Awards at the 2015 South West Fairtrade Business Awards.

The College won a Gold Award for Best Fairtrade University or College and was the only college to be recognised in this category. General Manager for the College’s catering supplier Aramark, Mark Jones, also received a Gold Award in the Best Fairtrade Advocate category.

City College Plymouth achieved its status as a ‘Fairtrade College’ in 2008, meaning that it has made a commitment to supporting and using Fairtrade products throughout the College, including in their on-site catering outlets, in meetings and in their offices.

Laura Parry, Sustainability Officer at City College Plymouth, said: “We are delighted that the College has been recognised for the work they do promoting Fairtrade. We are continually looking to improve our provision of Fairtrade products and we actively raise awareness of Fairtrade to both staff and students within the College and to the local community.”

Representatives from the College and other organisations in the South West Fairtrade community were recognised at the ceremony at The Watershed in Bristol on Friday 6 March to conclude Fairtrade Fortnight in the region.

The 150 Business leaders who attended heard from Sophi Trancell, Managing Director of Divine Chocolate, and Laura Daniel, Licensing Manager at Aardman, on their business collaboration on the Shaun the Sheep Fairtrade Easter Egg, demonstrating how incorporating Fairtrade into a business has massive impacts on farmers in developing countries. Many were seen sporting their Shaun the Sheep headbands as they left the event.

To find out more about joining the Fairtrade community with a course or Apprenticeship at City College Plymouth, apply at their Information Event, Wednesday 11 March, between 4.00pm and 6.00pm at the Kings Road campus.

PJEA News: 

No

International News: 

No

» more

Novel online bioinformatics tool significantly reduces time of multiple genome analysis

UK research collaboration develops a new bioinformatics pipeline that enables automated primer design for multiple genome species, significantly reducing turnaround time. ...

» more

Work experience in Oberursel

Second year students studying A-level German spent Reading Week in Farnborough’s Twin Town Oberursel, near Frankfurt.

The students had the opportunity to experience working in a variety of roles at a local school, the town’s newspaper and Town Hall as well as enjoying the hospitality of local families.

Megan Romaine said of her experience “I really enjoyed my visit to the "Grundschule am Urselbach" in Oberursel. The school were very welcoming and I gained a wonderful experience of the German school system, working with a class of 7-8 year olds. I stayed with a lovely family in nearby Steinbach and learnt lots about Oberursel during our walk around the town and our museum trip. They also took me to Frankfurt for the day. I had a fabulous time! It was an amazing experience, I would definitely recommend it.”

Adam Wills said “I worked at the local town magazine in Oberursel. This was a great opportunity not only to improve and practice my German, but also to gain valuable experience in the field of journalism, which is one of my possible career interests. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, getting the opportunity to write two articles, conduct research for future articles and take some photos for the magazine. I also took part in the German ‘Karneval’ celebrations, which was an interesting experience. I am extremely glad that I took this opportunity to gain valuable experience and improve my German.”

Kieran Wragg commented “My work experience was very fulfilling. I was given a lot more responsibility than I expected. I was meant to be checking the Town Hall's English translations, but I ended up translating the mayor’s speech and a letter to Rushmoor, both of which were for the 25 year Twinning Anniversary between Rushmoor and Oberursel. The people there were really welcoming and I had the chance to attend the politicians’ small carnival party and to meet an old student from Farnborough 6th.”

Feedback on Keiran’s work from Andrea Einig-Homann included “Keiran’s translation work was excellent”. “We were very pleased to have him as he was very helpful.”

Stamatia Mukherjee, Curriculum Manger for German added “We are delighted to have been able to secure work experience placements for our students, in our twinning town Oberursel, over a number of years. In collaboration with the Magistrate, we have been sending A2 students to Germany who are interested and confident enough to be there without their teachers. This is an invaluable way to get an insight into the world of work and also an affordable way to gain experience in local companies abroad, as students can stay with their exchange partners from the year before.”

 

 

» more

Work experience in Oberursel

Second year students studying A-level German spent Reading Week in Farnborough’s Twin Town Oberursel, near Frankfurt.

The students had the opportunity to experience working in a variety of roles at a local school, the town’s newspaper and Town Hall as well as enjoying the hospitality of local families.

Megan Romaine said of her experience “I really enjoyed my visit to the "Grundschule am Urselbach" in Oberursel. The school were very welcoming and I gained a wonderful experience of the German school system, working with a class of 7-8 year olds. I stayed with a lovely family in nearby Steinbach and learnt lots about Oberursel during our walk around the town and our museum trip. They also took me to Frankfurt for the day. I had a fabulous time! It was an amazing experience, I would definitely recommend it.”

Adam Wills said “I worked at the local town magazine in Oberursel. This was a great opportunity not only to improve and practice my German, but also to gain valuable experience in the field of journalism, which is one of my possible career interests. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, getting the opportunity to write two articles, conduct research for future articles and take some photos for the magazine. I also took part in the German ‘Karneval’ celebrations, which was an interesting experience. I am extremely glad that I took this opportunity to gain valuable experience and improve my German.”

Kieran Wragg commented “My work experience was very fulfilling. I was given a lot more responsibility than I expected. I was meant to be checking the Town Hall's English translations, but I ended up translating the mayor’s speech and a letter to Rushmoor, both of which were for the 25 year Twinning Anniversary between Rushmoor and Oberursel. The people there were really welcoming and I had the chance to attend the politicians’ small carnival party and to meet an old student from Farnborough 6th.”

Feedback on Keiran’s work from Andrea Einig-Homann included “Keiran’s translation work was excellent”. “We were very pleased to have him as he was very helpful.”

Stamatia Mukherjee, Curriculum Manger for German added “We are delighted to have been able to secure work experience placements for our students, in our twinning town Oberursel, over a number of years. In collaboration with the Magistrate, we have been sending A2 students to Germany who are interested and confident enough to be there without their teachers. This is an invaluable way to get an insight into the world of work and also an affordable way to gain experience in local companies abroad, as students can stay with their exchange partners from the year before.”

 

 

» more

Big data in practice: Canada and the UK join forces on dementia research

A transatlantic collaboration to share data and research expertise in the fight to better understand, treat and prevent dementia.

» more

Novel online bioinformatics tool significantly reduces time of multiple genome analysis

BBSRC-funded research collaboration develops a new open access tool called PolyMaker that will support the selection of beneficial traits for future crop breeding programmes. The new software enables automated primer design for multiple genome species, significantly reducing the time of multiple genome analysis.

» more

Research Mobility Programme Leads to Joint Success for PhD Students

The mission of WUN is twofold: to support international research collaboration and to foster the next generation of researchers. It appears to have accomplished both in regard to two PhD students who have recently published a joint paper in a special issue of the  Journal of Asian Social Work and Policy Review .

» more

CT scanning shows why tilting trees produce more sugars for biofuel

A team of researchers at Imperial College London, in collaboration with Rothamsted Research, have used medical imaging techniques to explore why making willow trees grow at an angle can vastly improve their biofuel yields. Using micro-CT scans, the team showed that the trees respond to being tilted by producing a sugar-rich, gelatinous fibre, which helps them stay upright.

» more

Film screening: ‘We Are Many’

Dr William Rowlandson, from the Department of Hispanic Studies, in collaboration with the Centre for American Studies, will be introducing Amir Amirani, director of the documentary film We Are Many, as part of the School of Politics and International Relations‘ Public Speaker programme. The film screening, accompanied by a Q&A session with the director, will […]

» more

Research Associate in adaptive mesh generation (SS3049)

Type: Education & Research | Department: Mathematical Sciences | Location: Bath | Closing Date: 19 Apr 2015 | Research Associate in Moving Meshes for Global Atmospheric Modelling ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applicants are sought for a two year post-doctoral position in the Department of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Bath. The Research Associate will work under the supervision of Prof Chris Budd on the development and analysis of moving mesh methods for modelling atmospheric flows on the sphere. They will be part of a very active group in numerical analysis at the University of Bath This position is part of a three year NERC funded project comprising three post-docs, led by Dr Hilary Weller at Reading University, also in collaboration with Dr Colin Cotter at Imperial College and with the Met Office in Exeter. The project aims to  improve numerical weather and climate predictions dramatically by using adaptive moving meshes to improve accuracy, reduce computational cost, and also to enable simulations that otherwise would be impossible. The post will involve frequent visits to Reading, Imperial and the Met Office as well as participating in international research meetings. The suitable candidate should have experience of both applying and analysing numerical methods and have a PhD with a background in mathematics and computation. An interest in numerical methods for weather and climate prediction is essential. Experience with C++ or other high level computer languages would be desirable. The position will be at Grade 7, spine point 30 on the research associate scale, and the successful candidate will be expected to start in September 2015, or a date close to this. Further details can be obtained from Chris Budd, University of Bath, mascjb@bath.ac.uk  or Hilary Weller, University of Reading, h.weller@reading.ac.uk  

» more

King's chosen to train English Language teachers in bid to help Peru become bilingual by 2025

King's College London has been chosen to take part in an ambitious government initiative to train Peruvian secondary school teachers, in collaboration with International House London.

» more

Business, Innovation & Skills Bulletin – 20th February 2015

- Business, Innovation & Skills Bulletin – 20th February 2015 - Parents-to-be begin the countdown to Shared Parental Leave With just 8 weeks to go until mums and dads with babies due on or after 5 April 2015 can start sharing up to 50 weeks of parental leave, expectant parents need to have that all-important conversation with their employers. 285,000 working couples a year are expected to be eligible for Shared Parental Leave with parents giving their employers 8 weeks’ notice of the pattern of leave they intend to take. Use this quick and easy online tool to make sure you are eligible for Shared Parental Leave, see the acas good practice guide for employers and employees, or find out more on GOV.UK.   £20 million for UK industrial biotechnology Business Secretary Vince Cable has unveiled the winners of a multi-million-pound competition to bring innovative UK biotechnology projects to market. A total of 23 projects, ranging from making biofuel from household waste to using bacteria to make the building blocks for new medicines, will share almost £20 million from the Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst – introduced in January 2014 to support collaboration between UK researchers and the emergent industrial biotechnology sector. View the Life Sciences infographic and find out more on GOV.UK.         Women entrepreneurs are untapped talent says report Women entrepreneurs could play a bigger role in the UK economy, creating jobs and boosting growth as well as reducing gender inequality, according to the findings of an independent report published this week. The report, ‘Inclusive Support for Women in Enterprise’, found that although the number of female-run small and medium-sized businesses has increased, there is still more to be done to close the gender gap between men and women. Find out more on GOV.UK.   Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – Cable urges greater transparency The UK will greatly benefit from closer economic ties with the US, via the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), but more transparency is needed to help address public concerns, Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable has told EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. In a meeting in London this week Vince Cable and UK Trade Minister Lord Livingston asked Commissioner Malmström to give senior UK parliamentarians access to TTIP treaty text as it is developed, so that they can monitor progress and ask questions on the public’s behalf. Find out more on GOV.UK.   National Apprenticeship Week 2015 National Apprenticeship Week runs from 9 to 13 March. Why not test your knowledge of apprenticeships with a short quiz? You may find out something surprising!   Minister signs £330 million North East Growth Deal Greg Clark, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, visited Science Central in Newcastle this week to sign the North East Growth Deal, which will see nearly £330 million of government funding invested into the North East. The Minister joined Paul Woolston, Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), to sign the Growth Deal at Science Central. Over the lifetime of its deal (2015 to 2021) the LEP estimates that up to 5,000 new jobs will be created. Find out more on GOV.UK.     Government names and shames largest ever number of National Minimum Wage offenders A further 70 employers who failed to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage have been named this week by Business Minister Jo Swinson, bringing the overall total named and shamed to 162. Between them, these 70 employers owed workers a total of over £157,000 in arrears and have been charged financial penalties totalling over £70,000. To support the minimum wage crackdown, the Government is increasing HMRC’s £9.2 million enforcement budget by a further £3 million, helping to fund more than 70 extra compliance officers. This week the Low Pay Commission recommended increases to the NMW rate, including a 3% increase to the adult rate, which the Government will now consider.   Cyber security ‘myths’ putting a third of SME revenue at risk Small and medium sized companies are putting a third (32%) of their revenue at risk because they are falling for some of the common misconceptions around cyber security, leaving them vulnerable to losing valuable data and suffering both financial and reputational damage. Yet new research by the Government’s Cyber Streetwise campaign shows that two-thirds (66%) of SMEs don’t consider their business to be vulnerable, and just 16% say that improving their cyber security is a top priority for 2015. Businesses can take advantage of free online training courses for staff, Cyber Essentials and a simple cyber security guide for small and medium-sized firms. Find out more on GOV.UK.   Government backs manufacturing with action plan and cash boost Ministers have announced a package of measures to boost British manufacturing, including a £22 million grant to accelerate new house building technology and a new action plan to support growth in supply chains. The grant, part of a £104 million project led by construction and engineering firm Laing O’Rourke, will promote new pre-assembly techniques in house building. The project will also deliver training in the latest digital engineering and installation skills. Find out more on GOV.UK and view the guide to Industrial Strategy.

