Author: Cerri Evans

A free-to-attend sci-fi extravaganza inviting young people to come face-to-face with cutting edge digital technologies it on today (7^th November 2018) with the latest iteration of Future 2.0.

The free one-day event is taking place at the University’s Engine Shed – and all staff and students are encouraged to head down between 12pm and 3pm!

Influenced by the renowned space opera film franchise Star Wars, Future 2.0 will showcase innovative virtual reality and cutting-edge consumer technology advancements – with visitors able to meet the University’s expanding ensemble of new wave robots.

This year the event will welcome as special guest YouTube sensation and Lincoln alumnus Thomas Ridgewell, better known online as TomSka. Known for his comedy sketches, cartoons, and self-directed short films, he has accumulated a mass-following of over 5.3 million subscribers – with his videos achieving over 1.2 billion views.

Future 2.0 is aligned with the forward-thinking and pioneering academic research that is undertaken throughout the University across robotics, games-computing, media, art, and science with a range of activities for all ages spread across a number of interactive zones, including a return of the popular Robot Wars arena. There will also be the opportunity for visitors to transform into Jedi knights with stage combat workshops, learn more about the Universe in an interactive space dome and test their gaming prowess against cutting edge robots in our gaming zone.

Emma Jubbs, Assistant Director (Recruitment) at the University of Lincoln, said: “Technology is changing so much about how we interact with the world and each other. The jobs of tomorrow will look dramatically different to those of yesterday, and as a university preparing young people for a wide range of industries and professions, we’re keen to help people of all ages explore emerging technologies and ideas about the future in fun and interactive ways.

“Future 2.0 is a great opportunity for young people to take a look behind the scenes of science and technology research within the University, have fun with some of our sci-fi inspired exhibits and activities, and hopefully be inspired about the possibilities of digital technology.

“Few tech innovations have had more dramatic impact on our lives than the Internet so of course social media engagement is a big part of Future 2.0. We are delighted to be welcoming TomSka back to Lincoln to share the secrets of his YouTube success with our visitors through a series of talks and activities throughout the day.”

Future 2.0 will be open exclusively for school parties from 10am-12pm and open to the general public, University staff and students from 12pm until 3pm.

The University of Lincoln aims to be a leading 21^st Century institution. Students are at the heart of all that we do and, to better understand aspirations, we are undertaking focus groups into what students would expect a leading 21^st century University to look like and to offer.

The world is changing; it is getting smaller and moving faster. Technology is developing rapidly and is changing the way we think, work and communicate. Globally organisations are adopting rapidly changing modes of operation, this is increasing demand on resources and communication as we move to a 24/7 culture.

As need and demand shifts towards a global 24/7 pattern, at Lincoln we are keen to consider how our working and learning environments need to evolve to be in line with the demands and needs of our students.

As such, I am inviting you to attend a focus group being run by CDM on Wednesday 13^th June 2018 at 11.30am. This will take place in the Minerva Building (MB2605), and last approximately one hour. It will consist of a small group discussion around a series of questions and prompts.

Could I please ask that, if you are interested and available to be a part of a focus group session, that you kindly email marketresearch@lincoln.ac.uk by Friday 8^th June 2018?

If you have any queries or require any further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Karen Smith, Market Research and Special Projects Manager or Heather Knox, Senior Events and Conferencing Officer.

Julian Free
Deputy Vice Chancellor (People Services & Operations)

Santander has launched a new fund designed to support the challenges and priorities of students or student groups across the UK.

Students with projects in need of financial support can now receive matched funding through an innovative partnership between Santander and Crowdfunder.co.uk.

The University of Lincoln is proud to be a Santander University, and this year, students have the opportunity to access matched funding for student projects delivered by groups or societies.

Santander want to support students to deliver projects which help people to: create, run or participate in a student society or team; support a charitable or social cause; or run a university, community or student-focused project or event.

To be eligible projects must be led by students from the University of Lincoln and money must be raised through a crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder.co.uk.

