Fortnightly news for staff | 28 February 2008 | 478 · Fortnightly news for staff | 28 February...

Fortnightly news for staff | 28 February 2008 | 478

Bulletin

THAMESBLUESupercomputer comes to Reading

Univ Bulletin 478 #05.indd 1Univ Bulletin 478 #05.indd 1 20/02/2008 12:35:3720/02/2008 12:35:37

Front cover: The cover image shows the University’s new IBM supercomputer, THAMESBLUE that has entered the top 500 supercomputer list as the largest High Performance Computer in UK academia.

The Bulletin can be found online at www.reading.ac.uk/bulletin where you can read a pdf of this issue and access archived issues of past Bulletins and Campus Authors.

The Bulletin is published in-house fortnightly during term time. Items are welcomed from every member of the University and should be sent, marked ‘Bulletin’, to Carol DerhamCommunications Offi ceWhiteknightsThe University of ReadingReading RG6 6AHemail [email protected]

Please note that we reserve the right to edit items and not all material may be used. Free small ads from University members will be included if space permits.

Copy date for the edition published on 24 April is 10 April.

This Bulletin was typeset by Leigh & Glennie Ltd and printed by Advent Colour, Andover

IN THE NEWS: As a world-renowned research and teaching institution, the University of Reading is rarely

out of the local, national and international media. This is a selection of media appearances by members of the University and press cutting summaries which highlight the important work being done by the staff and students of the University. View all ‘In the news’ items at www.reading.ac.uk/about/about-readinginthenews2008.asp

30 January, ITV Thames Valley TonightIn light of the news the Govern-ment has misplaced the personal details of millions of people, Dr Andrew Adams (Systems Engineering) gives his expert opinion on fi nancial/internet fraud.

31 January, Reading Evening PostStudents from the University are performing a translated adapta-tion of a Polish language play at a theatre in London.

1 February, International Travel Insurance JournalDr Jane Strachan (Walker Institute) contributes an article on how travel patterns are likely to change in the coming years, and how the travel insurance market will have to adapt.

1 February, Financial TimesA study led by Professor Mark Pagel (Biological Studies) has shown languages change and evolve in quick bursts rather than in a steady pattern, just like living organisms.

1 February, Reading Evening PostThirteen people at the University have completed an Early Years Professional programme to teach toddlers.

1 February, Henley Standard Dr Gillian van Emden, School of Biological Sciences, was the winner of the rosebowl for the best exhibit by an associate at the Out of the Blue art exhibition held in the Old Fire Station Gallery, Henley. Dr van Emden’s picture was called scanning, a computer-generated image.

1 February, IndependentProfessor Bryan Cheyette (English and American Literature) reviews George Steiner’s new book, My Unwritten Books.

1 February, Irish TimesA report on the threat posed by global warming in Antarctica. With expert comment from Professor Jonathan Gregory (Meteorology).

3 February, Sunday TelegraphForensic scientists have developed a technique that allows them to track a person’s movements by analysing samples of head and body hair. Dr Stuart Black (Archaeology), who has already used the method to aid police attempting to identify bodies, describes how the technique works.

4 February, Reading Evening PostThe University’s Business School has teamed up with O2 to offer one student an £8,000 scholarship to study at Reading.

5 February, Asian AgeAn article looking at a research report produced by the University on the Indian Corporate Debt Market.

5 February, Reading Evening PostHarnessing power from the land is the hot topic at the University’s Agricultural Club conference on 11 February 2008.

6 February, BBC Radio ScotlandDr Karin Lesnik-Oberstein (English and American Literature) appears on the Radio Café programme, to discuss characters in children’s rhymes and stories.

6 February, BBC 1Countryfi le examines the information provided to consum-ers as to the country of origin of the meat contained in meat products. Dr David Jukes (Food Biosciences) provided the legal perspective and explained how the country of origin relates to the product and not the meat.

7 February, More 4Dr Dominic Zaum (Politics and International Relations) is asked his expert opinion on the role of the German army in Afghanistan, and the current controversies over the German contribution to operations there.

7 February, Times Higher Education Supplement A University study has shown that minimum English-language standards for international students are not high enough to ensure that all students can cope with the academic rigour of their courses.

7 February, The SunAn article about how effective beetroot juice is at lowering blood pressure. With reference to Dr Ann Walker’s (Food Biosciences) recent study.

