Brief: Design something that solves a problem
Deadline: 2 August 2012

For more information on how to apply, please click
http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/

The Research Excellence Framework is a process of expert review, for assessment across all disciplines, governed by principles of equity, equality and transparency. We are obliged to demonstrate to our funders that our process of selecting of staff research for inclusion in the REF is fair and equitable, as it significantly impacts on the University and its research active staff.

Following guidance provided by HEFCE, the University has adopted a Code of Practice that will govern the processes and procedures followed in preparing our submission to REF 2014. All staff involved in the selection of research returned for the REF 2014 will adhere to these guidelines as the Code and its appendices indicate the University’s selection criteria, process and timetable for REF submission. The Code of Practice has been discussed in College Research Committees, was formally approved by the University’s Academic Board on the 26th April and has been submitted to HEFCE.

Strategic planning for the REF is led by the University’s Dean of Research, Professor Oriana Baddeley, with the support of the College Associate Deans of Research and the Director of Research Management & Administration. The central RMA REF team are co-ordinating the planning and preparation of the REF submission and the management of the REF data collection processes. Evaluation and selection of staff research is being led in the colleges by the Associate Deans of Research with the support of the staff experts on the college REF Working Groups.

The outcome of REF 2014 will influence prospects for research partnerships, income generation, student recruitment, curriculum development and knowledge exchange beyond the REF so careful account has to be taken of balancing the size of a submission (in terms of the number of staff selected) with the quality profile that we hope to achieve.

Taking into account the Government’s policy of both research selectivity and research concentration, it is inevitable that the 2014 REF will result in QR funding being skewed towards the higher levels of the quality profile. There will be limited advantage in including work at the lower levels for staff other than early career researchers because the Government has stated that it will not fund research that is below 3* quality. The nature of our submission must therefore reflect this assumption: to maximise the chances of a higher mean grade average, the threshold for entry will be raised by comparison with 2008. In broad terms, this means the University will exclude work likely to be considered ‘unclassified’ or 1* and to consider carefully the volume of work included that is likely to be considered 2*. While all staff will have the opportunity to put themselves forward for consideration and the process of selection will be closely informed by our REF Code of Practice, overall, this will mean less staff will be submitted than in 2008.

The University’s selective strategy for the REF should be understood as necessary for this exercise. However, it does not alter the value that we place on a wide range of research, advanced practice and knowledge exchange activity, all of which we recognise as crucial to the life of the University. This includes a commitment to the longer-term development of research capability by supporting new and emerging researchers in priority areas who will become vital to our research strategy beyond the REF exercise.

Each College will hold a REF Open Day this term as an opportunity to find out more about the University’s REF Code of Practice, as well as our strategy and preparation for submitting to REF 2014. Information on REF 2014, including the University’s REF Code of Practice, a HEFCE REF Guide and UAL Frequently Asked Questions on REF, are available at www.arts.ac.uk/research/ref/.

Adobe Creative Suite 6

The much-anticipated Adobe Creative Suite 6 brings updates to Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Flash, After Effects, Fireworks, Premiere Pro, and more on the way to get you up to speed on CS6—and lynda.com is giving away a CS6 Master Collection! Enter the lynda.com Facebook sweepstakes for a chance to win, and check out the lynda.com New Features courses to see what’s changed in each of the applications.

The learning zone at High Holborn has just bought 4 copies of the Adobe CS6 Master Collection for MAC*, and 2 new high performance iMacs (3.4GHz Core i7, 16Gb ram, 2Gb graphics card, 27” screen). All students are welcome to visit and try them out!

* This will be available from the week beginning May 14th 2012, and will replace our current Adobe CS5.5 master collection installations.

New lynda.com mobile site!

Viewing lynda.com on the go just got easier. Lynda.com has created a mobile site with easy-to-browse subject lists, quick access to your course history, and adaptive streaming to deliver the best video experience for your connection. When you visit lynda.com from your Android phone, iPhone, or iPod touch, you’ll be automatically directed to the public open beta of our mobile site, which is optimized for Android OS 2.0 or later and iOS 3.2 or later. Let lynda.com know what you think about the site by tapping the mobile site feedback link at the bottom of the mobile site and entering your comments.

Go to http://lynda.arts.ac.uk to access your account or to http://www.arts.ac.uk/lynda.com for information on how to register for a lynda.com account

Golden Wiff-Waff, smart sportswear designed by a former Team GB rower and insights into the process of designing Paralympic medals were highlights of the event held at the University’s King’s Cross campus.

