news at lboro - Issue 76

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the xx staff magazine for loughborough university

Barnsley

Sir John Beckwith

issue 76 | autumn 2013

Sir Edward Herbert was Chairman of Governors at Loughborough College of Technology from 1957-63.

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Edward hErBErt

issue 76 | autumn

was Sir Edward Herbert Governors at Chairman of College of Loughborough 1957-63.

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£7m funding to strengthen sports medicine research

A portrait of former University Vice Chancellor Professor Shirley Pearce was unveiled this summer.

Loughborough will receive more than £7 million from HEFCE’s Catalyst Fund to strengthen its position as a leader in sport and exercise medicine research and accelerate the translation of research to patient care.

The painting, by School of the Arts lecturer and President of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters Alastair Evans, has been hung in the newly-renamed Pearce Committee Room on the ground floor of Hazlerigg.

Better at Email

... inside this issue Better at email

Shirley Pearce portrait unveiled

Professor Pearce unveiled the portrait on the same day she was presented with an honorary degree by the University.

winter p14 Save money this their top tips, to reduce

Our experts share

Campus developments The library transformed

8

Focus Extra-curricular activities for staff

10

Focus 12 LU’s new staff email campaign Focus Save energy and money this winter

Others to receive an honorary degree were: former deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Neil Halliwell, Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership Charlie Mayfield, Olympic gold medallist Adrian Moorhouse, Chief Executive of the Manufacturing Technology Centre Ltd Dr Clive Hickman, Director of the Institute of Public Safety Research (Tsinghua University, China) Professor Weicheng Fan, and Former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ERA Technology Ltd Professor Michael Withers.

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Sport and health 18 Round-up of the latest sports activities and achievements

Design/Print Design and Print Services www.lboro.ac.uk/designandprint

Photography Design and Print Services, Fotolia.

Loughborough is proud to be a Fairtrade University Look for products with the FAIRTRADE Mark. www.fairtrade.org.uk

New COO Richard Taylor joined Loughborough this September as the University’s new Chief Operating Officer.

Richard previously worked at the University of Leicester where he was Deputy Registrar and a member of the senior management team. His varied brief included overall responsibility for the University’s planning activity, residences and catering, sport, the University’s conference centre, admissions, marketing, communications and fundraising activity. He is also a trustee of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Catalyst funding will enable Loughborough to make key new appointments including senior academic posts in rehabilitative medicine (School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences), healthcare technologies (School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering) and regenerative medicine (Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering), as well as a series of new PhD posts for clinicians.

Pro Vice Chancellor (Research) Professor Myra Nimmo said:

Professor Myra Nimmo

“This funding will enhance our ability at Loughborough to draw on expertise within our strong engineering and technology disciplines, and use it in our sport and health research. This will ultimately lead to new approaches to patient care, disease management and prevention.”

The University and the campus trade unions (UCU, Unite and Unison) have agreed that the minimum adult hourly rate of pay for University staff should be increased to £7.45 per hour to match the current Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation.

The new rate of pay will see a significant increase to the hourly rate for the lowest paid staff and reflects a joint commitment to reinforce the University’s position as an Employer of Choice.

Editor Amanda Overend Public Relations Office T: 01509 223491 E: news@lboro.ac.uk

Printed on Essential Silk, produced using sustainably sourced materials and elemental chlorine free pulp

Living Wage agreed for staff

This rate came into effect from 1 August 2013 and will incorporate the 2013-14 national pay award, which is still to be agreed. It comes as a result of joint working between management and union representatives, as part of the University’s Partnership Agreement.

Research 16 Academics influencing policy

T55519/DPS/Sept13

The funding will help the University build new collaborative and sustainable research capacity in sport and exercise medicine across its engineering, technology and sport science disciplines, and will support the initiation stage of the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM).

It will also fund a team of translational scientists and a marketing specialist to disseminate and deploy research findings into the clinical community, to achieve a rapid rise in understanding of the potential of sport and exercise medicine for patients.

Richard joined Leicester in 2003 after holding posts at Durham and Loughborough universities.

The University has played a key role in helping Loughborough win the coveted Small City category of the East Midlands in Bloom competition for the third year running.

This year’s Royal Horticultural Society theme for the competition was ‘edible Britain’ which tied in well with the University’s Fruit Route and new apiary – both of which featured on the town’s promotional bloom video.

Richard grew up in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and attended Barnsley College before studying at Durham University, where he was Students’ Union President in 1994-5. He lives local to Loughborough and is married with two young children.

“I am absolutely delighted to join Loughborough University,” he said. “It is an organisation that has enjoyed significant success in recent years and has huge potential to build on that record. I very much look forward to meeting new colleagues and students.”

Loughborough wins regional In Bloom gong

During their announcement, the judges went out of their way to mention the input of the University in the town’s success.

Richard Taylor

Karen Setchell from the grounds and gardens team represents the

University on the Loughborough in Bloom Board, and led judges on a tour of the campus on judging day.

“It’s not just what the judges see on the day that gets judged – my role was to communicate what we’ve been doing at the University throughout the year.

“The construction of new sports pitches and the huge amount of sustainable planting we do all contribute to the marks, and I was able to show them particular areas of interest including the flower bed by the swimming pool and other seasonal beds which some of the gardeners like to design themselves.”

UG courses go mobile A mobile version of the University’s undergraduate prospectus is now available as a smartphone app for both Android and iOS. The app supports the printed version and is regularly updated with the latest information about courses.

The app has an easy-to-use search facility that allows users to look through over 100 undergraduate courses, which are divided in two ways – alphabetically and by department.

Each course profile contains clear and simple ‘need to know’ information such as entry requirements and an overview of the course structure, alongside contact information for key figures and more in depth information about the course and the University’s departments. Prospective students can even use it to book their place on one of the University’s open days.

The app has been developed with Leicesterbased marketing communications agency Rock Kitchen Harris.