8 February, BBC Radio BerkshireDr Jonathan Bell (History) explains about the Super Tuesday primaries in the US for the presidential nomination in both parties.

Car insuranceEndsleigh could save you money. Up to 15% discount to University staff on car insur ance. www.endsleigh.co.uk tel: 0118 986 0490 or visit Endsleigh in the Students’ Union, Whiteknights.

Holiday LetTuscan farmhouse, recently restored, on the edge of a medieval village near Sansepolcro. Five bedrooms, sleeping 8-10 (or two separate apartments sleeping 2 and 6). Private swimming pool. Glorious views of wild countryside. Piero della Francesca trail readily accessible. Contact [email protected]

SMALL ADS

Furnished double room for rent In Victorian Terrace House, shared with owner. Located off Southampton Street, close to Town Centre/ University. Excellent condition throughout/ GCH/ uPVC windows/ garden. Non smoking/No pets. Rent £360 pcm (inc. bills). Permit parking available for £50 pa. Available immediately. Telephone 07771691694

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Vice-Chancellor, Professor Gordon Marshall has offi cially opened the THAMESBLUE Supercomputer at the University.

Back in June 2007, The University’s IBM supercomputer, THAMESBLUE, entered the top 500 supercomputer list as the largest High Performance Computer in UK academia. Since then the system has benefi ted from an upgrade. This was carefully negotiated by IBM and the University of Reading’s Advanced Computing and Emerging Technologies (ACET) Centre to ensure that Reading remain a key player globally and one the UK’s most research-intensive universities.

IBM and ACET join forcesProfessor Vassil Alexandrov, the ACET Centre Director, believes that the possibilities of use for this computer are endless stating “In addition to the advances of computational science in terms of modeling of complex systems, scalable algorithms and collaborative tools and environments, Reading will be also at the cutting edge in giving more precise pollution predictions, speeding up the design of lifesaving drugs, investigating scenarios in climate change and thus making real changes to people’s well being”.

Research students in the above research areas will greatly benefi t by ACET being at the forefront of world-leading

research with so many exciting and challenging applications.

On 12 December 2007 THAMESBLUE was offi cially inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Professor Gordon Marshall and Dr David Turek, Vice-President of IBM in High Performance Computing.

New instituteThe expanding research collaboration with IBM is backed by the newly established ACET/IBM Institute for Computational Science which is planned to become a European centre of excellence in the above areas, to lead the developments in Computational Science in UK and Europe and to foster strong collaboration between industry and academia.

On 12 December, Dr David Turek announced the new institute, outlining the long term collaboration with ACET Centre and the importance of the ACET/IBM reaserch collaboration for advancement of Computational Science.

Among those, who took part in the events on behalf of the University of Reading, were, Professor David Porter, Dean of Science; Professor Chris Guy, Head of the School of Systems Engineering and Professor Vassil Alexandrov present on behalf of IBM were Ms Caroline Issac, IBM UK; Mr Vassilis Kapsalis, IBM UK; Mr Mark Dunham, IBM UK.

Pictured (from left to right) Professor Gordon Marshall; Ms Caroline Issac, IBM UK; Dr David Turek, IBM Worldwide Vice President of Deep Computing and Professor Vassil Alexandrov, ACET Centre Director.

More than 40 members of the University’s Teaching and Learning community attended the launch of a new learning space in the Carrington Building: The LearnHigher Room. On 16 January attendees heard speakers including Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Rob Robson and Mavis Cheek, the author and current Royal Literary Fund Fellow in the School of English and American Literature. A ribbon was cut to offi cially open the room.

The LearnHigher Room contains 6 computers for individual or group study and has space to hold a tutorial or small workshop for up to 12 people. University Study Advisers will be using it for small group sessions on topics such as exam

preparation, referencing and time management.

The room was funded by the LearnHigher CETL www.learnhigher.ac.uk. LearnHigher is a collaborative group of teaching and learning professionals from 16 universities, investigating best strategies for supporting effective study practices. It refl ects increasing awareness in the Higher Education sector of the important role that effective study practices play in student success.

Research for the LearnHigher project has already contributed signifi cantly to the production of effective study development resources at Reading. Funding from the CETL has enabled

LearnHigher roommajor updates and additions to the Study Advice website www.rdg.ac.uk/studyskills, and research into student use of study guides has resulted in a new series of user friendly, but informative, guides on topics including dissertations, essays, referencing, giving presentations and time management.

