RCM Staff Change

The Department’s Recruitment, Conversion and Marketing Coordinator, Helen McAlley, has now left to start her maternity leave. Gemma Miller has returned to the department to cover Helen’s role.

Gemma Miller

 

Message from Alan Stokes

As some of you may already know, after 12 and a half years I will be retiring from the Physics Department. It has been a real pleasure working for the Physics Department with a special mention to all the Staff in the ULT group. I have been very fortunate to work with some incredible people both Academic and Technical. I feel really proud of my achievements, and would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your patience, understanding and above all else friendship I could not have done my job properly without you.

My last day will be Thursday (04/02/2021) I wish everyone and the department all the best for the future.
My University E-Mail  account will remain active for a while, after which please feel free to contact me on my personal E-Mail address alan.m.stokes@talktalk.net if you need anything or just to keep in touch.

Alan Stokes

 

Near Miss Reporting

All accidents and near misses ( that is an incident which could have resulted in an injury but didn’t on this occasion) have to be reported via the University Safety pages. This is the Link.
No one gets in trouble for reporting these and the data is used to improve safety provision. If you aren’t sure about reporting something please get in contact.

Shonah Ion

 

Testing

The University lateral flow testing was initially restricted to two initial tests when people returned to study or essential work on campus in the New Year. After consultation with the government, this has now been extended to include two tests per week for the same people who *most* come on campus, up to 15 February (but after announcements yesterday, that may be extend later). The idea is that then hands over to the general mass testing that is to be rolled out. While it cannot be mandated, it is strongly encouraged people take these tests if they are coming onto the campus for work or study.

Shonah Ion

 

Sabbaticals

The University is planning to restart some sabbaticals in 21/22, but these will be several restricted by the needs of the University and Departments. The precise details are still emerging, but sabbaticals shorter than 1 year are being encouraged. We are now asked to look 3 years ahead with sabbatical plans to aid planning, with the first year definite requests. We must submit the requests by March. Please can people mail both myself and Lynne if they wish to make a sabbatical in the next 3 years, and in which year they would wish to take it. This call for input includes people who have made a request in previous years that has not been met and is still needed.
It is clear given the constraints on posts and the heavy load everyone faces right now that many who ask will be disappointed for now, but knowing the requests will help us plan to make them happen in as as timely a way as possible. 

Shonah Ion

 

Compassionate Leave

To support colleagues through the pandemic, compassionate leave has been extended from 3 days to 3 weeks. Please discuss any requests with your line manager, who can discuss it with me if needed, and applications should be made in line with existing processes here and the caring responsibilities framework. We need to record such applications and leave taken recorded locally.

Please note this leave is not excusive to supporting childcare, which seems to be a common misconception, and can be used to support broader caring and family related circumstances, as deemed appropriate.

Roger Jones

 

Revise Risk Assessments

Revise your risk assessments and Safe Schemes of work for any activity that is or will be undertaken in the Department during this current lockdown. Remember to record this revision on the documents even if there is no change in the control measures.

Shonah Ion

 

Particle and Physics Grants – application deadline: April 2021

I am contacting you in regards to our Physics Foundation, aiming to locate potential candidates for research grants in physics (Nuclear and Particle). Our association aims to promote research on open problems in Nuclear and Particle Physics, and we are looking for relevant candidates for research in the fields listed on our website. 

Kind regards, Hagar Kedem, OPRA Association

Grainne Wilkinson

 

FameLab UK Registrations Open

Do you have students or colleagues who would benefit from free training in public engagement? FameLab is an ideal way to boost confidence, build networks and share research with new audiences. FameLab UK is open to anyone over 21 currently working in STEM, and the winners will participate in the FameLab UK final at Cheltenham Science Festival 2021.

Please share this fantastic opportunity with your contacts who are interested in:

• Improving their communication skills
• Sharing their research with a public audience
• Joining a global network of researchers who enjoy talking about science

Training and heats are taking place in 9 regions around the UK, find your nearest one here. Participants can take part in FameLab as many times as they like, and keep improving each year until they become a UK finalist!

We’d be grateful if you could spread the word by forwarding this email and sharing on social media using this graphic.

Many best wishes, Marieke

Manus Hayne

 

From Martin Ward

A short email to thank you for my retirement collection. It’s taken a while to sort out a pick up due to covid.
It’s been a pleasure to work with you all over the 40 years I was in the department. There have a lot of changes over the years. One in particular being the refurbishment of the Phycis building, which was a major challenge.
With your generous contribution I will be buying something relating to, two wheels or triggers not sure what yet.
Wishing you all stay safe and well Regards Martin

Martin Ward

 

Coatings – we’ve got it covered

Friday 5 February 2021
9:00am to 10:00am

Join Professor Rob Short and members of the Materials Science Institute and GISMO teams to discuss functional coatings.

James Stancombe

 

Virtual Planetarium: Constellations Tour – LUniverse Online

Lancaster University (Teams)
Friday 5 February 2021
3:30pm to 4:15pm

A virtual planetarium show on the mythology and science behind the famous constellations that make up our night sky!

LUniverse Planetarium

 

Business briefing: the case for additive manufacturing

Online (Microsoft Teams)
Wednesday 10 February 2021
10:30am to 12:00pm

Get the lowdown on 3D printing (additive manufacturing) and the latest thinking and techniques in this online business briefing.

James Stancombe

 

Understanding Large-Scale Electron Flux Dropouts in the Outer Radiation Belt

Online Event
Thursday 11 February 2021
2:00pm to 3:00pm

Space and Planetary Physics webinar

Speaker: Frances Staples (Mullard Space Science Laboratory)

Wayne Gould

 

Ask the Expert with George Xystouris – LUniverse Online Online

(Teams)
Friday 12 February 2021
1:30pm to 4:15pm

Q&A with an expert in physics!

LUniverse Planetarium

 

New Lockdown requirements

All those who are accessing or planning to access the building for essential activities during this current national lockdown must review their risk assessments in light of the increased risk of infection due to the highly transmissible virus currently in circulation.
It is strongly suspected that the new strain is more transmissible because of the following reasons

1. Greater viral loads may be shed by asymptomatic cases. 
2. The viral survival time on surfaces may be longer.  
3. The viral survival time as an aerosol may be longer, particularly in relatively low humidity environments. 

Consider these increased risks and modify your control measures if required.

The basic controls (hands, face, space) are still  good control measures but we need to redouble our efforts and be especially vigilant now.

The following points from the University’s safety office offer actions which will help to protect us all. Review your work area and ensure we do all we can to counteract this increased risk.

• Regular handwashing, keeping a distance of 2 m and wearing a face covering where instructed, remain the greatest priority.
• All staff must use the cleaning sprays and disposable towels to regularly wipe surfaces after use, paying particular attention to touch points (i.e. door handles, key pads, the handles of shared equipment (specialist and kitchen equipment). Hands should be washed or sanitised following this activity.
• Ensure ventilation settings remain at the maximum and staff should continue to open windows where artificial ventilation is not provided.
• Physical screening should be reassessed to ensure it is adequate i.e. the screen should completely isolate the person behind it, if not, the distance the aerosol must travel to reach the other person must be greater than 2 m.

Shonah Ion

Starting January 2021, there are changes when sending post abroad (all countries):

When posting parcels abroad, you will need to complete and attach a customs declaration (CN22 or CN23), available from the Post Office. Letters, postcards and documents are usually exempt.
You can also download the custom forms here:  Customs forms for sending abroad | Post Office

Please remember to put the custom forms on your items, especially if you are sending a large numbers of parcels, otherwise we might need to return it to your department.
Thank you for your understanding.

Celine Neimark