The post Business, Innovation & Skills Bulletin – 20th February 2015 appeared first on be inspired.

» more

Research Assistant (fixed-term post) (CC3018)

Type: Education & Research | Department: Politics, Languages & International Studies | Location: Bath | Closing Date: 22 Mar 2015 | On the appointment of Prof David Galbreath as Leadership Fellow for the Conflict Theme within the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security (PaCCS), the role of Research Assistant is to support Prof Galbreath for his thematic and research fellow responsibilities. The Research Assistant will be expected to contribute both administrative and intellectual support to the Fellow and Conflict Theme. The Conflict Theme ‘covers a very wide range of research issues: from the causes and emergence of conflict, to the prosecution and consequences of conflict and how to end conflict and deal with its legacy. As a cross-Council partnership the theme will seek to encourage inter-disciplinary approaches drawing together relevant research across the full range of arts, humanities and social sciences plus some areas in science and engineering, much of which will not be explicitly labelled or considered as conflict research. It will also seek to promote collaboration with the public, private and civic sectors, and with policy-makers and communities seeking to address the diverse challenges posed by conflict around the globe.’ The post is fixed-term for up to 36 months. For an informal discussion, please contact Prof David Galbreath (d.galbreath@bath.ac.uk or 01225 385936).  

» more

‘Good Vibrations?’ – Café Science Extra on 11th March

Ways of potentially overcoming the problems associated with high-speed rail travel will be explored at a Café Science Extra event in Dundee next week. Dr Xueyu Geng will deliver a talk, entitled ‘Good Vibrations? – Engineering Safer and Quicker Railways & Roads’ at Dundee Science Centre at 6pm on Wednesday, 11th March.  Dr Geng, a researcher in the University of Warwick’s School of Engineering, said, “High-speed rail networks have become one of the most advanced and fast developing branches of transportation and are the focus of recent investment from UK government. “However, with the increasing of the train speed, the intensity of railway generated vibrations and noise become higher, which not only present major environmental problems, also potentially increase the maintenance costs for the rail-tracks in a long term. “I will explore some of the options for efficient and economical ground improvement techniques which could mean that the ground vibrations, and associated uneven settlement, caused by the high-speed trains can be reduced significantly.” Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted more than 6000 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening locally. Café Science Extra allows members of the public to meet with up-and-coming scientists from the Universities of Dundee, St Andrews and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre as well as occasional guests from institutions further afield. ‘Good Vibrations? – Engineering Safer and Quicker Railways & Roads’ takes place at Infusions Coffee Shop, Dundee Science Centre, on Wednesday, 11th March.  Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended. More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.            The lecture is part of International Women’s Day celebrations in the city and also marks the start of the 2015 Women in Science Festival which runs from 7th–28th March. Forty-five exhibitions, talks, film screenings, fun days and other events will take place across the city in March as part of the festival, a collaboration between the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, Hannah Maclure Centre and Dundee Science Centre. It is supported by many of the internationally acclaimed female scientists and researchers working in Dundee. To find out more about the festival, please visit http://www.womeninscience.org.uk.   For media enquiries contact: Grant Hill Press Officer University of Dundee Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN TEL: 01382 384768 E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk MOBILE: 07854 953277

» more

Loughborough College student named as national digital champion

After a country-wide search a Loughborough College student has been named as a national digital champion.

Andrew Carter-Smith impressed judges for the programme, launched by technology services company CAE and supported by World-leading ICT manufacturers, with a proposal showing how his knowledge of technology could help improve the college experience.

The 18 year old, who is studying BTEC IT at Loughborough College, is one of only 12 champions from across the UK set to receive benefits including exclusive access to demonstrations of the latest technology and its potential, support and collaboration by industry experts and references to support employment or university application. Andrew will also be eligible for an annual award and prize for the Student Digital Champion who has made the biggest impact in their college.

Andrew said: “Three of us applied for the programme and it would have been great if we had all been successful and could have done it as a team – but I was surprised, and thrilled, when I heard I had been selected.

“I love studying IT at Loughborough College and the staff have been so supportive throughout the application process. The idea was mine and I worked hard on putting it together but it was reassuring to have them backing us.

“I was inspired by a film called The Boy in the Plastic Bubble and came up with a proposal of how web cams and video conferencing could be used to support students and staff who were unable to make it into college, for example due to illness.

“My parents are absolutely over the moon and this has made me even more motivated and focused on making my dream of working in software development a reality.”

Loughborough College programme area lead for IT and Media Production Rachael Folds added: “Three of our BTEC IT students - Andrew Carter-Smith, Krishnan Hughes-Rai and Connor Adams - submitted high-calibre applications, supported by the ELearning team in College.

“We were delighted to hear CAE had selected Andrew as one of their 12 national Student Digital Champions. They said his application had been ‘a pleasure to review’ and that they were ‘extremely impressed with the enthusiastic approach to utilizing technology in Further Education.’

“We know Andrew will be brilliant at respresenting the Department of Technology at Loughborough College in his new role on the national stage. Our students really are an asset to us and we are very proud of them all.”

