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1407064

LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

(FIXED TERM UNTIL 30TH JUNE 2015AND PART TIME 0.5 FTE)

FACULTY OF HEALTH AND APPLIED SCIENCES

FRENCHAY CAMPUS

FURTHER PARTICULARS

1. INTRODUCTION

The University of the West of England (UWE) is one of Britain's most enterprising universities; it has a successful record in co-creating new ideas and new solutions to deliver innovative futures.

UWE works closely with business and industry to ensure that teaching and research have direct relevance to society and the environment. We also pride ourselves on providing a valued role for all students and staff members within UWE’s diverse and welcoming community.

From its origins as the Merchant Venturers’ College in 1595, UWE is now one of Britain’s most popular universities. Over the years UWE has continued to develop its academic provision to grow and transform itself to meet the demands of modern day students and higher education teaching.

UWE has an annual budget of £220 million, and it is the largest provider of higher education in the south west of England. UWE also has an expanding European and international profile.

The University has a history of providing highquality education and training to students. In parallel with traditional values of academic excellence, the University is committed to using academic knowledge and skills to find practical solutions to problems. UWE’s researchers make a significant contribution to advances in industry, commerce, public services and the professions, both nationally and internationally.

UWE students, and the knowledge and experience they gain, are vital to future economic prosperity. The University aims to equip students for their role in the economy by putting a fundamental value on work placements, part-time jobs and volunteering opportunities. Strong links with employers help to keep UWE’s courses relevant and up to date, and ensure that its graduates are highly sought after in the job market because they have the confidence, skills, up-to-date knowledge and work experience to be attractive to employers.

The University is building up a number of partnerships with further education colleges, collectively known as the UWE Federation. The University and the colleges have developed a range of courses to give as many people as possible the chance to study university-level courses at their local college, with opportunities for progression to UWE programmes. Many of the courses have been developed in collaboration with local employers to develop the skills and knowledge that are in demand in the region.

2. UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

SIZE AND LOCATION

With over 30,000 students and 3,491 staff, UWE is the largest university in the south west of England, and one of the largest employers in the Bristol area.

Around half of UWE’s staff are engaged in teaching, research, knowledge exchange, consultancy and other academic-related activities. The remaining staff members provide a variety of professional services ranging from marketing to finance, and from international development to human resources. These staff members also support the development and maintenance of all of the University’s campuses.

The investment in teaching excellence is matched by a tremendous investment in facilities and infrastructure.

UWE has four main campuses. Around 60% of our students are based at Frenchay campus, which is on the north-eastern outskirts of Bristol and close to the M4, M5, M32 motorways with easy access to Bristol Parkway station. UWE’s other main campuses are at Bower Ashton, St Matthias and Glenside.

Hartpury College, an Associate School of the University, is based four miles north of Gloucester. There is also a UWE Education Centre for Health and Social Care in Gloucester.

UWE is currently developing a new campus site which will double the size of our Frenchay campus. The new site will provide a stimulating, green, pleasant, healthy, flexible and sustainable environment which will set new standards of academic provision for the 21st century. The new campus will provide contemporary facilities and improved infrastructure, including top quality accommodation, academic, sports, social and cultural facilities.

Included in the new campus masterplan is a ground-breaking agreement with Bristol Rovers Football Club to build a new football stadium. Costing £40m, the 20,000 seat stadium will include a club gym for student and community use, an all-weather jogging track, rooms for student club activities and teaching space, and a banqueting suite and venue space.

In recent years, UWE has completed an £82 million student village (housing 2,000 students) opened a state-of-the-art sports centre, launched a new conference and exhibition centre, and opened a £700,000 nursery facility for staff and students.

UWE BRISTOL STRATEGY 2020

ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE, INSPIRING PEOPLE, TRANSFORMING FUTURES

We have set ourselves the ambition of being known nationally and internationally as the best university for:

  • Professionally recognised and practice-oriented programmes, which contribute to an outstanding learning experience and generate excellent graduate employment opportunities and outcomes for all our students.
  • Connecting and working with our local and regional economy, businesses and communities and international partners to advance knowledge, and to advance the health, sustainability and prosperity for our locality and region.
  • Being digitally advanced, agile and responsive in the way we work, embracing and leading change to create new sustainable opportunities.
  • Being inclusive and global in outlook and approach.

Our strategy sets out the priorities and enablers that will help us to realise our ambitions for 2020.