To download the app log onto itunes or Google Play and search for Loughborough University.

for more information on these news stories and more visit www.lboro.ac.uk/staff/news

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news

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Help us do things better Staff are being called upon to provide valuable suggestions and feedback to help the University cut costs and ‘do things better’.

For the next year, Director of Change Projects Dr Anne Mumford and a team of colleagues seconded from within the University will work on a range of projects that aim to ensure we work effectively and efficiently, and we use the financial resources of the University wisely.

“We want colleagues from across the University to help us shape the range of projects we look at over this next year,” Dr Mumford explained.

Staff development moves to my.HR Employees can now book courses and manage their own staff development records through the online employee self-service facility my.HR. Staff can still browse the staff development web pages to find appropriate courses, but all bookings for courses and workshops – known as ‘activities’ on the new system – now need to be made through my.HR. my.HR will progressively bring existing training records together into one place and means staff are able to view their full training history, see when qualifications need updating, add details of non-University courses they’ve attended, and add any special requirements which are automatically sent to course organisers, instead of filling it in on a course-by-course basis.

Training details will also be automatically fed through to your personal profile for individuals applying for jobs online at the University, and managers will now be able to more easily see training records for their direct reports. my.HR is helping to make substantial time and cost savings as part of the University’s value for money initiative. To log onto my.HR visit the University staff web pages. If you are accessing the site from off campus, please use the relevant link in the ‘general information’ box.

“From the staff survey we know that bureaucracy is something people find frustrating, sometimes because they do not understand why they are doing something, but perhaps because they rightly see the action has no value – or insufficient value relative to the work involved.

“We need people to flag up areas where staff think we’re not efficient so we can implement effective long-term changes to the way we work as a University.

So we’re asking colleagues to tell us what they think can be done better, and we’ll see if we can help make that change.”

Suggestions can be sent to the change team between now and 30 November, to provide time for ideas to be reviewed and reported on in the next newsatlboro.

Although suggestions can be made anonymously, anyone giving their name and contact details will be entered into a prize draw for a £50 Amazon voucher.

Make you suggestion by completing the form at www.lboro.ac.uk/Better If this works well a new window for ideas will open in February.

e-payslips for claim form staff

Library

achieves IIP Gold

The University Library has been re-accredited with Investors in People, achieving Gold status for the very first time.

The Library was first awarded IIP Bronze status in 2003, and has been re-accredited twice, but now it has achieved the top award.

The external assessor was very impressed with team’s continued efforts to achieve the top status and said: “Perhaps one of the most important things for any organisation is to be seen as a great employer for the way you support, manage and develop people and this you have achieved with most people scoring you an eight or nine out of 10 employer – a great achievement.”

Library Head of Planning and Resources Graham Walton added: “This represents a major achievement of which the University Library is very proud.”

Staff paid via the submission of claim forms (paid on the Claims Monthly Payroll) will now receive confirmation of payment via electronic payslips, with paper payslips due to cease over the coming months.

The move to e-payslips follows the introduction of electronic payslips for core staff on the monthly and four-weekly payrolls earlier this year.

For related queries contact Allison Jennings on a.jennings@lboro.ac.uk

£

£

£

£

If you have any enquiries contact the project team on itrentadmin@lboro.ac.uk or call 222 920.

for more information on these news stories and more visit www.lboro.ac.uk/staff/news

Seven new films featuring graduate enterprise are now available on the University’s YouTube channel. All were produced by Claud Williams – a Loughborough graduate and winner of a 2013 Enterprise Award.

Six of the films are companies featured in the Inspiring, Enterprising graduates campaign, and the seventh is about a 2012 School of the Arts graduate being supported through The Studio.

Celebrate harvest with Fruit Routes Two days of harvest activities have been planned this October as part of the Fruit Routes project.

Claim Payment Forms have been updated to include an email address entry. To ensure a smooth transition, please ensure that up-to-date forms are downloaded from the Finance web pages and used for all future claims.

Claimants will need to inform the Payroll Office of their email address to ensure they will continue to receive a payslip.

Enterprise films

Cycle2Work is back The Cycle2Work Scheme, where participants can save up to 41% on the cost of a bike and accessories, is now back at Loughborough.

Cycle2Work is a Government initiative to encourage people to cycle to work on a more regular basis. Staff on a contract of two years of more who commute to work by bike at least 50% of the time are eligible.

As part of the scheme, operated in conjunction with Loughborough’s on-campus bike shop cogz, the University buys the bike and leases it as a tax-exempt benefit. The employee pays the cost of the loan by salary sacrifice over a 17-month period, providing a saving of up to 23% for basic rate taxpayers and 41% for higher rate tax payers.

For more information see the University’s online travel pages at www.lboro.ac.uk/sustainability/travel

Join a day of harvesting along the University Fruit Route, followed by the start of apple pressing on Friday 25 October.

On Saturday 26 October, activities include guided lunchtime walks exploring wild food on campus with soup at The Shed, pumpkin carving, lantern making, apple pressing and chutney making, and an evening party with music, food and a bonfire.

All activities start from, or take place at The Shed

(by Car Park 5) and are open to students, staff and their families, as well as members of the local community. For times and further information keep an eye on the staff noticeboard.

Staff can get involved with the Fruit Routes project throughout the year. To find out more email environment@lboro. ac.uk or follow the project blog fruitroutesloughborough. wordpress.com

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IT Services staff help local hospice

Bite-size Sessions

Luncht me

Bite-Size Sessions are a series of stand-alone two hour sessions taking a pragmatic approach to current human resources challenges.

C o n c e r t s

Staff from the University’s IT Services Department took part in a team-building day with a difference in July as they helped local hospice Rainbows clear space for a much-needed car park extension.

Each session will provide a practical approach, whilst also giving you the opportunity to practice the skills needed to implement best practice.

Bring your sandwiches and enjoy the sound of music at one of two free lunchtime concerts with University music tutors Robert Greenlees and Alan Thomas.