Pictured: Loughborough College Head of Technology Dr Martin Killeen with national Student Digital Champion Andrew Carter-Smith

Publish Date: 

18 hours ago

» more

Call for Papers: Critical Commentary

Critical Commentary is the Student Journal of Newman University published under the aegis of Newman University, in collaboration with the Consortium for Research Excellence, Support and Training (CREST). Critical Commentary exemplifies the development of student research and scholarship at Newman …

» more

Research Associate -SYNAPS (CT3022)

Type: Education & Research | Department: Electronic & Electrical Engineering | Location: Bath | Closing Date: 12 Apr 2015 | The Centre for Sustainable Power Distribution at the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering, University of Bath is researching all aspects of power system modelling and analyses that underpin the development of key technical and commercial innovation. We have a track record of working with industry, have undertaken significant research and consultancy for the UK government, direct international collaboration with top globally leading Universities, the energy regulator and all UK’s transmission and distribution licensees. Significant outputs of our research have been taken up by the electrical power industry. We have an excellent opportunity for a post-doctoral Research Associate, who will join a large industrial and academic consortium, including Intel and UCL, sponsored by Innovate UK (formally Technology Strategy Board). Project SYNAPS will directly address the largest source of lost customer minutes, LV cable faults, through greater automation and intelligence into the LV network through high sample-rate monitoring and the development and automation of LV solid state circuit breakers. The successful candidate will have experience in distribution system modelling and analysis, particularly in power system protection, automation and control. Secondary system knowledge and automation of LV industrial networks is of particular interest. During the project the successful candidate is expected to consolidate and develop new knowledge in LV distribution network modelling, LV network protection and hardware in the loop simulation using Bath’s RTDS system. Opportunities for contribution to publications are expected to be ample. This post is being offered on a Fixed Term Contract basis, with a likely expiry date of 23 February 2017.  The hours will be 36.5 per week (full time), Mon-Fri.

» more

KTP Recruitment and Administration Officer (CT3023)

Type: Management, Specialist and Administration | Department: Research and Innovation Services (RIS) | Location: Bath | Closing Date: 12 Apr 2015 | The University of Bath has an excellent reputation nationally for the delivery of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) in collaboration with industry partners. We are looking for a proactive individual to join the Research & Innovation Services team to support our continued delivery of KTP. The role will be responsible for overseeing the recruitment process of Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associates at the University of Bath and supporting the delivery of Local Management Committees (LMCs) in awarded programmes. The postholder will be required to work with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders to deliver the efficient recruitment of good quality candidates to KTP programmes. The KTP Recruitment and Administration Officer will need to ensure that the KTP recruitment process maintains all required standards and complies with all University processes. It is expected that the successful candidate will have worked in an HR administration role, ideally have previous experience of KTP administration and be CIPD (or equivalent) part or fully qualified. The role will require you to have excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills and be comfortable working with academic and industry partners. This post is being offered on a full time basis of 36.5 hours per week, Mon-Fri. Interviews for this role will take place in week commencing 20 April 2015.  For an informal discussion about this post please contact Dr Miles Davis, Head of Research Development and Knowledge Exchange, Tel: 01225 384795 or email: m.davis@bath.ac.uk

» more

Lateral thinking about chromosome linking

Scientists led by a group at the University of Dundee have made a significant discovery about how our cells properly inherit their genetic information. The research team led by Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow Professor Tomo Tanaka and colleagues Dr Maria Kalantzaki and Dr Etsushi Kitamura in the College of Life Sciences at Dundee, working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Oxford, has studied a process of `lateral linking’ by which cells can properly multiply, one of the basic processes in all life. The researchers say their findings give an insight into how abnormal cell division ends up causing cancers and genetic diseases. Chromosomes carry genetic information in cells. When cells divide and multiply, a complete set of chromosomes must be duplicated and separated into each new cell with precision, as any error in this process might cause cell death, cancers and genetic diseases. Proper separation of chromosomes relies on their linking to wire-like structures in the cell. If chromosomes are linked to the wires incorrectly, that link must be removed and a correct one formed. Professor Tanaka said, “We have discovered that a chromosome is initially linked to the lateral side of a wire, before moving to its tip. The lateral linking allows a chromosome to catch a wire very efficiently. Once a chromosome reaches the tip of a wire, incorrect linkages are recognized and removed, whereas correct ones are retained. “As lateral thinking often helps us to find a bright idea, so lateral linking helps a chromosome to find a right wire quickly. Future research should address not only how genetic information is inherited during normal cell division but also should study how this process could go wrong.” The results of the research are published in the journal Nature Cell Biology. The research has been funded by The Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research, the European Research Council, CR-UK, the Human Frontier Science Programme and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. NOTES TO EDITORS Life Sciences at Dundee Dundee was the UK’s top ranked university for Biological Sciences in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework. With more than 900 scientists, research students and support staff from 62 countries and external funding in excess of £50million per annum, the College of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is one of the largest and most productive Life Sciences research institutes in Europe. The College has an international reputation for its basic and translational research. The University of Dundee is the central hub for a multi-million pound biotechnology sector in the east of Scotland, which now accounts for 16% of the local economy. www.dundee.ac.uk The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to improving health. We support bright minds in science, the humanities and the social sciences, as well as education, public engagement and the application of research to medicine. Our investment portfolio gives us the independence to support such transformative work as the sequencing and understanding of the human genome, research that established front-line drugs for malaria, and Wellcome Collection, our free venue for the incurably curious that explores medicine, life and art. The Medical Research Council has been at the forefront of scientific discovery to improve human health. Founded in 1913 to tackle tuberculosis, the MRC now invests taxpayers’ money in some of the best medical research in the world across every area of health. Thirty-one MRC-funded researchers have won Nobel prizes in a wide range of disciplines, and MRC scientists have been behind such diverse discoveries as vitamins, the structure of DNA and the link between smoking and cancer, as well as achievements such as pioneering the use of randomised controlled trials, the invention of MRI scanning, and the development of a group of antibodies used in the making of some of the most successful drugs ever developed. Today, MRC-funded scientists tackle some of the greatest health problems facing humanity in the 21st century, from the rising tide of chronic diseases associated with ageing to the threats posed by rapidly mutating micro-organisms. www.mrc.ac.uk About Cancer Research UK Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research. Cancer Research UK’s pioneering work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has helped save millions of lives. Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its life-saving research. Every step it makes towards beating cancer relies on every pound donated. Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates in the UK double in the last forty years. Today, 2 in 4 people survive cancer for at least 10 years. Cancer Research UK’s ambition is to accelerate progress so that 3 in 4 people will survive cancer within the next 20 years. Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of over 4,000 scientists, doctors and nurses. Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 0300 123 1022 or visit www.cancerresearchuk.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.   Roddy Isles Head of Press TEL: 01382 384910 MOBILE: 07800 581902 E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk

» more

Wellcome Trust-MRC Newton Fund Collaboration

The Newton Fund is a new UK government initiative intended to strengthen research and innovation partnerships between the UK and emerging knowledge economies. 

