This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Copies of periodic communications between the Vice-Chancellor and staff'.



 
From: External Relations  
Sent: 26 March 2018 15:13 
To: Staff 
Subject: Geoff's Update - March 2018 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Geoff's Update - March 2018 
 
 
  
We look forward now to Spring Graduation this week where 850 students will be 
celebrating with their families. It is always a great occasion. The ceremonies on 
Wednesday and Thursday will see Postgraduate students along with those from the 
Institute of Health graduate at the Grand Theatre. 
 
  
 
 
  
Staff Excellence Awards 
The nominations for the seventh annual Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Staff Excellence 
are now open. 
  
The awards, which will be held at the Chancellor's Hall, City Campus on 26 July 2018, will 
1

celebrate and recognise the successes of staff throughout the year. 
  
You can nominate a colleague or team member in one of eight award categories. These 
can be completed through Surveymonkey. 
A hard copy of the nomination form can also be requested from xxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xx.xx . 
  
The deadline for nominations to be submitted is 18 May 2018. 
  
 
League Table re-entry 
As you will know there has been ongoing discussion about the University re-entering 
league tables. Since January 2010 the University has not allowed its data to be published
in any league tables. The decision was taken at that time as it was believed that these 
tables disadvantaged universities like Wolverhampton. 
  
In 2015, the Board of Governors passed a resolution committing the University to re-
enter league tables at an appropriate time as decided by the Vice-Chancellor. 
Given the introduction of the Teaching Excellence Framework, the ever increasing 
concentration of regulators on key metrics and the ongoing performance of the 
University the decision has now been made to re-enter. 
  
This means the University will appear in the next round of league table publications from 
April onwards. 
 
 
VC Roadshows 
Over the next couple of months I will be going out across the University to meet and talk 
to as many staff groups as possible as part of the next round of VC Roadshows. 
  
I'm aiming to visit every school or institute and corporate service departments during 
April and May to take questions from staff and listen to what they have to say about 
working at the University. Sessions will be advertised as soon as we have identified 
suitable dates and locations. 
 
 
ERAS scheme 
The University is now seeking applications to the Early Researcher Award Scheme 
(ERAS). The scheme will be of interest to any member of staff in the University who has 
achieved a Doctoral qualification (or equivalent) within the last five years and who 
wishes to pursue an identified research project over the upcoming 12 months (or 24 
months for part time staff). 
  
The deadline is Friday 11th May 2018, and the application form and accompanying 
academic CV should be returned to the Doctoral College via email: 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xx.xx. 
  
 
Staffing 
2


Following Andy Holding's retirement from the University, Gary Butler has stepped in as 
Acting Chief Financial Officer. 
  
Welcome to Richard Middleton who has joined us as interim Academic Registrar 
replacing Chris Twine. Congratulations to Dr Richard Medcalf who has been appointed to 
the new role as the Director of the Institute of Sport and Human Sciences. 
  
And it's farewell to Dean of Students Jon Elsmore, who will be leaving us at the end of 
May to take up a new role in Birmingham. 
  
 
Research 
We've launched a new campaign to showcase our research and expertise. The Open 
your Mind campaign features seven academic members of staff from across the 
University representing the breadth of areas we cover. 
  
It features Professor Nazira Karodia, Professor Andy Lane, Professor Phil Dearden, 
Professor Mike Thelwall, Dr Sarah Jones, Professor George Kassimeris and Professor 
Tracy Warr. 
 
  
 
 
  
The new Centre for Sikh and Panjabi Studies was 
launched recently in the Chancellor's Hall. The Centre 
will offer PhDs and Master's level courses in Sikh 
Studies, as well as continuing professional development 
(CPD) courses for teachers and managers of diverse 
workforces such as national and local government, the 
NHS and the emergency services. 
 
 
  
 
Read more  
 
 
  
 
  
 A new report to help tackle some of the biggest issues facing communities across the 
Black Country and Birmingham was officially launched at the University. 
  
Communities Uncovered was commissioned by the independent regional charity Heart 
of England Community Foundation, with the research carried out by the University's new 
Institute for Community Research and Development. 
 
 
Apprenticeships 
We recently took part in National Apprenticeship Week to showcase our Degree 
Apprenticeships. The University is now embedding its Degree Apprenticeship 
programme into Faculties and is offering Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in 
Chartered Management (CMDA), Chartered Surveying, Chartered Legal Executive, 
Nursing Associate, Product Design & Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering and 
Healthcare Science Practitioner Degree Apprenticeships. 
  
3


Future Higher/Degree Apprenticeships will include Digital Technologies, Civil 
Engineering, Architecture, Policing, Social Work, Nursing and Paramedic Degree 
Apprenticeships. 
  
Over 150 Apprentices are now studying on our programmes with recruitment ongoing. 
 
  
 
 
  
Successes 
 
  
 
 
  
 
  
Good luck to graduate Mimi Cesar who 
Well done to English lecturer Dr Daisy 
has been selected to represent Team 
Black who has been selected as one of 
England in rhythmic gymnastics at the 
2018's New Generation Thinkers; an 
Commonwealth Games on Australia's 
annual scheme run by BBC Radio 3, BBC 
Gold Coast. 
Arts, and the Arts and Humanities 
  
Research Council (AHRC). 
Mimi, who recently graduated from her BA 
  
(Hons) Sports Studies degree, was one of 
Daisy, a specialist in gender in medieval 
the University's Sports Scholars and is a 
and renaissance drama, will be making a 
genuine medal hope. The Games are 
programme for BBC Radio 3 on her 
taking place between 4 and 15 April 2018. 
research project 'Eating God: Food in 
  
 
Medieval Religious Drama'. 
Read more  
  
 
 
Read more  
 
 
  
 
 
  
Congratulations to Professor Sir Alan Tuckett, who 
received his knighthood from Prince William at 
Buckingham Palace last week. 
  
 
Read more  
 
  
 
  
4


 
A number of our student nurses are 
  
Well done also to Dr Meena Dhanda, 
celebrating after being shortlisted for 
Reader in Philosophy and Cultural Politics, 
national awards in recognition of their 
who was included on Amnesty's 
commitment. The University has been 
‘Suffragette Spirit Map of Britain' to mark 
shortlisted in four categories of the 
International Women's Day. 
Student Nursing Times Awards, which 
  
 
celebrate the best in nurse education. 
Read more  
  
 
 
Read more  
 
  
 
 
  
Estates Update 
New plans have been submitted to City of Wolverhampton Council for the School of 
Architecture and the Built Environment at Springfield. The new designs centre on the 
original clock tower building and combines it with a striking large new build element. We 
expect a decision in April. 
  
The Science Centre at University of Wolverhampton Science Park is fully open and has 
welcomed its first tenants. The building has also been nominated for two RICS (Royal 
Institute for Chartered Surveyors) Awards 2018, West Midlands. 
  
Finally, I hope you have a good break over the Easter period. 
  
Geoff 
 
  
 
 
  
5









 
 
 
University of Wolverhampton
 
Wulfruna Street 
 
Wolverhampton 
 
 
WV1 1LY 
 
  
 
Website : www.wlv.ac.uk 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
© 2017 University of Wolverhampton 
  
 
If you wish to unsubscribe from our newsletter, click here 
 
6