FACULTIES AND SERVICES

The University’s academic provision is delivered through four faculties:

  • Arts, Creative Industries and Education
  • Business and Law
  • Environment and Technology
  • Health and Applied Sciences

The University also has two associate faculties - Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

The faculties are supported by the following central services:

Admissions and International Development / Corporate and Academic Services
Facilities / Financial Services
Human Resources / IT Services
Library Services / Marketing and Communications
Research, Business and Innovation / Student and Partnership Services

3. FACULTY INFORMATION

THE FACULTY OF HEALTH AND APPLIED SCIENCES

The Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences (renamed from Health and Life Sciences on 1st August 2013) was formed on 1st August 2007 and is currently led by the Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean Professor Helen Langton. The Faculty provides a home for a broad and diverse spectrum of disciplines that have as a common focus and overall strategic driver the health and well-being of humans and of human-kind (including disadvantaged groups, the community, society and the environment). This broad focus provides an integrating theme for the faculty that gives rise to true inter-disciplinary strength. Furthermore, the Faculty is inclusive with respect to being a home for staff and students and values both internal and external partnerships.

The Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences:

  • has an excellent student and staff experience at its heart
  • is dedicated to the creation, application and transmission of knowledge, including excellent research
  • is underpinned through appropriate partnerships and engagement with students, customers, stake-holders, partners and employers.

The Faculty aims to:

  • be recognised regionally, nationally and internationally as a centre of excellence for research and knowledge exchange in health and applied sciences
  • form strong and enduring links with regional, national and international partners provide an inspiring and motivating experience for all
  • provide, to a heterogeneous student body, an excellent education and learning experience that addresses and serves individual and professional aspirations in health and applied sciences
  • enable students to realise their potential through provision of access to life-long learning
  • engage students in research and in the community service activities of the Faculty, and to provide knowledge exchange and research opportunities in the environmental sciences and in the social and public health-related sciences which address relevant regional, national and international environmental issues.

FACULTY STRUCTURE

There are four academic departments that constitute the faculty, one based at Frenchay campus, two based at Glenside Campus and one split across two sites, namely:

Allied Health Professions (DAHP) - Glenside

Biological, Biomedical & Analytical Sciences (BBAS) - Frenchay

Health and Social Sciences (HaS) – Glenside & Frenchay

Nursing and Midwifery (NM) - Glenside

In addition, Nursing programmes are delivered at UWE Gloucester.

The Heads of each of these Departments sit on the Faculty Executive which comprises the Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean, the Deputy Dean and Associate Deans, the Faculty Business Manager and the Head of Technical Services.

RESEARCH IN THE FACULTY

The Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences (HAS) has a vibrant research culture organised primarily through the Research Centres and Institutes listed below. The extent of research development in HAS was underlined by the results of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise when it led UWE submissions in the Allied Health Professions and Studies (65% of the submissions deemed world-leading or internationally excellent), in Nursing and Midwifery (45% world-leading or internationally excellent), in Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Science (45% world-leading or internationally excellent) and in Social Work, Social Policy and Administration (25% world-leading or internationally excellent). The recent REF submission built on these strengths.

The Faculty has the following Research Centres:

  • Centre for Appearance Research (CAR)
  • Centre for Research in Biosciences (CRIB)
  • Centre for Health and Clinical Research (CHCR)
  • Centre for Understanding Social Practices (CUSP)

In addition to the centres above, the Science Communication Unit (SCU) is also located mainly in the Faculty. The Faculty also has a partnership agreement in place with the University of Bristol to jointly oversee and support the Centre for Child and Adolescent Health.

HAS also provides the co-Director for two of UWE’s cross-Faculty Research and Knowledge Exchange Institutes, namely; the Institute of Bio-sensing Technology and the Institute for Sustainability, Health and the Environment.

The Research Web Pages of the Faculty provide a detailed profile of key researchers and main projects in all the Centres and Institutes (

4. POST INFORMATION

LECTURER/SENIOR LECTURER IN SCIENCE COMMUNICATION

The Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences brings together experts from Allied Health Professions, Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences, Health and Social Sciences, and Nursing and Midwifery. We have a large number of high quality, practice orientated and professionally-focused, undergraduate, postgraduate, and postgraduate research programmes and a vibrant portfolio of research and knowledge exchange (RKE) projects funded by a wide range of partners and based primarily in our Research Centres and Institutes.

THE POST

We are seeking to appoint a Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Science Communication on a part time (0.5 FTE) and fixed term basis until 30th June 2015. The person appointed will join the Department of Biological, Biomedical and Analytical Sciences and will contribute to existing teaching and supervision on the postgraduate programmes in science communication and undergraduate provision in this area. Further responsibilities will include supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate project students, contribution to the Science Communication Unit’s portfolio of continuing professional development, and, depending on the person’s qualifications, may contribute to teaching and student support activities on a variety of programmes within the Department and wider Faculty. The person appointed is also expected to engage actively in research and practice in the broad field of science communication/public engagement.

The person appointed should be prepared to work on Saturdays as our postgraduate science communication programmes include Saturday teaching, and may be expected to participate in and/or organise off campus field trips linked to these modules.