The University is also leading a cross-institution project to develop student year planners with embedded study tips targeted at relevant times of the academic year. The planners are free and available from the Study Advisers. If you would like copies for your students, or for further information please contact Dr Michelle Reid [email protected]

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Whitfi eld Solar was set up in 2004 to commercialise the long-standing research programme on low-cost solar concentrators led by Dr George Whitfi eld and Dr Roger Bentley in the then Department of Cybernetics. Dr Clive Weatherby steered the company through the early stages of development as CEO. During this time Whitfi eld Solar received a seed investment from the Cascade Fund and subsequent funding from Carbon Trust Investments and a private investor. Now Carbon Trust Investments have made a further investment, this time partnering with a new shareholder Kilsby Ltd.

Stephen Bates, formerly UK CEO of ANGLE plc, has joined as the new CEO to help drive forward the company’s strategy for growth and development. Clive Weatherby and Roger Bentley continue to play vitally important roles in the company, and the team is completed by new recruits with project management and engineering expertise.

For more information see www.whitfi eldsolar.com or contact Dr Sue O’Hare. Head of Technology Transfer ([email protected]).

Whitfi eld SolarWhitfi eld Solar, a University spin-out company, has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Offi cer (CEO), new recruits and an interim funding round of more than £1m. This exciting news positions the company for a period of intense product development work, progress and growth.

Left: Dr Clive Weatherby, Chief Technology Offi cer of Whitfi eld Solar Limited, with a prototype solar concentrator.

It is now possible to study German to degree level at the University from scratch. A new course has been developed in partnership with the Open University and a further 6 Higher Education Institutions as part of a project to support strategically important, but vulnerable subjects.

Students have the opportunity to study

German at degree level even if they

were not offered German at school, thus

creating a new entry point into German

Studies. This route is similar to one that

has been available to students of Italian

at Reading for several years.

Dr Ian Roe, Head of German Studies,

says “Increasingly, students are only

studying one foreign language at school,

and the limitations of the options

system has meant that students are not

able to study the language they want to

a level they would like.”

German for beginnersThe course is proving most popular as a Part 1 options module. “Students have welcomed the opportunity to study a language intensively alongside their fi rst degree subject. We expect students to reach GCSE standard in one term, A-level after two,” says Dr Roe. “This is an intensive course and certainly not an ‘easy option’, but very rewarding if studied with commitment and interest.”

It is not only undergraduates who are benefi ting from the new scheme, a member of staff has also chosen to follow the course, enabling him to read academic texts written in German.

The Department of German Studies hopes to offer the course to students from other faculties. “We have alumni from every faculty working in Germany and for German companies,” says Dr Roe, “German language skills can make graduates more attractive to future employers.”

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Widening ParticipationThis Spring, the University has encouraged Berkshire schoolchildren to take part in activities on campus. The Widening Participation Offi ce (WPO) encouraged Year 9 teams from twelve Berkshire Schools to swap Pacman for Paxman, by organising a science competition in the style of the popular television programme, University Challenge. Teams had their scientifi c knowledge put to the test, answering questions both on the KS3 science curriculum and the wider aspects of science, technology, maths and engineering.

Valedictory ConcertWe are pleased to invite you to attend a Valedictory Concert to celebrate Professor Derek Clements-Croome becoming an Emeritus Professor.

Tuesday 4 March at 3.30pmSt Peter’s Church, Church Road, Earley.

Derek Clements-Croome (Violin)Peter Toye (Piano). Music by Corelli, Veracini, Bach, Mozart, Massenet, Williams and others. Admission is free.

Please contact Helen Spence, School Secretary, School of Construction Management and Engineering, if you would like to attend. Tel: 0118 3786734 Email: [email protected]

New publicationReading Construction Review (RCR), a brand-new magazine-style publication aiming at the built environment related industries has just been launched.

The main purpose of the magazine is to discuss critically topical issues in the industry and highlight the work of the School of Construction Management and Engineering. The RCR will be issued 3 times a year (1 per term) with the next one coming out in May. Dr Milan Radosavljevic, Lecturer in the School of Construction Management and Engineering, is editor and designed it with the help of the Department of Typography & Graphic Communication.