» more

Lateral thinking about chromosome linking: Tanaka Lab Paper in Nature Cell Biology

09 Mar 2015

Feature: 

Hot Paper

Scientists led by a group at the College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee have made a significant discovery about how our cells properly inherit their genetic information.
 
The research team led by Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow Professor Tomo Tanaka and colleagues Dr Maria Kalantzaki and Dr Etsushi Kitamura in the Centre for Gene Regulation and Expression at the College, working in collaboration with researchers at the University of Oxford, has studied a process of `lateral linking’ by which cells can properly multiply, one of the basic processes in all life.
 
The researchers say their findings give an insight into how abnormal cell division ends up causing cancers and genetic diseases.
 
Chromosomes carry genetic information in cells. When cells divide and multiply, a complete set of chromosomes must be duplicated and separated into each new cell with precision, as any error in this process might cause cell death, cancers and genetic diseases.
 
Proper separation of chromosomes relies on their linking to wire-like structures in the cell. If chromosomes are linked to the wires incorrectly, that link must be removed and a correct one formed.
 
Professor Tanaka said, “We have discovered that a chromosome is initially linked to the lateral side of a wire, before moving to its tip. The lateral linking allows a chromosome to catch a wire very efficiently. Once a chromosome reaches the tip of a wire, incorrect linkages are recognized and removed, whereas correct ones are retained.
 
“As lateral thinking often helps us to find a bright idea, so lateral linking helps a chromosome to find a right wire quickly. Future research should address not only how genetic information is inherited during normal cell division but also should study how this process could go wrong.”
 
The results of the research are published in the journal Nature Cell Biology.
 
The research has been funded by The Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research, the European Research Council, CR-UK, the Human Frontier Science Programme and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.
 

» more

Dundee expands world-leading forensic & medical art offering

The University of Dundee’s world-renowned expertise in forensic and medical art is being further developed with the creation of a range of pioneering new courses. The University was the first in the world to offer courses in forensic and medical art in 2007 in a collaboration between the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification and Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design. Since then the work of the Dundee academics has gained worldwide attention for a range of projects, including the facial reconstruction of figures such as Richard III, Johann Sebastian Bach and Robert Burns. Dundee’s expertise has also been deployed in criminal cases around the world, utilising forensic art techniques to aid identification of both suspects and victims that have been crucial in securing convictions or tracing missing persons. Now the University is remodelling its own offering with the provision of updated Masters courses in Forensic Art & Facial Identification and Medical Art. It is also offering a new Postgraduate Certificate, ‘Anatomy for artists’, aimed at students from an art background wishing to improve their understanding of anatomy. Students will study anatomy from cadavers and prosecutions along with life drawing, facial anatomy sculpture and anatomical illustration. “We are already one of the world’s leading centres for education in the field of forensic and medical art,” said Caroline Erolin, course co-ordinator for the MSc in Medical Art. “We continue to welcome students from around the world. “What we are offering them now is an updated and refreshed set of courses, taking into account the latest developments in technology which are impacting on the field, which will help us maintain our international position.” Forensic art encompasses a wide range of subjects, notably facial anthropology and identification, such as two- and three-dimensional facial reconstruction, craniofacial superimposition, post-mortem depiction, composite art and age progression. Medical art encompasses a wide range of applications from patient communication and information to medical teaching and training. It is also used by the pharmaceutical industry to aid in explanation of their products and by television companies in the production of documentaries. Both of the highly innovative one-year taught Masters course employ highly specialised tutors from scientific backgrounds alongside experienced forensic art and medical art supervisors. For more information the Forensic and Medical Art at Dundee see: http://cahid.dundee.ac.uk/about-us/forensic-medical-art For more information of the new MSc courses see: http://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pg/medicalart/ http://www.dundee.ac.uk/study/pg/forensicartandfacialidentification/ Roddy Isles Head of Press TEL: 01382 384910 MOBILE: 07800 581902 E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk

» more

Gold Fairtrade Double for City College

City College Plymouth has won two Gold Awards at the 2015 South West Fairtrade Business Awards.

The College won a Gold Award for Best Fairtrade University or College and was the only college to be recognised in this category. General Manager for the College’s catering supplier Aramark, Mark Jones, also received a Gold Award in the Best Fairtrade Advocate category.

City College Plymouth achieved its status as a ‘Fairtrade College’ in 2008, meaning that it has made a commitment to supporting and using Fairtrade products throughout the College, including in their on-site catering outlets, in meetings and in their offices.

Laura Parry, Sustainability Officer at City College Plymouth, said: “We are delighted that the College has been recognised for the work they do promoting Fairtrade. We are continually looking to improve our provision of Fairtrade products and we actively raise awareness of Fairtrade to both staff and students within the College and to the local community.”

Representatives from the College and other organisations in the South West Fairtrade community were recognised at the ceremony at The Watershed in Bristol on Friday 6 March to conclude Fairtrade Fortnight in the region.

The 150 Business leaders who attended heard from Sophi Trancell, Managing Director of Divine Chocolate, and Laura Daniel, Licensing Manager at Aardman, on their business collaboration on the Shaun the Sheep Fairtrade Easter Egg, demonstrating how incorporating Fairtrade into a business has massive impacts on farmers in developing countries. Many were seen sporting their Shaun the Sheep headbands as they left the event.

To find out more about joining the Fairtrade community with a course or Apprenticeship at City College Plymouth, apply at their Information Event, Wednesday 11 March, between 4.00pm and 6.00pm at the Kings Road campus.

