Community STEM Club connects local community, engineering students, and industry professionals

katcorbett2 | 8 June 202210 June 2022

The Old Library Community STEM Club has become a well-established weekly event in Eastville since it was first launched in September 2021: every Thursday after school, children and their parents or carers make their way to the Old Library Community Hub to take part in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) based activities, and to play and socialise.

The Old Library is a community led and run project, based in the former Eastville Library, which was closed down in March 2016 after council budget cuts. It now serves as a hire space for workshops and activities, including a community café, workshops, crafts, quiz nights, music, book clubs, a repair café, and the weekly STEM Club.

The Club was co-developed with the team behind UWE Bristol’s DETI Inspire, a programme designed to connect children from all backgrounds with real-life, diverse engineering role models to widen participation and aspirations for STEM careers.

It gets further support from Industry professionals via the STEM Ambassador Hub, and UWE Bristol Engineering students, who regularly support and run activities.

A club for the whole community

The sessions vary every week: children have built balloon- and sail powered cars, electric circuits, bike pump powered paper rockets, water filtration systems, and they even designed their own city, using recycled materials. They also had the opportunity to build and programme their own robots using Lego Mindstorms, and they digitally re-designed Bristol in Minecraft sessions led by the DETI Inspire Team at UWE Bristol.

The Club is aimed to be as accessible as possible, which is why it is run on a free, drop-in basis. There are also healthy snacks on offer alongside the activities, and the grown-ups can relax with a cup of tea or coffee, or choose to get involved in the activities themselves.

Minecraft session, led by the UWE DETI Team

What’s next?

For the upcoming sessions the children will be building model boats which will be raced at the Bristol Harbour Festival on Saturday 16 July. Boat building is taking place on 16 of June and 7 July and supported by the My Future My Choice programme and Industry volunteers.

Lego Mindstorms will be making a comeback on 23 and 30 of June: instructed by UWE Engineering students, the children will learn how to build and programme Lego robots.

There are also plans for wind turbine building, though the exact dates are still to be confirmed.

The last STEM Club session of this term is planned for Thursday 14 July, and then the Club will pause for the summer holidays, with a return planned in September, for the start of the new school year.

For updates check the Old Library Facebook page or email hello@theoldlibrary.org.uk should you have any questions.

Applications open for Partnership PhD scheme

Faculty of Business and Law | 11 May 202214 February 2023

UWE Bristol has recently announced another application round of its successful Partnership PhD programme.

A Partnership PhD bridges the gap between external organisations and university. It enables an organisation to gain access to cutting-edge real-world research that can help transform it.

The Partnership establishes a relationship between an organisation and UWE Bristol, based on a specific project that is mutually beneficial.

Organisations have the opportunity to choose a relevant research area and gain access to cutting-edge research. The researcher will work extensively with the organisation to provide a tailored piece of research.

In turn, the researcher will gain an opportunity to pursue their research in a real-world setting, developing transferable and interdisciplinary skills whilst gaining cross-sector experience.

Over the past two years, the Graduate School, part of the Research, Business and Innovation team at UWE Bristol, has been developing the Partnership PhD scheme. Through it, UWE’s investment in Post Graduate Research has been matched by over £1.5m from 40+ partner organisations.

Future application deadlines

1 October
1 January
1 April
1 July

Apply for a Partnership PHD

Email u webusiness@uwe.ac.uk to find out more.

Please find below full Partnership PhD guidance, costings, useful information and the flyer for businesses:

Partnership-PhD-costings-Jan-2022 Download

Partnership-PhD-costings Download

Parternship-PhD-General-Info-Jan-2022 Download

Partnership-PhD-Flyer Download

See below for our slides for businesses:

Partnership PhD slides for Businesses Download

Email uwebusiness@uwe.ac.uk to find out more.

English Literature and the Climate Crisis: Teaching Climate Literature to Young Adults

katcorbett2 | 8 February 20228 February 2022

As society responds to the changing climate, English literature provides useful and critical insights into the challenges we face, as well as helping to build resilience and activism. At Cop26 in November 2021, the education secretary Nadhim Zahawi promised to “put climate change at the heart of education.” To turn this promise into a reality, then climate change should be taught across the curriculum, from the Humanities to STEM.

This event, designed and led by UWE English Literature staff Dr Ann Alston and Dr Sarah Robertson, is for key stage 3 English teachers. It will explore how English literature can be more fully utilised as a vital tool in generating climate change awareness and for coping with climate anxiety. At the event, Dr Ann Alston will deliver a talk on climate change in young adult fiction, and Dr Sarah Robertson will present on approaches to teaching climate literature. The talks will be followed by a roundtable discussion where participants can share their thoughts on teaching climate change through English, exploring the challenges and benefits of such an approach.

