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The pressures and anxieties for students to perform in post-secondary institutions have always been a factor. Add in the impacts of COVID-19 on the last two years of learning, and the increase of instances of cheating has gone through the roof. Recently, David Rettinger, a professor of psychological science and director of academic integrity programs at the University of Mary Washington sat in on the TechTank Podcast to talk about how American colleges and universities are dealing with cheating. Students are heading back to class soon, and if you are a journalist looking to cover this subject, then let us help with your stories. Dr. David Rettinger is available to speak with media regarding this issue of cheating and academic integrity. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Migrants "forced onto even riskier paths" by UK/France deal to patrol Channel: Dr Maurice Stierl
The UK and French governments have agreed a deal to tackle the rise in people trying to cross the Channel. Read full story on BBC News here. Dr Maurice Stierl, an expert on migrants' and refugees' rights at borders from the University of Warwick (UK), offers his expert comment: "The suggested deal between the UK and France to increase police presence along the northern coasts of France may decrease Channel crossings, though merely temporarily and in no way sustainably. The history of sea migration, both in the Channel and the Mediterranean, shows that increased policing does not end crossings but merely produces lengthier, costlier, and more dangerous migration routes. "Migrants will seek to evade the police presence and be forced onto even riskier paths. In overall figures, and despite being portrayed by the government as an “invasion”, Channel migration is not a significant phenomenon, and the UK is well-equipped to adequately deal with maritime migration, care for those in need, and provide routes to asylum. "Unfortunately, the UK government has only one recipe when dealing with migration, which is to criminalise migration, reinforce border controls, and undermine the right to seek asylum. In this way, already-vulnerable people are not only placed into ever-more precarious situations but are also scapegoated for a range of social ills and policy failures that the government wants to distract the public from." For further information, contact: Luke Walton, International Press Manager, University of Warwick L.Walton.1@warwick.ac.uk +44 (0) 7823 362 150
Ask the Expert: How can I make a smooth return to in-person work?
As COVID-19 restrictions lift, many people are finding themselves getting called back to in-person work environments after 16 months in remote settings. To help those grappling with anxiety and uncertainty surrounding this return to "normal," Angela Hall, associate professor in Michigan State University’s School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, offers tips for making the transition as smooth and stress-free as possible. What are some tips for adjusting from a work-from-home back to a nine-to-five schedule? Practice! Practice getting up early, putting on your work clothes and even retracing your commute. Things like that can get you physically and mentally prepared to get back to the office. Create a daily, a weekly and even a monthly schedule for yourself that you continuously update to not only hold yourself accountable and stay on track with events and meetings, but to get a psychological boost every time you check something off the list. Set new ground rules for interactions with your co-workers. In some offices before the pandemic, hugs and handshakes were totally fine, but now those norms may need to be reconsidered. Just because someone was comfortable with that before doesn't mean they'll be comfortable now, which is why having a conversation about boundaries and comfort zones can ease those anxieties. Be generous with your time when scheduling meetings and assigning yourself tasks. Not only will you probably be juggling virtual and in-person meetings, but you may also have a bunch of people coming to your desk to say hello, especially when you first return. Realize that you may not be as productive as you think you'll be right away. Finally, use this transition as an opportunity to hit the reset button. This is an opportunity to revisit and possibly revamp how you do things at work, so try to put a positive spin on that and think of ways to improve your workday. What are some tangible ways that employees can practice self-care during the workday if they feel anxious or overwhelmed? First, know it's totally normal to feel stressed out right now. Just like it was very stressful when we first went home, this is a new kind of stress. As humans, it’s very stressful any time there are major changes, so give yourself some grace and know it's okay to be anxious. Take time for yourself, even if it's just five minutes. Things like practicing meditation, listening to calming music and going for a walk can make a very big difference. If you feel comfortable, lean on your co-workers. Research shows that social support acts as a buffer between stressors and actual feelings of stress. Be willing to talk to your co-workers, laugh with them and commiserate with them — it can be helpful for both of you. For employees who may be asked to come to the office more often than they may be comfortable, what are some good tactics for addressing those concerns with their supervisors? First of all, be transparent and proactive. Bring your concerns to your boss before you return to the office full time, feel miserable and become resentful. Schedule a time to talk and be open and honest about your concerns. Arm yourself with data. Be prepared to prove your flexibility and productivity with whatever metric you use to measure your success at work, whether that's quotas, numbers, ratings, etc. Let your success over the last year-and-a-half talk for you. Explain your reasons behind wanting to continue working from home at least some of the time. Does the quiet environment help you focus? Does the lack of commute allow you to get more things done? Explain how working from home benefits you and your work performance simultaneously. Finally, predict and address your boss' concerns. Is your boss worried about maintaining a lively office culture? Productivity? Acknowledge these concerns and show how you plan to address them so they won't be an issue later. Finally, what are some things employers can do to help their employees transition smoothly back into the office? Don't expect things to be perfect as soon as people come back. Strongly consider a hybrid model to ease the transition. Have regular check-ins with your employees to discuss comfort levels and individual concerns. Make sure they can still perform everyday office duties, like using a photocopier or using their office phone, as these are skills they haven't used in over a year. If you can, try scheduling meetings for midday rather than early in the morning or at the end of the day. That way, as employees are still getting used to waking up early and spending an entire day at the office, they don't miss any important information if they're tired or burned out. Finally, be open to feedback and employee ideas about how to make the transition smoother and what improvements can be made to make the workplace even better. Keep in mind that even though things may not be exactly how they were before the pandemic, they can still be great in their own way If you're a journalist looking covering the workplace as America begins to transition back - then let our experts help with your coverage. Angela Hall from Michigan State University’s School of Human Resources and Labor Relations is available to speak with media - simply click on her icon now to arrange an interview today.