Members of the Corporate Systems Team spent the day clearing an area of bricks, rubble and general waste at the charity’s Lark Rise residence. The day was used as a team-building exercise and as an opportunity to give something back to the community.

Available sessions include: Managing Through Change, Probation Review,

Robert is part of The Cardinal Saxophone Quartet playing on Wednesday 13 November, while Alan will perform a range of classical and Spanish guitar favourites and timeless Lennon/McCartney compositions on Wednesday 22 January.

Loughborough’s Head of Corporate Systems Sally Brown said: “The team spirit, evident in planning the day’s work, solving some incredibly tricky logistical nightmares and doing so much sheer hard graft – on the hottest day of the year – was wonderful.

“It was quite clear that all members of the team really do enjoy working together and that any subset of the team is capable of working cheerfully and effectively together.”

The internationally recognised Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) qualifications range from the Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills through to the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management.

These programmes are fully funded by Staff Development and are specifically tailored for Loughborough University staff using our policies and procedures.

The ILM programmes on offer are:

Loughborough to London bike ride

Travel Survey shows encouraging signs

Level 3 – Award in Coaching

The University’s project managers led a Loughborough to London bike ride as part of the Discover FM day.

Level 4 – Certificate in Leadership and Management

The team of Matt Clarke, Peter Upton, Colin Morgan, Martin Channell and Ian Woodhouse were joined by FM colleagues Mick Commons, Greg Watts, Debbie Grant, Andy Sweeney and Ellie Roberts to complete the 138 miles in six hours and 20 minutes on an exercise bike.

Level 5 – Diploma in Leadership and Management

Level 5 – Certificate in Leadership and Management Level 5 – Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring

For further details regarding the above programme, visit the staff development web page at: www.lboro.ac.uk/staffdevelopment/ management/mdq.html

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Sheffield

Leicester

Loughborough

organ Colin M

Norwich

Leicester

Peterborough Corby

Birmingham

Huntington Northampton

Cambridge Bedford

Luton

Stevenage

Watford

Enfield

Reading

London

University

Don’t forget staff can use the Kinchbus on campus for free. Just show your staff pass to gain free travel within the campus boundary.

Awards and honours Professor Ian Henry has been appointed as Specialist Adviser to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Fourth year product design engineering student Simon Lyons has won if Only It Worked – a national competition to design solutions to daily problems faced by elderly or disabled people. Simon won the competition for his simple but effective cutting device that helps people with arthritis open various packages.

The Design and Print team won twice at the Association of Print Managers in Education (APME) annual awards, securing Best In-House Design for the School of the Arts graduates brochure and Best In-House Print for the graduation brochure.

Department of Materials PhD student Saranya Venugopal won the Student Speaking Competition at the annual International Conference of the European Ceramic Society.

LSU Computer Society won the Bronze Award at the RBS ESSA (enterprise scheme) awards – their video submission was the most viewed of all 80 entries with 22,000 views.

Textile students Ruth Rennison and Lilly Tenant both scooped awards at the New Designers Exhibition 2013. Ruth received the Textile Society’s Lucienne Day Award and Lilly was presented with the New Designers Worshipful Company of Weavers Associate prize.

Universit

Taking

University

A team of students from the Wolfson School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering has won the Best Use of Intellectual Property award at the 2013 nationwide Engineering Young Entrepreneur Scheme (YES).

The ride was designed to help promote Colin Morgan’s Land’s End to John O’Groats bike ride to raise funds for Diabetes UK. The team’s efforts raised £175 on the day, to help boost Colin’s total to more than £3,500.

St Albans

Derby

Level 3 – Award in Leadership and Management

rsity ive

To see more of the results please visit the sustainability website at www.lboro.ac.uk/sustainability

Level 2 – Award in Leadership and Team Skills

Un

The 2013 survey showed real signs that the University is moving towards reaching its Loughborough targets set in the 2010 travel plan.

A total of 1,110 staff completed the survey and figures showed: a 5% reduction in single occupancy vehicles, a 5.5% increase in the number of staff walking or cycling as their main mode of transport, and a 2.5% increase in staff who occasionally use public transport.

Additional sessions will be added to the list in response to demand. Search ‘bite size’ from the University home page for the up-to-date list, or speak to your staff development adviser.

ILM qualifications

Both concerts are organised by Loughborough University Arts and take place from 12.30 to 1.15pm in the Art Cafe in the Cope Foyer.

Rainbows is a local charity dedicated to meeting the needs of children and young people who are affected by life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

Disciplinary Investigations, Monitoring Sickness Absence, Disability and Mental Health, Performance Management, Effective Induction and Effective PDRs.

Free bus

Congratulations to ILM Learners who have succes Level 2 – Award sfully completed in Leadership an d Team Skills, Le Leadership and ve l 3 – Award in Management an d Level 3 – Awar d in Coaching.

Social Sciences student Lukas Stepanek has received Loughborough’s top award - the Sir Robert Martin University Prize - which recognises one student each year for outstanding academic and nonacademic achievement.

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campus developments

campus developments 09

Over the Summer Accommodation

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d .5 million rebuil 4 £ r jo a m a e n has undergo s for students ie ry it il ra c ib fa L y e it d rs ra e g up The Univ r the summer to redentials. ve o t n e m h is rb ility c and refu ing’s sustainab d il u b e th ve ro and imp

by 35% since ry has increased Use of the Libra king tired and e Library was loo 2008/09 and th on spaces s or d its competit had fallen behin per student. vel 4 integrated ion has seen Le The transformat ty of study rie to provide a va into the Library ots by 300, sp le ab ail ase av spaces and incre nd 1,370, ing total to arou bringing the build . es ac t study sp including 70 silen ters en access compu The number of op 200, to ed from 160 up has been increas access r tte be d stay PCs an with more short for groups. to the Library s been relocated The PC Clinic ha trance en 3 l ve Le and the from Haslegrave its operation elled to improve has been remod itors. New vis to e attractive and make it mor ve been ha s sk de enquiry information and gh Demand Hi levels, and the introduced on all custom a to ed en relocat collection has be designed space. and ve been replaced Toilet facilities ha ing water ink dr d an 20 to 39, increased from four levels. w available on all fountains are no

tween Levels en opened up be be s ha m riu at An ve been es and walls ha 3 and 4 and offic tural lighting. e the most of na removed to mak placed with a re en vel 4 has be The exterior of Le that will help efficient structure more thermally ion by 59%, pt ’s energy consum or flo e th ce du re ions each year. of carbon emiss or 26.7 tonnes p of the arks the final ste Its completion m terplan.