The event will take place on Saturday 26 March, from 11:00-14:00 on Frenchay Campus. For more information and/or to book a place, please email Sarah.Robertson@uwe.ac.uk

UWE Bristol launch Skills for Clean Growth programme for SMEs in the West of England

Anna Jones | 17 January 202219 January 2022

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), in collaboration with NatWest and West of England Combined Authority (WECA), has announced its launch of the Skills for Clean Growth (SCG) programme in January 2022.

SCG is a free business support programme for SMEs in the West of England to help drive the region’s ambitions for clean and inclusive growth, as part of the Workforce for the Future programme.

The programme, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), will provide the skills and workforce development needed to support businesses in their transition to a low carbon economy.

This includes access to a range of skills development, training and CPD – including the leadership skills needed to build a clean growth strategy; and the knowledge and tools to achieve sustainability.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for support, applicants must have a business presence in the West of England (Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset) and be a small or medium sized enterprise (SME) with less than 250 employees.

Registrations

The SCG programme is accepting registrations from SMEs now!

If you are interested in registering, please apply via the SCG website here where key information is outlined. Please select the ‘Apply now’ button where you will be asked to fill out some details about your company and the support you are looking for on a registration form.

A member of the UWE Bristol team will then be in touch with you to arrange an initial discussion around the programme and any of your needs. If you have any further queries in the meantime, please contact us via cleangrowth@uwe.ac.uk and one of the team will get back to you.

Workforce for the Future

UWE Bristol is delivering Workforce for the Future on behalf of the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) in collaboration with other partners.

Alongside the SCG programme, SMEs can access other support from expert partners. Please visit the West of England Combined Authority Growth Hub to find out more.

UWE Bristol deliver successful suite of courses on Air Quality

Anna Jones | 6 January 20226 January 2022

For the last 10 years, the Air Quality Management Resource Centre (AQMRC) at UWE Bristol have delivered a suite of successful courses on the topic Air Quality.

This year, the team were given extra resource to develop online materials to provide a distance learning offer which has proved really successful.

The courses offered included:

Delivered with a mixture of self-learning and either online or face-to-face delivery, the courses provided attendees with an opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in the area of Air Quality. The courses were attended primarily by local authorities, consultancies, government agencies and regulatory bodies, and students and are IAQM-accredited.

Accreditations and Partners:

On these courses, delegates cover the basics of air quality management, including what causes air pollution and its effects, before looking at monitoring and modelling techniques using ADMS-Roads. They also learn about role of planning in air quality and explore how air pollution can be tackled through technical and non-technical measures.

The courses align with the University’s commitment to sustainability.

Course lead and Associate Professor for Clean Air, Jo Barnes commented on the success of the courses:

“Our IAQM-accredited Air Quality CPD short courses, underpinned by our research and teaching, aim to provide a comprehensive overview to enable those with little or no knowledge on the subject, to those with years of experience, the tools and ability to apply their learning in their workplaces. The combination of extensive access to online materials provided in advance, the live presentation and interactivity of the practical sessions, really bring this subject to life and gives delegates the chance to also learn from each other.”

Course attendee Amelia Rivers, Environmental Health Officer commented:

“The learning I will apply back at work will be the importance of monitoring air quality when looking at planning applications and really think about the potential effects on air quality the proposed application can have.”

The next set of courses will run on campus from 16 – 20 May 2022.

Email Professional.FET@uwe.ac.uk to find out more

UWE Bristol Academic Spotlight: Dr Patrick Crogan

Anna Jones | 4 January 20224 January 2022

Patrick Crogan is Associate Professor of Digital Cultures at UWE Bristol where he teaches and researches in media, technology and culture. Originally from Australia, he completed a doctorate at the University of Sydney and taught at a number of institutions in Australia before coming to the UK.

He has worked at UWE Bristol since 2008, where he supports the Media Communications degree programme. He is also a founding member of UWE Bristol’s Digital Cultures Research Centre, a collaborative network focussing on practical approaches to responsible technological futures.

Patrick’s work specifically highlights the link between digital media making and theory. He works in both conventional ‘academic’ and practice-based modes, working with creative makers, an approach that he says keeps him “’fresh’ and ‘honest’”.

Area of expertise

Automation and AI:

Patrick was one of the UWE Bristol-led, AHRC-funded South West Creative Technology Network’s Automation Fellows in 2019-2020. He worked with other Fellows on the future of creative uses of AI and automation. Before that, Patrick was co-investigator on the AHRC Automation Anxiety Research Network (2017-18) which explored innovative methods by which the humanities might address contemporary cultural anxiety about new forms of automation. He also works on military drone developments and the future of AI and automation in military and civilian circles. In addition to this, he is a collaborator and research lead on the I am Echoborg project. Led by colleague and interactive experience designer, Rik Lander, this interactive show challenges the audience to discover the best possible outcome for the relationship between humans and intelligent machines.

