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UNIVERSITY UPDATE : 25 November 2005

NEWS

Research: • Childcare reduces stress levels for kids with working mums: Low job satisfaction in working mothers increases the stress levels of their children, but spending longer in childcare can help overcome these effects, according to new research by Dr Julie Turner - Cobb (Psychology) and colleagues from the Universities of Kent and Bristol. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/releases/stresschildcare211105.html • 'Sex' helps bacteria cope with changing world: Bacteria feel pressures to evolve antibiotic resistance and other new abilities in response to a changing environment, and they react by 'stealing' genetic information from other better-adapted types of bacteria, according to research by Dr Martin Lercher published in Nature Genetics. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/releases/molecularnet201105.html • Bath research highlighted at European machinery show: Researchers from the Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre in the Department of Mechanical Engineering led a ‘Research Village’ at the prestigious European PPMA show organised by the Process and Packaging Machinery Association which is held annually at the Birmingham NEC. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/research/ppma221105.html • New hope for infantile epilepsy: Hormone-based treatments could have long term development benefits for children who suffer with infantile spasms, according to research published in The Lancet Neurology this month. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/research/osborneepilepsy211105.html

Inaugural lecture: Professor Andrew Stables will give his inaugural lecture next Wednesday 30 November 2005. It is entitled "Sign(al)s - Living and learning as semiotic engagement" and covers the subject of education policy. Tickets are free but should be reserved from Sheila Willmott on ext 6631. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/releases/inauguralstables251105.html

Academic's work recognised: Robert Heath (Management) has been appointed a Fellow of the Market Research Society for recognition of his exceptional contribution to market research. http://www.bath.ac.uk/management/news_events/news/2005/22-11.html

Official presentation for Oakfield graduates: Graduates of the Swindon teacher training course attended a formal presentation this week to receive their PGCE certificate, validated by the University. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/swindon/

Students plant a tree: Students who last year completed the School for Health's Postgraduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice wished to donate a sustainable gift to the University as they progress through their studies, with the tree representing the strong link between the environment and mental health. http://www.bath.ac.uk/health/news/tree

IDEALS project launched in Zambia: The Department of Sports Development is working with UK Sport and in partnership with five other universities (Stirling, Loughborough, Durham, Northumbria and UWIC) on the IDEALS (International Development through Excellence and Leadership in Sport) in Zambia Project. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/campus/zambia221105.html

University hosts pupils' robotics challenge: Up to 1,000 children from over 60 primary and secondary schools will be coming to the University next week to take part in the annual Lego robotics challenge organised by Wessex SETPOINT. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/campus/legochallenge241105.html

Students' Union shortlisted for award: The Students’ Union at the University of Bath has been short listed again for the award of "Students' Union of the Year". http://www.bathstudent.com/displaypage.asp?pageid=15987

Charities: • Pharmacist to climb mountain for Julian House: Helena Hodges (Pharmacy and Pharmacology) will soon be setting off on the challenge of a lifetime to raise over £4,000 for local charity Julian House by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Please consider sponsoring her. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/campus/helenahodges231105.html • Students raise £7k for Children In Need Bath Area Rag raised over £7,000 during last Friday's collection for the BBC's annual Children In Need fundraiser. http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/campus/rag-cin241105.html • Jewellery stall raises £1,400 for NSPCC Juliet Hills says thanks to all those who attended the stall on Thursday raising much more than in previous years.

INFORMATION

New contract details for insurance queries: Please note that with effect from Monday 28 November 2005 there are new contact details for all insurance-related queries. Lisa Pritchard is being seconded to the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and is being replaced in the Contracts Manager-Insurance role by Jane Silvester. Jane will be working “off-campus”, attending as required. Jane Silvester Contracts Manager - Insurance Purchasing Services Wessex House 6.45 Tel: 0117 906 5312. Email: [email protected] More details: http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/campus/insurance251105.html

Campus road closure for road race on Sunday: The next TeamBath Road Race will take place on campus this Sunday 27 November 2005 at 10am. This means that the entry road past the STV, the service road and the north road past Westwood residences will be subject to closure from 10am till 11am. Please use Car park A until 11am.

