Sharing and celebrating stories from our University community

Features

In-depth stories and longer reads

Teaching Matters

Reading time: 6 minutes The start of semester brings with it a flurry of activity as many of our students return to campus for the new academic year. As welcome week recedes and regular teaching resumes it seems fitting to highlight the University’s learning and teaching blog. Teaching Matters is internationally renowned and has amassed a huge following since it’s inception in 2016.

The Disabled Staff Network

Reading time: 5 minutes The Disabled Staff Network (DSN) provides mutual support and a collective voice for the disabled staff community. Anyone with disabilities, restrictive health conditions and caring responsibilities are welcome to join. Here Bulletin speaks to members of the network about their recent work.

Hybrid Working update

Reading time: 3 minutes The Hybrid Working Framework was made available to all staff in July. The Framework provides resources and guidance about hybrid working which you can use during the transition period to new working patterns. The University will not set any new work patterns until after May 2022.

Bringing sustainability to the lab

Reading time: 4 minutes The Chemical Engineering Teaching Labs were the first teaching labs to be recognised with a Silver Sustainability Award. Research Laboratory Technician at the School of Engineering, Gordon Paterson, tells us about his role, why he cares about sustainability, and how he is making a positive difference in his place of work.

Need to know – 5 October

Top updates from across the University.

1. New Covid-19 Hub

A Covid-19 Information Hub team is now in place. Working with Health & Safety they will manage reported positive cases and send out Inform and Advise letters as required.

To supplement the existing guidance on reporting of Covid-19 cases, Health & Safety have produced a short film to explain the process for colleagues to follow. Covid-19 reporting and recording SharePoint.

2. Planning assumptions for Semester 2

Although still in the early days of Semester 1, planning decisions for Semester 2 are now underway. Semester 2 will still be delivered in a hybrid manner but modifications will be made in line with the Scottish Government operating guidance for the sector to allow for more on-campus teaching. As a result, the Timetabling Unit has developed more detailed guidance and timelines, which are now available. Semester 2 timetabling planning assumptions SharePoint.

3. Reward Process Timetable

The Reward Process Timetable has been updated for 2021/22 and is now live on the HR website. The reward processes detailed in this document include new policies for grading (for new jobs or vacant positions which have substantially changed), regrading (Professional Services roles), and academic promotions. Reward Timetable.

Community corner

Sharing highlights and news

One regret one hope with Soledad Garcia Ferrari

Reading time: 3 minutes In this series, Professor Mona Siddiqui, Assistant Principal Religion and Society, chats to members of our community to find out more about them. Each fortnight she’ll be asking, what is the one regret that has shaped their past, and what is their one hope for the future.

Black history month with EREN

Reading time: 2 minutes The Edinburgh Race Equality Network (EREN) is a network for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff and allies committed to advancing racial justice within the University of Edinburgh.

Community Exercise Respect 2021

Reading time: < 1 minute A series of in-person events this month will discuss issues of racism, gender discrimination and inequality on campus.

Changes within SRA and Edinburgh Global

Reading time: 2 minutes The teams in Student Recruitment & Admissions (SRA) and Edinburgh Global underwent an organisational change during the summer.

Celebrating colleagues

Recognising your achievements

Bulletin