See more about the event below and on the UAL 2012 blog.

Alasdair Leighton Crawford retired from professional rowing after extensive success as a member of Team GB, and focused his creative passion on design, as a London College of Fashion BA Fashion Sportswear student. Above he talks about his work to marry design and technology with smart sportswear that incorporates GPS, hazard warnings and audio visual communication.

Guests play on Chelsea College alumna Susan Forsyth’s Wiff-Waff installation, inspired by comments made by Mayor of London Boris Johnson at the Beijing Games.

Susannah Simons, BBC Project Executive, 2012 Cultural Olympiad, describes how the BBC is marking the Games through music, comedy and drama.

Lin Cheung, Senior Lecturer in Jewellery Design at Central Saint Martins, describes how she was chosen to design the Paralympic medals for London 2012 and where she took inspiration.

All photos by Paul Cochrane.

Over 100 donors, volunteers and prominent figures in higher education attended the CASE/HEFCE Matched Funding Awards ceremony in Westminster.

Matched Funding was a three year government initiative to encourage philanthropic giving to Higher Education. Thank you to all those across the University who contributed to this fundraising success, and to all our generous donors.

Find out more about the University’s fundraising

Located on the site of the old BBC Costume Store in Acton, the newly built halls of residence will welcome its first guests in September this year.

The Costume Store offers over 650 en-suite bedrooms plus 72 self-contained studio flats. Each room has both wired internet access, included in the rental fee, and is furnished with a bed, wardrobe, desk, drawers and shelving.

Communal kitchen and dining area

The rooms are split into small clusters that share a kitchen and lounge, creating extra security and a sense of community. Other shared space includes a gallery at the front entrance, a large lounge with TV, studio spaces where students can work and private courtyards.

Working with The Student Housing Company‘s on site team, Residences Manager Nigel Lindo from UAL’s Accommodation Services will be available at the hall to answer any queries residents may have. Nigel says:

“I’m really excited about welcoming the first students here and seeing their reaction to it. It’s hard to say what they are going to like most – some may like the ample gallery space, the common room, the pattern room or the private court yard, while others will appreciate the layout, size and decor of the rooms or the amazing views of London. The sense of security afforded by 24 hour staff cover and the potential to meet lots of different people from all over the world who share similar interests are also big advantages, especially if students are coming here from outside London.”

Residences Manager Nigel Lindo

The accommodation is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students of University of the Arts London. Find out more at: www.arts.ac.uk/housing/halls/find-hall/costume-store

September also sees the opening of new student accommodation in Camberwell, and a first glimpse into what’s on offer there is coming soon.

See more UAL student accommodation at www.arts.ac.uk/housing.

En suite bathroom

Visit our Eventbrite page to book a place

We look forward to seeing you!

• Tuesday 15 May 10.30 Chelsea, lecture theatre
• Tuesday 15 May 14.30 High Holborn, main lecture theatre
• Wednesday 16 May 10.30 Wimbledon, lecture theatre
• Thursday 17 May 10.30 LCF, West Space John Prince’s Street
• Thursday 17 May 14.30 Chelsea, seminar room A208
• Tuesday 22 May 11.00 LCC, main lecture theatre
• Tuesday 22 May 14.30 Camberwell, main lecture theatre Wilson Road
• Wednesday 23 May 11.30 High Holborn, main lecture theatre
• Wednesday 23 May 14.30 Camberwell, ceramics lecture theatre Peckham Road
• Thursday 24 May 13.30 LCF, room LG B204 Lime Grove
• Tuesday 29 May 16.30 CSM, KX E002
• Wednesday 30 May 11.30 LCC, main lecture theatre
• Wednesday 30 May 2.30 CSM, KX E002

The contribution of our students, staff and alumni includes everything from research into the role of drawing in the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the look and feel of the Team GB Paralympic camps and village. 

Central Saint Martins' students design for the Team GB Paralympic village

The ceremony took place on Thursday 3 May as part of Universities Week 2012 and was hosted by Paul Deighton, Chief Executive of Locog. See more about the University’s work for the Games on the UAL2012 blog

The exhibition, ‘Body Casting Olympians’ will run at the Mall Galleries from 21-26 May, two days after the torch relay begins and continue at Saffron Gallery in Battle, from 21 May to 2 June. It will feature Olympian Series sculptures, sketches, photographs and the five bronze cast designs.

Read more 

272 High Holborn, WC1V 7EY
www.artsmartlondon.co.uk

Artsmart 2012 is a programme of talks and workshops designed to help you get ahead in the creative industries.