Major AHRC Awards

RetirementThe University will be bidding farewell to Patricia Hanby, the Library’s Acquisitions Manager, who will be retiring after 40 years of service at the end of March.

Pat’s friends and colleagues are invited to wish her well at a gathering in the Blue Room at 3.30pm on Friday 28 March.

For catering purposes, please let Gerry MacKinnon in the Library Offi ce know if you would like to come (tel: 0118 378 8772, email: [email protected]). Gerry will also be pleased to receive any contributions towards a farewell gift for Pat.

Professor Hilary Foottit, Senior Research Fellow in French Studies and History, has been awarded a major three-year research grant of half a million pounds to investigate

‘Languages at War: Policies and Practices of Language Contacts in Confl ict’.

The project will explore the interface between foreign language policy-making for war and participant experience, and will examine two related but contrasting case studies: the invasion/occupation of Europe, 1944–7 and peacekeeping in Bosnia, 1995–8. The grant is in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum, London and the University of Southampton, and was launched under the auspices of the University’s ‘Modern European Histories and Cultures’ research theme.

Professor Andy Knapp, French Studies,

has additionally received a major AHRC award of £130,000, in conjunction with the Universities of Exeter and Newcastle, to investigate the impact and experience of bombing in France, Italy and Germany during the Second World War. Again this was part of the University’s ‘Modern European Histories and Cultures’ research theme.

These two awards build upon the success of Professor Christopher Duggan’s AHRC award looking at the

‘Cult of Mussolini in Italy’ and Professor Richard Bosworth’s Australian Research Council award to examine the ‘Cult of Mussolini in the Italian empire’.

These initiatives further reinforce the profi le of the Centre for the Advanced Study of French History and the Centre for Modern Italian History.

WPO and Berkshire Further Maths Centre teamed up once again recently to highlight the opportunities in Higher Education afforded by continuing Mathematics to AS and A2 level to Year 11 pupils from Berkshire. The event aimed to encourage pupils to choose Mathematics and Further Mathematics when making A-level choices and to highlight the importance of Mathematics in all science-related subjects to both pupils and teaching staff. The half

-day programme included a number of interactive lectures introducing pupils to areas of maths, science and technology which rely heavily on underlying mathematical principles, skills and models.

For more details about how you can get involved in next year’s Science Challenge, and further details about the University’s Widening Participation Offi ce, please contact Dr Rachel South email [email protected] or phone 0118 378 6127.

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Museum of English Rural Life Fellowship SchemeApplications are invited for the 2008–09 round of the Sir John Higgs MERL Fellowship scheme. The Fellowship is open to scholars and researchers wishing to pursue collections-related research based at the Museum for a period of up to twelve months from October. The Museum’s collections connect with academic disciplines across a broad spectrum including agriculture, rural and business history, design, archaeology, social policy and plant and animal sciences. Closing date for applications is 11 April. Full details of the scheme can be obtained from the Museum’s website www.merl.org.uk/news or by emailing Dr Roy Brigden at the Museum [email protected]

The Museum of English Rural Life is holding a special event, Consult the Conservator on 8 March, 2.15 to 4.15pm, as part of National Science and Engineering Week.

Fred van de Geer, MERL’s Conservator, will be offering advice on how to clean, care for and preserve your antiques and collectables. Members of the public are invited to bring in their objects or photographs of non-portable items for the opportunity to pick up some valuable tips from Fred.

Bekky Moran, Learning Manager at MERL, says “Ever wondered why that treasured vintage fabric has discoloured or why your funky plastic retro piece is looking a little sad? It’s all in the science! Sometimes it’s what you use to clean the item, the humidity of the room it’s stored in or maybe even the tissue paper it’s wrapped in. Chemicals,

Consult the Conservatorlight, temperature and humidity all affect objects for good or bad. Fred van de Geer can advise you how to care for and keep your treasured items and antiques in this special drop-in workshop celebrating the science of the conservator in National Science & Engineering Week.”

National Science and Engineering Week 2008 runs from 7 to16 March and is an opportunity for people of all ages, areas and organisations to take part in science, engineering and technology activities. It is coordinated by the British Association for the Advancement of Science in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board. It is funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. For further information, visit www.the-ba.net/the-ba/Events/NSEW/index.html

Criminal Justice Association The Reading Criminal Justice Association (the Romilly), linked with the University through the presidency of the Vice-Chancellor, is pleased to announce yet another exciting speaker, David Holt, Professor of Bioanalytics and Director of the Analytical Unit at St George’s (University of London)

– whose talk ‘Forensic Drug Measurements - not always like CSI’ is set to be very interesting.

