News archive – February 2015

Heritage Heroes at The University of Manchester: Samuel Alexander
02 Feb 2015
A new series of videos about some of the greatest academic minds, educational innovators and cultural icons who have defined the University

BBC quiz The 3rd Degree comes to campus
02 Feb 2015
On Wednesday, 25 February (6pm) at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

UniLife is out now - but delivery of print copies is changing
02 Feb 2015
You can download the February 2015 issue of UniLife in the usual way, but we're changing the delivery method for print copies

MUMS Brass Band and Wind Ensembles Concert
02 Feb 2015
On Saturday 7 February, 7.30pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Remembering 2nd Lieutenant James Greenhalgh, 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment
02 Feb 2015
Killed on Thursday, 22 October 1914 at Violaines, age 25

Wood Street Mission Lottery
02 Feb 2015
Announcing the winner for February

Book now for the next ‘Managing in the Round’ course
02 Feb 2015
Managing in the Round is an integrated management development programme aimed at 'middle managers' - likely to be working in administrative grades, and academic equivalents, at levels 5/6 to 7/8. In other words it is aimed at those operating above 'first line supervisor/manager' level with major defined operational and staff responsibilities.

Two alumni nominated for Oscars
02 Feb 2015
Orlando Von Einsiedel’s documentary, and Benedict Cumberbatch have been nominated for Academy Awards

Report bullying, harassment or discrimination online and get support
02 Feb 2015
The We Get It campaign is now challenging all forms of bullying, harassment and discrimination

Belinda is making a difference
02 Feb 2015
Belinda Rowlands organises regular coffee mornings where academics and support staff can get together and raise money for their chosen charity of the day

Research beacons: Industrial biotechnology
03 Feb 2015
We're at the forefront of a bio-industrial revolution

HCRI offers "Earth Week" Student Bursary
03 Feb 2015
‘Earth Week’ (9-13 February 2015) is organised by the Students’ Union and takes place across campus

Research IT Newsletter January 2015
03 Feb 2015
IT Services produces a monthly newsletter for all those who use computing for their research.

Latest issue of Campus Masterplan Update
03 Feb 2015
Includes a map of the Campus Masterplan

Veggie cooking demo and dinner with UoM Foodies
03 Feb 2015
On Wednesday, 11 February (5.30pm - 11pm) for £25 each

IT training for staff on a wide range of topics
03 Feb 2015
The IT Services Training Team offer a range of IT courses to University of Manchester staff.

Why do voters prefer politicians in power?
03 Feb 2015
Join Professor Catherine De Vries, from The University of Oxford, for a fascinating insight into why voters prefer politicians in office rather than their electoral challengers

Healthcare Law and Ethics in the News: Annual Healthcare Conference
03 Feb 2015
On Monday, 23 February 2015 (5pm - 9pm) in Room A101, Samuel Alexander Building

February is LGBT History Month
03 Feb 2015
For the fifth year running we have a varied and exciting timetable for LGBT History Month

Michael Buble Valentine's Tribute
03 Feb 2015
Treat your loved one to dinner and drinks with Michael Bublé ... well, almost!

IT Services staff boost computer performance at The Works
03 Feb 2015
IT Services recently carried out valuable work at The Works, the University’s award-winning employment and skills centre which provides support to local unemployed people

Take five minutes to talk about mental health
03 Feb 2015
Join us in the Atrium, 1st Floor, University Place on Thursday, 5 February any time between 11am and 2pm

Kick-off meeting for Manchester Policy Week 2015
03 Feb 2015
Planning for Policy Week 2015 is getting underway with a kick-off meeting at Manchester Museum featuring speakers from Manchester Science Festival and TedX

Take part in the QS World University Rankings
03 Feb 2015
Sign up today to make your views on the world’s top universities count

Free contact lens fittings and check-ups
04 Feb 2015
Students in the final year of their optometry degree provide a clinical service to members of the public as part of their training at the University

Earth Week 2015: 9-13 February
04 Feb 2015
Next week, the Students’ Union will be running Earth Week across the University campus

Europe's largest science conference comes to Manchester next year
04 Feb 2015
The EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) 2016 will take place in the city in July 2016

Help promote the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey to your students
04 Feb 2015
Professor Clive Agnew has made a video about the importance to the University of PTES, which is now open until 30 April 2015

University of Manchester academic to chair national depression guideline
04 Feb 2015
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has appointed Professor Nav Kapur from the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences’ Centre for Mental Health and Risk to Chair their Depression Guideline

Staff benefits update
04 Feb 2015
It’s February already and time for another bumper update!

