The Inclusion in Physics group presents “Should I do a PhD?”
In this event, Pascale Desmet (Lancaster University) and Pablo Bilbao (Instituto Superior Técnico, Lancaster University alumnus) will share their fascinating PhD journey.
Monday, January 31st, 13-14 Room C36
The event is open to all the Lancaster University Physics Community: undergrads, postgrads, researchers and staff
Refreshment provided
Registration at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/should-i-do-a-phd-tickets-252291359247
Elisabetta Boella
Cleaning Whiteboards
I’ve had reports from the Facilities cleaning staff that although they appreciate people cleaning the white boards in the breakout spaces, using the anti viral cleaners supplied in these rooms leaves a chemical film which makes further cleaning very difficult.
If a white board is ready for a deep clean, please log the issue on the Facilities helpdesk and it will be dealt with using more suitable cleaners.
Shonah Ion
Opportunities for 1-to-1 coaching
I’m contacting you to see if you’d be interested in the opportunity of 1-to-1 coaching, or if there are any members of your teams who may be interested? I’m one of several LU staff who are currently doing a Level 5 professional coaching apprenticeship, supported by BPP University. As part of the programme trainees are required to develop their coaching practice through working with a number of individuals.
1-to-1 coaching information
The aim of coaching is to support individuals to explore and gain clarity on a specific issue or goal and to identify actions that would enable them to make progress towards achieving their goal or resolving the issue. The idea is not to advise coachees on what to do, but to support them to reach a positive outcome through exploring options and identifying actions.
The emphasis in coaching lies on personal growth, development, well-being and performance and it helps to raise self-awareness and liberate potential. This LU coaching webpage has some useful information, including examples of the kinds of areas that coaching can support. Please take a look but note these are just examples.
The coaching sessions are normally up to 5 or 6 one-hour sessions over a number of weeks and the coachee determines the goal to be achieved, while the coach is in charge of the process. Given the many recent challenges we’ve all experienced and potential future uncertainties, in particular with new ways of working as a result of the global pandemic, this may be a good time to think about additional support through coaching.
Coaches who currently have availability include:
Lucy Lloyd (Marketing Manager)
Jemma Evans (FASS Faculty Manager)
Yvonne Fox (Associate Director of Research Services)
Simon Vaukins (FST Graduate School Manager)
We are all happy to answer questions and/or have a confidential, informal chat with anyone who is interested.
Simon Vaukins / Philip Simpson
Sending International Mail – mandatory customs data
In order to meet International Shipping requirements for your exports, it is now a legal requirement that all non-personal correspondence items travelling internationally are accompanied by complete and accurate electronic customs data so they can be delivered successfully.
Electronic customs data is now mandatory when you send items/goods abroad (excluding personal correspondence). You are required to provide customs data electronically in addition to the physical customs declaration (CN22 or CN23). Failure to comply is likely to result in delays, having items returned or even destroyed.
Celine Neimark / Grainne Wilkinson
Updated COVID-19 reporting process
As the University has a public responsibility to report its staff and student COVID-19 cases to external agencies including Public Health England, it remains important that all staff report COVID-19 test results, in particular positive results, to their Line Manager. Line managers should then record these on People XD as soon as possible upon receipt of either a negative or positive, lateral flow or PCR test result. Please continue to familiarise yourself of the process and remind colleagues of their responsibility to report such cases.
If a staff member tests positive, as a line manager you should:
- Submit a Managers Request in PeopleXD to record the positive case
- If the member of staff has been on campus within 48 hours before receiving their positive test result, or you/employee believes this to be a workplace transmission, a short preliminary investigation should be carried out by you as line manager. This will help you and the University’s management understand where the suspected infection could have occurred. Please note, if the member of staff has not been on campus 48 hours before or there is no concern of workplace transmission, the short preliminary investigation (step 2) does not need to be completed.
The Covid Staff information pages will be updated to reflect the above.
Melanie Milne / Philip Simpson
Moving towards faster and lower power spintronics
PHS – Physics C036 and MS Teams
Friday 21 January 2022
3:00pm to 4:00pm
Condensed Matter seminar
Speaker: Dr Chiara Ciccarelli (University of Cambridge)
SEMINAR
Michael Thompson
Emergency light testing
Emergency Lighting Testing in The Physics Building will take place week commencing 10th of January 2022 from 9am daily.
Every month there is a quick test to ensure all Emergency Lighting fittings are operational. This involves a quick visual test. In residences, this applies to corridors and kitchens. There are longer, more involved tests at 6 month and 12 month intervals.
Shonah Ion
New Research Ethics Application Management System (REAMS) Launch
The process of applying for research ethics approval for staff and PhD researchers is changing. The new online ethics application system ‘REAMS’ (Research Ethics Application Management System) which was launched initially for FASS and LUMS on 23rd August 2021 will launch for all Faculties from 1 November 2021. REAMS aims to streamline the ethical approval process for applicants.
The REAMS platform introduces a new process of ethical self-review where applicants complete a series of questions to identify the risk level of their proposed research project. The interactive programme leads applicants from one question to the next, so that only tailored questions which follow previous answers will appear. The system can determine if your project is low-risk and thus able to receive ethical approval without a review by your Faculty Research Ethics Committee (FREC). Answers that indicate a more complex project will be guided through the full form and to FREC review.
Further information regarding the REAMS system can be found here together with user guidance, video tutorials and access to the REAMS system.
If you have any questions, please contact REAMS-Support@lancaster.ac.uk.
NB. Paper based research ethics applications will not be accepted after 31 January 2021 therefore applicants are encouraged to consider using REAMS at the earliest opportunity.
Philip Simpson / Claire O’Donell