Recent meetings have included the new Chief Constable for the Thames Valley Police, Sara Thornton who was invited as the Guest of Honour for the Association’s Annual Supper at Windsor Hall. Members were especially proud to

make history – as Sara Thornton is the fi rst woman to hold the post of Chief Constable in TVP, the largest Force in the country after the Met. On this occasion, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, representing the University, had the chance to exchange ideas with many other guests including the Governor of Reading Prison, Pauline Bryant. The January speaker was the Berkshire Coroner, Peter Bedford, who informed of the many implications of his job in dealing with unnatural deaths.

Enquiries: please see the RCJA website: www.reading.ac.uk/romilly or contact the Secretary [email protected]; telephone (0118 979 2005).

University CalendarThe Graduation Offi ce is conducting a web survey on how staff use the University Calendar. The survey will run from Friday 15 February until Friday 14 March.

They would like to fi nd out about how you use the Calendar and which sections you consult most frequently. They will use your feedback to inform future planning and in particular, will be thinking about how they might publish the Calendar in the future.

To assist them in their research, please complete the online survey at: www.survey.bris.ac.uk/reading/calendar

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Vicky Howard ([email protected] or 0118 378 8117)

ART EXHIBITION

Modern Decadence – an art exhibition by students in the Department of Fine Art, Dogma, Castle Street, Reading

Friday 29 February – Friday 7 March

Tel: 0118 9574039

Email: [email protected]

Nominations for Honorary DegreesThe Joint Standing Committee of the Council and Senate on Honorary Degrees invites members of the University, or those associated with it, to submit nominations for recipients of Honorary Degrees.

Nominations should take the form of a single side which seeks to articulate:

(a) the eminence of the individual being proposed in his or her chosen fi eld;

(b) the particular relevance of that eminence to this University; and

(c) the timeliness of the proposal,

and be accompanied by an outline CV or Who’s Who entry of the nominee. Nominations should be sent, in confi dence, to Keith Hodgson, Director of Academic Services, so as to reach him no later than 14 May 2008.

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7

In 1954 the University received a munifi cent benefaction. Mr John Sherborne, a Life Member of the University Court, endowed the John Sherborne Foundation. The fundamental purpose of the Foundation is to encourage the study of “international co-operation and the substitution of the rule of law for the rule of force in international relationships”. One method of carrying out this intention has been the lectures which have been given by Lord Ismay, Monsieur René Sergent and Lord McNair.

Another, perhaps more important, method was agreed by Mr Sherborne. From time to time individual members of the University may wish to study the international organisations for themselves at close quarters. Many of these have their headquarters in cities

such as Geneva, Brussels, or Paris and the expense of visiting them for a substantial period is often prohibitive. Accordingly, there will be an annual sum of money available to help serious students of international affairs and members of the University to make such visits. Applications should be submitted to the Vice-Chancellor, with a full account of what is intended, the length of stay proposed, the cost of travel and subsistence and the precise purpose of the visit; they should give the names of two persons inside the University to whom reference may be made and they should reach the Vice-Chancellor by the 31 May. All applications will then be considered and grants representing the whole or a substantial part of the expense may be made.

Gordon Marshall, Vice-Chancellor

Latest volunteering opportunitiesHelp the homelessVolunteers needed to collect sandwiches from town centre on Wednesday evenings, and/or to join team delivering soup and sandwiches in the town centre on Friday evenings.

Support MothertongueMothertongue provides support services for people from ethnic minorities. The charity is looking for a Trustee to join their Management Committee, which meets from 12noon to 2pm every other month on a weekday, at their offi ces in Cross Street.

Gather memoriesAge Concern Reading seeks volunteers to lead and support reminiscences sessions at various venues around Reading. Volunteers should have an interest in local history and experience of working with older people. There is a one day training session at Reading Museum using museum artefacts to trigger memories of days gone by. The time commitment is usually a maximum of one 2-hour session a week (sessions are weekday daytime or Saturday pm) plus travelling time. Expenses can be paid.

