DecAid set for big summer
DecAid, an appeal run by Exeter students, holds the first of its five main summer events, a Massed Pipes and Drums Parade in Edinburgh, on June 26, national Armed Forces Day. The campaign has already raised over 10 per cent of its £350,000 target and won public backing from David Cameron, Tony Blair and Michael Palin, amongst others. The Stretched to the Limit sponsored stretcher-carry up Snowdon in August is now open for entries.

'Think About It...'
As the end of term approaches, we urge students to celebrate responsibly. Compared to previous years, incidents of noise and disturbance have so far been very low. Building on this success, The Lemon Grove, Club Rococo and The Arena are taking part in the 'Think About It' poster campaign. The posters provide reminders about street noise to club-goers. Street noise can affect many residents - including students revising for exams. Noise awareness advice can be found on page 12 of the Community Guide.

New alumni
If you are graduating this summer, please remember you remain part of the University family as an alumnus. There are currently 75,000 contactable alumni who take part in reunions, social events and networking around the world. Exetra is a group especially for the most recent graduates and can be followed on Facebook. Alumni also support current students through donations to scholarships, research and new facilities, and by offering career advice. Find out more by visiting the DARO website.

Robert van de Noort to become CSSIS dean
Professor Robert van de Noort is to become Dean of the College of Social Sciences and International Studies, following an international search. The appointment is effective 1 August. Professor Debra Myhill will continue as Acting Dean until then and as Associate Dean (Research) thereafter.

Dorset visitors needed for research
Are you planning to visit Dorset this summer? Cheryl Willis, a PhD student, is looking for participants for a study examining how people experience and respond to the natural environment. Volunteers will be asked to complete two short questionnaires during their visit and to take a few photographs of their favourite places. Either whilst still in Dorset or once back (whatever suits), participants would discuss their experiences with Cheryl for about 30 minutes. Volunteers will receive a £20 voucher.

Calling actors – experienced, budding or otherwise!
Director Hanna Berrigan is coming to Exeter to work on Howard Barker’s BLOK/EKO which will be performed at the Northcott in mid-June. The play has a chorus of close to 100 and is seeking participants, in particular, men and women over 40. Experience is not essential and there is no payment. Rehearsals take place 4-6 June, followed by three performances 9-11 June. For further information, please contact Hanna Berrigan.

St Luke’s Sports Centre refurbishment
The changing rooms at the St Luke’s Sports Centre will be refurbished over the summer, including installation of individual shower and changing cubicles. As a result, the centre will be closed from Monday, 11 July until Friday, 23 September. There will still be opportunities for swimming, at the Cornwall House pool, Streatham. For further information, please contact Neil Sheppard.

University celebrates staff ingenuity
Staff that have gone above and beyond the call of duty have been honoured with Professional Services Recognition Awards. The winners were: the Grounds staff, Barbara Quick, a domestic assistant at James Owen Court, the Estate Patrol Security team, Simon Tyson of the sports team, Wendy Campbell, a receptionist at the Cornwall campus, the Library Customer Services team and Procurement.

MyPGR further rollout
Following the successful launch of MyPGR, an online tracking and management system, to first year MPhil and PhD students last autumn, the service will be rolled out to all post-graduate students this autumn. For further information, please visit the MyPGR webpages or contact your College PGR administrator.

Celebrate the Murung Raya expedition
To celebrate their return from the Murung Raya expedition, participants are holding an evening of talks, networking and refreshments on Tuesday, 7 June. The multidisciplinary Heart of Borneo project concerns threatened rainforest in central Borneo. Members are keen to share their experiences and encourage other students to participate, or form their own charitable ventures. The event is at Building One, Business School, Streatham, 6-8pm. Booking is essential: info@heartofborneo.org

Respect 2011: more volunteers needed
'Respect in the Park’, Exeter's free annual two-day festival, takes place 4-5 June in Belmont Park. It will feature music, art, dance and much more to celebrate diversity and promote equality within the city. The University and the Guild sponsor the event which features student-run stalls. To volunteer, please email info@exeter-respect.org, putting ‘volunteering’ in the subject line.

Sports alumni groups
Many of the Athletic Union sports clubs now run their own alumni groups. Membership keeps alumni engaged with their former club and offers benefits such as regular newsletters, invites to club events and specific alumni events. For further information, please visit the sport alumni page.

Fri, 27 May, 3-4.30pm
Seminar: Professor Maurice Biriotti, SHM Productions Ltd, 'Medicine, Innovation and the Humanities: an experience from the private sector'. Further information: egenis@exeter.ac.uk.
Location: Egenis, Byrne House, Streatham.

Sun, 29 May, 11am-3pm
Exeter Lions diversity football tournament: Players of all ages, abilities and sexuality invited to 6-a-side tournament. Entry £25 per team (minimum 6 players per team, maximum 9). To enter, please e-mail: pr@exeterlionsfc.co.uk.

Wed, 1 June, 5pm
Public lecture: Professor Tim Kendall, head of English, ‘Plath in Devon’. Free event. Booking essential: N.R.Glanville@exeter.ac.uk, 01392 725879.
Location: LT1, Queen’s Building, Streatham.