Applications open for The Josh Award 2015
05 Feb 2015
The Josh Award is an award established to recognise and support up‐and‐coming talent in science communication, nurture development in the field and support the involvement in the Manchester Science Festival

Neuroscience and human behaviour seminars
05 Feb 2015
Manchester Informatics hosts series of cross-disciplinary events

Review of Life Sciences
05 Feb 2015
A Review has been initiated of the structures for the organisation of Life Sciences

Postgraduate Taught Open Day on Wednesday, 18 March
05 Feb 2015
Help us promote the event to our current students and offer-holders

Problem Solving & Decision Making
05 Feb 2015
This course is aimed at staff or managers/team leaders within the university who wish to consider the process of problem solving and decision-making and acquire a number of basic tools and techniques that might be of use.

Meet filmmaker Lech Majewski
05 Feb 2015
Screening of ‘The Mill and the Cross’ to follow

Directorate for the Student Experience finds eventful ways of thanking its staff
05 Feb 2015
To help build a sense of community, the Directorate for the Student Experience has created an annual programme of Directorate-wide events for its staff

University helps to create smart city districts across Europe
06 Feb 2015
Manchester is playing a leading role in a new €25 million European project to demonstrate cutting-edge green technologies and roll them out across the world

Green Week
06 Feb 2015
Small, simple changes to lead a more sustainable life

Catholic Chaplaincy hosts events for staff
06 Feb 2015
Networking, lunch and meditation group

University provides in-kind support for Contact remodelling
06 Feb 2015
Leading young people’s arts organisation Contact is to carry out a £6m remodelling of its existing building

Enjoy Sporticipating in Semester 2
06 Feb 2015
The Sporticipate programme has started for Semester 2 and will run until 22 March

Research beacons: Advanced materials
09 Feb 2015
Manchester is at the forefront of advanced materials

Tash takes on a half marathon
09 Feb 2015
Natasha Polak from the School of Arts, Languages & Cultures is running the Wilmslow Half Marathon in March to raise funds for dementia support and research

University of Manchester Drama Society: Manchester In-Fringe Theatre Awards
09 Feb 2015
On Wednesday 18 to Friday 20 February, 7pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Help develop our local schools – and your skills and experience
09 Feb 2015
Join our highly successful School Governors Initiative

Imitation as a potential therapeutic tool for people with Parkinson’s
09 Feb 2015
Dr Ellen Poliakoff (School of Psychological Sciences) and Dr Emma Gowen (Faculty of Life Sciences), who run the Body Eyes and Movement (BEAM) lab, have been awarded an ESRC grant for a project entitled “Exploring the characteristics of imitation in Parkinson’s disease”

Free Lunchtime Concert: Clarinet works of John Adams and Steve Reich
09 Feb 2015
On Thursday 12 February, 1.10pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Manchester forges US links through the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office
09 Feb 2015
Dr Neil Ashton from the Modelling & Simulation Group in the School of MACE has been awarded a Travel Fellowship to spend time in the US to promote UK-US links in "Computational Fluid Dynamics" research.

