Brum Bulletin: New year, new events to fill your calendar
Spoilers ahead! Here's a small selection of what's inside:
- What's on for Black History Month.
- New updates to campus.
- Have you completed our consent training yet?
- Win £500 towards your food shop.
- You have access to Canva Pro for free.
- Fancy winning the most huggable plushie at UoB? Enter our competition.
The latest news (what you should know)
Black History Month is coming up
Every year in October, the UK celebrates Black History Month. This is a time to recognise and celebrate the cultures and histories of our Black communities.
Join us in celebrating with a range of events designed to honour this year's theme 'Honouring our communities' - spotlighting the people whose everyday contributions shape, support and sustain Black life across the UK.
To kick things off, we're hosting an Intersectional Book Club (tomorrow, 12:30-13:30, online) (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/intersectional-book-club-virtual-event-tickets-2000014424984) to discuss the We See Things They'll Never See: love, hope and neurodiversity by Chantelle Lewis and Jason Arday.
Plus we're marking the month on socials @UniBirmingham, celebrating everything from Black-owned businesses to the people making a difference in our communities. Browse all the Black History Month events.
New pharmacy on campus
Open Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00, Selly Pharmacy has opened in University Centre and is making it easier for you to look after your health without having to leave campus
Say hello to Talking Space
Partnered with Birmingham Mind, Talking Space provides a safe and confidential environment for you to discuss your experiences, both personal and academic.
Your new campus map
We know the Campus Map is essential in helping you navigate campus. Whether you're new to UoB, or returning for another year, here's the changes to look out for.
Creating a safer space on campus together
Have you completed our 'Lead the Change' course in Canvas? Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected during their time at university. One way we can all help do this is by building a positive culture around relationships, sexual health and consent. Looking out for each other is an important part of being in our student community and takes more steps towards creating a safer space on campus together.
Win £500 towards your food shop
Whether you're stocking up on groceries, buying lunch on campus or ordering a takeaway after a long day, food costs soon add up. Santander's Fuel Your Studies prize draw is offering 150 students the chance to win £500 in food and grocery vouchers.
Did you know you have Canva Pro for free?
Canva Pro lets you create polished, professional-looking content. You can use it for range of tasks including presentations, posters, infographics, CVs, portfolios and social media content. The best part? You have it for free.
Dates for your diary (things to do)
Community Wellbeing Cafe
Thursday 1 October, 13:00-15:00
Guild of Students, Reception area
Come along and unwind with therapy dogs, free refreshments, crafts, and activities to help you chill and teak a break from busy uni life.
International Students' Meet & Greet
Thursday 1 October, 15:00-17:00
Amos, Guild of Students
The Meet and Greet is the perfect opportunity to make some new friends and share experiences, and a chance to meet your student Officers who represent you, such as your International Officer.
Night at the Museum - Lapworth Museum After Hours
Thursday 1 October, 19:00-21:00
Lapworth Museum
Join us to watch Night at the Museum (2006) for free in the most fitting venue around - the Lapworth Museum itself!
Houseplant Sale
Until Friday 2 October, 10:00-19:00
Staff House
Discover thousands of plants, with over 250 different types, in all shapes & sizes. Find a large choice of colourful pots & many other plant accessories too!
Fairtrade Fortnight
Until Sunday 4 October
To mark Fairtrade Fortnight, Food Fellows is giving away free cups of Fairtrade tea! Collects yours on Friday 2 October from Fellows Coffee Shops at the Bramall and Library and Muirhead Cafe. What do you know about Faitrade goods at UoB?
Upcoming Careers Fairs
Deloitte Meet your Future
Tuesday 6 October 10:30-15:30
Law Building, Under the arches
Get an authentic glimpse into the people behind Deloitte and the different career journeys available.
Autumn Careers Fair
Wednesday 7 October, 10:30-15:00
Aston Webb, Great Hall
Meet employers and graduates and explore graduate and work experience opportunities, no matter what stage of your career planning you are at.
Law career for non-law students
Tuesday 13 October, 16:00-17:00
Discover how you can apply for law training contracts and how you can train as a lawyer, as a student who isn't studying Law.
STEM Careers Fair
Wednesday 14 October, 10:30-15:00
Aston Webb, Great Hall
Join us to discover a wide range of career paths in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematic and connect with recruiters.
Joe Lycett brings the dead back to life (kinda)
The exhibition brings together dozens of never-seen-before pieces. From extinct animals to discontinued chocolate bars and destroyed buildings, Joe's subjects are presented in a signature tongue-in-cheek and childlike style.
PGR Corner
Welcome to Westmere drop-in
Whether you are new to postgraduate research or returning this year, join the University Doctoral School (UDS) for a relaxed drop-in at Westmere House (the University’s PGR Hub) on Tuesday 13 October 12-4pm. Explore the building, enjoy free refreshments, meet the UDS team, and discover resources available to you throughout your research.
PGR what’s on page: Explore events beyond your research
The PGR What’s On page is your gateway to a wide range of opportunities beyond day-to-day research. Discover and shape your PGR experience with events that support your personal development, help you plan future career steps, and importantly connect you with researchers across the University.
Online group coaching: Support for every stage of your research
Wherever you are in your research, Online Group Coaching can help you set realistic goals, navigate challenges and make progress towards your objectives. Led by Dr Vikki Wright, these sessions provide a welcoming environment to reflect, share experiences, and learn practical techniques that support both wellbeing and progress.
Postgraduate Ambassador opportunities
Looking for part-time work? Apply now to earn money alongside your PhD and gain professional skills attractive to many employers.
PGT Corner
Get the most out of your Masters
The Academic Skills Centre’s PGT Essentials workshops cover everything from getting started and finding research, to reading critically and improving your writing.
Postgraduate Ambassador opportunities
Looking for part-time work? Apply now to earn money alongside your Masters and gain professional skills attractive to many employers.
Meet the VC
What does it take to be a Vice-Chancellor? Student Holly sat down with Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, to get to know the person behind the role and hear about his plans for UoB.
Nice work, you've unlocked a freebie!
The most huggable plushie on campus
Our Old Joe soft toy has already racked up a bunch of adoring fans on Instagram. To celebrate that you can now pre-order your very own from the UoB gift shop, we're giving one away for free! Enter the giveaway.
And finally (any other random bits)
Turn your student life into content - and get paid for it!
Already making TikToks, vlogs or Reels? Or always wanted to start creating? Whether you're an undergraduate or postgraduate, we're looking for students to join our Student Content Shapers team to bring your UoB experience to life across the University's social channels. You don't need to be a professional creator, just someone who is comfortable in front of a camera and willing to get involved in experiences, events and opportunities to create content our student community will want to watch and share. Sounds like you? Reach out to us!
Get Co-op membership for £1 and unlock savings on campus
A Co-op membership costs just £1 and gives you access to exclusive member prices, including meals deals for just £4.10. Co-op University Centre is now also available on Uber Eats, making it even easier to get your essentials delivered straight to your door.
If you have any suggestions for the student newsletter please email: studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk.