SPACE Freshers Edition 2020
In this issue 02 - 03
You are here A guide to the Bath Spa campuses, and the city of Bath
04 - 05
Life in lockdown Round-up of our stories that best celebrate the way Bath Spa has thrived during lockdown.
06 - 07
Lockdown Lullaby Interview with BA Acting alumna Naomi Knox and our Visual Content Producer Eve Betts about their Lockdown Lullaby video.
08 - 09 Your SU
Meet your Students’ Union - here to help you get the most out of your experience
On the cover
10 - 11
Equality and diversity
12 - 13
The VC Awards Round up of VC Award winners including an interview with Lecturer of the Year, Lucy Sweetman.
14 - 29
Success at Bath Spa Some of the exciting news and successes of the Bath Spa community
30 - 31
Life through our lens A look back at the year through photographs
32 - 33
Here for You Learn more about our Student Wellbeing Services - here to help you throughout your time at university
There’s no place quite like our Newton Park campus. As you get used to your new surroundings, why not take a walk around the beautiful lake? The campus has its very own nature reserve, castle, woods, and rolling fields. The grounds were designed by well-known landscape architect Capability Brown in the 18th century, so there’s plenty of history for you to soak up. You can check out all of our wonderful campuses on pages 2-3.
Editor Zainab Rahman
Back cover
Design Helen Bollen
Locksbrook, our new stunning state-of-the art campus, really has to be seen to be believed! We opened the doors of this new campus last year but it was originally designed by renowned architect Sir Nicholas Grimshaw in 1976. The building has been transformed from a Herman Miller furniture factory to an extraordinary facility for artists, designers and all students to flourish.
Feature Writers Amethyst Biggs Ellen Long-Common Emily Casey Katherine Boon
Say hello! Bath Spa University @BathSpaUni bathspauni
In this issue
Welcome to Bath Spa University and to this very special edition of SPACE. This magazine has been written with you in mind, to show you some of the exciting things that have happened over the last 12 months, and to help you settle into your new home away from home, where you will soon begin to make your own memories, and celebrate achievements that you can be proud of for years to come.
A university is the sum of its students and staff, and so much more – it is a community of learners and a place to grow. Your talent and skills make Bath Spa University what it is, and ensuring that you flourish is vitally important to all of us – your tutors and professional services teams alike – who work to support you at Bath Spa. You can read more about some of them in this magazine. This is a unique time to be starting your University journey. We have spent a long summer planning a safe return to study for all of our students – it will be a different experience to any other, but a rewarding and fulfilling one. Can I remind you that we have only two ambitions for you: that you stay safe and that you are able to learn. We need to work in partnership to make sure both of these are possible, but partnership and the co-creation of learning are what we do. It is an extraordinary time to be part of the Bath Spa University community but we offer a toolkit for the unknown, and a way to thrive in your professional life. Each new academic year is the start of a new journey; this is where you begin that journey with us. I look forward to seeing you grow here over the coming years, creating your own paths in the world, and making the most of all that this wonderful city has to offer.
Professor Sue Rigby Vice-Chancellor
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You are here Here’s where you can find out more about each of our campuses – the places where you can really let your creativity come to life. Welcome to your home away from home!
Newton Park
A special place where you can stroll to a morning lecture or grab a coffee with friends, watching the mist slowly rise over rolling green hills. Newton Park is set in the magnificent grounds of a historic manor house. It means that, as well as providing stunning open-air locations for performance and socialising, there’s space to stretch your legs and your mind, and to relax when you need to.
Sion Hill
Park of the Bath Spa family for over 35 years, this much loved space is set atop a hill overlooking the city of Bath. It provides a creative space for thinking and making.
Oldfield Park
Home to our Theatre Workshops and located near to Bath city centre, this space has been designed and built to industry standard, replicating the real-world production process of staging theatre performances to allow you to work and study in a relevant environment.
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Corsham Court
If you decide to extend your time at Bath Spa and undertake a Master’s degree, you will likely find yourself working at the beautiful Corsham Court in nearby Wiltshire. There are specialist facilities for music and textiles, an art gallery, postgraduate common room and quiet study areas.
Locksbrook Campus
Our brand-new, state-of-the-art campus in the heart of Bath next to the River Avon. This old furniture factory has been lovingly restored and is now a purpose-built space for students.
The open-plan building has technical workshops surrounded by open, flexible studio spaces, as well as large, open social areas.
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Life in lockdown
“...students have not let lockdown life stifle their determination and passion to create...”.
