News archive – April 2014

University of Manchester scientist recognised for entrepreneurial spirit
(01 Apr 2014)
Dr Curtis Dobson from the Faculty of Life Sciences has won the Commercial Innovator of the Year award at the BBSRC’s Fostering Innovation Awards 2014.

Intensive research methods training
(01 Apr 2014)
Manchester Methods Summer School: 7-11 July, 2014.

Book launch: 'Birth Control and the Rights of Women'
(01 Apr 2014)
On Thursday, 10 April (6.30-7.30pm) at Blackwell's University Bookshop, Precinct Centre, Oxford Road.

Topping out for National Graphene Institute
(01 Apr 2014)
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne MP marked the topping out ceremony of the National Graphene Institute (NGI) with a speech praising revolutionary science at The University of Manchester.

Be Active Courses – now online
(01 Apr 2014)
Get fit for summer

A concert to celebrate the life and work of Stephen Dodgson
(02 Apr 2014)
On Saturday 5 April, 2.00pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Maintenance work on Blackberry service – Monday 7 April
(02 Apr 2014)
Staff using Blackberry devices will experience an interruption to some services.

UMBUG 1000 – the final countdown (and programme)
(02 Apr 2014)
UMBUG 1000 takes place on Thursday, 3 April at 4.30pm outside University Place - we hope you are looking forward to it!

Peer Support Group for returners from Maternity, Paternity or Adoption Leave
(02 Apr 2014)
On Tuesday, 20 May 2014 (12.30-2pm), STDU Training Suite, Humanities Bridgeford Street

UG Admissions and Recruitment Network: Qualifications
(02 Apr 2014)
A unique opportunity to gain an overview of the rapidly changing qualifications landscape on Tuesday, 29 April (9am-2pm) in Arts Lecture Theatre, Samuel Alexander Building.

New way to promote your policy-relevant events
(02 Apr 2014)
Event organisers can now use the Columba system to promote their policy-relevant events via the Policy@Manchester web site with just a few extra clicks.

Wood Street Mission Lottery: April's winner
(02 Apr 2014)
Find out how you could be a winner too

Your Say for Your Uni: the big picture from Student Barometer
(02 Apr 2014)
Infographic shows responses to the Student Barometer survey conducted in November -December 2013 - and what happens next

Staff Portal is changing – new look ‘My Manchester’ on the way
(02 Apr 2014)
The current Staff Portal will reveal a new look from Wednesday, 9 April.

Take part in a survey to develop the Digilab concept
(02 Apr 2014)
The Library is undertaking some research about an innovative concept.

Annette Naughton is making a difference
(03 Apr 2014)
I was helped back into work by The Works initiative

Free Lunchtime Concert with traditional and contemporary Sundanese music
(03 Apr 2014)
On Thursday 3 April, 1.10pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

President’s Question Time goes live
(03 Apr 2014)
Watch the video of the first ever live question and answer session between an audience of staff members and the President and members of her Senior Leadership Team.

From blueberries to green noses
(03 Apr 2014)
Students work towards a sustainable future

Staff benefits update
(03 Apr 2014)
Perkz monthly newsletter and prizes - Tastecard trial – Light ApartHotel - City Card – Activate holiday clubs

Wellcome Trust Science Writing Prize 2014 Now Open
(03 Apr 2014)
The Wellcome Trust Science Writing Prize 2014, in association with The Guardian and The Observer, is now open

Directorate of Estates and Facilities new website launched
(03 Apr 2014)
With 339 buildings (24 of them Listed) containing in excess of 50,000 rooms, 711 acres of land including farms, smallholdings, cottages and agricultural land and a gross internal floor area of over 924,000 square meters, it’s not all about changing light bulbs!

Discover St Peter's Chapel at Tabley
(04 Apr 2014)
Hear fascinating stories about the history and architecture of this hidden gem on 15 April at a talk by Clare Pye, Chairman of The Tabley House Collection Trust.

USS - Presentations about AVCs
(04 Apr 2014)
Do you have enough money for a comfortable retirement? It is a subject many of us put off. James Bolton, a Workplace Consultant from the Prudential, will be hosting seminars during May to help you think about your personal situation.

Awards recognise support staff
(04 Apr 2014)
Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences says thanks to top teams

Making your mark: An introduction to impact for research staff
(04 Apr 2014)
On 3 June 2014, Manchester

Live in Chorlton in Medlock? here's a chance to meet your neighbours
(04 Apr 2014)
Join in local residents' clean-up event on Saturday, 26 April (10am to around 1pm).

