-
Department of CS newsletter
Published: Wednesday, 30 September 2020Weekly newsletter for the Department of CS
Department Newsletter - Contents
[ top ]News from Head of Department
Returning to work on campus
I’m sure most of us are looking at the news etc as the COVID-19 infections rise and universities locally and nationally are in the news. As I write, nothing has changed vis a vis the University of Manchester’s plans for return to working on campus, including on campus face to face teaching. You will be updated as these plans change.
We’ve gathered together information on returning to work on campus on the staff Wiki. This can be found via:
https://wiki.cs.manchester.ac.uk/staff/index.php/Returning_to_work_on_campus_and_accessing_offices
Note that the general instruction is to work at home for as long as possible and unless you’ve been asked to come in and work on campus.
Robert.
Radina Ivanova
COVID-19 reporting
It is imperative that, in order to manage and minimise the spread of COVID-19 and support the NHS Test and Trace programme, all staff must adhere to a standard University-wide process which has been agreed for handling reports of positive COVID-19 staff and student cases or individuals required to self-isolate. This may be found at:https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/coronavirus/report/?gator_td=Y3IUBatWljZ%2fOsA5RYsjGNzTXwGNKfNGaNWgD4fgqX4OR3Wm70Ufy59mo%2bgtOMYjGUYOrKZ6KqgXjJMXPg%2bEVju34NGVJdnm06F8q%2f3V7legCHDFF47qb8Z5Wbm60iInstD0UOV5Yd2Z7XKVQjQSl2j43t44Ca0asx2QZihrZpARBBXApWCf1RGvjPWYEsVQ
Staff have access to a number of COVID-19 support resources and in line with this, should inform their line manager if they have tested positive or are self-isolating. Find these resources at:https://www.staffnet.manchester.ac.uk/coronavirus/resources/?gator_td=Y3IUBatWljZ%2fOsA5RYsjGNzTXwGNKfNGaNWgD4fgqX4OR3Wm70Ufy59mo%2bgtOMYjGUYOrKZ6KqgXjJMXPg%2bEVju34NGVJdnm06F8q%2f3V7legCHDFF47qb8Z5Wbm60iInstD0UOV5Yd2Z7XKVQjQSl2j43t44Ca0asx2QZihrZpARBBXApWCf1RGvjPWYEsVQ
Line managers and/or staff who have a role in which they interact directly with students, should additionally be familiar with the aforementioned reporting process and ensure that all staff under their responsibility are aware of how this process works.
Robert
Karon Mee
[ top ]News and announcements
Open Letter from European Women in Mathematics
Please consider signing this open letter from European Women in Mathematics and distribute to colleagues.
https://www.europeanwomeninmaths.org/ewm-open-letter-on-the-covid-19-pandemic/
What to do if a student reports a case of Covid
All students (including PGR) who report they have symptoms, have tested positive for Covid or are self-isolating are required to let SSO immediately via email (compsci-sso@manchester.ac.uk). SSO will ask the student to complete an online form and will ensure the student is aware of available support.
Students can find information on staying safe on campus and instructions for reporting a Covid case here; https://www.welcome.manchester.ac.uk/welcome-and-induction/arriving-on-campus/staying-safe/
Hannah Cousins
[ top ]Events
Celebrating Black History Month
Celebrating Black History Month online event. 1st October. All welcome
Searching for PhD researchers and PDRA's
The PGR recruitment team are looking for PhD researchers and PDRAs to speak as part of the department's online visit day activities. This could be a great opportunity to raise the profile of some of our more specialist PhD topics. If you’d like us to highlight your research project, then…
Step 1 — Find a current PhD researcher or PDRA in the department doing something that’s roughly adjacent to your topic;
Step 2 — Persuade them to participate in the online visit day on the afternoon of Monday 2nd November;
Step 3 — Prime them appropriately so they can talk about your project.
PhD and PDRA volunteers will be asked to give a short (up to 5 minute) talk about their research and then participate on a follow-up panel answering questions about the PhD process and what’s it’s like to do research at Manchester. They will need to be available on the afternoon of Monday 2nd November. To signup, they should email sarah.clinch@manchester.ac.uk.
[ top ]Research News
Honours for Formal Methods Research Group Alumni
Victoria Coleman (nee Stavridou) who became Director of DARPA was a PhD student in the Department. She was member of the Formal Methods Research Group form 1985 until at least 1988 and worked as Research Associate in the HAVE Project
(entitled "A Comparative Study of Formal Methods for Hardware Design"), led by Howard Barringer with John Gurd and Doug Edwards also involved.Also a member of the group at that time was Bill Mitchell. He has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours for services to Computing and Artificial Intelligence Education. https://www.bcs.org/content-hub/bcs-director-bill-mitchell-awarded-obe/
Thanks to Michael Fisher, who just joined the Department as a new professor, also previously in the group, for drawing our attention to an old group report which shows this information.
[ top ]Social Responsibility
Greater Manchester Race Equality Panel Recruitment
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham and the leaders of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have endorsed proposals to establish a Race Equality Panel for Greater Manchester, and applications to join the panel are now open.
The purpose of the panel is to:
- advise and challenge Greater Manchester public sector bodies on their work to tackle systemic inequalities, racism and prevent discrimination
- increase the visibility of issues relating to race, and be involved in co-designing and implementing the solutions
How to apply
Please visit www.GMConsult.org to apply online. If you would prefer to complete a Word version of the application form, please email engagement@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk All applications must be received by Sunday 18th October 2020.
Support completing your application
If you require support to fill out the application form, or you want to learn more about the Race Equality Panel before you make a decision to apply, please email Adrian Bates or Claire Slade at engagement@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk
