Author: Professor Mark Spearing, Vice-President (Research and Enterprise)
UEB met in person this week and heard about the updated Consent Matters Training Module 2024/25 for our students. This ensures our compliance with the Office for Students (OfS) Conditions of Registration and its new definition of sexual misconduct. This training is delivered as part of the Residential Life Programme, which is part of the induction for our new students. Alongside this, we have an ongoing engagement campaign targeting students not living in halls. UEB requested that this short training module is made available to Personal Academic Tutors and that everyone who is in contact with students is encouraged to know what is in it for their own awareness of the content.
UEB noted the quick resolution for the students affected by the recent gas leak at the Glen Eyre Halls of Residence, thanking colleagues for their smooth handling of the matter. These students have been temporarily moved whilst the gas supplier resolves the issue.
UEB were pleased to hear that the University had performed strongly in the fourth round of the UKRI Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF).
UEB noted the request for nominations for the latest round of Royal Society Wolfson Fellowships and Visiting Fellowships.
UEB noted the University remained in the top 20 in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
UEB were pleased to hear that many positive meetings have taken place regarding our India campus.
UEB considered and endorsed two policies: The Ethics Policy for Research, which has been revised to reflect changes in ethical considerations affecting research, including the use of artificial intelligence, and the Electronic Communication for the Purpose of Recruitment of Research Participants Policy. This is a new policy that clarifies the previous position that unsolicited emails should not be used for the recruitment of participants for research conducted at the University. Both policies will now go to our Senate for consideration.