Central Park Mas

Falkner-Eggington Court is nearing completion of a major refurbishment programme that has seen significant improvement and modernisation of its 73 blocks.

The revitalised halls on the Central Park provide ‘budget plus’ accommodation for 520 students and will boast a new social hub with launderette and refurbished games room.

Student Village

cost

es introduced silent study spac new study spaces

300

200 19

Falkner-Eggington Courts

Eggington Court welcomed its new students ready for Freshers week on the 26 September.

Falkner Court will have a phased handover from late October to the end of term.

on Transformati figures:

£740.5m

makeovers

A range of foyers, receptions and toilet areas across campus have been upgraded this summer. Buildings and dep artments to benefit include Wolfson, Chemistry, John Hardie, LUSAD and Civil and Building Eng ineering

To help meet student demand for self-catered accommodation, kitchens and bathrooms in David Collett G Block and Faraday 22-27 have been extended and refurbished over the summer in readiness for becoming part of the self-catered Telford Hall.

Landscaping adjacent to the new Telford Hall has also been significantly improved to make suitable outside space for the larger numbers of students. This new area includes a social space with seating and BBQ areas.

T003 - Wolfson One of Loughborough’s larg est lecture theatres – T003 in Wolfson building (above) – has been completely refurbished. The seats, benches and audio visual system have bee n replaced, the walls have been relined and acoustic panels have been fitted to improve the room’s acoustic performance.

The campus infrastructure for the IT network has been upgraded with ma ny new underground ducts and cab le routes to provide greater resilience.

There has been a string of moves between Hazlerigg and Rutland. The Enterprise, Research, Student Outreach and Recruitment, and International offices hav e moved into the Hazlerigg Building, swa pping places with Human Resources and Fina nce who are now housed in Rutland. Design and Print have moved up to Admin 1 (below ).

And to mark main entrance points into the student village, new mini gateway schemes have been introduced.

mputers open access co new toilets

saved annually tonnes of carbon

26.7

Admin 1 - Sir Arnold Hall

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focus 11 Landscaping and Gardening Society If you’re green fingered, or want to learn more about gardening, the Landscaping and Gardening Society (LAGS) is right for you. Members grow organic vegetables, herbs and flowers on a dedicated plot on campus.

Book Club Share and discuss a good read at the Loughborough University Arts book club. The club is free to join and meets on a Tuesday lunchtime, approximately every six weeks, in the LUA Project Space above the Cope Auditorium. Anyone interested in joining should contact Jo Mardell on luarts@lboro.ac.uk

Art classes

Whilst most of us will just view the University as a place of work, there are plenty of opportunities to explore your creative talents, learn something new or exercise your body and mind on campus…

Explore your creative side by signing up to classes in painting and drawing or pottery.

The 18-session courses take place on a Tuesday evening and cost £120 (£60 concessions).

This year’s course kicks off on 29 October, so contact organisers soon to secure your spot as places are limited. For more information or to enrol visit www.arts.lboro.ac.uk

it’s not all

work

work

University Choir A love of singing is all that’s required to join the University Choir – there are no auditions, no previous experience is required, and you don’t even have to be able to read music.

The choir is open to all staff and students of the University, and members of the public aged 16 and over. New members are welcome to join for free at any time – just pop along to one of the rehearsals. The choir meets every Monday during term time from 7pm to 9pm in the Cope Auditorium.

Each year the Choir gives two or three public performances, including their annual Christmas and Spring concerts.

Let’s get physical As you’d expect from a University like Loughborough, there are lots of opportunities for physical activity all year round.

Organised classes include pilates, zumba, aqua aerobics, fitness attack and yoga and cost £3 per session. To book your place, visit the Students’ Union reception or any of the sports facility receptions, or call 226250 or 228470.

Visit www.loughboroughsport. com/my-lifestyle for the latest timetables.

Swimming With one of the country’s top training pools on our doorstep, it’s a shame not to make the most of it. As well as public swim sessions, the University pool hosts a wide variety of courses and activities including adult swimming lessons and first aid and life guarding courses. For the latest timetable and course information call 226200.

The society encourages active involvement through collaborative work, discussion and education on topics surrounding art, politics, sustainability and gardening, and meets most Friday afternoons at The Shed (by Car Park 5). LAGS is open to everyone, regardless of skills.

Visit the group’s facebook page for details of their latest activities.

Piano Practice and Rehearsal Rooms Loughborough University Arts have a number of music rehearsal spaces available for staff and students to use free of charge. Located at the rear of the Cope Auditorium they are equipped with pianos and can also be used with your own nonelectronic instruments.

These rooms operate on an informal, first come, first served basis between 7am and 10pm, and can be accessed using the swipe card system. To register for access to these rooms please email your student/staff ID number and full name to luarts@lboro.ac.uk

Inaugural lectures Find out more about the work of the University’s professors at one of 12 inaugural lectures scheduled each year.

The lectures take place four times per term and provide a valuable insight into the varied research taking place at Loughborough. Lectures typically last an hour and are preceded by a tea and cake reception from 4.30pm. They are open to everyone – all you need to do is register your attendance in advance.

For details of forthcoming lectures, log onto www.lboro.ac.uk/inaugural

12

40

ployee age em The aver 40 minutes spends managing a day inbox their

Feeling Weighed Down?

