Category Archives: News
NELSON upgrade Sunday 24th February
The software behind the Library’s resource discovery system, NELSON, is being upgraded this weekend.
During the upgrade you will only be able to access NELSON in ‘search’ mode, you will not be able to save items to your eShelf. Additionally, links between NELSON and the library catalogue may be temporarily unavailable.
A message displaying this information has been posted on the NELSON home page.
Following the upgrade you will have further options to personalise your search results by discipline and the ability to refine a search by including and excluding multiple topic areas.
Image credit: Compass by Roland Urbanek
Library & Learning Services (LLS) Advisory Panel
Avenue Library
As part of our commitment to meeting the real needs of students we want to recruit Advisors to sit on a new LLS Advisory Panel, where you will help to shape the services, resources, environments and future of LLS.
Commitment would be mainly via a NILE forum, where we would ask for comments on a wide range of issues, but we will also hold occasional, informal Panel lunches. Discussion points might cover anything from the split between silent and group work areas in library buildings, opening hours, e-books versus print, how we communicate with students, how best to target study and information skills sessions or what makes a good NILE site.
No special qualifications are needed and you will not be representing anyone’s views but your own. All we ask is that you are interested in shaping how we support your studies and are committed to joining in the discussion.
So, if you would like to make a difference and enhance your cv at the same time, please give your name and email address to the desks at either library or email Chris Powis, Head of Library and Learning Services (chris.powis@northampton.ac.uk) to register your interest.
New research initiatives in the School of the Arts
Submitted by Professor Janet Wilson
In 2012, the School of the Arts has hosted a range of innovative lectures and events as well as developing and launching a number of exciting interdisciplinary research groups. The Annual Postgraduate Conference (11th-14th September 2012) provided a welcome review of the range and vibrancy of doctoral projects within the School as well as featuring a keynote address by Performing Arts scholar at Brazil’s University of Bahia, Claudio Cajaiba.
Must all postgrad research have ‘impact’?
Interesting piece in The Guardian last week – http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2012/nov/14/postgraduates-higher-education
Research assistant vacancy
Professor Alejandro Armellini of the university’s Institute of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education is looking for a research assistant to contribute to and coordinate the research, development and consultancy activities of the Institute, both internally and externally.
The post is part time (0.5 FTE) and the successful applicant will also be expected to provide secretarial and administrative support.
If you think you might be interested then more information is available on the university’s current vacancies website, or contact Professor Armellini, Director of the Institute.
Mission groups: are they worth the cost?
Is membership of a mission group such as the Russell Group, 1994 group, Million+ or University Alliance worth the financial cost? The last year has seen a number of UK universities either switch from one mission group to another or withdraw altogether.
The University of Northampton has recently left the ‘Million+’ group of modern universities, with Vice Chancellor Professor Nick Petford stating:
“We can’t really see what value a mission group offers us anymore”. “We’d rather be independent and pick and choose the universities we want to work with”. “Million+, as a think tank, has a useful role to play. But it has almost become a millstone around our neck.”
Read more of this lead article in today’s Research Fortnight.
SpringerLink migration to new platform
SpringerLink have just announced that they will be moving to a new platform on November 16th. This should not affect access to content but if you have previously set up an individual account I am afraid that you will lose it.
If you currently have an individual account please carry on reading the following letter from Springer:
Open Access Week October 22-28, 2012 Everywhere
Promoting free, immediate, permanent online access to the full text of scholarly and research outputs, this week marks the 6th annual international Open Access Week.
Here at The University of Northampton there are plenty of opportunities for researchers to make their work available in an open access format…
RCUK launches research career case studies to inspire young people
Research Councils UK (RCUK) has today (8 October 2012) published an online suite of case studies designed to inspire the next generation to think about pursuing a career in research.
Find out more at: http://www.rcuk.ac.uk/media/news/2012news/Pages/121008.aspx
UON Graduate School Blog 