News
Launched in September 2010 and located at the Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire, the UK telescope is part of a network of international telescopes designed to study the sky at the lowest radio frequencies accessible from the surface of the earth, with its ultimate quest being to discover more about the birth of stars and galaxies just after the Big Bang. The UK telescope is owned by the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC), one of the partners in the LOFAR-UK project, along with researchers from 22 UK universities, including Kent as part of the SEPnet (South-East Physics network)-Astro research theme.
Science and art cross paths Science and art will come together at the University with the appointment of a new writer and artist in residence in the Centre for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CAPS). Dr Duncan MacKay is an experienced creative artist and former research fellow in astrophysics. His appointment, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, gives the University a unique opportunity to develop interdisciplinary perspectives. CAPS Director, Professor Michael Smith commented: ‘Duncan MacKay’s knowledge of astrophysics means that he really understands the language of a scientist. His new appointment is a great opportunity to stimulate new interest among staff and students within CAPS and, at the same time, help working scientists reach a wider audience.’ Duncan MacKay will explore research within CAPS and translate it into his own visual artwork and creative writing. He will be supported by Professor Smith in fostering a long-term creative dialogue between physical science, English literature and fine arts at the University. Duncan MacKay has worked in local secondary schools for 20 years and will use his connections to engage students in creative aspects of increasing scientific knowledge. He will promote creative parallels between arts and science through SEPnet (South East Physics network), a collaboration between universities, including Kent, to support physics education, research and outreach activities. To find out more about research and teaching activities within CAPS, visit www.astro.kent.ac.uk
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KENT Magazine
Kent Law Clinic shortlisted for an Attorney General’s Award The Kent Law Clinic has been shortlisted for the Best Contribution by a Law School in the LawWorks and Attorney General Student Awards 2011. Law Clinic solicitors, Lorna Collopy and Elaine Heslop will be joined by two students, Charlotte Brewer and Charlotte Gamble, at the Awards reception hosted by the Attorney General in the House of Commons on 30 March 2011. The Law Clinic has previously won Attorney General awards in the Best Student and Best Team categories.
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Further information on Kent Law Clinic is available at www.kent.ac.uk/law/clinic 2
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The Soviet side of the Cold War Professor Irina Bystrova, a leading researcher at the Institute of Russian History and author of numerous books, gave a public lecture at Kent on Wednesday 23 February. Titled ‘The Soviet side of the Cold War: the history of East-West military confrontation’, the lecture explored how cordial relations between Russia and the Allies during the Second World War were replaced by the hostility of the Cold War – at a diplomatic level and through the experiences of soldiers. Following the lecture, discussions continued afterwards over drinks at a reception held in the Grimond Foyer.
Terry Kemp and Jayne Mortlock from Estates regularly participate in valuable voluntary work at Strode Park; if you are interested in helping, you can get more information by contacting helen.kemp@strodepark.org.uk
Employee engagement seminar Some of the leading European experts in employee engagement gathered at the University last week to look at how organisations can best relate to their staff at a time of increasing economic uncertainty.
Fundraising for Strode Park
Nearly 100 delegates took part in the seminar on 15 February, organised by the University’s Kent Business School (KBS) at its Medway campus.
Following a successful fundraising drive, members of the Estates Department presented a cheque for the fantastic amount of £1,319 to the Strode Park Foundation, a local charity that provides specialist care and leisure facilities for people with disabilities.
Among those taking part were Professor Wilmar B. Schaufeli from the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, Professor David Guest, of King’s College London and Nita Clarke, Director of the Involvement and Participation Association.
Sarah Cooke, Administration Services Manager, said: ‘I would like to thank our generous sponsors for their support. Without them it would not have been possible to raise such a large amount of money.’ Sponsors included: Parkway Heating, Johnson Controls, Compass Communications, Gulbenkian Theatre and the Sports Centre. A full list of sponsors appears on the Estates website, www.kent.ac.uk/estates
Organiser, Professor Katie Truss, head of KBS at Medway, said: ‘This seminar was a great success and I was delighted that some of the leading experts in Europe gathered here to consider some of the issues surrounding this important topic.’