LITERATURE LIVE: Denise Riley and Frances Leviston
09 Feb 2015
On Monday 16 February, 6.30pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Election of the Chancellor, 2015
09 Feb 2015
Your chance to participate in the election of our new Chancellor

Whitworth Art Gallery opens this week
09 Feb 2015
Fall in love again: the £15 million refurbishment revealed on Valentine's Day

Heritage Heroes at The University of Manchester: Kathleen Drew
09 Feb 2015
A new series of videos about some of the greatest academic minds, educational innovators and cultural icons who have defined the University

February CoreMunicate out now
09 Feb 2015
The latest CoreMunicate has been issued during February's team brief cascade to PSS staff

Why do voters prefer politicians in power?
09 Feb 2015
Join Professor Catherine De Vries, from The University of Oxford, on 12 February for a fascinating insight into why voters prefer politicians in office rather than their electoral challengers

Democracy and Elections website launched
10 Feb 2015
A new website which brings together political scientists and sociologists who study democracy, citizen participation and elections has been launched this week

Get The 3rd Degree: more academics needed for BBC quiz on campus
10 Feb 2015
BBC Radio 4 show 'The 3rd Degree' is looking for more academics (particularly from Humanities and MBS) to take part on Wednesday, 25 February

WakeIT up when you need it and save energy
10 Feb 2015
Do you leave your University computer on overnight or over the weekend so you can connect to it from home?

Playing God in Manchester
10 Feb 2015
A unique film series kicks off in Manchester on 5 March bringing together the diverse themes of religion and science

Have your bone density tested
10 Feb 2015
There are still a few places left on the day of testing on Monday, 2 March 2015 at the Sugden Centre

Fairfield High to honour the memory of former pupil Professor Fanni Bogdanow
10 Feb 2015
Members of staff are invited to attend the unveiling of a plaque commemorating the late Manchester alumna and academic on 31 March 2015

The Whitworth reopens on Valentine's Day
10 Feb 2015
Visit our transformed art gallery from 14 February – and find out more via a number of BBC features.

Book now for Supporting Staff with Mental Health Problems
11 Feb 2015
Places available on the Supporting Staff with Mental Health Problems courses

Ten years in graphene - Dr Cinzia Casiraghi
11 Feb 2015
This is a blog by Dr Cinzia Casiraghi, a Reader in Graphene and Carbon Nanostructures at The University of Manchester. She is also the Chairperson of Graphene Week 2015 and was the recent recipient of the Marlow Award.

Staff benefits update
11 Feb 2015
It’s the St Valentine's Day special! This week brings you a Georgian wedding location, wedding photographers, Valentines offers, competitions and latest prize winner with Perkz and how to love giving!

WaterAid: How our gift was used
12 Feb 2015
As part of the 2013 Staff Survey campaign, the University gave £1 for each response to three charities chosen by our staff, including a donation of £1,673 to WaterAid

Confucianism, Contemporary Chinese Culture and Mandarin
12 Feb 2015
A session for colleagues new to engaging with China on Wednesday, 11 March 2015 (9.30am – 12.30pm) in Samuel Alexander Building, Room tbc

Pride Sports' first Ambassador to visit the University
12 Feb 2015
Pride Sports, the LGBT sports development and equity organisation, has signed its first ever ambassador, who will undertake her first public enagement at Manchester

Tabley House Weddings
12 Feb 2015
Tabley House is proving attractive to couples seeking a unique venue for their wedding. Bookings and viewings have increased as word has spread of its grand yet intimate setting

Workplace Giving is growing
12 Feb 2015
Since the launch of the new Workplace Giving scheme in October 2014, we're proud to announce that the number of colleagues making monthly donations from pay has risen from just over 60 to more than 180

Manchester More Tomorrows Campaign: Your impact
13 Feb 2015
As part of the 2013 Staff Survey campaign, the University gave £1 for each response to charities chosen by our staff, which resulted in a donation of £4,700 to support cancer research

Whitworth Art Gallery opens tomorrow
13 Feb 2015
Come and see the £15 million redevelopment, making it one of the most remarkable galleries in the north

MUGSS present Gilbert and Sullivan's Patience
13 Feb 2015
From 18 to 21 February (at 7.30pm each night, with an additional matinee performance at 2.30pm on Saturday, 21 February)

Research beacons: Cancer
16 Feb 2015
The University's approach to cancer research spans the full spectrum of combating the disease

Staff Survey is back!
16 Feb 2015
Staff Survey 2015 opens on Monday, 9 March

Choose a charity to benefit from the Staff Survey 2015
16 Feb 2015
Between 16 and 23 February, you can vote for the charities which will receive a £1 donation for each survey completed