Students ‘pull the strings’
During the early days of lockdown, some bright sparks from our BA (Hons) Film, Television and Digital Production and BA (Hons) Comedy courses created a 30-minute comedy improvisation show titled ‘Pulling the Strings’. As part of their Studio Production module, students Jonty Renk, Emily Hayter, Callum Hall, Caitlin Daly, Max Devine, Gaby Louise, Sam Edwards, Ayla Pengelly-Moore and Sarah Howden decided to think outside the box in a bid for belly laughs. They conceived, wrote, filmed and edited the whole show while working remotely and with social distancing measures in place. The programme challenged the comedians’ acting and improvisation skills, pitting them against each other in a series of topically-themed comical conundrums, posed by host and comedian, Natasha Bye. Commending the group’s efforts, the students’ lecturer, award-winning television producer and director Simon
Making gowns for the RUH
During lockdown, Bath Spa University, the University of Bath, and local volunteers all came together to make medical gowns to help protect staff at the Royal United Hospitals Bath (RUH). Local sewists from Bath Spa University, and the Scrubs for the NHS Bath group, stitched together thousands of gowns in a matter of weeks using a pattern created by engineers from the University of Bath. Following social distancing rules, a group of colleagues from Bath Spa University used sewing machines at our Sion Hill campus, which are normally used by fashion students. Our staff also worked with volunteers to print patterns for medical protective scrubs. At the time, Kerry Curtis, Head of Bath School of Design said: “It is an honour to be working collaboratively with the University of Bath to help protect the city’s incredible key workers. We are very proud of our colleagues and community of helpers who have rallied together at this truly unique time. Together we can make a difference.” 4 | SPACE
Mansfield, said: “The programme shows tremendous initiative on the part of the students, who could see how television broadcasters have been responding to the current situation and felt they could produce something just as good. And they were right! What a compliment this is to their professionalism and creative drive.”
Life in lockdown
#BathSpaStillMakes
See What I See
Earlier this year, our School of Education teamed up with the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust (RFACT) to launch the ‘See What I See’ competition, to help children feel more connected to the outside world while confined to their homes during the coronavirus outbreak. Three lucky winners from across the UK were crowned victors of the competition, which asked children aged five to 16 to reimagine the places and spaces around them during lockdown. Professor Kyriaki Anagnostopoulou, Bath Spa’s Head of the School of Education, and one of the judges, said: “We were absolutely blown away by the number of entries we had to the competition. The quality of the entries are testament to the incredible talent and imagination that exists within our young people today and we are delighted they were able to use their free time to get creative and re-think the places and spaces around them.” View the winning entries at www.seewhatisee.me/gallery
Exchanging campus studios for pop-up home working spaces was not how anyone had imagined their university experience turning out, but in true Bath Spa University fashion, art and design students have not let lockdown life stifle their determination and passion to create. Using the hashtag #BathSpaStillMakes, students from across the University’s School of Art and its School of Design have come together to share their work on Instagram - and what a success it has been in spreading the Bath Spa community spirit online, with 2,550 posts and counting. Kerry Curtis, Head of the School of Design, said: “Thinking back to last September, we looked forward to the new year with excitement, while being realistic about potential challenges that would inevitably come with the opening of our brand new state-of-the-art Locksbrook Campus. We created a presentation for newcomers which incorporated words like creative, supportive, resilient, resourceful, connected, collaborative. Who would have guessed how relevant this would become?” Now, through Instagram and the power of #BathSpaStillMakes, students and staff remain united with a gallery of incredible work and an everlasting documentation of how they continue to navigate through their new environment. If you’re studying on a relevant course feel free to share your work using the hashtag too!
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Lockdown Lullaby
Naomi Knox
Eve Betts
COVER STORY Earlier this year we created Lockdown Lullaby, a film that reflected on Bath’s uncharacteristically silent streets, as our city’s community began to enter a new sense of normality, easing out of life in lockdown with fresh perspectives. The video was made in collaboration with our BA (Hons) Acting graduate, Naomi Knox, whose self-scripted spoken word recital about Bath, and her lessons learned during lockdown, can be heard throughout the almost twominute long piece. Creator of the video, Eve Betts, Visual Content Producer who works at Bath Spa University, said: “Making this film meant a lot. We wanted to reflect on just how eerily quiet the streets have become during this time. The city is just as much an important part of staff, students’ and graduates’ lives as our campuses are.” From the usually busy and bustling Bath Abbey; to Walcot Street; Pulteney Bridge; Victoria Park; and our very
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own picturesque Newton Park campus and more, the video took viewers on a unique tour of Bath. Eve said: “It felt surreal to walk around empty roads that would usually have people socialising on every corner. Capturing the city for the whole community was central to the film and Naomi’s words have really brought it to life in a wonderful way. “Although the lockdown has, and continues to be a challenging journey for many, it has also brought out the good in our community, and this film is to remind everyone that it won’t be quiet forever. “Making the video was a real team effort. Normally artists would come and sit in the editing suite with me and we talk through it together from start to finish. This time, due to social distancing and lockdown itself, we had to do everything virtually. I sent Naomi the shots of Bath first and then she sent her words back to me, so it was very much a mutual process – and it really worked well.”