Can we do better?

Becoming

Better at Email

Tom has been working with Director of Change Projects Anne Mumford and colleagues in his school, IT Services and Marketing & Communications to develop ideas for new ways of working to help people gain some time in their busy lives.

readminute from and res to an e cove mai r l

A new staff campaign has been launched to improve email efficiency and reduce staff stress.

The latest staff survey showed that people find email overwhelming at times, and some find it overwhelming all of the time.

is an interrupt time of 64 seconds before continuing the task in hand, on top of the time it takes to deal with the email.

Professor Tom Jackson from the Centre for Information Management is the University’s resident email expert, and has undertaken research on the time taken to deal with emails, and the pressure people feel due to the amount of email being received and the expectation of a quick turn-around.

If we assume 2,400 of University staff receive 40 emails a day on 230 working days and allow themselves to be interrupted for each one then they are distracted and unproductive for an hour a day.

The cost of this to the University adds up to a staggering £32,000 a day or £7.4 million a year

Tom’s research shows that 70% of emails are viewed within six seconds of receipt, and each time someone checks their emails there

39

%

focus

70%

e wer n ails withi m o e of ted t onds c rea 6 sec

BETTER AT EMAIL is a suite of resources to support and advise staff and they include:

los

Con

ing tro l?

Short videos to get you to look at your volume of emails, your email addiction, and your ability to communicate well.

A software analysis tool (available

on a standard PC desktop) to

evaluate how you are doing,

how addicted and/or pressured

you are, and how well you communicate.

Some advice on better practice.

focus 13

39% of email is information only (read only)

17

%

irrelevant or untargeted (inc. SPAM)

29

%

29% copied in unnecessarily (cc & reply-to-all)

85

%

85% of messages could be communicated in another way, so managing your inbox to deliver only the very important messages will save you time and effort and let you regain control of your email

A task takes 1/3 longer when being interrupted by email every five minutes Those who don’t file email away are more likely to be stressed

Reversing the results shows that only

15%

of email requires action

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focus 15 Medium to high cost No cost and low cost options Greg Watts, Energy Manager says there are plenty of low cost options we can take advantage of:

University experts help to save you energy and money When you turn on the news or read a paper there is usually something about the recession and the financial challenges being faced by families across the UK. Also hard to miss are the concerns of scientists about climate change and the need to conserve energy to help prevent global warming.

With the help of in-house experts from the Department of Civil and Building Engineering and the Sustainability Team, newsatlboro brings you top tips for keeping warm this autumn and winter, saving money and helping the environment.

Good Behaviours Good behaviours in the home are a great place to start, says Energy Technician Jenny Sawbridge: “Getting into just a few good habits is easy and a no cost option to saving energy. There are a few very simple things we can do that together can make a difference to fuel bills and the environment.”

“Every DIY store and many supermarkets stock products that are inexpensive and can really help when it comes to saving energy. Next time you go in, take a look. They will certainly help.”

n Switch off… lighting, TVs, DVD, games consoles It’s simple but effective: remember to switch off the lights when you leave the room. n Try to switch off appliances when not in use rather than leave them on standby.

n Remember to unplug your mobile phone chargers

thermostat, hot water tank thermostat.

n Reducing the temperature of your property could

reduce your bill significantly.

n Control it… use automatic timers on central heating

once your phone is fully charged.

n Turn it down… central heating thermostat, fridge

n Fit thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) on radiators to individually control the temperature in each room.

“The performance of individual technologies depends on the other energy-saving systems in the home so this makes it important to consider the order in which measures are installed to ensure that optimal energy and carbon emission reductions are achieved. Start with loft and wall insulation if you can, then think about glazing and finish with your boiler. If you do it the other way round you may end up with a boiler that is oversized and operates less efficiently.”

n Unplug… chargers and transformers.

Professor Dennis Loveday, from the School of Civil and Building Engineering says that if you are considering major home improvements to improve energy efficiency it is important to consider the order in which you undertake improvements:

(set to be on the minimum level possible).

like compact fluorescent. Take it one step further and install low energy lights like LED.

n Seal drafts around windows and doors.

n Use timers on lighting.

n Insulate your hot water tank.

n Insulate walls. If your home was built after 1920,

using photovoltaic cells. They convert the sunlight into electricity which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.

n Consider a new boiler. Boilers account for around

n Only boil the water you need for your cuppa.

Don’t overfill the kettle for one brew.

n Close fridge and freezer doors properly – keep the cold in.

the chances are its external walls are made of two layers with a gap or cavity between them. Cavity wall insulation fills that gap, keeping the warmth in to save energy.

n Fit solar panels. These capture the sun’s energy

n Instead of reaching for the thermostat – reach for that woolly jumper.

n Put lids on pans when cooking. This not only saves energy but also reduces cooking times.

un-insulated home a quarter of its heat is lost through the roof. 270mm is the recommended depth for mineral wool insulation.

n Look at your windows. All properties lose heat through their windows. Energy-efficient glazing will keep homes warmer (and quieter too). Consider double, triple or secondary glazing, or even just thicker curtains.

n Change light bulbs for energy efficient alternatives,

n Effectively insulate loft areas. Heat rises and in an

55% of energy bills so an energy efficient boiler makes a big difference.

n Purchase new A* rated appliances.

For more information, visit the Sustainability Team’s webpages which are full of helpful tips and advice: www.lboro.ac.uk/saveenergy

n Only run the washing machine and dishwasher with a full load (or use half load features).

See also www.calebre.org.uk

n Use a cooler wash cycle – most of the heat used by your washing machine is for heating the water.

Help available for energy efficiency improvements

n Line dry rather than tumble dry.

n Take short showers instead of a bath – a shower uses only a third of the energy of a bath. n Bleed radiators and maintain your boiler regularly to ensure it’s working efficiently.