Free Lunchtime Concert Series: Psappha
16 Feb 2015
On Thursday 19 February, 1.10pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

The Pariser building is now open
16 Feb 2015
Please note the lifts are not currently operational due to flood damage

UoM Sustainability in the Curriculum meeting
16 Feb 2015
The Ultimate Challenge: An Organic Development on Wednesday, 18 February (2-4pm) in University Place, Room 5.211

The Importance of LGBT History
16 Feb 2015
Tuesday 17 February at 5pm in Room A7 Samuel Alexander

Gay Pride, Bisexual Euphoria
16 Feb 2015
Talk and discussion led by Jen Yockney from Biphoria on Wednesday, 18 February at 12.30pm in Room 2.217 University Place

Transgender and religious - an oxymoron?
16 Feb 2015
Facilitated discussion led by Alex Young around issues and obstacles religious Trans* people encounter on Wednesday, 25 February at 12.30pm in the Oxford Room, The Chaplaincy

Have you submitted your entry for the Making a Difference Awards?
16 Feb 2015
With a closing date of 2 March 2015 there are less than two weeks to go before the deadline for the Making a Difference Awards

Accommodation Open House 2015
16 Feb 2015
On Sunday, 8 March the Accommodation Office is inviting all offer holders onto campus to its Open House event to take a look around all our halls of residence.

Picture a Poverty Free City
16 Feb 2015
A series of short videos brought together academics from a range of disciplines to talk about their vision of a poverty free city through the lens of their individual research areas

New website for staff who love food!
16 Feb 2015
Uomfoodies is a cooking and food club for staff and students at here at The University of Manchester

Electric car now available for staff
16 Feb 2015
You can book the University's 100% electric Nissan Leaf pool car for appropriate business journeys

Safety Matters - the Safety Services newsletter
16 Feb 2015
Latest issue of Safety Matters now available

Make a child eggstra happy this Easter
16 Feb 2015
Wood Street Mission are helping local families in need to give chocolate eggs to their children this Easter

Which charity will you choose to benefit from Staff Survey 2015?
17 Feb 2015
Between 16 and 23 February, you can vote for the charities which will receive a £1 donation for each survey completed

MUMS Symphony Orchestra Concert
17 Feb 2015
On Saturday 21 February, 7.30pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Reminder: Adobe Creative Cloud replaces Creative Suite 6 after 18 February
17 Feb 2015
Adobe’s Creative Suite 6 has been superseded by the Creative Cloud products. On Wednesday 18 February, Adobe will no longer be selling the earlier Creative Suite software through the academic pricing agreement which we subscribe to.

Networkshop 43
17 Feb 2015
With less than two months to go, don’t miss the opportunity to attend Networkshop, Jisc’s annual networking conference

Lunchtime walk on Wednesday, 18 February
17 Feb 2015
On Wednesday, the Atrium team at University Place will be going on a lunchtime walk, as part of Green Week

Have you chosen a charity to benefit from Staff Survey 2015?
18 Feb 2015
Between 16 and 23 February, you can vote for the charities which will receive a £1 donation for each survey completed

The Whitworth opens with a bang!
18 Feb 2015
Sir Kostya breathes on Graphene switch to set off fireworks - to let 18,000 visitors see £15 million reburbishment for first time

Would you like to become a Dementia Friend?
18 Feb 2015
To find out more, book your place on one of the monthly information sessions between March and July 2015

University Chorus performs Mendelssohn’s St Paul
18 Feb 2015
On Sunday, 26 April (7.30-10pm) in the Whitworth Hall

Back this year - CLASS Network Conference
18 Feb 2015
Register now for this year’s CLASS Network half-day conference on Wednesday, 1 April (9.30am-1.30pm) in the Alan Turing Building

Staff benefits update
18 Feb 2015
This week’s issue has offers for the Whitworth Art Gallery shop, useful discounts for your home and family and the winners of the Venus Flowers competition

Fire strikes announced
18 Feb 2015
The Fire and Rescue Services across England and Wales have announced another strike for 24 hours from 7am on Wednesday, 25 February to 7am on Thursday, 26 February