The theme of unity underlines the video and bringing the poem to a close, Naomi says ‘in this disarray, I pray I find understanding, that when these streets populate again, love is not abandoned.’ Talking about the inspiration behind her words, Naomi said: “Looking at the footage, I kept reflecting on my own experiences during lockdown. I asked myself, and believe we should all question, ‘what will I take away from this time?’. With how the world is feeling today, especially speaking as a Black person, I feel a true need for the love shown online in solidarity in this time to go beyond postlockdown. “My experience of my day-to-day life changing, as well as my perspective on many things, is and should be universal in my opinion, and that’s the story I wanted to tell. I would like to thank Bath Spa University for giving me this opportunity, I am forever grateful.” Why not check out Lockdown Lullaby on the Bath Spa University YouTube channel?
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Your SU The Students’ Union (SU) is here to help you get the most out of your university experience.
The Students’ Union: • Promote the interests and welfare of students during their course of study at Bath Spa University. In doing so they represent, support and advise students on a range of subjects. • Act as the recognised representative between students and Bath Spa University and other external bodies. • Provide social, cultural, sporting and recreational activities and forums for discussion and debate for the personal development of its students. They work across all campuses but are based at Newton Park where you’ll also find the SU bar, café, gym and shop. Every penny of profit from these services is used to provide opportunities, support and representation for students. That’s not all! They run an independent advice service for academic and welfare matters and much more. They also run awareness raising campaigns on issues which affect students, such as health and wellbeing, how to register to vote in elections, personal safety and finding accommodation. They also have plenty of clubs and societies for you to join including the Theatre Society, Video Gaming Society, LGBTQ Society, Football, Hockey and lots more. Visit www.bathspasu.co.uk to find out more.
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Your Sabbatical Officers Sabbatical Officers lead the SU. They are Bath Spa students who have been elected by other students to work full-time in the Union. Each is responsible for a different area of the Union's activities whilst also being on the Board of Trustees. Vice President Opportunities Jack Mapston Jack’s job is to make sure that you are making the most of the opportunities available to you outside of your course. He leads on Students’ Union activities including all the clubs and societies, events, volunteering and trips abroad. vpopportunities@bathspa.ac.uk
Vice President Community Megan Robertson Megan leads on issues relating to student community - that includes volunteering, local partnership, student housing, and general engagement with the community. vpcommunity@bathspa.ac.uk
Vice President Education Ceri Bailey Ceri works alongside course reps and senior academic reps to ensure students’ voices are heard. She sits on higher boards within the University to consult on students’ needs and opinions. vpeducation@bathspa.ac.uk
Your SU
A chat with Emily, SU President
Full name: Emily Casey Date elected as President: March 2020 Years studied: BA (Hons) Music 2017-2020 Why did you run? I ran for President because I wanted to give back to the students at Bath Spa and give them the incredible opportunities that I had! Fun facts I have achieved grade 8 in both alto sax and clarinet. Emily is the lead spokesperson for the Students’ Union and all Bath Spa students. She works closely with the University to put you at the heart of all decisions. We caught up with Emily to find out more!
“I was a Senior Academic Representative as an undergraduate student and this is where I discovered my love of representation and fighting for students’ rights! Through being a rep I then became Student Governor of the University and a Student Trustee of the Students’ Union. I really wanted to carry on my work in representation after I graduated so I decided to run for president to really try and get the best possible experience for students. “I hope I can use my experience from being a rep and sitting on the Governor’s Board to really push for the student experience at senior meetings. I also consider myself to be a listener so I plan to work with the other sabbatical officers to really provide a space for students to speak and tell us what they would like to see at Bath Spa University. “Students can contact me if they have any questions or concerns and don’t know who to ask or where to go. My remit covers a lot so although I can’t promise I can fix everything, I am always up for a chat! I am also doing lots of work on sustainability this year so I would love for students to contact me if they have any ideas or things they want to share about sustainability at Bath Spa. “I truly believe the best way to make the most of your university experience is to say yes to as much as you can while also making time for self-care. Bath Spa offers so many amazing opportunities you might as well make the most of them whilst you are here.” Get in touch: su-president@bathspa.ac.uk
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Equality and diversity
At Bath Spa University we are committed to providing an environment in which the rights and dignity of all its members are respected, and which is free from discrimination, prejudice, intimidation and all forms of harassment including bullying.
In July this year, Vice-Chancellor Professor Sue Rigby wrote to all students and staff at Bath Spa University, to update them on our progress towards becoming a community where all of us are valued equally, and particularly to highlight the work we are doing and need to do, to stamp out racism on campus. Sue said: “We will work with all of our students and staff to ensure that we tackle racism, piece by piece, learning from our successes and developing our work year on year.” We also held a Black Live Matter (BLM) Equality Forum around this time, and on the back of that we have: •
• • • • • •
Compiled a list of anti-racism resources (available on our staff intranet, the Students’ Union website, and from the Library) which includes a reading list, watching list, and an allyship guide. Commissioned an externally facilitated online Anti-Racism and White Allyship Workshop open to students and staff. Developed links with Black Network South West, The National Inclusion Centre and BCEPs ACE funded ‘Art in a Box’ inclusion project. We are providing indirect financial support for the BLM movement. We appointed a black colleague to undertake paid work developing and enhancing our online profile on black issues. Our Board of Governors has agreed to meet with black students to discuss how they can contribute their support. Dr Jermaine Ravalier, Reader in Psychology at Bath Spa, is making plans for Black History Month in October with full support from the University.