PJEA News: 

No

International News: 

No

» more

Novel online bioinformatics tool significantly reduces time of multiple genome analysis

UK research collaboration develops a new bioinformatics pipeline that enables automated primer design for multiple genome species, significantly reducing turnaround time. ...

» more

Work experience in Oberursel

Second year students studying A-level German spent Reading Week in Farnborough’s Twin Town Oberursel, near Frankfurt.

The students had the opportunity to experience working in a variety of roles at a local school, the town’s newspaper and Town Hall as well as enjoying the hospitality of local families.

Megan Romaine said of her experience “I really enjoyed my visit to the "Grundschule am Urselbach" in Oberursel. The school were very welcoming and I gained a wonderful experience of the German school system, working with a class of 7-8 year olds. I stayed with a lovely family in nearby Steinbach and learnt lots about Oberursel during our walk around the town and our museum trip. They also took me to Frankfurt for the day. I had a fabulous time! It was an amazing experience, I would definitely recommend it.”

Adam Wills said “I worked at the local town magazine in Oberursel. This was a great opportunity not only to improve and practice my German, but also to gain valuable experience in the field of journalism, which is one of my possible career interests. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, getting the opportunity to write two articles, conduct research for future articles and take some photos for the magazine. I also took part in the German ‘Karneval’ celebrations, which was an interesting experience. I am extremely glad that I took this opportunity to gain valuable experience and improve my German.”

Kieran Wragg commented “My work experience was very fulfilling. I was given a lot more responsibility than I expected. I was meant to be checking the Town Hall's English translations, but I ended up translating the mayor’s speech and a letter to Rushmoor, both of which were for the 25 year Twinning Anniversary between Rushmoor and Oberursel. The people there were really welcoming and I had the chance to attend the politicians’ small carnival party and to meet an old student from Farnborough 6th.”

Feedback on Keiran’s work from Andrea Einig-Homann included “Keiran’s translation work was excellent”. “We were very pleased to have him as he was very helpful.”

Stamatia Mukherjee, Curriculum Manger for German added “We are delighted to have been able to secure work experience placements for our students, in our twinning town Oberursel, over a number of years. In collaboration with the Magistrate, we have been sending A2 students to Germany who are interested and confident enough to be there without their teachers. This is an invaluable way to get an insight into the world of work and also an affordable way to gain experience in local companies abroad, as students can stay with their exchange partners from the year before.”

 

 

» more

Work experience in Oberursel

Second year students studying A-level German spent Reading Week in Farnborough’s Twin Town Oberursel, near Frankfurt.

The students had the opportunity to experience working in a variety of roles at a local school, the town’s newspaper and Town Hall as well as enjoying the hospitality of local families.

Megan Romaine said of her experience “I really enjoyed my visit to the "Grundschule am Urselbach" in Oberursel. The school were very welcoming and I gained a wonderful experience of the German school system, working with a class of 7-8 year olds. I stayed with a lovely family in nearby Steinbach and learnt lots about Oberursel during our walk around the town and our museum trip. They also took me to Frankfurt for the day. I had a fabulous time! It was an amazing experience, I would definitely recommend it.”

Adam Wills said “I worked at the local town magazine in Oberursel. This was a great opportunity not only to improve and practice my German, but also to gain valuable experience in the field of journalism, which is one of my possible career interests. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there, getting the opportunity to write two articles, conduct research for future articles and take some photos for the magazine. I also took part in the German ‘Karneval’ celebrations, which was an interesting experience. I am extremely glad that I took this opportunity to gain valuable experience and improve my German.”

Kieran Wragg commented “My work experience was very fulfilling. I was given a lot more responsibility than I expected. I was meant to be checking the Town Hall's English translations, but I ended up translating the mayor’s speech and a letter to Rushmoor, both of which were for the 25 year Twinning Anniversary between Rushmoor and Oberursel. The people there were really welcoming and I had the chance to attend the politicians’ small carnival party and to meet an old student from Farnborough 6th.”

Feedback on Keiran’s work from Andrea Einig-Homann included “Keiran’s translation work was excellent”. “We were very pleased to have him as he was very helpful.”

Stamatia Mukherjee, Curriculum Manger for German added “We are delighted to have been able to secure work experience placements for our students, in our twinning town Oberursel, over a number of years. In collaboration with the Magistrate, we have been sending A2 students to Germany who are interested and confident enough to be there without their teachers. This is an invaluable way to get an insight into the world of work and also an affordable way to gain experience in local companies abroad, as students can stay with their exchange partners from the year before.”

 

 

» more

Big data in practice: Canada and the UK join forces on dementia research

A transatlantic collaboration to share data and research expertise in the fight to better understand, treat and prevent dementia.

» more

Novel online bioinformatics tool significantly reduces time of multiple genome analysis

BBSRC-funded research collaboration develops a new open access tool called PolyMaker that will support the selection of beneficial traits for future crop breeding programmes. The new software enables automated primer design for multiple genome species, significantly reducing the time of multiple genome analysis.

» more

Research Mobility Programme Leads to Joint Success for PhD Students

The mission of WUN is twofold: to support international research collaboration and to foster the next generation of researchers. It appears to have accomplished both in regard to two PhD students who have recently published a joint paper in a special issue of the  Journal of Asian Social Work and Policy Review .

» more

CT scanning shows why tilting trees produce more sugars for biofuel

A team of researchers at Imperial College London, in collaboration with Rothamsted Research, have used medical imaging techniques to explore why making willow trees grow at an angle can vastly improve their biofuel yields. Using micro-CT scans, the team showed that the trees respond to being tilted by producing a sugar-rich, gelatinous fibre, which helps them stay upright.

» more

Film screening: ‘We Are Many’

Dr William Rowlandson, from the Department of Hispanic Studies, in collaboration with the Centre for American Studies, will be introducing Amir Amirani, director of the documentary film We Are Many, as part of the School of Politics and International Relations‘ Public Speaker programme. The film screening, accompanied by a Q&A session with the director, will […]

» more

ACM Partners with UK Music

The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) and UK Music are delighted to announce the Music Academic Partnership (MAP). The MAP heralds a new and ground-breaking collaboration between ten select educational institutions and UK Music, the umbrella group which represents the interests of the UK’s artists, publishers, producers, record labels and managers. This exciting new » more

The post ACM Partners with UK Music appeared first on ACM UK.