Trustee work or befriendingThe Abbeyfi eld Reading Society, which provides accommodation and care for the elderly, seeks volunteers (time commitment negotiable) with leadership potential and self motivation to become Trustees of the Society to help with activities involving the residents, outings, reading, friendship and conversation etc.

If you are interested in fi nding out more about any of these, please contact Clare Bonney on [email protected]

There’s a huge range of other opportunities for volunteering in Reading and if any member of staff would like to know more about any of the vacancies, please contact Clare. Many of the vacancies only require a couple of hours a month of your time.

These opportunities are publicised as part of the University’s Employee Volunteering Project (TQEF funded).

New general volunteering vacancies in the Reading area are posted each week on the Reading Voluntary Action website: www.r-v-a.org Other vacancies are posted from time to time at www.info.rdg.ac.uk/staff

The John Sherborne Foundation

Centre for Staff Training & DevelopmentProgramme 4 March–19 March. To book please email [email protected]

4 March 9.30am–4pm ILM Accredited Introductory Certifi cate in Management (Day 2)

12.30–2pm Navigating 3rd Stream ‘How to’: Finding Funding to Develop your Enterprise Ideas

5 March 9.30–11.30am Buying in Services: the implications of Paying for Consultancy

9.30am–1pm Staff Development Review: New Staff and Reviewers

12noon–2pm Effective Communication to Manage Confl ict

2–4.30pm Examining PhD Candidates

2.30–3.30pm Turnitin ‘Plagiarism Detection’

3.45–4.45pm Seven Things you May Not Know About RUSU

6 March 9.30am–4pm New Staff Induction

7 March 9.30am–12.30pm Career Planning for Researchers

12.45–1.45pm Guides for Managers: Absence Management

10 March 9.30am–12.30pm Using the New University Content Management System (Part 1)

11 March 9.30am–5pm Maximise your Memory

11am–1pm Purchase to Pay Training

12 March 9.30am–1pm Recruitment and Selection Panel Interviews

10–12noon Module Enrolment in RISIS

2–3pm Using Technology Tables and Lecterns

2–5pm Writing Successful Research Proposals (Sciences)

13 March 9.30am–5pm Planning Ahead for Retirement

9.30am–12.30pm Advanced Agresso Backoffi ce

2–5pm Using the New University Content Management System (Part 2)

14 March 9.30am–12.15pm Committee Servicing and Minute Writing

12.30–1.30pm Guide for Managers: Managing Change

1.45–2.45pm Briefi ng for Mentors of New Lecturers

18 March 9.30am–4.30pm Master Class: Business Planning in a University Context

10am–12noon Introduction to Using Outlook

19 March 10am–12noon CMS Drop-In

For details of all these courses please see www.reading.ac.uk/cstd or ring ext. 7097

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Tuesday 4 MarchVice-Chancellor’s talk to staff, What’s Going On in the In-Tray? Everyone is welcome, Madejski Lecture Theatre, 3pm

Wednesday 5 MarchQuantitative Biology and Applied Statistics seminar, Measuring Heterogeneity in Meta-Analysis, speakers include Julian Higgins (Cambridge), Martina Mittlbock (Vienna), Heinz Holling (Munster), Brad Biggerstaff (Fort Collins), Wolfgang Viechtbauer (Maastricht), Andy Grieve (King’s College London), Ammarin Thakkinstian (Bangkok), Dankmar Bohning (Reading), Nike Theatre, Agriculture Building, 1.30pm

SCR event, Visit to Innovation Works, Meet in the Cotton Club at 2.15pm, Refreshments and parking available. Free. Members and guests welcome, Book via SCR Offi ce.

Classics research seminar, Punicites, Dr Josephine Quinn (Oxford), G01 Palmer, 4pm

ICMA Centre research seminar, Overview of Monte-Carlo Techniques for Derivatives Pricing, Stephen Smith (Royal Bank of Scotland), G03/04 ICMA Centre, 4.30pm

Thursday 6 MarchPsychology & Clinical Language Sciences seminar, Object and action naming, Judit Druks (UCL), GS05 Psychology, 4pm

Friday 7 MarchApplied Mathematics & Numerical Analysis seminar, Recent Developments in Data Assimilation, Martin Ehrendorfer (Reading), 113 Mathematics, 3pm

Saturday 8 MarchConsult the Conservator at MERL, As part of Science and Engineering Week, MERL Conservator, Fred van de Geer, will advise you on how to clean, care for and preserve your antiques and collectables. Please bring along the objects themselves, or photographs of non-portable items. No need to book. For further information email [email protected] or call 0118 378 8660, Museum of English Rural Life, 2.15pm. See page 6.