The Green Deal is a financing mechanism provided by the Government that lets people pay for energy efficiency improvements through savings on their energy bills.

It was launched in January 2013 and more information is available from:

www.thegreendealfinancecompany.com

16

research

research 17

Influencing policy

Helping business Championing schools support local young carers business Based within Social

Across the University, academics are working with government departments in the UK and overseas to affect change. newsatlboro takes a look at some of Loughborough’s success stories.

Advising banks worldwide

Putting children first

David Llewellyn is Professor of Money and Banking in the School of Business and Economics and is a world authority on banking and financial markets and their regulation.

donald hirsch

Setting minimum standards Donald Hirsch is Director of the Centre for Research in Social Policy (CRSP), a research centre in the Department of Social Sciences. He plays a prominent national role in commenting on the adequacy of the public welfare system and on poverty trends, and his research is used as an evidence base for organisations such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Child Poverty Action Group.

His major area of work is on a Minimum Income Standard which is the leading standard of its kind in the UK. Results are used to set the national Living Wage outside London, which is currently £7.45 per hour and has been taken up by an increasing number of employers, including the University itself.

Donald and the CRSP team have also carried out research on Universal Credit, the Cost of a Child, the Cost of Fostering, a Minimum Income Standard for Remote Rural Scotland and a Minimum Acceptable Place Standard.

Internationally, five countries are applying the CRSP methods of research.

David has served as a consultant to regulatory agencies including the Financial Services Authority (FSA), the World Bank, the European Banking Authority (EBA), the South African National Treasury and National Reserve Bank, and the UK, Indian and Egyptian governments.

His research and expertise was instrumental in helping the FSA develop its guidelines for the application of economic analysis to financial regulation.

He is currently Chair of the EBA’s Banking Stakeholder Group and is developing and guiding its approach to EU-wide banking regulation and supervision.

Professor David Llewellyn

Professor Harriet Ward CBE is Director of the Centre for Child and Family Research (CCFR), a research centre also in the Department of Social Sciences.

Dr John Harrison

Measuring economic performance Dr John Harrison in the Department of Geography has been involved in a national project to help the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) better understand the economic performance of regions in England.

In an 18-month study focusing on the East Midlands, John’s work involved gathering intelligence on the factors affecting recent, current, and near-future regional output, employment and investment.

Her leadership of the Looking After Children Programme (19932001) was highly influential to Government policy and practice in the UK, and the work done

by Professor Ward and her team continues to have both national and international significance.

It provides the evidence base for a wide range of policy initiatives responding to diverse issues with an emphasis on those related to vulnerable children and their families.

CCFR has established links with over 30 local authorities and a number of leading charities including NSPCC, Action for Children and the Fostering Network. Their most recent report was on Intensive Family Support for ‘troubled families’ carried out for Action For Children.

The intelligence was then compiled into monthly reports and fed into a Regional Assessment Report which the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) produced for ministers and senior civil servants in BIS. John’s work was also used by senior figures within the East Midlands, providing the basis for monthly regional economic intelligence meetings with BIS Local, the Cabinet Office, and UK Trade & Investment.

David Llewellyn Professor harriet ward cbe

Research Grants and Contracts

professor angus laing

Dean of the School of Business and Economics Professor Angus Laing was a key adviser to Growing Your Business – a report written by Lord Young, the Prime Minister’s adviser on small business and enterprise.

Professor darren Smith

A student housing strategy Professor Darren Smith (Geography) is the country’s leading academic expert in ‘studentification’ and has provided the researchbased evidence to bring the issue of concentrated student housing to the attention of the Government.

The report highlighted the important role business schools and universities could play to boost the economy by working more closely with small businesses.

In his role as Chair of the Association of Business Schools, Angus is working with Lord Young and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) to deliver a business school-led and self-sustaining Charter scheme to challenge and incentivise business schools to help small businesses.

His work has influenced policy at national and local level, in particular recent changes to legislation for houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) which allow local authorities to withdraw permitted development for converting a family home to multiple occupation if they believe it will be detrimental to an area.

Former Housing Minister Grant Schapps MP praised Darren’s research, saying: “The Government strongly encourages this type of evidence-based, sector-led work.”

Darren has worked with numerous universities and local authorities to develop student housing strategies.

Sciences, the Young Carers Research Group (YCRG) conducts high quality research, evaluation and consultancy on all matters relating to children with caring responsibilities in order to advance knowledge and inform the development of health and social care policy and good practice.

Its research has had a direct influence on the development of law, policy and practice in the UK, including informing the development of more than 120 young carers projects across the UK, the Government’s National Carers Strategy, the Department of Health’s Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (2000, 2010), the 1995 Carers (Recognition and Services) Act and the Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000.

The YCRG is part of the National Young Carers Coalition which is lobbying to ensure young carers are represented in the new Children and Families Bill and the Care Bill.

Drs Adam Warren & Liz Mavroudi

Is the UK attractive to overseas students?

Research by Drs Adam Warren and Liz Mavroudi (Geography) was used by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration in November 2012 to help Government understand the challenges of keeping the UK an attractive destination for students.

YCRG Director Professor Jo Aldridge is a specialist on young carers that live with and care for parents with illness/disability. She is also a specialist in the field of parental mental health and child welfare.

She has contributed evidence on the needs of vulnerable children and their families to government committees (including a Parliamentary Select Committee), think tanks and policy makers in the UK and overseas.

The researchers conducted interviews with 54 postgraduate international students and academic staff based in the UK as part of a project looking at negotiation of changing UK immigration policy by nonEEA nationals based at English universities.

In addition, Dr Warren provided consultancy to the Home Office in May 2013 on a report on the student visitor immigration category.

professor jo aldridge

Here is just a small selection of the many new projects to be funded across campus: n Michael Hoyler and Dr Heike Jöns from the

School of Social, Political and Geographical Sciences have received a Mike Baker Doctoral Programme award of £56,922 by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) for their project ‘Internationalising UK students through migrant academic staff’.