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What’s more, at an Academic Board meeting held in the summer, the University agreed to set targets to remove the black awarding gap at our institution within the next three years. This will entail a variety of changes to our curriculum and our mode of working, but we are determined to solve this long-term and national issue, degree by degree. Sue added: “We are exploring how to train and empower all of our staff and students to fight racism in whatever form they find it. We know that there is more to do, and that there will be setbacks. I am very grateful to our black students for calling us out on this, and for their ongoing oversight of our journey. I would also like to highlight the work of our Equality and Diversity Strategy Group, chaired by Professor Georgina Andrews, and the work of the SU under your President, Emily Casey.”
October is Black History Month and Dr Jermaine Ravalier is working with colleagues across the University and the SU to organise various events. These plans include a Wall of Black Excellence, which will celebrate the achievements of our current and former Black students and staff. The wall will feature a picture of the individual, a quote from them and a brief description of their achievements. The wall will initially be displayed in the Commons Atrium at Newton Park, before being moved to Locksbrook Campus. Watch this space!
Follow us We will be sharing a series of equality and diversity updates on our social media channels so please do follow us to stay up to date. Bath Spa University @BathSpaUni bathspauni
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WINNERS Colleague of the Year Academic David Smith (1965-2019) Amanda Goode Professional Services Eve Betts Bath Spa University staff and students recently came together online for the Vice-Chancellor’s (VC) Awards, an annual ceremony that recognises outstanding individual and team achievements across the University. The Awards are run in partnership with the SU, and each nomination is assessed by an awards panel comprising staff from across the University, Sabbatical Officers from the SU, and student representatives. Due to lockdown restrictions, this year’s awards were digitally reimagined and broadcast on our YouTube and Facebook channels. Huge congratulations to all our winners!
Manager of the Year Academic Dan Allen Professional Services Francesca Baker-Pitman
Team of the Year Academic School of Design Professional Services Facilities and Services
Unsung hero/heroine Academic Alison Lee Professional Services Karena Dorley-Brown Reverend Prebendary Jan Knott
Academic Impact James Carter
Impact on Student Life Matthew Thorpe-Coles
Lecturer of the Year Lucy Sweetman
Supervisor of the Year Stephen Dutton
Outstanding Support Andrew Richards
Student Champion of the Year Sarah Dawes
Student of the Year Winners
Creative Industries: Cameron Reed Bath School of Design: Amber Brookes Bath School of Art: Onna Borbely-Bartis Bath School of Music and Performing Arts: Gaby Norman School of Sciences: Luke Sarti School of Education: Lauren Emery School of Humanities: Freya Banyard Bath Business School: Nana Boakye 12 | SPACE
The VC Awards
Meet Lecturer of the Year, Lucy Sweetman How did it feel to be crowned Lecturer of the Year? It was overwhelming to be nominated and then selected. I was very moved when I read the citations from my students; I really didn't think I would end up with the title. What do you enjoy most about being a lecturer at Bath Spa? So many things! I love teaching and getting to know our students. They're interesting, engaged and full of brilliant ideas. They have a wide range of side-hustles and interests outside creative writing which I love hearing about. I'm also grateful to work in a community that's committed to learning and creativity. Finally, I get to work with brilliant colleagues across the University. If you had one piece of advice for students what would it be? Well, that's a hard question because I think there's a lot to say, particularly now. How about this: read widely and engage with the world around you - even when it's on fire. Ask for help when you need it. Help others when you can.
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Jasbinder, who gained her MA Writing for Young People in 2014, submitted her manuscript for and won the Times Chicken House Prize in 2017, which led to the book’s publication. She said: “The whole course was amazing and allowed me to explore my creativity in a nurturing, critical environment. It was wonderful to meet real writers for the first time and to be part of a supportive writing community.” Jasbinder based her story in the Himalayan foothills where she was born. It follows Asha on her quest to find her missing father, with guidance from the spirit bird of her grandmother. Several Bath Spa graduates and staff have received a Costa Award, including Nathan Filer, who received the First Novel Award and overall Book of the Year Award in 2013 with The Shock of the Fall. 14 | SPACE
Bath Spa University graduate Jasbinder Bilan recently received a Costa Children’s Book Award for her debut novel, Asha & the Spirit Bird.