The start date for this post is as soon as possible.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Purpose:

To contribute to teaching and learning in science communication and to contribute to the development of research that underpins provision in science communication within the Science Communication Unit.

Source and nature of management provided:

To be responsible to the Head of Department or equivalent designated nominee.

Main duties and responsibilities:

  • To work in a team with other staff and contribute to the Department's teaching and learning in science communication at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
  • To contribute to the development of new taught modules and continuing professional development programmes offered by the Science Communication Unit
  • To contribute to the development of research programmes that underpin the teaching and professional practice of science communication and public engagement
  • To apply for external funding for research and public engagement activities
  • To contribute to the academic field of science communication through conference presentation and academic publication
  • To work creatively to enable and support student learning
  • To supervise undergraduate and postgraduate project students
  • To participate in the general academic administration of the Department
  • To contribute as appropriate to citizenship activities of the University

Generic Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities of a lecturer are inherently of a professional nature and are wide ranging and include:

  • Contact with students and others to facilitate effective learning
  • Tutorial guidance to students’ learning
  • Proactive engagement with the research and knowledge exchange agenda of the Faculty
  • Educational management and administration
  • Participation in the collegiate activities of the institution (committee membership etc.)
  • Participation in quality assurance procedures

Person Specification

The following characteristics have been identified as necessary for the post holder to operate successfully in this post. It would assist your application if you address them in the information you supply, as well as highlighting any other factors that you consider relevant.

EXPERIENCE

Essential

  • Lecturing/teaching experience in Higher Education (HE), in one or more of the following areas: science museums and festivals, arts based approaches to science communication (e.g. SciArts), inclusion and inclusivity, and/or digital communications
  • An active research profile in one or more of the above areas which can be drawn on for the purpose of teaching
  • A commitment to enhancing teaching quality and standards

Desirable

  • Experience of public engagement, either in relation to your own research or gained through working with other researchers
  • Experience of using technology enhanced learning tools
  • Experience of research/project supervision at UG final year and beyond
  • Experience of curriculum development in HE
  • Experience of multi-disciplinary collaboration in teaching, research or knowledge exchange

SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE

Essential

  • Advanced knowledge in one or more of the broad fields of: science museums and festivals, arts based approaches to public engagement, inclusion and inclusivity, and/or digital communications
  • Knowledge of a range of social science research methodologies
  • Able to employ/develop innovative methods to support effective student learning
  • Able to devise and deliver novel research or practice projects to strengthen and complement current interests within the Science Communication Unit
  • Excellent IT skills
  • Excellent level of written, verbal and visual communication, including the ability to produce briefing information to students and academic documentation
  • Ability to organise self and others to maximise effectiveness, in an academic context
  • Effective communication skills
  • Comfortable with a participative, team based working and management style

Desirable

  • Practical or research experience on engaging ‘hard to reach’ audiences
  • Experience and understanding of processes for obtaining research grants
  • Experience and understanding of academic publication
  • Effective student support skills
  • Experience of delivering continuous professional development courses

DISPOSITION

Essential

  • Proactive teacher of science communication to students from a wide range of academic backgrounds
  • Adaptable approach
  • Able to work with customers/students from a variety of different backgrounds e.g. disabled students/staff, black and minority ethnic students/staff
  • Willing to contribute proactively to the Science Communication Unit, including supporting the development needs of junior staff

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

  • PhD in Science Communication, or a related discipline
  • Qualification in teaching in HE or commitment to obtaining this (e.g. by attending the UWE Academic Development Programme)

OTHER FACTORS

Essential

  • Commitment to continuous professional and personal development

This post has been identified with the following risks, for further details please discuss with the recruiting manager:

  • Biological hazards exposure
  • Contact with/use of latex
  • Dermatological (skin) irritants/sensitisers
  • Extensive and continual, Display Screen Equipment use

The salary for this post will be paid in a range between £30,728 and £46,400 (pro rata if part-time), on Grade G/H.

This post is fixed term until 30th June 2015, part-time working (0.5FTE).

The University actively seeks to redeploy fixed term staff, who have at least one year’s service, to suitable alternative posts at the expiry of their fixed term contract.

If you are an internal applicant and wish to apply on a secondment basis, please make sure you obtain approval from your line manager before submitting your application.

All staff appointed will be subject to a probationary period during which time comprehensive support will be given. An offer of appointment will also be subject to completion of a Post Offer Health Questionnaire.

5. STAFF BENEFITS

Childcare Vouchers: The University runs a scheme for staff to purchase childcare vouchers to pay for childcare through payroll.

Cycle to Work:The University runs a scheme for staff to purchasetax free bikes for commuting purposes through payroll. For details, see Cyclescheme Ltd Terms and conditions apply.