The research will examine how international staff transfer ideas and perspectives acquired in non-UK educational environments to students at UK universities. It will also look at the opportunities and challenges migrant academics face in engaging in such knowledge transfer, its impact on student learning and the support structures available.

n Dr Rachel Sandford from the Institute of Youth

Sport was awarded £25,816 to evaluate the Matalan yoUR Activity programme. Funded by the Youth Sport Trust, the programme seeks to promote alternative sports – such as Parkour, Ultimate Frisbee, and Tchoukball – in secondary schools as a means to engage and increase sports participation among young people aged 14-16 who are not currently attracted to mainstream activities.

The evaluation examined the impact of programme participation on schools, pupils and the young leaders

n Dr Diane Gyi from the Loughborough

Design School and Professor Alistair Gibb from the School of Civil and Building Engineering have been awarded £74,250 from AGE UK to investigate the role of older, experienced construction workers in healthy design in workplace.

Changing demographics means that there are now twice as many workers aged 50 and older than those aged 25 years or younger.

The construction industry is losing the skills and experience of older workers because they can no longer cope with the demands, particularly the physical demands of their jobs.

Design in the workplace has an important influence on healthy behaviours and working practices and an individual’s ability to undertake aspects of their work. The research will lead to guidance for evidence-based practice promoting the productivity, workability and quality of life of older workers.

18

sport and health

sport and health 19 England RL team choose Loughborough for World Cup base The England rugby league squad will be based at Loughborough in the build-up to and during the Rugby League World Cup 2013.

The team arrives this month (October) to start preparations for the tournament that brings together the top 14 rugby league teams in the world to compete over five weeks in venues across England, Wales, Ireland and France.

Jess sets new javelin PB at Uni event London 2012 Olympic Games gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill made a welcome return to the University to compete at the Loughborough European Athletics Permit meet.

Although Jess was eventually unable to make it to the World Athletics Championships in Moscow due to injury, she delighted the Loughborough crowd in attendance by setting a new personal best of 48.33m in the javelin.

Speaking after the event Jessica said: “It’s a great meeting and always nice to be here in Loughborough.”

England have been frequent visitors to the University since their first preparation camp back in October 2010.

“Burleigh Court hotel is fantastic and they really look after us. The facilities here are as good as you can get anywhere and really suit what we need.”

Rugby League World Cup 2013 starts on 26 October with a clash between fierce rivals England and Australia at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

The final will be played at Old Trafford, Manchester on 30 November.

Further information, including ticket details, can be found on the Rugby League World Cup 2013 website at www.rlwc2013.com

Kevin Sinfield, the England Rugby League captain said: “There’s a familiarity with us coming to Loughborough now. Over the last two and half years we have built and improved a lot having this as our base.

“To be in this sort of environment where everybody here is trying to learn, improve or better themselves, we fit in great because that’s what we are trying to do.

Loughborough cricketers help England to regain the Ashes England’s women cricketers have regained the Ashes after a comprehensive series of performances against Australia.

The team, which included current Sports Scholars Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole, graduates Laura Marsh, Tammy Beaumont and Arran Brindle, former coach Katherine Brunt and former college student Lydia Greenway, won the first ever multi-format Ashes series by an emphatic margin of 12 points to four.

After drawing the Test Match and losing the first One Day International (ODI), England went on a tremendous five match unbeaten run, winning the two remaining ODI’s and completing a clean sweep of all three T20 matches.

Natalie Sciver made her Ashes debut in the second ODI to help England to a 51-run victory. She kept her place for the rest of the series and finished with a batting average of 100.

In the second T20 match Lydia Greenway hit 80 runs to set up another victory for England.

Earlier this summer, Sciver and batter Lauren Winfield made their international debuts for the England Women in a series of fixtures against Pakistan – one of which was hosted at Loughborough.

PA Images

Loughborough athletes’ podium performances A busy summer of sport has seen current and former Loughborough students, alongside athletes based on campus, competing in senior World and European Championships.

Here are some of the highlights…

World Athletics Championships, Moscow Former student Hayley Jones bronze – 4x100m relay Loughborough based athlete Tiffany Porter bronze - 100m hurdles

Sprinter James breaks through the 10 second barrier Great Britain sprinter and former Loughborough college student, James Dasaolu, dipped under 10 seconds for the 100 metres at the British Athletics Championships and World trials. James, who is based at Loughborough, ran a fantastic time of 9.91 seconds to set the second quickest time ever run by a British sprinter.

European Wheelchair Basketball Championships, Frankfurt Sports Scholars Amy Conroy, Judith Hamer and Laurie Williams, who with graduate Clare Strange, won the bronze medal for Great Britain.

IPC World Athletics Championships, Lyon Former students

Jonathan Broom-Edwards silver - F44 high jump Dan Greaves silver - F44 discus Libby Clegg, silver - T12 100m and 200m Based on campus

Richard Whitehead gold - F42 200m Jonnie Peacock gold - T44 100m Bethany Woodward silver - T37 200m World Swimming Championships, Barcelona Loughborough based swimmer, Fran Halsall, won the 50m Freestyle bronze medal.

IPC World Swimming Championships, Montreal Ellie Simmonds won three gold medals in the S6 category 100m Freestyle, 400m Freestyle and 200m Individual Medley.

European Canoe Slalom Championships, Krakow Current Loughborough Sport Scholar Bethan Latham became a European silver medallist in the Women’s K1 team event, alongside graduates Fiona Pennie and Lizzie Neave. Fiona Pennie also won the gold medal in the K1 individual event.

EuroHockey Championships, Antwerp Former Loughborough Students players Giselle Ansley, Maddie Hinch, Hannah Macleod, Laura Unsworth and Nicola White were part of the England team that won the silver medal at the EuroHockey Championships.

ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, Duisburg Loughborough graduates and London 2012 bronze medallists Liam Heath and Jon Schofield won the silver medal in the K2 200m event.