© Ian Sharp
Graduate wins Costa Children’s Book Award
Success at Bath Spa
Student success at Royal Television Society Student Awards Two Bath Spa University BA (Hons) Film, Television and Digital Production students received craft awards at this year’s Royal Television Society’s West of England Student Awards in the categories of ‘Drama’ and ‘Factual’. Valeri Lyanguzov was VFX Craft award winner for short drama film ERIS, and Becky Bates was Production Design Craft award winner for the short documentary film Sugar Coated. The Awards received strong entries across a range of categories including drama, animation, short form, comedy and entertainment, and factual. Winners were announced on 26 February at an awards ceremony at The Everyman Cinema in Bristol. SPACE | 15
Lecturer wins National Teaching Fellow award Dr David Simm, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography at Bath Spa University, was named as a National Teaching Fellow by Advance HE in its prestigious 2020 Teaching Excellence Awards for Higher Education. David is one of just 56 new National Teaching Fellows announced on the 20th anniversary of the scheme which celebrates, and recognises, individuals who have made an outstanding impact on student outcomes, and the teaching profession in higher education. David said: “I am immensely delighted and honoured to be one of the recipients of this year’s National Teaching Fellow awards. Throughout my career my teaching philosophy has focused on delivering innovative and effective ways of engaging students, in particular through fieldwork opportunities, such as those held internationally. “By involving students in the design and delivery of their learning I’ve found that they achieve a greater sense of ownership of both their own and others’ learning, and develop mutual respect through shared education experiences. This is also reflective of the wider commitment to innovative teaching approaches that can be found across Bath Spa.” 16 | SPACE
“I am immensely delighted and honoured to be one of the recipients of this year’s National Teaching Fellow awards.”
Success at Bath Spa
Bath Spa awards second Professorship in a year Bath Spa University academic, Professor Sarah Hackett, has become the University’s second Professor of History over the past year, after receiving recognition for her work, including the integration of Muslim migrant communities. Professor Hackett, who specialises in Modern European History and the migration, diversity and integration of ethnic minorities across Britain and Europe, has been recognised for her high levels of achievement within the field. Professor Hackett now makes up part of the 38 per cent of female Professors at Bath Spa University, a figure far ahead of the national average which sits at 26 per cent. Professor Hackett said: “I am delighted to have been awarded a Professorship in History and I am very grateful to Bath Spa University for its continued support. It’s an honour to work in the field of migration history, and a pleasure to research migration, diversity and the integration of ethnic minority communities in historical perspectives, both in Britain and further afield. I’ve been incredibly fortunate that my work has been facilitated by the kind and generous support of local archives and members of Muslim migrant communities.”
Law degree launches Our Business School has officially launched our exciting new LLB (Hons) Law degree and we have just welcomed our first ever cohort of law students! The course has been designed in consultation with a number of local law firms which have highlighted that many institutions ‘churn out’ law graduates who know the law, but don’t know how to be a lawyer in practice or about the law as a business and therefore can’t ‘hit the ground running’. In response to this insight, our LLB (Hons) Law course includes an intensive programme of optional, practical, vocational placements, including a pro bono advisory clinic placement in collaboration with local stakeholders including, for instance, the local Citizen’s Advice Bureau, as well as other year-long and in-term placements.
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SparkFest shows go on
@neverthereband
Every year in partnership with Bath Festivals, SparkFest showcases live performances of original works by Bath Spa students and graduates. This year marked the first ever SparkFest Digital 2020. Embracing our students’ and graduates’ creative resilience, SparkFest refused to be cancelled despite lockdown making things more challenging. SparkFest Digital 2020 showcased a host of young creatives whose reflection, contemplation and joy celebrated the way artists tell their stories, during a time like no other. Audiences were invited to laugh, cry and be moved by the imagination and hope of our students and alumni, to learn new skills in our workshops, and to enjoy visions of a brighter future. The programme was as exciting as it is was eclectic!
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Success at Bath Spa
Senior lecturer nominated for Ivors Academy Composer Award Dr Matthew Sergeant, composer and Senior Lecturer in Composition at Bath Spa University, was recently nominated in the “Small Chamber” category of the Ivors Academy Composer Awards. For 15 years, the Ivors Composer Awards - formerly known as the British Composer Awards - have recognised the creative talent of composers and sound artists to promote the art of composition in contemporary classical, jazz and sound art. Matthew’s music explores ideas surrounding agency and materiality, sound and bodies. His nominated composition ‘Meeting the Universe Halfway’ was commissioned by The House of Bedlam and was supported by Bath Spa University’s Quality Research Fund, and the Royal Northern College of Music. Matthew said: “I’m really honoured to have been nominated. These are major and prestigious industry awards. Previous winners have been some of the biggest names in UK classical music so I feel really proud to have had my work recognised in this way. “Sharing my knowledge and experience with my students is really important to me as they often see things in new ways, make new connections between compositions, and provide fresh perspectives. They truly are a community of enquiring minds.”
“Sharing my knowledge and experience with my students is really important to me as they often see things in new ways, make new connections between compositions, and provide fresh perspectives.”
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Paper Nations, a creative partnership led by Bath Spa University’s Research Centre for Transnational Creativity and Education (TRACE), has called out to writing groups to join The Great Margin - a new online platform that aims to champion isolated and marginalised writers. The Great Margin is a fast-evolving project created by writers for writers. It is about working together to amplify the voices of people writing from the margins of society such as hospital writing groups, community writing groups, nature writing groups, experimental writing groups, writing groups for elderly writers and writing groups for black writers. Bambo Soyinka, Professor of Story at Bath Spa University and founder of Paper Nations, said: “The UK has a strong culture of book clubs and a vibrant but less visible tradition of writing groups. The Great Margin aims to unite writing groups across the country and to draw attention to the importance of writing for creativity, well-being and for dialogue in times of crisis. It is hoped that, by working together, we can help more people to write and share their story.” You can find out more @TheGreatMargin on Twitter.