BA Award Lectures 2006 Each year the BA honours five outstanding communicators with the opportunity to present a prestigious award lecture at the BA Festival of Science. The award lectures aim to promote open and informed discussion on issues involving science, and actively encourage scientists to explore the social aspects of their research, providing them with reward and recognition for doing so. Nominations are now invited. http://www.the-ba.net/awardlectures

Test your judgement and win £50! Researchers from the Department of Psychology are looking for staff and students from the University to take part in a quick 5-10 minute experiment on judging shapes. How to take part: http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/articles/campus/shapestest241105.html

Jobs: Vacant posts: www.bath.ac.uk/jobs/

TRAINING

• Update: COSHH & Noise Regulations www.bath.ac.uk/staff-development/courseinfo/health/COSHHnoise • Introduction to Student Personal Development Planning www.bath.ac.uk/staff-development/courseinfo/l&t/intropdpstud

IN THE MEDIA

• Julie Turner-Cobb (Psychology) was interviewed by BBC Radio Bristol, Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Scotland, talking about the stress levels of children with working mothers. Her research was also mentioned on the Bath FM News Bulletin. The item received coverage on the web in Australia, Turkey, Italy, South Africa as well as BBC News online, the Guardian, the Times, the Telegraph and the Daily Mail. • Alan Lewis (Psychology) appeared in Bath FM's News Bulletin about debt as a disease. • Martin Lercher's research into the evolution of bacteria was featured in Scientific American – the top popular science magazine in the world.

EVENTS http://www.bath.ac.uk/whats-on/

Monday 28 November 12:15 PM Training seminar: Religious diversity 7:30 PM BRLSI Talk: Hedge funds

Tuesday 29 November 9:30 AM Oakfield Business Seminar: Gaining Corporate & Public Sector Work 1:15 PM European Culture Research Seminar: Bukowski's Reception in West Germany 1:15 PM CNM Seminar: "Meshless simulation of nonlinear interactions of vortices" 4:30 PM ICE Seminar: Climate change policy - The role of renewable energy & energy efficiency

Wednesday 30 November 5:30 PM Commercialisation masterclass: Management teams 6:15 PM Inaugural Lecture: Prof Andrew Stables - Education

Thursday 1 December 7:00 PM Film: Maria full of grace

Friday 2 December 7:00 PM Art & Design Exhibition

Saturday 3 December 7:00 AM UBSA London Christmas shopping trip

Sunday 4 December 7:00 PM Film: Crash

ICIA ARTS www.bath.ac.uk/arts 1 East 2.1 - ext 6777 - [email protected]

Music for Christmas: During December, ICIA presents a series of student music performances in the run up to Christmas. All welcome. • University Orchestra, Wind Band & Choral Society Sat 3 Dec, 7.30pm, St John’s Church, Bathwick Tickets £4, £3 concs • University Chamber Choir Sat 3 Dec, 7.30pm, St Nicholas Church, Bathampton Tickets £5 • Shanties, Poems and Musical Seascapes Wed 7 Dec, 5pm & 7.30pm, Holburne Museum of Art Tickets £5 on 01225 780336 • BUBBA Big Band & UWE Big Band Fri 9 Dec, 7.30pm, University Hall, University of Bath Tickets £4, £3 concs • University Orchestra, Wind Band, GASP & BUBBA Sun 11 Dec, 7.30pm, ICIA Arts Theatre, University of Bath Tickets £4, £3 concs • University Carol Service Thurs 15 Dec, 7.30pm, Bath Abbey Free admission

Visual arts: Ceramic weekend workshop Sat 3 & Sun 4 Dec| 10am-4pm| £60/£40 Concs/Uni Staff ICIA is offering an intensive Figurative Sculpture weekend workshop which is open to people of all abilities.

SPORT www..com/news/

Footballers kick-off sporting links: The University football team play their counterparts from the University of Alicante for the Friendship Trophy on Tuesday. The Bath team travelled to Spain for the match, which follows long- standing academic and student exchange links between the two universities. A return match in Bath is likely in the New Year.

Scholarship for student: Talented University of Bath runner Marilyn Okoro has received a new athletics scholarship, sponsored by Bath resident John Clapp. The French & Politics student will use the scholarship, worth £1,000, to help her balance her academic and sporting commitments.

Trio in test win: TeamBath players , and were all in action for England as they ran out 56-41 winners over South Africa in the opening match in a three test series. The match took place in Johannesburg.

Forthcoming home fixtures: Saturday 26 November Basketball: 5.30pm TeamBath Romans v Derby Trailblazers (STV, league)

Sunday 27 November Hockey: 1.30pm TeamBath Buccaneers v Holcombe (STV, league) Football: 3pm TeamBath FC v Cirencester Town (Twerton Park, league)

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

"To repeat what others have said, requires education; to challenge it, requires brains." Mary Pettibone Poole - Writer. (Born 1938)

The next University Update will be published on 2 December. Copy by 30 November please.

Been away on holiday/sabbatical? View previous University Updates online: http://www.bath.ac.uk/news/uniupdates/

Gill Smith Communications Officer Marketing and Communications Ext 3503 [email protected]