Video games and digital culture:

Patrick’s 2011 book Gameplay Mode critically examines what videogames can tell us about the relations between war and computer-based technoculture.

He also ran the Creative Territories AHRC Video games research network (2014-15). Its major report The Good Hubbing Guide outlines its major findings and recommendations about independent game maker colocation.

Bernard Stiegler:

Patrick’s work is strongly influenced by Bernard Stiegler, a French technology and media philosopher who argued that individuals and society as a whole are increasingly shaped by algorithms and automated systems, driven by economic rather than human interests.

Patrick has written several pieces on Stiegler’s work’s relevance to film, media and digital cultural theory and translated some of his writings into English. He also guest edited a special issue of the journal Cultural Politics on Stiegler. He is currently working on a book about the philosopher’s relevance to digital media and cultural studies.

Fully Funded Inclusive Digital Skills Bootcamps

Anna Jones | 10 December 202110 December 2021

Inclusive Digital Bootcamps will help you to secure new or better Digital Employment and are free to register for individuals based in the West of England. Inclusive digital skills bootcamps are delivered by UWE Bristol as part of the Digital Skills Investment Programme

Apply here

Data Science & AI

Who is it for?

19 – 25-year-olds*
Women*

Delivered mainly online with a few sessions at Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY

*Anyone can still apply to take part, but priority access is given to those who meet one (or more) of the above criteria.

What will I learn?

Mathematics and computer programming
Data science fundamentals
Software development
Machine Learning & AI approaches

When does it start?

This free course is running twice with two different cohorts, starting in late November 2021 and February 2022

17-weeks
8-hours scheduled learning per-week plus self-study

Apply here

UX Design

Who is it for?

Those with living with health conditions, learning difficulties or impairments*

*Anyone can still apply to take part, but priority access is given to those who meet one (or more) of the above criteria.

Delivered mainly online with a few sessions at Frenchay Campus, BS16 1QY

What will I learn?

Learn advanced aspects of UX design for digital platforms
Responsive design for smart phones and robots
Specialised support to access ‘Disability Confident’ employment
Understand UX design trends for a range of platforms

When does it start?

This free course begins in January 2022

13-weeks
8-hours scheduled learning per-week plus self-study

Apply here

More information:

Employability Support

Each bootcamp has an embedded industry project element. This will allow you to:

Build and showcase your higher-level skills to potential employers
Implementing your learning in real-world scenarios

Mentoring

Throughout the bootcamps, you will be paired with an industry mentor to complement your learning and open up doors to future employment opportunities.

There will also be opportunities to access specific mentoring support if you are from an underrepresented group within the digital industry.

Job Preparation

Each of the bootcamps will finish with a 2-week ‘Preparation for Employment Module’.You will be provided with a range of in-person and online support tools to help you secure higher-level employed roles.

Support includes:

CV & Cover letter writing
Interview preparation
Introductions to relevant employers

Contact

If you would like to speak to a member of the team before registering your interest, email digitalworkforce@uwe.ac.uk and we will be happy to help.

Vacancies – Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship

Anna Jones | 9 December 202119 May 2025

7-month secondment opportunity

Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship (Green Skills) is a new 7-month project – led by UWE Bristol in partnership with NatWest Bank and Black South West Network (BSWN) – funded by the Government’s Community Renewal Fund.

Launching in January 2022, this project will address the skills shortages needed to deliver the West of England’s net zero ambitions by providing training, entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for young people. The Project will encourage participation from Black British and British Asian heritage young people, in recognition of the employment gap that exists for black graduates and inspired by the #10000BlackInterns initiative.

A major legacy of the Project will be a Green Skills for Jobs and Entrepreneurship Hub, hosted on an online platform and accessible to the wider West of England skills, innovation and enterprise ecosystem.

UWE Bristol are looking to recruit 5 roles to support this project. These roles will be 7 month fixed term contracts, with an immediate start in January 2022. We would welcome applicants from private and public sector organisations as a secondment opportunity.

We are looking for:

Project Manager
Partnerships Manager
Mentor and Cohort Manager
Project Officer
Finance Officer

Project Manager

We are looking for a confident and experienced Project Manager to coordinate project activity and design an 8-week green skills programme, co-delivered by the Project’s partners and external consultants. You will line manage and coordinate the activity of the Green Skills Cohort Manager (providing mentoring and coaching to young people) and Green Skills Partnerships Manager (developing and managing partnerships with SMEs and employers for green internships).

Project Manager vacancy

Partnerships Manager

We are looking for a dynamic and experienced business Partnerships Manager who will be responsible for promoting the project to local employers and securing internship placements for young people. You will co-ordinate and deliver an employer and ‘pitch’ events where young people can find out more about internship opportunities, further training, and incubation support.