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Paper Nations launches The Great Margin
Success at Bath Spa
Professor awarded OBE “To attain such a remarkable feat takes more than one person and I share this accolade with those police officers I have worked with.”
Allyson Macvean, Professor of Policing and Criminology and Co-Director of Bath Spa University’s Centre for Leadership, Ethics and Professional Practice, has been awarded an OBE for her services to ethics in policing. Named in the full New Year Honours list, which recognises the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the United Kingdom, Professor Macvean began her career in the Serious and Organised Crime Unit at the Home Office with a special focus on intelligence, covert policing and ethics in operational practice. For the last five years, she has been working with police forces in England, Wales and Scotland to develop ethics committees at a local, regional and national level. Professor Macvean said: “I am extremely surprised and humbled at being awarded such an honour. What has been achieved in terms of policing has very much been a team effort. To attain such a remarkable feat takes more than one person and I share this accolade with those police officers I have worked with. Bath Spa University has been incredibly supportive of my work and I look forward to taking our research further.” SPACE | 21
Locksbrook shortlisted for RIBA Regional Awards “It truly is a stunning building where students can hone their skills and flourish in a modern and well-thought-out space.”
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Our new Locksbrook Campus has been shortlisted for a prestigious RIBA Regional Awards 2020, which recognises buildings across the UK that have made a significant contribution to architecture. Originally designed in 1976 by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw for Herman Miller, the American furniture manufacturers, the new Locksbrook Campus is a multimillion-pound, state-of-the-art campus that offers students enviable educational facilities, including flexible studio spaces, workshops and open areas designed to foster creativity and collaborative working. Dr Dan Allen, Head of the School of Art at Bath Spa University, said: “We’re thrilled that our landmark Locksbrook Campus has been shortlisted for such a prestigious award. It truly is a stunning building where students can hone their skills and flourish in a modern and well-thought-out space; it’s an incredible achievement for us all.” Did you know? Actor Jeremy Irons joined Bath Spa University students, staff and alumni in March this year to officially open our Locksbrook Campus.
Success at Bath Spa
New painting prize recognises talent
We have recently launched a new prize for Bath Spa students specialising in painting. The Peter Kinley Prize for Painting was launched this year and is awarded to a graduating student. Peter Kinley was a lecturer in painting at Bath Academy of Art (later the Bath School of Art and Design) from 1971-1988. In addition to a ÂŁ1000 cash prize, the winner will be offered an exhibition at either our Locksbrook gallery or Sion Hill gallery, and ÂŁ200 towards materials purchased at the Art Shop at Locksbrook Campus. All painting graduates will be eligible for the prize. Selection will involve two external judges and the winner will be announced at our annual Degree Shows.
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Fashion Design students showcased on digital catwalk A selection of final year BA (Hons) Fashion Design students’ work was showcased on the Digital London Fashion Week website as part of the ‘Class of 2020’. In a colourful and stylish video, students Valentine Ryf and Catherine Archer discussed their creative processes while sharing their designs. Work by our graduates Kat Priest, Teodora Turco, Emily Ganderton, Laban Leake, and Amy Baldwin was also featured. Bath Spa was one of only 14 Fashion Design courses across the UK selected to be featured on the site. Louise Pickles, Course Leader and Coordinator of Fashion, said: “We’re extremely proud to be featured on the first ever Digital London Fashion Week. This has been a challenging and somewhat disappointing year for final year Fashion Design students, who haven’t been able to develop physical 3D collections. But it has been truly inspirational to see how our students’ work has developed under lockdown.”
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Success at Bath Spa
Students get creative with poster artwork
Final year BA (Hons) Graphic Communications students from Bath Spa University wowed a panel of judges earlier this year with their original designs for the Bath Fringe Festival poster and programme. The students had to present their final designs to a panel of judges and explain their concept, colours and inspiration. The judges then retired to discuss all of the entries before choosing the winning design which will adorn the Bath Fringe Festival programme this year. The final six students were James Whitehead, Caitlin Curtis, Cav Rigby, Amber Brookes, Niamh Thompson and Lucy Thompson. The winning design was created by James Whitehead whose bold imagery and imagination captivated all of the judges. Tim Vyner, Professor in Illustration from the School of Design at Bath Spa University said: “Our final year Graphic Communication students have been designing the poster and visual identity for the Fringe for many years. It’s a really good professional opportunity for students to work directly with a client, and it is always a really nice moment when the Fringe gets its unique personality for each year once the designs have been selected.” SPACE | 25
Bath Spa declares climate emergency In February this year Bath Spa University and the Bath Spa Students’ Union joined forces to declare a climate emergency as we called on students, staff, and the local community to pledge their support for urgent action. We published our pledges online, showing support for the increasing global calls to tackle climate change, and echoing the climate emergency declarations made by other universities across the UK. Students, staff, and the wider Bath community were encouraged to make their own pledge to pave the way in making a necessary change. Vice-Chancellor Professor Sue Rigby said: “Declaring an emergency means that we can set big goals, but we can also set smaller ones so that everyone is a part of it. Sometimes people feel powerless in the face of something so big, but actually this is something where everyone makes a difference all the time. “It works on three levels, because we can help everyone who is a part of our community to change their own behaviours, but we can also celebrate and enhance the work that the Students’ Union and the University are already doing to address climate change.” The pledge received 700 signatures in its first week and there’s still time to make your own pledge, just go to: www.bathspa.ac.uk/climatepledge
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Fun fact: We are ranked first class in the People and Planet University League, making us one of the greenest universities in the UK!