Reclaim the Night 2015
18 Feb 2015
Come to the Reclaim the Night March (7pm) and After Party (8pm-2am) on Thursday, 26 February

Secret of extinct British marine reptile uncovered by University palaeontologist
19 Feb 2015
A new type of ichthyosaur, an extinct marine reptile which was alive at the same time as the dinosaurs, has been identified from a fossil found on Dorset’s Jurassic coast

You've still got time to choose a charity to benefit from Staff Survey 2015
19 Feb 2015
Between 16 and 23 February, you can vote for the charities which will receive a £1 donation for each survey completed

University protects garment industry workers
19 Feb 2015
We join universities affiliated with Worker Rights Consortium

University website tops higher education rankings
19 Feb 2015
Our web design praised alongside world’s big brands

Claire is making a difference
19 Feb 2015
Claire Dodds from the School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work supports new mums (deaf and hearing) with their babies

Go Meat Free for Charity!
19 Feb 2015
Raise funds for Beating Bowel Cancer

Time to Talk: raising awareness of mental health
19 Feb 2015
The Supporting Staff with Mental Health Problems course is available to help managers

Romuald Hazoumè creates new art for Manchester Museum
19 Feb 2015
‘Dance of the Butterflies’ swarms Living Worlds gallery

Four days left to choose a charity to benefit from Staff Survey 2015
20 Feb 2015
Between 16 and 23 February, you can vote for the charities which will receive a £1 donation for each survey completed

University First Aid Co-ordinator visits the House of Commons
20 Feb 2015
Janet Makin from Compliance and Risk attended the North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust's (NWAS) event on 27 January 2015 at the House of Commons, hosted by Andy Burnham MP

Staff Sport brings you our next events - Racketball and Climbing
20 Feb 2015
Free sport for staff

Another chance to have your bone density tested
20 Feb 2015
There are still a few places left on the extra day of testing on Tuesday, 3 March 2015 at the Sugden Centre

Russell Group first as Manchester offers new MA Screenwriting programme
20 Feb 2015
Our Centre for New Writing has announced the launch of a ground-breaking new programme designed to equip emerging screenwriting talent with the practical skills required to succeed in the UK film and television industry

Review of Life Sciences and cognate disciplines – Terms of Reference
20 Feb 2015
As announced on StaffNet earlier this month, the President and Vice-Chancellor has initiated a Review of the effectiveness and sustainability of current structures and possible alternative structures for the organisation of Life Sciences and cognate disciplines in the University

Research beacons: Energy
23 Feb 2015
The University is pioneering the energy systems of the future so that we can continue to heat our homes, light our buildings and travel

Free Lunchtime Concert Series: Quatuor Danel
23 Feb 2015
On Thursday 26 February, 1.10pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Manchester Universities String Society Free Lunchtime Concert
23 Feb 2015
On Friday 27 February, 1.10pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Quatuor Danel Evening Concert
23 Feb 2015
On Friday 27 February, 7.30pm at the Manchester Grammar School

Can we be sure? Limits of confidence in science and faith
23 Feb 2015
CiS Manchester meet at Cafe Muse on Wednesday, 18 March at 6pm

Just a few days left to submit your entry for the Making a Difference Awards
23 Feb 2015
With a closing date of 2 March 2015, there is less than a week to go before the deadline for the social responsibility Making a Difference Awards

Arts and Science Collaboration
23 Feb 2015
Nine creative projects have recently been funded by the University to highlight the impact and benefits of collaborations between arts and science researchers and artists

Apprentice Liam invigorates whole team
23 Feb 2015
The University has launched its 2015 apprenticeship campaign to encourage managers across the organisation to consider hiring apprentices when suitable vacancies arise; it has set a target of at least 100 apprentices in post by the end of the year.

