Staff honours
Professor Sir Paul Newton CBE, the Chair in Security and Strategy Studies and Director of the new Strategy and Security Institute, was knighted in the Military Division of the Honour’s List. Also, Dr Gordon Murray, Emeritus Professor of Management (Entrepreneurship) in the Business School, was awarded the OBE for his services to business. Professor Brendan Godley in the Centre for Ecology and Conservation was awarded a prestigious prize from the Zoological Society of London for his outstanding contributions to conservation science – the 2011 ZSL Marsh Award for Marine and Freshwater Conservation.

Times Top 10
The Times Good University guide league table has come out, with the University of Exeter ranked 10th for the second year running.

Honorary graduands
Honorary degrees will be awarded to 14 notable people at the graduation ceremonies on 16-23 July. From the world of media we will be welcoming Armando Iannucci, comedy writer and broadcaster; journalist Nik Gowing, and Steve Backshall, adventurer. Bryn and Emma Parry OBEs, who founded Help for Heroes, are honoured. Public figures Baroness Helena Kennedy QC; Judge Demetrios Hadjihambis; Sir Michael Pownall, retired Clerk of the Parliaments, and Alan Milburn, former MP and now social mobility ‘tsar’ all receive honorary degrees. They are joined by John Hirst of the Met Office, Professor Dame Athene Donald, Dr Russell Hamilton from the Department of Health, Cynthia Carroll, Anglo American plc , and Iain Grey, Technology Strategy Board.

Professional Services Excellence
The winners of the second annual Professional Services Recognising Excellence awards are: the Forum Project team (team of the year and Registrar’s award); Estate Development Services Mitigation Team (customer service and Registrar’s award); The E-SR1 team (innovation); The Campus Living Laboratory team from Campus Services (environment); Paul Grogan, Academic Services (value for money) and Delphine Jones, Communication and Marketing Services (Hero of the year).

VC’s open meetings
The Vice-Chancellor will once again be holding his open meetings with staff over the next few weeks. In addition to charting the University’s progress and further objectives, he will be reflecting on the results of the staff survey and how the University needs to adapt to being a Russell Group university in the new Higher Education environment. Dates are: Fri 6 July, 1-2pm Alumni Auditorium, Forum, Streatham Campus; Tues 10 July, 12.30-1.30pm, LTB, Daphne du Maurier building, Cornwall Campus; Fri 13 July, 1-2pm BC114, St Luke’s Campus. All welcome.

Erasmus rise
New data from the British Council show Exeter is now 6th in the UK in terms of the numbers of students studying and working abroad on Erasmus schemes. 361 of our students participated in Erasmus last year. Only the larger universities of Nottingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield send out more students.

International Summer School
From 21 July – 11 August, we are again running our prestigious International Summer School at the University. Over 100 international students from 36 different universities and 13 countries will be visiting Exeter to study on credit rated courses areas as diverse as climate change, international management, law, Shakespeare and sport. More info on the International Summer School web pages.

Indonesian relations
The University is working with the Indonesian government following a memorandum of understanding being signed between their Minister of Education and Culture and the UK’s Minister of State for Universities and Science, David Willets. A delegation of senior officials came to the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies and a letter of intent has been signed by Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Armstrong and Professor Djoko Santoso, Director General of Higher Education for Indonesia. We currently have 34 students from Indonesia – the world’s largest Muslim country.

Catered residence closure
The University has made the decision to discontinue the use of the catered residences on the St Luke’s Campus from September 2012. The halls were temporarily closed this year, however due to lack of demand for a second year running the decision has now been made to permanently close the halls. A space review is underway to establish how the halls could be better utilised in the future. Campus Services will continue to maintain residences at Rowancroft and are reviewing and adapting the current catering and retail provision to ensure a good student experience is retained. Summer conferences will continue for this year.

Cornwall BioBlitz
The first ever BioBlitz on the Cornwall Campus discovered and identified more than 400 different species of flora and fauna. Students and staff from the University of Exeter, University College Falmouth and FXU worked with local families and wildlife organsations. The list of species recorded so far includes cave spiders, kingfishers, badgers and Cornish Elm.

Big Bang
On Thurs 28 June The Big Bang South West will take place on Streatham Campus. It is a high profile and fun celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for schools, with science shows and an interactive exhibition arena. Staff from Physics, Biosciences, Geography, Psychology, Sport Sciences, Engineering, Computer Sciences and more are taking part. Campus will be busy with coaches on the day and there will be no parking on North Park Road or car park D.

Sustainability review
Professor Tim Lenton is leading consultation workshops as part of his review of Sustainability Research at the University of Exeter. Colleagues from all disciplines are invited to attend to contribute their ideas on the key Grand Challenges in Sustainability Research. Workshops are on 3 July in Cornwall and 5 July in Exeter.