Earth Week wins award
(04 Apr 2014)
A series of events organised by the Students Union in collaboration with the University and outside organisations has won the National Union of Students Green Impact HEA (Higher Education Academy) Education for Sustainable Development Award.

No access to Blackboard: Thursday, 10 April to Sunday, 13 April 2014
(07 Apr 2014)
You will not have access to Blackboard (including Turnitin and Grademark) from 4pm on Thursday, 10 April 2014 until 12.01am on Monday, 14 April 2014.

UniLife - latest issue out now
(07 Apr 2014)
Read the April 2014 issue of the University newsletter online.

Ian Jackson running for brain tumour research
(07 Apr 2014)
Now in its 12th year, the 10K Bupa Great Manchester Run takes place on 18 May. Among the thousands of runners expected to take part will be Ian Jackson, Measurement Surveyor in the Directorate of Estates and Facilities, who will be running in support of the Brain Tumour Research charity.

Manchester academic helps recreate 1915 field hospital for BBC drama
(07 Apr 2014)
An academic from the School of Nursing has taken a journey back in time to help television producers recreate a 1915 field hospital for new BBC drama The Crimson Field which began on Sunday.

Poems and Songs by Bertolt Brecht
(08 Apr 2014)
On Wednesday 9 April, 6.00pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

'From Bugs to Drugs' Open Day Extravaganza
(08 Apr 2014)
Get the answers to all your questions about medicine on Saturday, 10 May (11am – 3pm) at University Place

Owens Park
(08 Apr 2014)
Statement from the Director of Estates and Facilities

Manchester Museum's Big Saturday: Ideas for Life!
(09 Apr 2014)
To celebrate Universities week, Manchester Museum is hosting a Big Saturday: Ideas for Life on Saturday, 14 June. Universities Week will show how research is making a positive difference to society and the Museum's aim is to provide an engaging day looking at how the world works and how to make it better

Hundreds ride in for a ‘wheely’ good show
(09 Apr 2014)
University of Manchester Bike Users’ Group celebrates 1,000 members

Manchester Medical Student Communities Launched
(09 Apr 2014)
Manchester Medical School is the largest medical school in the UK with around 2,200 undergraduates. Because of both its size and the structure of its courses, students can often feel disconnected from the School and have difficulty meeting fellow students outside of their own learning groups.

University Professors to carry out research on marketing of historic churches
(09 Apr 2014)
Historians, geographers, architects and engineers are invited to get involved in this cross-disciplinary work.

Campus Masterplan Update
(09 Apr 2014)
This month's UniLife comes with a separate publication which provides an update from the Directorate of Estates and Facilities on progress-to-date on the Campus Masterplan 2012-22.

Launch of Student Experience Internships
(09 Apr 2014)
The Directorate for the Student Experience has launched a new student internships programme for summer 2014.

Staff Portal has changed to the new look ‘My Manchester’
(09 Apr 2014)
The new ‘My Manchester’ for staff launched on Wednesday, 9 April.

Fiona Devine is making a difference
(10 Apr 2014)
I am highlighting social differences and inequalities through my research

No access to Blackboard from today (10 April) until 13 April 2014
(10 Apr 2014)
You will not have access to Blackboard (including Turnitin and Grademark) from 4pm today (Thursday, 10 April 2014) until 12.01am on Monday, 14 April 2014.

Creating Facilities to Support World-class Research at Manchester Survey
(11 Apr 2014)
Your chance to have a say in the University’s future investment in e-science/e-research tools and win an iPad mini!

Iconic new home for Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Relations Resource Centre
(11 Apr 2014)
Reaching a bigger audience at revamped Central Library

CoreMunicate - a new start for team brief
(11 Apr 2014)
Following feedback from the Staff Survey, the team brief process has been reviewed and relaunched

Beware of scam e-mails using Professor Nancy Rothwell’s name
(11 Apr 2014)
‘Phishers’ are sending out these e-mails in an attempt to obtain your University username and password

University Golf Challenge
(14 Apr 2014)
On Friday, 25 April 2014 at Prenton Golf Club, Golf Links Road, Prenton, Wirral CH42 8LW (just off J3 M53)

Urban Naturalist: Urban Wildlife at Manchester Museum
(14 Apr 2014)
Join the RSPB to find out more about your local wildlife and how to encourage and give nature a home.

University to teach thousands around the globe with new online courses
(14 Apr 2014)
Manchester launches Massive Open Online Courses

Staff benefits update
(14 Apr 2014)
Merlin Group – Superbreak – Lake District hotels – Hairdressers – Cricket – Tastecard - Perkz prizes!