Santander will assess the projects against a range of criteria and those which are successful may receive up to 50% matched funding (up to a maximum of £2000).

To find out more about this exciting opportunity please visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/funds/studentimpact

New teaching spaces will be created this summer in the next phase of a major renovation of one of the longest serving buildings on the University’s Brayford Campus.

From 30th April 2018, work will begin to refurbish the third floor of the MHT Building, which from the 2018/19 academic year will be renamed the Alfred Tennyson Building.

Work will include creating a further four timetabled teaching spaces with an additional 100 seats, and a new learning lounge for students. The learning lounge is designed to maximise the student experience, and will offer a dedicated space to work and relax, as well as improve the layout of the floor.

During this time there will be no access to the third floor, and staff whose offices are currently located on that floor will be relocated to other office space elsewhere in the building. The internal refurbishments are due to be completed by the start of the 2018/19 academic year.

Externally, the façades of the second and third floors will be enhanced to improve thermal insulation and drainage, and modernise the aesthetics of the building with metallic coloured panels and a large University of Lincoln logo which will be visible from the flyover bridge and the train line, subject to planning permission.

Work is scheduled to begin on the north elevation – the side facing the Brayford Pool – on 29^th May 2018 and last for approximately one month. During this period pedestrian access between the Stephen Langton and MHT buildings will be restricted to fire exits only and a diversion will be place to the north of Stephen Langton. Staff and students will still be able to walk between the Student Wellbeing Centre and the Stephen Langton Building.

The contractor will then move on to the west façade, followed by the east façade. The final south elevation work is due to begin 6^th August 2018.

During the south elevation works there will be no parking to the rear of the building and staff are reminded not to park there. Please arrange for visitor parking elsewhere during this period.

During all periods of work vehicular access will be maintained.

Efforts have been made to significantly reduce the number of events or relocate events from the MHT building over the summer. Any that remain are being considered on an individual basis to minimise disruption. Signage will be put in place throughout the works to direct staff, students and visitors. Please follow the signage as it will change as the project progresses.

The project is the second stage of significant investment for the soon-to-be Alfred Tennyson building, which had two new lifts installed and lobby areas upgraded earlier this year.

The Estates Department will be working hard with its contractors to minimise disruption to staff and students. Any queries should be directed to the Estates Support Desk on 01522 886777.

Staff and students are invited to an unmissable opportunity to get expert advise from Chris Packham about presenting and working behind the scenes within the TV industry.

The event will include an opportunity to have a Q&A with Chris, who is a Visiting Professor and TV presenter.

The talk takes place in AAD0W25 between 1pm and 2.30pm on Monday 23rd April.

To book your space email events@lincoln.ac.uk

How can modern engineering techniques help us to understand how these crimes were committed, and help the legal system to interpret complex evidence in court?

The Royal Academy of Engineering is answering this question in its East Midlands regional lecture which will be held at the University of Lincoln on 17 April. The lecture will explore the role of engineering in forensic science with Professor Sarah Hainsworth FREng, a leading forensic science expert on stabbing and dismemberment, advising police forces across the UK and working as an expert witness in criminal court cases.

Professor Hainsworth will explain how advanced imaging techniques can be used to identify tool marks in dismemberment cases and why understanding the engineering factors associated with cutting or stabbing can prove vital both during investigations and when cases come to court.

Delving into the use of modern forensic techniques on historical remains, Professor Hainsworth, who is Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science at Aston University, will also explain how her team used CT scans to detail the fatal wounds inflicted on Richard III following the discovery of his remains under a Leicester car park in 2012. Last year the Office for National Statistics reported that the most common method of killing was by knife or other sharp instrument, with around 30% of homicides in the UK involving stabbing. What’s more, 6% of serious violence offences against the person in 2017 involved knives and a further 5% bottles or glass.

Cutting crime: the role of forensic engineering science will take place on 17th April 2018 at 5.15pm. The lecture is free to attend, and you can register here.