Uni hosts Family Bike Ride The University was host to Loughborough’s first ever Big Family Bike Ride in August. The event was organised and run by Leicestershire County Council in an attempt to promote more sustainable modes of transport as well as the associated health benefits.

The Big Family Bike Ride was very successful with around 600 people attending the day. There was a wide range of events from mountain bike displays, BMX flatland (pic) performances and led rides around Loughborough.

Online bookings system for sport goes live Loughborough Sport has introduced a new online bookings system for casual sport activities.

Staff members can now register on the website to book a range of activities including badminton, squash and tennis courts, cricket nets, and zones or pitches for indoor and outdoor team games at: www.loughboroughsport.com/online-bookings

events

Jacqui Glass

October

6 November, 10.30am-5pm Symposium - Slide Tape £10 including lunch www.lboro.ac.uk/arts Design School

8-25 October, weekdays 10am to 4pm Exhibition – Welcome to the European Union Free entry Edward Barnsley Building 9 October, 5pm Inaugural lecture – Prof Ralph Gottschalg www.lboro.ac.uk/inaugurals Wolfson Building

11 November Antennas and Propagation Conference Burleigh Court Gould Piano Trio

12 October, 11am-3pm Autumn gardening workshop Free entry Campus LAGS Garden (next to Car Park 5)

20 November, 5pm Inaugural lecture – Prof Jenny Harding www.lboro.ac.uk/inaugurals Wolfson Building

18 October, 10.30am-5pm Symposium – European Borderscapes Free entry (pre-booking req’d) Edward Barnsley Building 24 October, 7.30pm Blake Morrison, Life Writing and the Life of a Writer £7 / £5 Conc www.lboro.ac.uk/arts Martin Hall 25-26 October Fruit Root harvest activities http://fruitroutesloughborough. wordpress.com The Shed

30 October, 5pm Inaugural lecture – Prof Jacqui Glass www.lboro.ac.uk/inaugurals Wolfson Building

November Fri 1 November, 7.30pm The Trilogy, Michael Pinchbeck £10 / £8 conc. / £5 students www.lboro.ac.uk/arts Leonard Dixon Studio, Martin Hall 1 November School of Business and Economics Annual Dinner Sir Denis Rooke Building 4-15 November, weekdays 10am-4pm Slide-tape: Key Works in the UK since the 1970s Free entry LUA Project & Film Spaces

alg Ralph Gottsch

13 November, 12.30pm-1.15pm The Cardinal Saxophone Quartet Free entry www.lboro.ac.uk/arts Art Cafe, Cope Foyer

6 November, 7.30pm Gould Piano Trio £12 / £10 conc. / £5 students www.lboro.ac.uk/arts Cope Auditorium

For more events and further details see: www.lboro.ac.uk/events

27 November, 7.30pm Kathryn Tickell and The Side £12 / £10 conc. / £5 students www.lboro.ac.uk/arts Martin Hall

December 2 December, Doors open 7pm Speech Bubble (spoken word open mic night) £3 on the door (Students FREE) Cognito, LSU 4 December, 7.30pm University Choir (& String Orchestra) Christmas Concert £7 / £5 conc (incl. refreshments) www.lboro.ac.uk/arts Cope Auditorium 11 December, 5pm Inaugural lecture – Prof David Deacon www.lboro.ac.uk/inaugurals Stewart Mason Building 14 December Rutherford Hall Cheese and Wine evening email rutherford.warden@lboro.ac.uk for details

Archives The first Loughborough College Rag took place on 19th November 1920 when the Minister of Labour, Dr Macnamara, came to present the prizes at the Junior College Speech Day. The Senior College students organised a ‘Rag’ to meet him at the Midland Station and to send him off after the ceremony.

In a procession headed by a jazz and bugle band the Minister was conveyed in a cart pulled by ropes, flanked by an escort of sports teams, including the hockey club with ‘sticks at the slope’, with students in fancy dress bringing up the rear. After this, a Rag was organised annually for the College Diploma Day. Loughborough students have always used Rag to raise money for charity – in the early days it was for Loughborough Hospital.

Loughborough Rag is now the biggest and most profitable student fundraising effort in the country and last year raised over a million pounds for local and national charities.

in the news...

Mapping the national mood Prof Tom Jackson and colleagues in the Centre for Information Management have developed a new computer program that can map the mood of the nation and its reaction to big events through Twitter.

Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Independent, Guardian, BBC online, Evening Express, ITN online, Irish Examiner, London Wired, Voice of America, BBC Radio 4, Capital FM, BBC Radio Leicester, plus multiple online news sites and international media

Why Brits love the Ashes Dr Dominic Malcolm (SSEHS) features in a news package exploring why the Ashes hold such a special place in the hearts of the British population.

Sky Sports News

Cool clothes Professor George Havenith (Design School) gives advice on what clothing to wear to keep cool in the heat.

Oprah.com, USA

Tackling football abuse Dr Jamie Cleland (Social Sciences) speaks to the BBC about new guidelines to tackle football fans who abuse players and supporters online.

BBC Radio Humberside, BBC Radio Leicester, BBC Radio Three Counties, BBC Radio West Midlands, BBC Radio Derby, BBC Radio Manchester, BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio Berkshire, BBC Radio Newcastle, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio Surrey & Sussex, BBC Radio Stoke, BBC Radio Somerset

Universal credit?

Some working families will be worse off under the Government’s flagship Universal Credit, according to research led by CRSP’s Donald Hirsch.

The Independent, Daily Mail, Daily Star, Evening Standard, The Sun, Daily Express, Channel 4 News, BBC Radio 5 Live, Huffington Post, PA Newswire, BBC Radio Nottingham, BBC Radio Cumbria, BBC Radio West Midlands

A new promise Dr Sarah Mills (Geography) responds to news the Girl Guides are to drop the reference to God from their promise.

BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Leicester