» more

Collaboration workshop between Tsukuba and Edinburgh universities

The agenda for our annual collaboration workshop between the University of Edinburgh and the University of Tsukuba in Japan has now been finalised. 

The meeting, which will be held in the Higgs Room in JCMB on the 9th and 10th of March, brings together researchers from Edinburgh and Tsukuba universities to present and discuss cutting-edge research in high-performance computing, computer science, and physics being undertaken by both institutions.

The workshop is open to all, and includes refreshments, so please come along and find out more about the projects being worked on and the results achieved. 

Agenda

Monday 9th March

09.00 Coffee

09.30 Welcome and introduction to EPCC: Alison Kennedy

10.00 Introduction to CCS: Taisuke Boku

10.30 High level and low level programming the KNC for QCD: Peter Boyle

11.15 Coffee 

11.30 HPC research and development in Japan: Post T2K and post K project: Mitsuhisa Sato

12.15 Exascale MPI: Daniel Holmes

13.00 Lunch

14.00 Computational Design of Interface Structures for Low Power-Consumption Devices: Tomoya Ono

14.45 ADEPT: Investigating energy efficiency: Michele Weiland

15.30 Coffee

15.45 QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations of enzymatic reaction processes: Yasuteru Shigeta

16.30 EPCC’s IPCC: Xeon Phi Optimisation: Adrian Jackson

17.00 Close

Tuesday 10th March

09.00 Coffee

09.30 Nuclear Fusion Simulation Implemented by PGAS Language XcalableMP: Taisuke Boku

10.15 TargetDP: An Abstraction of Lattice Based Parallelism with Portable Performance: Alan Gray

11.00 Coffee 

11.30 Efficient PageRank/ObjectRank Estimation based on Subgraphs: Toshio Amagasa

12.30 Lunch

14.00 Autotuning an OpenACC implementation of Nek5000: Luis Cebamanos

14.45 Edinburgh Data Science: Richard Kenway

15.30 Close

Further information

Contact Adrian Jackson at EPCC: a.jackson@epcc.ed.ac.uk

» more

‘Tapping all our talents: Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics’ – 7th March

Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the first female President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, will examine the progress made by women in traditionally male-dominated areas at the next Saturday Evening Lecture in Dundee. Dame Jocelyn will talk about ‘Tapping all our talents: Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics’ at the University of Dundee’s Dalhousie Building on Saturday, 7th March. The lecture is part of International Women’s Day celebrations in the city and also marks the start of the 2015 Women in Science Festival which runs from 7th–28th March. In it, Dame Jocelyn will look at the role of women in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Scotland and consider whether there has been a shift from the traditional perception of them being male dominated sectors. ‘Tapping all our talents’ is the title of a Royal Society of Edinburgh Enquiry that Dame Jocelyn chaired in 2012. She will also make comparisons between Scotland and other countries to see how the gender balance is being addressed. Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell inadvertently discovered pulsars as a radio astronomy graduate student. This discovery opened up a new branch of astrophysics and led to the award of a Nobel Prize to her supervisor.  Her glittering academic career has seen Dame Jocelyn receive many prestigious awards and hold senior roles in the field of astrophysics. She was elected as President of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in October 2014, becoming the first woman in the organisation’s near 300-year history to hold the role. SELS is Scotland's oldest continuous free public lecture series and its history can be traced back to a series of lectures held jointly with the Dundee Naturalists Society beginning with a lecture by Principal John Yule Mackay on Primitive Man in October 1924. ‘Tapping all our talents: Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics’ takes place at the Dalhousie Building, Old Hawkhill from 6pm on Saturday, 7th March. Free tickets are available from Tower Reception, 01382 385108, online at www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets, or by emailing events@dundee.ac.uk. A drinks reception will follow this lecture. Overflow theatres may be in operation and the main lecture theatre is filled on a first come first seated basis on the night. Forty-one exhibitions, talks, film screenings, fun days and other events will take place across the city in March as part of Women in Science 2015. The festival is a collaboration between the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, Hannah Maclure Centre and Dundee Science Centre. It is supported by many of the internationally acclaimed female scientists and researchers working in Dundee. To find out more about the festival, please visit http://www.womeninscience.org.uk.   For media enquiries contact: Grant Hill Press Officer University of Dundee Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN TEL: 01382 384768 E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk MOBILE: 07854 953277

» more

The Big Hit

The Big Hit is a pre-employment initiative led by Trafford College’s Pre-employment department and is delivered in collaboration with a number of business partners including Emirates Old Trafford, Trafford Council, DWP & National Careers Service. It’s original focus was to [&hellip