Heritage Heroes at The University of Manchester: Thomas Huxley
23 Feb 2015
A new series of videos about some of the greatest academic minds, educational innovators and cultural icons who have defined the University

Senate elections result
24 Feb 2015
Academics take seats from 1 September 2015

Elections to the General Assembly of the University
24 Feb 2015
The General Assembly is a 200-strong governance body that represents staff, students and other principal stakeholders in the University

MANTIS Spring 2015 Festival Concert
24 Feb 2015
On Saturday 28 February and Sunday 1 March, at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Three local charities will benefit from Staff Survey 2015
24 Feb 2015
The poll is now closed and you have chosen the three charities to which the University will give £1 donation for each survey completed

Academics vs students in free BBC radio recording
24 Feb 2015
BBC Radio 4 will be on campus on Wednesday, 25 February for a recording of The 3rd Degree - the quiz show pits three academics against their students to see who will come out on top

Jeanette Winterson “In Conversation” with Patrick Marber
24 Feb 2015
On Sunday 1 March, 4pm at the Cornerhouse

2015 Fred Jevons Lecture on 11 March
24 Feb 2015
Bankspeak - the language of World Bank Reports, 1946-2012 Dominique Pestre (IFRIS and Centre Alexandre Koyré, EHESS, Paris)

Organization of American States partnership offers PhD scholarships
24 Feb 2015
Manchester is the first UK university to partner with the Organization of American States to offer scholarships to students from the Americas to study for a PhD in Manchester

Comic Relief round-up
24 Feb 2015
Come along to these campus events and support a worthy cause on Red Nose Day (Friday, 13 March) - and let StaffNet News know if you're planning a fundraising event too

Nominations now open for role of Chancellor of The University of Manchester
24 Feb 2015
2015 is an exciting year in the life of the University as we get ready for the election of a new Chancellor

Food fair
25 Feb 2015
Join FoodonCampus tomorrow Thursday, 26 February to find out what we're doing to make a difference.

Philanthropy Day - your chance to thank the University's donors
25 Feb 2015
On Tuesday, 3 March, we will be kick starting a month long celebration of the importance and impact of philanthropy at The University of Manchester by encouraging students and staff to recognise the generosity of our donors

Age-friendly Cities: Question and answer evening with discussion
25 Feb 2015
On Tuesday, 17 March 2015 (6-8pm) in Lecture Theatre B, University Place

Food fair today
26 Feb 2015
Join FoodonCampus in University Place today to find out how we're making a difference

Staff benefits update
26 Feb 2015
This week’s issue is health, childcare vouchers and foodie related!

Shami Chakrabarti to deliver inaugural Pankhurst Lecture
26 Feb 2015
Shami Chakrabarti, director of human-rights organisation Liberty and honorary professor of The University of Manchester, will deliver the inaugural Pankhurst Lecture this evening in honour of Christabel Pankhurst.

New report highlights impact of sharing equipment across higher education sector
26 Feb 2015
Innovation, increased productivity, and maximum value for public investment are being enabled by more efficient and effective deployment of research equipment, according to a new report from the N8 Research Partnership.

March Monthly Cycle to Work event
26 Feb 2015
The next Corridor Manchester monthly cycle event will take place on Wednesday, 4 March (8–9am) at the Business School Café, Manchester Metropolitan University

THE turns spotlight on University ‘arts lab’
26 Feb 2015
The John Rylands Research Institute is the subject of a recent feature in the Times Higher Education magazine

New hotel brands announced
26 Feb 2015
Being developed adjacent to MBS as part of £1 billion campus redevelopment

Back this year - CLASS Network Conference
26 Feb 2015
Register now for this year’s CLASS Network half-day conference on Wednesday, 1 April (9.30am-1.30pm) in the Alan Turing Building

Street market returns next week
27 Feb 2015
From 10am on Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Punk Rock at Manchester Museum
27 Feb 2015
Manchester ‘Punk Rock’ Meets Polar Bears at Manchester Museum for the University of Manchester In Fringe Theatre Awards

Countdown to Staff Survey 2015
27 Feb 2015
The Staff Survey 2015 opens on Monday, 9 March

Academic Health Science Network welcomes NHS devolution
27 Feb 2015
Our cohesive environment to make most of exciting opportunity

University welcomes NHS devolvement
27 Feb 2015
Integration of health and social care in Greater Manchester builds on our distinctive feature