Brum Bulletin 8 February 2023
The Brum Bulletin - your student news
In this issue...
- Read one student's reflections on the importance of LGBTQ+ History Month.
- Have Your Say in one of our student surveys
- What a week at UoBe Festival!
- Win a free hot drink and cake at The Exchange.
News
We are here to support you
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
The University community is a global one and we understand that many students and staff may have friends and family in the affected regions.
There is always someone to talk to for emotional support 24/7 through our UB Heard Helpline. You can call the team anytime, contact details here. You can also contact the wellbeing officers in your academic school for practical advice and support. Find your wellbeing officer here.
It's LGBTQ+ History Month
This month we celebrate LGBTQ+ people, their histories and lived experiences and raise awareness among the University community. Read Arianna's story.
How was your UoBe Festival?
What a week! This year's UoBe Festival has come to a close. Can you spot yourself in our round-up of the event. Watch our wrap up reel.
Have Your Say
Make your voice heard through either the NSS survey or UKES survey, open to undergraduate students until Saturday 30 April. Find out more.
This is your chance to tell us about your university experience and help shape the future of UoB. Watch our video.
PG Corner
Welcome to our Postgraduate section. Here you can find the latest updates specifically for taught (PGT) and research (PGR) postgraduates!
UGS Talks: Inspiration from Our Postgraduate Alumni
UGS Talks brings UoB’s postgraduate community together with a range of thought-provoking, interdisciplinary talks introduced by senior academic staff. If you missed our January event, which invited two UoB postgraduate alumni to share the journeys of their careers after postgraduate study, you can now watch it on the University Graduate School YouTube Channel. Keep up to date with past and future UGS Talks.
Semester Two Postgraduate Events
Looking for new ways to meet like-minded people in your postgraduate community? Check out upcoming University Graduate School events for PGTs, including PGT Café socials for part-time and distance students, and events for PGRs, such as our PhD Chat especially for international students.
We’re also supporting our PGRs online and in-person with dedicated mental health workshops and online group coaching in February and beyond. The workshops are led by Bloomwise, a dedicated mental health consultancy set up by two UoB PGRs, and the coaching is delivered by the PhD Life Coach, Dr Vikki Burns.
Find out more about Bloomwise workshops on mental health, and book your place and join the online group coaching sessions for PGRs.
PG Skills
PG Skills is a training series helping you to develop the skills sought after in the world of work. The next PG Skills workshop focuses on emotional intelligence for the workplace: exploring why emotional intelligence is a critical skill to develop and the close link with self-awareness and building effective relationships in the workplace. Join the session Tuesday 21 February, 14:00-15.30 in Muirhead Tower room 420 by booking your place, and explore past and future PG Skills workshops and resources.
Cost of Living reminder
You are not alone. Explore our support page which talks through practical changes and initiatives that can help you take control of your finances and the help that is available if you are struggling. Access support pages.
Our diary picks
Free tickets for Postgrad LIVE
Tuesday 14 February, between 12:00-15:00
Aston Webb, Great Hall
Thinking about Masters or PhD study? Don't miss the FREE study fair where you can get get face-to-face advice on applications, tailored and independent funding tips, and an exclusive seat at an expert-led talks programme. More information.
UoB Christian Union Events Week
Monday 13 - Friday 17 February, all day (until 9pm)
Marquee next to Old Joe
Join UoB Christian Union for daily events exploring the Christian faith and life's biggest questions. Open to all - with free meals, live music and a chill café space. Find out more.
SMART Recovery Group
Every Wednesday, between 1:30-3:00
Aston Webb Building, the Beale Room
SMART stands for Self-Management and Recovery Training and is a group programme for anyone struggling with addiction, whether that’s substance misuse or behavioural addiction. It’s a practical and science-based group that teaches participants key skills in cutting down, stopping, and making changes to build a healthier routine. More info.
What's on in Brum
Visit a major exhibition by much-loved British artist Sir Grayson Perry from Thursday 2 February - Sunday 23 April. Taking place at the Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), close to the University. Book tickets.
And finally...
MyUoB App drop-in session
Wednesday 15 February, between 09:00-16:00
ARTS 141
Do you have any questions or feedback about MyUoB and your digital experience? Come and find the app team to discuss and help yourself to a snack while you tell us all about your loves, hates, suggestions, and opinions about MyUoB. We’d love to see you!
Industrial Action reminder
A reminder that the University and College Union (UCU), which represents some academic and academic-related staff at the University, have planned strike action throughout February and March 2023.
Have any questions? Explore our FAQs page.
Apply to be an Officer at the Guild
Apply to become an Officer and represent the 41,000 students at UoB. Being an Officer is no regular job; one day you’ll be meeting with leaders at the University to drive positive change for students, the next, you’ll be planning the Guild's activity at a large-scale event such as Welcome Week. Apply and find out more.
Did someone say free cake?
Win a £15 voucher in the café at the Exchange and explore their newest exhibition. Enter now.
If you have any suggestions for the student newsletter please email: studentcommunications@contacts.bham.ac.uk.