Author: Cerri Evans

Tickets are on sale for a charity ball to raise money to buy laptops for terminally ill teenagers so that they can continue with their education.

The charity, MattDotCom, aims to provide the computers to young people so that they are able to continue with their education and stay in touch with friends during lengthy treatments. The equipment supports teenagers educationally; social and therapeutically so they cope with the pain of treatment and isolation. The ball has been planned for April 27th 2018 and will take place at the Assembly Rooms in Lincoln. There will be a sit-down dinner and live entertainment, and an auction which includes prizes donated by Nottingham County Cricket Club, the Mayor of Lincoln and other local businesses.

Charlotte Harding-Price, President of the charity, said: “The charity was set up in memory of my brother Matthew after he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 16. He found it hard to do his school work whilst in hospital, so raised the funds to buy a laptop. This allowed him to be distracted during his treatments and also stay in touch with friends, as teenagers can become isolated when being away from school for long periods of time. Matthew died in 2004, and our aim as a family is to keep his legacy alive and continue what he set out to do. We run solely on donations and fund raising from the public, and this is a great opportunity to network or enjoy an evening with friends while supporting a good cause.”

To purchase tickets for the ball, email charlotte@mattdotcom.org.uk or call 07714 099 347. Tickets are £50 each, or £450 for a table of 10. Visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-harding-price for more information about the charity.

The University of Lincoln has been ranked 23^rd in the UK in a survey of students’ opinions about their experience at university.

Professor Mary Stuart, Vice Chancellor for the University of Lincoln, said: “We are delighted that our drive to offer the best student experience possible has been recognised with these results. At the University of Lincoln we have a strong partnership with our students, engaging them in all aspects of student life.

“It’s satisfying to see those our efforts have been reflected in a prestigious national university ranking, and most importantly, to see how that effort is valued here on campus by our students.”

Carried out by youth research agency YouthSight, the 2018 Times Higher Education’s Student Experience Survey examined the opinions of more than 20,000 undergraduates on a range of topics. These included academic experience, university facilities, societal experience, student welfare, accommodation, industry connections, and security. The University of Lincoln saw a rise in its ranking for all areas and was placed in 23^rd position out of 116 institutions.

The institution was placed as 10^th best in the UK for university facilities. That ranking is awarded based on students being asked how strongly they agreed that their university had high-quality, centralised, convenient, and cheap facilities, a good library, good sports facilities.

This latest rise in national league tables follows on from the jump to 47^th place in the Guardian University Guide 2018, and a top ten ranking for student satisfaction by postgraduate and international students in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2017.

Grace Corn, a third year BA (Hons) International Relations and Politics student, said that the results are exciting for Lincoln. “The University and the Students’ Union have without a doubt pushed me to grow and challenge myself personally, whilst also empowering and enabling me to make a difference and contribute to the wider student community.

“I have made friends for life, and pushed myself towards accomplishing goals which I once would never have dreamed of setting. I have had the most incredible time at Lincoln over the past three years, and feel that my amazing experience here has not only shaped the career which I will go on to pursue, but has also shaped me as an individual. Our rise up the league table validates all of the hard work which students and staff across the university and Students’ Union have been pouring into our beautiful campus, now renowned for excellent teaching, amazing facilities, and a thriving student community.” 

Did you know that the average household spends £86 annually on items left on standby? By safely switching items off at the wall you can save energy and money.

Before you head home for the Easter break we want to remind you to safely switch off any unused electrical items and lights, and to turn your radiators off. If you’re gone for a while, you could also consider emptying and defrosting your freezer.

Over Christmas we had the potential to save enough kWh to heat the David Chiddick Building for two months – Easter is our next opportunity to do our bit! By switching off you save money, energy and reduce your carbon footprint.

Check list:

• TV
• Games consoles
• Kitchen appliances
• Chargers
• Lights
• Heaters
• Fans
• Printers
• Computers

Vice Chancellor Professor Mary Stuart has been shortlisted in the Guardian’s Inspiring Leader award as part of their University Awards this year. 

Mary is surprised and delighted for Lincoln to be recognised in this way. She very much feels that this is an accolade which belongs to all of us, staff and students, as much as to her.

The Guardian aims to recognise inspirational leadership within the UK higher education sector and to celebrate institutions and leaders who have had a far-reaching impact on higher education, encouraged innovation and demonstrated visionary thinking.  Following this nomination the winner is decided by a public vote and you can vote for Mary on the Guardian website.

Mary has submitted a short biog for the website, 150 words. She describes how she grew up in apartheid South Africa and emigrated to the UK for political reasons. Like many migrants she initially had some challenges. Having become pregnant with twins, Mary and her partner were evicted from their rented flat, meaning her twins started life in a hostel for homeless families.

Determined to make some sort of success of their lives Mary studied for a degree with the Open University and after a career as a social scientist she went on to become Vice Chancellor at the University of Lincoln.  You will all know that whilst at Lincoln Mary’s emphasis has been on staff and students together ‘making the University’ as one community. During her time here, Lincoln has transformed. Seven new Schools of study, strong employer endorsement, a reputation for student engagement, and community involvement are just some of the initiatives she has led and supported.

For Mary, this nomination is not about her but about everyone who has worked so hard to make Lincoln what it is today.

The winner of the award will be decided by readers of The Guardian Higher Education Network. The full shortlist is published on the Guardian website on Thursday 22^nd March at which time readers will be able to cast their vote. Voting will close on Friday 6^th April. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on Tuesday 24^th April.

To vote for Professor Stuart visit https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2018/mar/22/higher-educations-most-inspiring-leader-2018-the-shortlist and let’s see our Vice Chancellor recognised for all she has achieved.

Wednesday 21st March 2018 | 1.45pm (2pm start) | Cargill Lecture Theatre

PEARL (Public Engagement for All with Research at Lincoln) is pleased to invite staff and students to the first annual University of Lincoln Public Engagement with Research Conference.

The conference will celebrate and share the extensive research taking place across the University that offers opportunities for members of the public to get involved through participation, demonstrations, consultation, co-production and much, much more.

The conference programme will include:
• Tea and coffee served from 1.45pm (2pm start)
• Short presentations/talks from colleagues sharing and celebrating activities engaging the public in research at the University of Lincoln
• Announcement of the PEARL Activity Grants recipients
• Presentation of the Vice Chancellor’s Public Engagement with Research Awards
• Wine reception and poster presentations from staff & students in the Stephen Langton Foyer (approx. 4.15pm onwards)

This event is free to attend but prior booking is required via our event page.

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact pearl@lincoln.ac.uk.

The Student Funding Team has created a new fund which is available to students to support their studies.

The course-related Travelling Grant is a brand new fund to help with travel within the UK or abroad for course-related activities; such as work placement, attending a conference, or study abroad.

It’s for UK or EU status undergraduate or postgraduate students and must have the support of your academic tutor. Awards of up to £500 are available. More information and the application form can be found on the Advice Service website.

If you are in financial hardship, the Student Funding Team also has several funds available. The University of Lincoln Financial Assistance Fund is still open for applications for UK undergraduate or postgraduate students who are in need of financial support.  This fund can help if you are struggling financially for any reason.  Please do not hesitate to make an application.

The University of Lincoln Financial Assistance Fund – Travel Grant is still open for applications if you are a UK undergraduate student and you commute to University from within Lincolnshire.

More information and details of how apply to all of our Funds can be found on the Advice Service website, or you can email studentfundingteam@lincoln.ac.uk.