Thurs, 2 June, 1pm
Ecology & Conservation seminar: Dr Ivana Gudelj, ‘Evolution of microbial diversity in simple environments: beyond the competitive exclusion principle’. Further information: Dr Nick Royle.
Location: Lecture Theatre A, Daphne du Maurier, Tremough.

Thurs, 2 June, 6pm
Seminar: Professor Mark Bedau, Reed College, ‘Why emergence drives the science and politics of synthetic biology’, followed by a reception with drinks and canapés. To attend, please contact: Dr Helen Butler, 01392 726208.
Location: Xfi Lecture theatre, Streatham.

Fri, 3 June, 9am-2pm
Farmers’ market.
Location: Queen’s car park, Streatham.

Mon, 6 to Sat, 12 June
Arts Week: Music, dance and drama. Programme from Ollie or ExTunes.
Location: RAM Beer Garden, Streatham, and elsewhere.

Mon, 6 June, 6pm
Transition seminar: Sandra White, environmental activism consultant, ‘The Ecological Self in Transition: Eco-psychology and the values and practice of Transition’. Further information: Dr Stewart Barr.
Location: Poldhu room, Kay Building, Streatham.

Mon, 6 June, 5.15pm
Inaugural SCuLE lecture: Professor Graeme Laurie, University of Edinburgh, ‘'Where law, morals and culture meet: what is the role of the public academic?'. All welcome.
Location: Parker Moot Room, Amory Building, Streatham.

Tues, 7 June, 1pm
Research seminar: Professor Michael Young, University of London, ‘Curriculum Theory and the Problem of Knowledge: a personal journey and an unfinished project’. Further information: Tamara Snell.
Location: BC114, St Luke’s.

Wed, 8 June, 6-7pm
Inaugural Lecture: Professor Yanqiu Zhu, Chair, Functional Materials, ‘Creating the tiny beauty of the Nanoworld – From nanomaterials to nanocomposites’.
Location: Theatre 4, Harrison Building, Streatham.

Wed, 8 June, 6.30pm
Chartered Management Institute event: Ian Woodall on climbing Everest and how this can enhance personal inspiration and practical leadership skills. Tickets: members £15, non-members £20, (including finger buffet). For bookings and more information, please visit the Business School’s website.
Location: Business School, Streatham.

Wed, 8 June, 7.30-9pm
Lecture: Dr Siam Bhayro, 'Reading the New Testament as Jewish Literature'.
Further information: David Beadle.
Location: St Michael and All Angels Church, Dinham Road, Mount Dinham, Exeter.

Thurs, 9 June, 1pm
Ecology & Conservation seminar: Dr Mike Brockhurst, University of Liverpool, ‘Ecological drivers of the evolution of public goods cooperation’. Further information: Dr Nick Royle.
Location: Lecture Theatre A, Daphne du Maurier, Tremough.

Thurs, 9 June, 1pm
Seminar: Dr Chris Sibley, University of Auckland, ‘Hope for the future: Understanding self-sacrifice in the face of global warming among young citizens of the world. Further information: Dr Tim Kurz.
Location: Room 105, Washington Singer Laboratories, Streatham.

Mon, 13 June, 3-4.30pm
Seminar: Dr Chris Lawless, University of Edinburgh, 'Emerging Forensic DNA Technologies: Risks, Realities and Representations'. Further information: egenis@exeter.ac.uk.
Location: Egenis, Byrne House, Streatham.

Thurs, 16 June, 1pm
Ecology & Conservation seminar: Dr John Fanshawe, Birdlife International, ‘BirdLife – sustaining the local in a global partnership’. Further information: Dr Nick Royle.
Location: Lecture Theatre A, Daphne du Maurier, Tremough.

Mon, 20 June to Tues, 21 June Egenis conference: ‘Making Sense of Large Datasets’. Please register with Laura Dobb or 01392 725 140. Further information: Sabina Leonelli or 01392 725 137.
Location: IAIS, Streatham.

Tues, 21 June, 5pm
Research seminar: Dr Adam Lefstein, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, ‘Classroom Interaction and Dialogue: Processes of Continuity and Change’. Further information: Tamara Snell.
Location: G18, PMS Building, St Luke’s.

Northcott highlights

Sun, 29 May, 7.30pm
Edith Piaf: Celebration of a Legend with Tina May and her musicians. Tickets: £15.

Wed, 1 June, 7.30pm
Bill Giles' Weather Show: Bill Giles led the BBC weather team for 17 years and was awarded the OBE in 1995 for services to weather broadcasting. Tickets: £15.

Sat, 4 June, 7.30pm
Dr Phil's Rude Health Show: Dr Phil Hammond returns to Exeter after his sell-out performance in 2010. Tickets: £14, concessions £12. Age: 14yrs+.

Sat, 5 June, 12.30pm and 3pm
Tim and Light puppet show presented by Tucked in Productions. Tickets £9.50 or £24 for family of three. Age: 4yrs+. Meet the puppets after each show.

Thurs, 9 to Sat, 11 June, 7.30pm
BLOK/EKO: cast of 110 perform premiere of Howard Barker’s latest work. Presented by The Wrestling School in collaboration with the Drama Department. Tickets: £14, concessions half-price. Age: 16yrs+. Post show talk: Fri, 10 June.