Life at Leeds | 5 November

COP26 is in full flow this week, and so many of us have been following the stories (like this one about Leeds’ research inspiring the names of glaciers) on social media and through the news.

There’s one more week of COP26 to go which you can follow online. If you’re thinking about how else you can get involved, LUU and the Priestley Centre will be hosting a COP26 and sustainability engagement day at Leeds University Union on 11 November. Find out more and how you can get involved.  

Talking about sustainability, it’s Bonfire Night today. For those of you who are new to the UK, this Twitter thread on our student account nicely summarises the history of Bonfire Night. And while there are no official bonfires or firework displays in Leeds, some of you may still want to celebrate the evening with family and friends. If you do, do so with care and be considerate towards others. And...while keeping COP26 in mind – it’s probably a good idea to look at how you can have an eco-friendly Bonfire Night. 

Stay safe.

~ The student communications team ~ 

If you have a question, remember our student information service is available online and in-person, on campus, to help you get the answers and support you need. 

MUST DO THIS WEEK: Review the University’s draft values framework  

Over the past months, we’ve been working together to define our University values and culture. The Big Leeds Conversation is back – giving you the opportunity to review the new values and behaviours that will guide our University community into the future. 

Check your email for your unique link to the draft values framework (from our partners Clever Together) and feedback what you feel is strong, wrong, or missing in an anonymous survey.  

The survey closes on Friday 12 November, so don’t miss your chance to shape the future through our shared values, and help leave a legacy for the students of tomorrow.  

For more information, or if you have difficulties accessing the survey, visit The Big Leeds Conversation’s Frequently Asked Questions. 

Want to learn more about the University’s future? Watch the video below to learn about our new strategy, Universal Values Global Change.  

One for your diary: Join us on Tuesday 16 November for our Healthy Relationships Workshop - a safe space to discuss sexual health and relationships in a confidential setting. 

USEFUL LINKS: Staying safe in Leeds  

We’re keen to do all we can to help you feel and be safer in Leeds. 

We’re working with LUU to understand what we can do to help you feel safer in Leeds and will be focusing on the positive action we can take to make this happen. In the meantime, we want to remind you that your voice is powerful. Your suggestions, ideas and thoughts of how we create a safer Leeds for everyone are essential for positive change to happen. We are here and we will listen. Contact us at studentcommunications@leeds.ac.uk 

Find this week's operating times for Night Bus  

LAST CHANCE to earn money while sharing your views: 

  1. Tell the Digital Education service about your experiences of using captions across our systems. In return, two students who complete the survey by 8 November will have a chance to win £100 each in high street vouchers.  
  2. Join our online research community to help shape and inspire future planning around the campus experience. You’ll need to complete a few tasks and questions over five days from Monday 8 November, which should take around 30 mins each day. In return, you will receive a £25 Giftpay voucher if you complete all the tasks. 
  3. Complete a survey about your time at uni and getting a job by 14 November and you'll have a chance to win £500 or one of 10 £50 runner-up prizes. 
  4. Have your voice heard in the Library (without being sshhh’d) - tell us about your experience of the Library and the services it provides. For a chance to win one of five £50 Love2Shop vouchers.  Past feedback has led to changes to opening hours, allowing hot drinks, improvements to study spaces and better access to plug sockets.  

LEARNING AND SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY OF THE MONTH: PARTICIPATE IN UNION BLACK 

Thanks to our longstanding partnership with Santander Universities, we’re pleased to offer staff and students the opportunity to participate in Union Black. A new 6 hour online learning course on Britain’s black cultures and steps to anti-racism.  The course will help you to challenge racial myths and biases in Britain through the lens of Black cultures and develop your commitment to lasting change.   

The course is available to complete until 3rd December 2021 and can be broken down and completed over several weeks in bite-sized chunks.  The course is operated by the Open University, has been designed in conjunction with leading black academics and is completely free of charge.   

Please sign up via the Santander Scholarships Platform to take part in the course and be in with a chance of winning one of 50 scholarships of £500. 

Don’t forget to look at Union Black on the alumni website on the Alumni website, for more info on the partnership. 

4 other development opportunities to take advantage of... 

  1. Apply to be a member of the University’s *NEW* Mature Student Advisory Board by Wednesday 10 November. 
  2. Check out LinkedIn learning courses recommended for students 
  3. Book your place on an online session to learn more about Masters or Ph.D. study at Leeds 
  4. Join the Sustainability Service in a paid, part-time job – we’re recruiting 12 Student Sustainability Architects!

ICMYI: Health things to tick off your to-do list  

Help limit the spread of Covid:  Read the latest guidance, get tested regularly, wear a mask if you are asked to, and book a PCR test if you are showing symptoms  

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