Key Information
From September all Universities will be required by HEFCE to publish Key Information Sets (KISs) for undergraduate courses each autumn to inform the choice of prospective students. These include data on student satisfaction (NSS), graduate outcomes (DHLE), learning and teaching activities, assessment methods, tuition fees and student finance, accommodation and professional accreditation. These will be published on a new website by HEFCE and will update the Unistats website. A project team from Colleges, Faculty Office, Strategic Planning and Change, Admissions, Student Finance, Accommodation and Communications and Marketing is currently collecting data. Contact Christine Bryant (project) or Nicki Horseman (KIS details).

Student app
A new student app for smartphones, tablets and web enabled phones will be rolled out for the new academic year, to provide student life information on the move. A competition is running to name the app – send suggestions of 12 characters or less to Liz Hegarty or Sue Milward before 30 June.

OCM staff briefings
Following the pilot of the Online Coursework Management (OCM) system this year, the project team is holding a number of open meetings over the summer to which all staff are invited. Learn about the pilot, new developments, and how you can engage with the system next year. No need to book - find a slot on the project website and come along. Contact Sue Milward.

Bridging the gaps
The cut-off date for applications to the Bridging the Gaps development fund is Wed 29 June - this may be the last chance to apply. See online for guidance notes, application form, and projects funded so far.

Guild accolade
The University of Exeter Students’ Guild has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading students’ unions for the third year in a row, by being once again shortlisted for the NUS Higher Education Students’ Union of the year award. The Guild won the award in 2010 and was shortlisted in 2011.

Technology prize
Spin-out company Simpleware, which originated from ground-breaking research into image-based meshing techniques carried out at the University, has won a PraxisUnico Business Impact – Aspiring Award. The awards are given annually for outstanding achievements in the field of technology and knowledge transfer.

New boathouse
Work has begun on the University’s new boathouse at Countess Weir. The former Boathouse has been demolished and the site, on the banks of the River Exe, will soon be home to a new, purpose-built rowing boathouse for the University’s Boat Club. The project has been made possible by the support of Alumnus Nicholas Bull (Chemistry, 1973).

B&B at Holland Hall
Staff and their friends and family get a 10% discount on bed and breakfast at Holland Hall, from 20 June - 12 Sept (subject to availability). This means an ensuite room with breakfast is £38.95 (single) or £57.50 (double) per night. Online bookings only – enter code STAFF12.

Canvas poster service
Print and Copy Services have launched a new poster printing service onto canvas. Large format posters can be folded for transport and if desired, ironed before conference presentation. For more information email them.

Dive in
The Cornwall House outdoor swimming pool is open every day until 7 October, weather permitting.

Sports Park Summer offer
Platinum membership costs £24 per month from now until 9 Sept, with no annual contract or joining fee. Entry to the outdoor pool is included for first time this year. Info: 01392 724452 or online.

Cycle challenge
Some members of staff, past and present, are undertaking the England - France Cycle Challenge on 2-9 July in aid of Hospiscare. Graham and Matt Coppell and Darren Russell from Academic Services, along with Pete Bishop, Campus Services, and others will be covering 800 miles in 8 days. Info and donations online.

25 June – 7 July
Ignite festival of theatre
Various venues in Exeter

Tues 26 June, 10.30am-6pm
Sacrilege
Inflatable Stonehenge by Jeremy Deller touring UK as part of London 2012 festival.
Location: Belmont Park, Exeter

Tues 26 June, 2-3.15pm
An open presentation from Dr Astrid Wissenburg, RCUK Impact Group Chair
Location: Queens Building LT2, Streatham Campus and videolinked to Peter Lanyon Lecture Theatre 1, Cornwall Campus
Register by email

Tues 26 June, 5pm
Educational Outcomes for Youth with Disabilities: Increased Expectations but Unrealised Gains
Dr Nidhi Singal (Cambridge University)
Location: BC114, St Luke’s Campus

Weds 27 June, 10am-4pm
Climate Knowledge Exchange Network
An interactive workshop co-sponsored by the Climate Change and Sustainable Futures theme, with speakers from the Met Office and University including Prof Nick Talbot, Prof Peter Cox, Prof Michael Winter, Dr Stewart Barr and Dr Ewan Woodley. Buffet lunch provided.
Location: Constantine Leventis Room, Building One, Streatham Campus
Register: Helen Butler

Thurs 28 June, 9.30am – 5.30pm
Conference: Fairness and Responsibility in an Unequal Society
Location: The Senate Room, Senate House, University of London
Contact: Keith Hyams