Guardian environmental journalist awarded Honorary Doctorate
Success at Bath Spa
We awarded Damian Carrington, journalist and Environment Editor at The Guardian newspaper, with an Honorary Doctorate at our Winter Graduation Ceremony in February this year. Damian reports on the climate crisis, the destruction of the natural world and pollution. His career has seen him visit all seven continents, the Amazon, and all five oceans, including the Arctic. Last year he reported from the Columbian Andes and from Darfur in Sudan. Commenting on his proud moment, Damian said: “I am truly delighted to accept this honour from Bath Spa University. With all the environmental problems the world faces, we need new ways of doing things in the 21st century, and the University is clearly determined to be a 21st century institution.” Vice-Chancellor Professor Sue Rigby added: “Damian’s voice is one of reason and clarity. He balances emotive topics with scientific rigour, and presents a clarion call for change, in a measured and nuanced manner.”
“Damian’s voice is one of reason and clarity. He balances emotive topics with scientific rigour, and presents a clarion call for change, in a measured and nuanced manner.”
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Students head ‘down under’
Students donate belongings to help others Students in Bath donated over 200 bags of clothes and kitchen equipment to local charities during their end of term move-out earlier this year. This was part of an ongoing initiative led by the Student Community Partnership (SCP) – a joint venture between Bath Spa University, the University of Bath, Bath College, Norland College, the institutions’ Students’ Unions, and Bath and North East Somerset Council (BANES). Megan Robertson, Vice President of Welfare and Community at Bath Spa University’s Students’ Union and current SCP Chair, said: “It’s great that during such a trying time, the Student Community Partnership has managed to continue to put together these donations for a cause that is so important. I feel incredibly proud to be part of the SCP through my role as Vice President Welfare and Community at Bath Spa University Students’ Union and as the current SCP Chair, and I’m excited to see the great work be continued throughout the year.” 28 | SPACE
Six students from Bath Spa University jetted off to Australia at the start of this year to study at the University of Adelaide as part of a new study abroad partnership between the two universities. Undergraduate students Amelia Fielding, Kirsty Torrance, Karishma Jobanputra, Elliott Copson, Olivia Tuck and Beric Garrett were the first cohort to go abroad for the semester through the new scheme, which will also see Bath Spa welcome six students from Adelaide. The Bath students will also be among some of the first to study the University of Adelaide’s new creativity, collaboration and curation module that will provide them with the invaluable opportunity to work directly with Adelaide Festival of the Arts. The relationship between the two universities developed out of their involvement in the Global Academy of Liberal Arts (GALA), an international network established by Bath Spa in 2014. Ian Gadd, Professor of English Literature at Bath Spa University and Academic Director of GALA said: “I’m delighted that we have sent such a great group of Bath Spa students, from subjects as diverse as criminology, biology, creative computing and creative writing, to launch what promises to be a really valuable partnership for the University.”
Success at Bath Spa
Bath Spa Placement Team wins national award Our Placements Team has won a National Undergraduate Employability Award for Most Improved Commitment to Employability. The National Undergraduate Employability Awards are organised by RateMyPlacement.co.uk, and were announced in February in London. The Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of employers, universities and students in undergraduate work experience. Barrie Grey, Head of Careers and Employability, said: “Bath Spa University is committed to continually improving employability for our students and graduates. This award is fantastic recognition of our dedicated Careers and Employability Team for their work to create a brilliant employability experience.”
Local schoolchildren learn to garden Earlier this year, the grounds and allotment teams had surplus herbs and other plants, as well as sunflowers from a student project. Rather than let them go to waste, maintenance team member Mark Beech found them a new home at Widcombe Infant School. When the school recently reopened, the returning pupils were able to help with the planting around the school grounds, including in the vegetable patch and senses garden. Trudie Beech, teaching assistant at Widcombe, told us, “The children at school really enjoyed planting them and will enjoy watching them grow!” The children were so pleased with their botanical experience that they sent a handmade thank you card to Bath Spa’s grounds manager Penny Snowden saying, “Many of us have found a love of nature during our weeks at home and we are excited about having flowers in our school gardens.”
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Our Grounds Team aren’t just great at gardening, our gardener Deborah Javier took these lovely photos during springtime – look at those beautiful flowers bloom!