Further roadworks planned on Upper Brook Street
(14 Apr 2014)
The works will cause diversion and delays to the 147 bus service (Oxford Road Link)

Blackboard upgrade successful
(14 Apr 2014)
Summary of changes resulting from the upgrade which took place from 10 to 13 April 2014

New exhibition at Manchester Museum - From the War of Nature
(15 Apr 2014)
Boxing hares, burrowing parasites, baby birds and prowling wolves are just some of the characters appearing in this story of predation, competition & co-operation

Family Activities at Manchester Museum this April
(15 Apr 2014)
Easter Holidays and Big Saturday: Plants, Poisons & Platypuses

Edinburgh Zombies are invading Manchester!
(15 Apr 2014)
LAStheatre is bringing its award winning experimental Edinburgh Theatre/Science show ‘The Enlightenment Café: Deadinburgh’ to the Manchester Science Festival this autumn and is looking for collaborators

Travel to learn - return to inspire
(15 Apr 2014)
Applications for 2015 Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Travelling Fellowships open on 7 May

Heartbleed: is your IT account at risk?
(15 Apr 2014)
Heartbleed is a serious worldwide IT security issue thought to have affected approximately half a million websites.

New Director for Institute of Cancer Sciences
(15 Apr 2014)
One of the world's most cited scientists - knighted by the Queen for services to the subject - has taken the helm as Director at the University's Institute of Cancer Sciences.

Would you like to know how fit you are?
(15 Apr 2014)
Put yourself to the test at the Armitage Sports Centre, Moseley Road, Fallowfield, M14 3HE.

Matthew and Cath aim to 'Live Below the Line'
(16 Apr 2014)
Two members of staff will face the challenge of existing on the equivalent of £1 a day for five consecutive days.

Bakers rise to the occasion for Macmillan Cancer Support
(16 Apr 2014)
Administrators from the School of Medicine Graduate Office held a cake sale earlier this month in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and raised £54.60.

Sport Relief 2014 Money Raisers
(16 Apr 2014)
Sport Relief 2014 saw the entire nation pull out all the stops, fundraising in homes, schools, workplaces and by taking part in the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games. Staff and students at the University of Manchester did their bit too in order to contribute to the Sport Relief total which currently stands at £53,370,743

Lynn Fleming and Stephanie Marsh are making a difference
(17 Apr 2014)
We reduce waste sent to landfill whilst raising money for charity

Making sense of Jesus' miracles
(17 Apr 2014)
Christians in Science (CiS) Manchester meet at Café Muse, Wednesday 7 May at 6pm

My Learning Essentials and Open Access content
(17 Apr 2014)
The Library’s own My Learning Essentials skills development programme has now made its online resources suite available to download freely under a Creative Commons licence.

FoodOnCampus: Easter opening times
(18 Apr 2014)
Where to eat and drink from 5 to 27 April 2014

Manchester rises to the University Challenge
(19 Apr 2014)
The University has romped to victory in a special Champion of Champions University Challenge match to celebrate 50 years of the iconic BBC quiz show.

Whitworth Park-life revealed ...
(21 Apr 2014)
Museum exhibits toys and trinkets from archaeological dig

Celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday at the Martin Harris Centre
(22 Apr 2014)
“Violent delights have violent ends...” (23-25 April 2014)

Help promote the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey to your students
(22 Apr 2014)
Professor Clive Agnew has made a video about the importance to the University of PTES, which is now open until 9 May 2014

Are you approaching retirement? Need some guidance?
(22 Apr 2014)
If so, there are places still available on the STDU Pre-Retirement 1.5 day session taking place on 16th & 19th May.

Easter vacation fitness drop-in sessions
(22 Apr 2014)
From 7 to 25 April in Dover Street Building and Sackville Street Building

Manchester Psoriasis Shout Out!
(23 Apr 2014)
The University is hosting the ‘Manchester Psoriasis Shout Out’ (28 April to 2 May) - a roadshow and series of events to raise awareness of the condition psoriasis.

Science Stroke Art 2014: highlighting stroke through science and art
(23 Apr 2014)
The Stroke Association has teamed up with leading researchers from the University to run a series of innovative events in the city during Action on Stroke Month.

Is your computer secure? Check your anti-virus software is up to date.
(23 Apr 2014)
Old versions of McAfee and Sophos anti-virus software will stop working.

Eggsellent result for the Wood Street Mission Easter Project
(23 Apr 2014)
Many thanks for your generous donations of Easter eggs and money towards this year’s Easter Project.

Manchester academic appointed a trustee of the Daphne Jackson Trust
(23 Apr 2014)
An academic from the Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences has recently become a Trustee of the Daphne Jackson Trust.