Thurs 28 June, 3-6pm
Exeter Initiative for Statistics and its Applications Forecasting Workshop
Six short presentations followed by refreshments and an opportunity to meet other participants. Please visit the ExIStA registration page to register or contact Annette Ladbrook
Location: Poldhu Room, Kay Building, Streatham Campus

Sat 30 June, 2.30pm
Andrew Stratton Convocation Lecture: Dartmoor’s Wildlife – a Photographic Exploration lecture from Prof Charles Tyler, Biosciences.
Location: Alumni auditorium, The Forum, Streatham Campus
Contact Rachael Magee, or 01392 72 6349
Free and open to all

Mon 2 July, 4pm
The Mental Health Research Group & the Mood Disorders Centre seminar
Rethinking Recommendations for Depression
Dr Brett Thombs – Associate Professor McGill University, Canada
Location: Room G17/G18, Sir Henry Wellcome Building for Mood Disorders Research, Streatham Campus

Fri 6 July 1-2pm
Vice-Chancellor’s open meeting
Location: Alumni Auditorium, Forum, Streatham Campus

Tues 10 July, 6.15pm
Shaping the Future lecture
Disaster Relief – The way ahead
Mr Tom Henderson OBE, CEO and founder of Shelterbox
Location: Xfi Lecture Theatre, Streatham Campus with videolink to Cornwall Campus
Contact Margaret House-Hayes or 01392 725769.
Or via videolink to the Chapel Lecture Theatre, Cornwall Campus. To register for the video link contact Helen Wonnacott tel: 01326 371818.

Weds 11 July, 7.30pm
Between Sensationalism and Scholarship: The Bible on TV
Professor Francesca Stavrakopoulou, Theology and Religion
Location: St Michael's Church, Dinham Road, Mount Dinham, Exeter, EX4 4EB. Free.
Info: David Beadle dnb201@ex.ac.uk

Thurs 12 – Fri 13 July
Egenis/GARNet Workshop: Making Data Accessible to All
Data curation, use and publication in plant science
Speakers from: TGAC; NASC; Oxford UP; Elsevier; Cambridge UP; BBSRC; and top plant scientists.
Location: Innovation Centre, Streatham campus
Info and register online, or contact Sabina Leonelli

Fri 13 July, 10am-5pm
Creative Innovation, Manufacturing and Business workshop
Organised by Liang Hao, EMPS.
Location: Harrison Building 004, Streatham Campus

Fri 13 July, 1-2pm
Vice-Chancellor’s open meeting
Location: BC114, St Luke’s Campus

Fri 13 July, 1-2.30 (buffet at 12.30)
Wellcome Trust funding opportunities presentation and clinics
The Wellcome Trust will be giving a seminar open to all research staff and students on the range of funding opportunities that they offer.
Location: Queens Lecture Theatre 2, Streatham Campus (video linked to Peter Lanyon Lecture Theatre 1)
Register by email

Fri 13 – Sat 14 July
SOS Global Challenge community event
It’s a knockout competition organised by SOS Global, a social enterprise based at the Innovation Centre.
Location: Topsham Rugby Club

Tues 17 July, 9am – 5pm
NextGen Roadshow South West
A highly important event in the development of the South West’s digital infrastructure and economic development agenda. Hosted by Roger Maull from the Business School.
Location: At-Bristol, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB

Weds 18 July, 2-2.45pm
Research Speed Updating
XFi lecture theatre, Streatham Campus with videolink to LT3, Peter Lanyon building, Cornwall Campus and Baring Court 212, St Luke’s Campus
Info: Pete Hodges on 01392 722321

Weds 18 July, 4.45pm
POSReF seminar and annual BBQ
The effect of dietary nitrate on blood pressure, endothelial function and insulin sensitivity in Type 2 diabetes, Dr Mark Gilchris (PCMD)
Multifunctional light-activated caged iron chelators for skin photoprotection and therapy of skin hyperproliferative disorders, Dr Charareh Pourzand (Bath)
Location: Lavender House Hotel, Ashburton
Register: Susan Westoby

Thurs 19 July, 12-1pm
Cause and correlation: application of modern causal inference to the evaluation of trials of complex interventions
Prof Graham Dunn & Dr Richard Emsley (Manchester)
Location: Sir Henry Wellcome Building for Mood Disorders Research, Streatham Campus
Sue Whiffin

Weds 25 July, 10am
Symposia: ‘Middlebrow Cinema’
Hosted by Department of Modern Languages, College of Humanities
Location: Studio TS3, Thornlea, Streatham Campus.
Contact Sally Faulkner by 19 July if you wish to attend.