Life through our lens
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There’s always something arty and crafty happening at our Locksbrook Campus! Did you know? If you show your valid student ID at the Art Shop till you’ll receive a 10% discount.
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Life through our lens 03
This year’s Bath Spa University School of Art Degree Show was held virtually. Want to check out the great artworks like this one by Thomas Seager? Just visit www.noshowbsu.com
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You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain! This picturesque picture was taken at our Newton Park Campus and even made it on to the BBC Weather website.
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A bit of quality time with dogs can help reduce stress and boost your mood. Our wellbeing dogs Posy, Wanda and Dylan love visiting campus and brightening students’ and staff members’ days.
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There’s no place quite like Baaa-th Spa University. These two were found roaming around campus during its quietest days. ‘Ewe’ couldn’t make it up!
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Student Wellbeing Services We are here to help. Student Wellbeing Services provides access to: • • • • •
Accessibility and disability advice and guidance Mental health support and brief therapy General wellbeing advice Chaplaincy University Medical Service
What to do in your first week? • Register with the University medical service • If you’re unsure if your vaccinations are up to date (specifically measles, mumps and meningitis) make an appointment with the Medical Service. • If you have a disability, including a medical or mental health condition, a specific learning difficulty or autism spectrum please get in touch with our Accessibility and Disability Service.
“It is so important to look after your mental health as well as your physical health.” “All students should have an equal opportunity to experience university.” Student Wellbeing Services observes total confidentiality and will only disclose information to others at your request. The only exceptions are if we believe you or another person to be at serious risk, or if we are legally obliged to do so. If you have any concerns regarding confidentiality, please speak to the Head of Student Wellbeing using the details in our ‘Get in touch’ section below. Get in touch Visit The Hub and click on our Student Wellbeing tab for up to date information about all our services. studentwellbeing@bathspa.ac.uk 01225 876543 BSUWellbeing
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Here for you
Text BSU to 85258
In crisis? Need support? We are here 24/7 Text the free, anonymous 24/7 Crisis Textline for support across the UK
Togetherall is a free, 24/7 online platform for Bath Spa students – an anonymous space that you can access if you’re feeling down, struggling to cope or just want to talk with someone who’ll understand what you’re going through. Visit Togetherall.com and login with your Bath Spa email address
All texts are answered by trained volunteers with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
ON THE LOOK OUT FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES? We can assist with funding to help you get the most out of your time at Bath Spa - explore your creativity, buy equipment, travel abroad and more through our scholarships and bursaries. Our own crowdfunding site, Launch Pad, is specifically for Bath Spa students. This is a fantastic way of raising money to support your projects; whether for your course, society or generally just getting that great idea off the ground! For more information, drop us a line at dara@bathspa.ac.uk
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19th - 30th October 2020
WorkFest – here to help you accelerate your career
Workfest is a fornight of events designed to connect students with industry, raise aspirations, improve employability skills and showcase employers. This is an ideal opportunity for you to meet employers, find out what they offer, start networking or just browse with an open mind. If you are a first year looking to explore options and gain inspiration, or a second year thinking ahead to experiencing an exciting placement opportunity, or a finalist wondering how to progress, we’ll have something for you. Here’s some of the activities happening during WorkFest: • Public Sector Inspiration Event with Transform Society • Routes into Teaching by The Department for Education (DfE) and Teach First • Virtual internships • CV’s, cover letters and applications • Applying for Graduate Schemes • Virtual applications and interviewing • Postgraduate Study All events will be online and accessed digitally. To view the programme and book please visit
https://mycareer.bathspa.ac.uk/
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Bath Spa Productions The home of Bath Spa entertainment. From performances to lectures, exhibitions, conferences and more, Bath Spa Productions promotes creativity and enables innovation by engaging Bath Spa students, family and friends in the professional world of music and performing arts. Bath Spa Productions at a glance • Bringing together industry partners and students to develop professional working relationships. • Enabling students to raise their aspirations through access to innovative professional practice. • Promoting the work of Bath Spa University’s Music and Performing Arts students. • Putting on performances for all to enjoy, across a diverse range of venues including Newton Park’s Michael Tippett Centre and our University Theatre. Find out more and see what’s on by visiting www.bathspalive.com
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GET IN TOUCH immigrationadvice@bathspa.ac.uk thehub.bathspa.ac.uk/international
Immigration Advice for students
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The Immigration Advice team can discuss any questions relating to visas and immigration, provide individual casework and answer general enquiries during your time at university. Arrange a one-to-one, attend a drop-in session and come along to one of our workshops on: • Working in the UK. • Travelling during your studies. • Further study in the UK.
Go Global Information Sessions
Thursday 12 November 2020 Wednesday 9 December 2020 Wednesday 13 January 2020 12pm - 2pm
Join us in one of our online sessions with a member of the Go Global Team to fine out more about applying to the Study Abroad programme, and other opportunities available. There will be a presentation at the start and time to answer your questions. We look forward to meeting you! tinyurl.com/bsustudyabroad
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