University hosts Office for Fair Access Director Les Ebdon
(23 Apr 2014)
Professor Les Ebdon, Director of Fair Access to Higher Education, is to answer a series of questions from students, staff and alumni at a special University of Manchester session on Tuesday 29 April.

Stephen Taylor is making a difference
(24 Apr 2014)
I am helping to improve anti-cancer drugs

Manchester University Commissioning Ensemble (MUCE)
(24 Apr 2014)
On Friday 2 May, at 1.10pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

Staff benefits update
(24 Apr 2014)
Here are a few discount updates to brighten up your week

Be Active summer term courses
(24 Apr 2014)
Try a new activity this summer term.

MIMIT Forum 15 May 2014
(24 Apr 2014)
The next Manchester Integrating Medicine and Innovative Technology Forum will take place on 15 May 2014, 12pm-2pm at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology

Shoppers enjoy a Brief Encounter…at Asda!
(24 Apr 2014)
Whitworth Art Gallery ‘pops up’ close to home

Help improve research into patient safety in primary care
(24 Apr 2014)
The second edition of the GM PSTRC newsletter is now available online.

Complete the Library’s short survey on culture, learning and research
(24 Apr 2014)
You could win one of five £50 amazon vouchers

Manchester Business School students celebrate success
(24 Apr 2014)
Teams sweep board, making us first university to win all categories

Mel Ainscow leads Welsh schools challenge
(24 Apr 2014)
Academic scoops prestigious education post

University celebrates working together
(24 Apr 2014)
Students as Partners annual awards

Michael Owen scores in London Marathon for Manchester eye research and treatment
(24 Apr 2014)
Retired footballer Michael Owen today donated £25,681.20 to the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and scientists from The University of Manchester, after running the London Marathon for the cause.

Prestigious grant for baby talk research
(25 Apr 2014)
University awarded £9 million for child language centre

Book now for UCEA H&S Guidance for the Placement of Students workshop
(25 Apr 2014)
This workshop is designed to provide an understanding of UCEA’s updated Guidance for the Placement of HE Students and its practical application.

Book now for THS68 Risk Assessment Workshop (Non Lab Based Staff)
(25 Apr 2014)
This workshop is an opportunity for you to come along and practice your Risk Assessment skills, and familiarise yourself with the new University Risk Assessment Policy and Assessment forms.

Cake sale for the Cleft Lip and Palate Association
(28 Apr 2014)
Come and support CLAPA by enjoying a cake on Monday, 12 May (10.30am-12.30pm)

Quatuor Danel Seminar: Doctors and Philosophers of Composition
(28 Apr 2014)
On Thursday 8 May, 2.30pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

QUATUOR DANEL Evening Concert
(28 Apr 2014)
On Friday 9 May, 7.30pm at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama

New Safety Services Webpages available from 6 May
(28 Apr 2014)
Safety Services new webpages will be available for use from 6 May

Fire strike bulletin
(28 Apr 2014)
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service will join firefighters across England and Wales in a strike from 2 to 4 May, the Fire Brigades Union has announced.

Fleet Street still packs a punch, finds research
(29 Apr 2014)
Printed newspapers are still among the most influential sources of information for senior civil servants, according to University of Manchester research.

Could you help organise this year's CLASS Network Conference?
(29 Apr 2014)
Members of the Professional Support Services are needed to join the CLASS Network Conference Co-ordinating Group and help get this year’s Conference off the ground

Staff IT Survey results
(29 Apr 2014)
Telling us what you think about IT Services

IT Services for Research Newsletter – April 2014
(30 Apr 2014)
The 13th in a series of monthly newsletters for all Academics and Researchers at The University of Manchester.

Britain’s most senior judge speaks to University
(30 Apr 2014)
School of Law hosts President of The Supreme Court

Book now for Dr Steve Wartman's keynote MAHSC lecture
(30 Apr 2014)
The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre would like to invite you to a keynote MAHSC lecture by Dr Steve Wartman, President of the Association of Academic Health Centers of the United States, who will present Mission Disruption: The Transformation of Education, Research and Patient Care. The presentation will begin at 5.15pm on Tuesday, 6 May at the Michael Smith Lecture Theatre in the Michael Smith Building.

New University website
(30 Apr 2014)
On 30 April the Division of Communications and Marketing launched a brand new University website.

Nominations for External Awards and Prizes*
(30 Apr 2014)
The Senior Leadership Team has agreed guidelines for submission of entries for prizes and awards, which should be observed for the Times Higher Education Awards 2014.

University spin-out brings personalised medicine approach to use of antibiotics
(30 Apr 2014)
Spectromics Limited will develop novel technology to help guide the effective use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial therapeutics