…niversity in England. “I want BU to prepare our graduates not just for the world of today, but for the world of tomorrow.” But it is also about changing the way we work and our attitude to connectivity. Some of the solutions have been quite simple but surprisingly powerful. The BU research blog for example has provided a central focal point for research at BU, and it recently won a gold HEIST award for best internal communications campaign. A quic…
…y platform, setting out a bold agenda. We’ve got a history of working constructively with policymakers behind the scenes, while advocating, arguing and lobbying hard for our 21 full and programme members. And we run great initiatives, including our Doctoral Training Alliance, which has supported hundreds of PhD scholars since 2015. But we can’t stand still. I want to get away from the old-fashioned, hierarchical outlook within higher education, wh…
…Firstly, we have a commitment to supporting social diversity. We are about breaking down barriers by educating students with fantastic capability, but often from challenging sometimes disadvantaged backgrounds, who are juggling dependents, jobs and life, and enabling them to fulfil their true potential and promise. Secondly we prioritise innovative teaching and the student experience. Thirdly Alliance Universities are place based institutions, the…
…mpete and deliver the products and services their customers demand. Ground-breaking research at Alliance universities is helping business and industry partners translate new knowledge into innovative products and services destined for domestic and worldwide markets. Our researchers also collaborate with business partners to develop new strategies, management styles and methods of production to boost competitiveness. Alongside this rich source of k…
…e UN Environment Programme to map air pollution hotspots in the developing world and by World Athletics to monitor the impact of poor air quality on athletes’ health and performance. The devices have also been key to establishing air quality monitoring networks across cities, including three in China with a combined population of 24 million. With the World Health Organization declaring air pollution a major public health emergency, the impact of t…
…g teacher supply issues in this country. We are already seeing worrying recruitment trends in teacher training across the UK, especially at secondary level. The implementation timetable for the proposed reforms for all parties concerned is unrealistic and together with worrying developments on the pandemic, with the emergence of the new variant, and the school system still in recovery from phase 1 and 2 of the pandemic, there is a real danger of u…
…of the world’s biggest challenges, our universities play a critical role. Today we launch Problem Solved: university research answering today’s challenges, which shows why research and innovation play such an important part in the economy at home and abroad and why universities are uniquely placed to rise to some of the challenges set by governments around the world. The ‘grand challenges’ set a thematic direction for much of our research. They a…
…ou hit your flow), experiment and find what works best for you. Tiny tasks Breaking my goals into very small tangible tasks helped to reduce the overwhelming sense of swimming through treacle. Instead of telling myself, “Today I will write the background chapter,” I began to break it down into smaller tasks. Ticking these smaller tasks of the list shows progress and can make that overarching goal no longer feel insurmountable. Dedicated workspac…
…Instead, we’re proud to play an active part in driving the digital infrastructure forward as we help to develop ground-breaking technology for the future. Powered by Birmingham City University, the STEAMhouse building incorporates state-of -the-art IT facilities including a high-speed network underpinning both business and building systems; supporting maker and incubation spaces, as well as the host of research and innovative activities that the…
…tion, a dream internship with one of the most prestigious companies in the world and to top it off, a cheque for £25,000! It all started in February 2016, while I was looking through what placements Rolls Royce had to offer I noticed the competition for somebody to create an idea to minimise the impacts of volcanic ash on air travel. Looking at the competition I initially thought that I wouldn’t have a chance as it is a national award with great s…