» more

Business, Innovation & Skills Bulletin – 20th February 2015

- Business, Innovation & Skills Bulletin – 20th February 2015 - Parents-to-be begin the countdown to Shared Parental Leave With just 8 weeks to go until mums and dads with babies due on or after 5 April 2015 can start sharing up to 50 weeks of parental leave, expectant parents need to have that all-important conversation with their employers. 285,000 working couples a year are expected to be eligible for Shared Parental Leave with parents giving their employers 8 weeks’ notice of the pattern of leave they intend to take. Use this quick and easy online tool to make sure you are eligible for Shared Parental Leave, see the acas good practice guide for employers and employees, or find out more on GOV.UK.   £20 million for UK industrial biotechnology Business Secretary Vince Cable has unveiled the winners of a multi-million-pound competition to bring innovative UK biotechnology projects to market. A total of 23 projects, ranging from making biofuel from household waste to using bacteria to make the building blocks for new medicines, will share almost £20 million from the Industrial Biotechnology Catalyst – introduced in January 2014 to support collaboration between UK researchers and the emergent industrial biotechnology sector. View the Life Sciences infographic and find out more on GOV.UK.         Women entrepreneurs are untapped talent says report Women entrepreneurs could play a bigger role in the UK economy, creating jobs and boosting growth as well as reducing gender inequality, according to the findings of an independent report published this week. The report, ‘Inclusive Support for Women in Enterprise’, found that although the number of female-run small and medium-sized businesses has increased, there is still more to be done to close the gender gap between men and women. Find out more on GOV.UK.   Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership – Cable urges greater transparency The UK will greatly benefit from closer economic ties with the US, via the proposed EU-US Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), but more transparency is needed to help address public concerns, Secretary of State for Business Vince Cable has told EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. In a meeting in London this week Vince Cable and UK Trade Minister Lord Livingston asked Commissioner Malmström to give senior UK parliamentarians access to TTIP treaty text as it is developed, so that they can monitor progress and ask questions on the public’s behalf. Find out more on GOV.UK.   National Apprenticeship Week 2015 National Apprenticeship Week runs from 9 to 13 March. Why not test your knowledge of apprenticeships with a short quiz? You may find out something surprising!   Minister signs £330 million North East Growth Deal Greg Clark, Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, visited Science Central in Newcastle this week to sign the North East Growth Deal, which will see nearly £330 million of government funding invested into the North East. The Minister joined Paul Woolston, Chair of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), to sign the Growth Deal at Science Central. Over the lifetime of its deal (2015 to 2021) the LEP estimates that up to 5,000 new jobs will be created. Find out more on GOV.UK.     Government names and shames largest ever number of National Minimum Wage offenders A further 70 employers who failed to pay their workers the National Minimum Wage have been named this week by Business Minister Jo Swinson, bringing the overall total named and shamed to 162. Between them, these 70 employers owed workers a total of over £157,000 in arrears and have been charged financial penalties totalling over £70,000. To support the minimum wage crackdown, the Government is increasing HMRC’s £9.2 million enforcement budget by a further £3 million, helping to fund more than 70 extra compliance officers. This week the Low Pay Commission recommended increases to the NMW rate, including a 3% increase to the adult rate, which the Government will now consider.   Cyber security ‘myths’ putting a third of SME revenue at risk Small and medium sized companies are putting a third (32%) of their revenue at risk because they are falling for some of the common misconceptions around cyber security, leaving them vulnerable to losing valuable data and suffering both financial and reputational damage. Yet new research by the Government’s Cyber Streetwise campaign shows that two-thirds (66%) of SMEs don’t consider their business to be vulnerable, and just 16% say that improving their cyber security is a top priority for 2015. Businesses can take advantage of free online training courses for staff, Cyber Essentials and a simple cyber security guide for small and medium-sized firms. Find out more on GOV.UK.   Government backs manufacturing with action plan and cash boost Ministers have announced a package of measures to boost British manufacturing, including a £22 million grant to accelerate new house building technology and a new action plan to support growth in supply chains. The grant, part of a £104 million project led by construction and engineering firm Laing O’Rourke, will promote new pre-assembly techniques in house building. The project will also deliver training in the latest digital engineering and installation skills. Find out more on GOV.UK and view the guide to Industrial Strategy.

The post Business, Innovation & Skills Bulletin – 20th February 2015 appeared first on be inspired.

» more

Research Assistant (fixed-term post) (CC3018)

Type: Education & Research | Department: Politics, Languages & International Studies | Location: Bath | Closing Date: 22 Mar 2015 | On the appointment of Prof David Galbreath as Leadership Fellow for the Conflict Theme within the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)-Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security (PaCCS), the role of Research Assistant is to support Prof Galbreath for his thematic and research fellow responsibilities. The Research Assistant will be expected to contribute both administrative and intellectual support to the Fellow and Conflict Theme. The Conflict Theme ‘covers a very wide range of research issues: from the causes and emergence of conflict, to the prosecution and consequences of conflict and how to end conflict and deal with its legacy. As a cross-Council partnership the theme will seek to encourage inter-disciplinary approaches drawing together relevant research across the full range of arts, humanities and social sciences plus some areas in science and engineering, much of which will not be explicitly labelled or considered as conflict research. It will also seek to promote collaboration with the public, private and civic sectors, and with policy-makers and communities seeking to address the diverse challenges posed by conflict around the globe.’ The post is fixed-term for up to 36 months. For an informal discussion, please contact Prof David Galbreath (d.galbreath@bath.ac.uk or 01225 385936).  

» more

‘Good Vibrations?’ – Café Science Extra on 11th March

Ways of potentially overcoming the problems associated with high-speed rail travel will be explored at a Café Science Extra event in Dundee next week. Dr Xueyu Geng will deliver a talk, entitled ‘Good Vibrations? – Engineering Safer and Quicker Railways & Roads’ at Dundee Science Centre at 6pm on Wednesday, 11th March.  Dr Geng, a researcher in the University of Warwick’s School of Engineering, said, “High-speed rail networks have become one of the most advanced and fast developing branches of transportation and are the focus of recent investment from UK government. “However, with the increasing of the train speed, the intensity of railway generated vibrations and noise become higher, which not only present major environmental problems, also potentially increase the maintenance costs for the rail-tracks in a long term. “I will explore some of the options for efficient and economical ground improvement techniques which could mean that the ground vibrations, and associated uneven settlement, caused by the high-speed trains can be reduced significantly.” Café Science was launched in January 2008, and has attracted more than 6000 visitors since then. The monthly events are informal discussions led by leading local researchers that allow members of the public the opportunity to learn more about the ground-breaking science happening locally. Café Science Extra allows members of the public to meet with up-and-coming scientists from the Universities of Dundee, St Andrews and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, and Dundee Science Centre as well as occasional guests from institutions further afield. ‘Good Vibrations? – Engineering Safer and Quicker Railways & Roads’ takes place at Infusions Coffee Shop, Dundee Science Centre, on Wednesday, 11th March.  Doors open at 5.30pm, and the event is free and open to all. There is no need to book in advance but an early arrival is recommended. More information is available at www.cafesciencedundee.co.uk.            The lecture is part of International Women’s Day celebrations in the city and also marks the start of the 2015 Women in Science Festival which runs from 7th–28th March. Forty-five exhibitions, talks, film screenings, fun days and other events will take place across the city in March as part of the festival, a collaboration between the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, Hannah Maclure Centre and Dundee Science Centre. It is supported by many of the internationally acclaimed female scientists and researchers working in Dundee. To find out more about the festival, please visit http://www.womeninscience.org.uk.   For media enquiries contact: Grant Hill Press Officer University of Dundee Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN TEL: 01382 384768 E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk MOBILE: 07854 953277

» more