Sunday 9 MarchMusic@Reading Spring Concert 2008 in association with The Friends of the University, Music from the Movies, Prokofi ev: Alexander Nevsky, Conductor: Stuart Dunlop, Pre-concert drinks from 3pm, Tickets £10/£6 concessions (students/OAPs), Price of admission to include pre-concert drinks and nibbles, Great Hall, London Road, Tickets available from: [email protected] 0118 378 5256 or Brenda Morris, [email protected], 0118 378 8006, Concert 4.30pm

Monday 10 MarchMeteorology departmental seminar, A New Light on Stratospheric Variability, Scott Osprey (Oxford), GU01 Meteorology, 12 noon

Soil Science seminar, Biogenic gaseous emissions from soil (and the potential effect of Cu on gaseous fl uxes), David Devaney (Reading), Lecture Room 1 Soil Science, 1pm

SCR event, A Taste of Italy, Meet at 7.30pm in the Dolche Vita Italian restaurant or at 5.30pm in Park House for an aperitivo. Individual food bills. Members and guests very welcome. Dolche Vita: Kings Walk, All enquiries: Charlie Williams. Email: [email protected] Ext: 5586 Book via SCR offi ce. Tel: 0118 378 5097.

Tuesday 11 MarchMusic@Reading lunchtime concert, Eliane Walter and Peter Toye, Mezzo Soprano and Piano, G10 Palmer Theatre, 1.10pm

Seminar, Understanding the addicted brain, Drug misuse: harm minimisation and treatment, Professor Jan Keene (Reading), Future medical treatments for drug abuse, what genes and molecules have to tell us, Dr Marcus Rattray (Reading), URS Small Lecture Theatre, 4.30pm

Chemistry seminar, tba, Dr C. Baddeley (St Andrews) Lecture Theatre G, Chemistry, 4.30pm

Philosophy Speakers Programme, tba, Severin Schroeder (Reading), 273 HumSS, 5pm

Wednesday 12 MarchQBAS seminar, Addressing climate model uncertainty in stochastic downscaling applications, Dr Richard E. Chandler (UCL) AS G03, Applied Statistics, Harry Pitt Building, 2pm

Nanoscience & Materials Theme seminar, Optical Spectroscopy at the Nanometer Scale, Dr Ian Lindsay (Bristol), Chemistry LTG, 2.30pm

History of Art & Architecture research seminar, His Master’s Voice: Painted Inscriptions in the Oeuvre of Domenico Ghirlandaio, Dr Eckart Marchand (City University, London), 141 HumSS, 4pm

Thursday 13 MarchPsychology & Clinical Language Sciences seminar, The living arrangements of regular and irregular past-tense verbs, Elaine Funnell (Royal Holloway), GS05 Psychology, 4pm

Philosophy Speakers Programme, The Prima facie duty to promote the good, and options, Philip Stratton-Lake (Reading), 273 HumSS, 5pm

SCR event, Spring Wine Tasting, a range of wines to suit the season, SCR Park House, 5.30pm. £10, pre-paid bookings via SCR offi ce or the wine shop, tel: 0118 378 5097

The diary is compiled from events posted on the Events page of the University website. For fuller details and to post your own events please see http://www.reading.ac.uk/events

Friday 14 MarchApplied Mathematics & Numerical Analysis seminar, Parabolic Monge Ampere methods for mesh generation, Chris Budd (Bath), M113 Mathematics, 3pm

Sunday 16 MarchSCR event, Spring Walk, Meet in Henley for a 4-mile walk via Harpsden and Shiplake, returning along the river to Henley, 10.45am. Book via SCR offi ce, tel: 0118 378 5097

READING FILM THEATRE

Palmer TheatreWhiteknights

March: starting at 7.30pm

4 Tues KM31 (15)

6 Thur The Kingdom (15)

Seats: £3.50 for members and £5 for non-members.

Further details: please phone 0118 378 7151 (or ext. 7151)

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Fortnightly news for staff | 28 February 2008 | 478 · Fortnightly news for staff | 28 February...

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