Partnership Manager vacancy

Mentor and Cohort Manager

We are looking for an enthusiastic and experienced Mentor and Cohort Manager to provide mentoring and coaching to 5 cohorts of young people and be responsible for ensuring that all participants have access to the information and learning support they need. You will hold regular 1:1s with each young person during their 8 weeks of study and will provide additional support once participants have moved on to any internship, incubation or further training activity.

Mentor and Cohort Manager vacancy

Project Officer

We are looking for a clear communicator with an excellent eye for detail, who is able to offer exceptional customer service to all of the project stakeholders, whilst ensuring compliance within funding regulations. You will need to enjoy solving problems quickly and implementing these solutions across the project.

Project Officer vacancy

Finance Officer

We are looking for someone who is finacially minded, has an excellent eye for detail and who is able to offer exceptional customer service to all of the project stakeholders. You will need to oversee the project budget, handle day to day financial transactions, maintain accurate expenditure records and project forecasts.

Finance Officer vacancy

UWE Bristol Professor commissioned by BBC to voice and write new Cary Grant video essay

Anna Jones | 6 December 20216 December 2021

Dr Charlotte Crofts, is Associate Professor of Filmmaking at UWE Bristol in the Department of Film & Journalism where she teaches on the BA (Hons) Filmmaking @UWE_Film.

Charlotte was recently commissioned by BBC Arts to write and voice a new video essay about the Bristol born, Hollywood Actor Cary Grant. She is director of the biennial Cary Comes Home Festival and @carycomeshome on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Festival aims to celebrate Cary Grant’s Bristol roots, develop new audiences for his work and recreated the golden age of cinema-going.

The film that Professor Crofts has been commissioned to write a video essay about explores the tension between Cary Grant’s working-class roots and his screen persona as the epitome of style. Class was the theme of the recent festival in November and there are events planned this December to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the unveiling of the Cary Grant statue in Millennium Square in his hometown Bristol.

Cary Grant outside City Hall, College Green, Bristol
‘Cary Comes Home Festival’

December Events

Sunday 5 December, 2pm GMT- Looking for Archie Walking Tour: IN-PERSON, Bristol City Centre, UK (book with link)

Tuesday 7 December, 6.30pm GMT – paying homage at the statue: IN-PERSON, next to the statue in Millennium Square, Bristol, UK. No booking required just come and find us next to the statue!

Tuesday 7 December, 7.30pm GMT – Interview with David Long who campaigned to erect the statue: ONLINE: Crowdcast

Find out more about the Cary Comes Home Festival

Some Versions of Cary Grant ‘Cary Come Home Festival’.

Watch the video essay on:

Become an Industry Mentor and support our Skills Bootcamp learners

Anna Jones | 6 December 20216 December 2021

Do you work within a digital skills role in areas such as data science, AI, cyber security, digital engineering, UX Design, games technology or sustainable development? Would you like to share your experience with our skills bootcamp learners?

UWE Bristol are looking to work with a number of individuals to act as mentors across our skills bootcamps, supporting our learners as they develop their new skills and search for their next career opportunity.

Register your interest to become a mentor

What is an industry mentor?

Acting as a mentor you will support learners by providing guidance and share your experiences and knowledge from your area of expertise.
As part of your mentoring sessions, you will look to help your mentee(s) to:

Map their next steps in their chosen career path
Identify key skills needed for potential job opportunities
Provide feedback on work they develop as part of their bootcamp portfolio
Provide your perspective on your industry and give exposure to best practice
Introduce them to your role or other suitable roles to understand the industry further
Provide a networking experience to your mentee

Why become a mentor?

While you will be supporting our learners, acting as a mentor, you can also support your own personal development. Mentoring can be rewarding and provide you with insight from those looking to enter your industry and for you to learn from their experiences.

Our mentoring scheme will also give you the opportunity to:

Engage with our curriculum
Take part in a half day mentoring skills workshop to gain new transferrable skills
Receive a digital badge to showcase your experience in mentorship

Required skills/commitment

As a skills bootcamp mentor, you will:

Have 3+ years’ industry experience in one of the following areas:
- Data Science & AI
- Digital Engineering
- User Experience &Design
- Games Technology
- Cyber Security

Be able to commit to meeting with your mentee(s) once a fortnight over a 2- 3-month period (this will usually be online)
Be willing to inspire, encourage and guide learners looking to start their career in your industry
Share your own experiences and examples with your mentee(s)

FAQ’s

I have less than 3 years industry experience, can I still become a mentor?

While we ask for 3 years industry experience, we would be happy to speak to anyone with less than this, that feels they would be able to contribute positively to the programme

Do I need to live in/near Bristol?

As sessions will run online you do not have to live in the Bristol area

Will I be paid for this?

Our mentoring positions are generally unpaid; however mentors will receive half day training workshop to develop their mentoring skills and a digital badge at the end of their involvement.

Register your interest to become a mentor