Ask the Expert: How to make agriculture more sustainable
MSU’s Bruno Basso outlines key steps the grain industry can take — with public support — to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70% over the next decade Michigan State University Foundation Professor Bruno Basso has long been a believer in the power of digital agriculture. For years, he’s worked to show how emerging digital tools and technologies — things like drones, robotics, satellite imagery and computer models of soil and plant growth — can help farmers promote sustainability without sacrificing profits. Now, in addition to belief, he also has concrete numbers. Basso, an ecosystems scientist in the College of Natural Science and the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station, has helped outline how America’s grain industry can shrink its carbon footprint by 71% by 2030. The team — which included researchers at Duke University, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory and Benson Hill, a sustainable food technology company — published its findings online on June 21 in the journal the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Basso, who recently won a $250,000 award for sustainability innovations, sat down with MSUToday to talk about how farmers can achieve those reductions and how the public can help. The full article is attached and well worth the read. Basso tackles tough questions such as: How big is this problem? How much of our greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture? Your new paper focuses on grains in particular. How big of an emitter is grain production, especially compared to other ag sectors such as livestock, which tends to get more attention? You talked about getting a 23% reduction by better management of fertilizer. How do we get to a 70% reduction by 2030? What are the obstacles that we need to overcome by 2030? Are you a journalist looking to cover this topic - then let us help. Bruno Basso is available to speak with media, simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Arguments, debates and protests have been taking place across America with regard to monuments and statues memorializing historical figures from the Confederate army. It’s a topic that has captured the attention of Americans from across the country and especially those from the America’s Southern states. Recently, Georgia Southern University’s Christopher Hendricks, Ph.D., was featured in the news giving his expert perspective on the topic and how America might provide the context behind these moments representing American history. “I think that telling the full story always is a good idea,” said Dr. Christopher Hendricks, a history professor at Georgia Southern University. Hendricks studies early American history and historic preservation. He suggested that we should put the monument into context rather than remove it. “It’s really important to put these things into context,” Hendricks said. “Particularly if you are going to leave them here.” He said that he believes signage explaining the origin and evolution of the memorial would help to establish the monument as a more neutral historical artifact. July 11 – ABC News This is an important topic and if you are a journalist looking to know more about this subject – then let us help. Christopher Hendricks, Ph.D., history professor at Georgia Southern University, is an expert in the areas of early American history and historic preservation. Hendricks is available to speak with media about this topic – simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Aston University secures £2.2m grant to reduce carbon footprint
“The projects that we are investing in at Aston University are expected to save in the region of 2.2 million kWh annually, which will save around 430 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.” Andrew Bryers, Sustainability Manager Aston University £2.2m funding awarded to Aston University by Phase 2 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Public sector being supported in taking a whole building approach to decarbonisation Aston University projects will save around 430 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent Aston University has been successful in its bid for a government grant of over £2 million to reduce its carbon emissions. The £2.2m funding has been awarded by the Phase 2 Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) managed on behalf of the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) by delivery partner Salix Finance. The scheme supports the public sector in taking a 'whole building' approach to decarbonising their estates. It puts the sector at the forefront of decarbonising buildings in the UK, placing it in a leadership role to create exemplar projects in communities that pave the way to help the country meet its carbon budgets and net zero commitments. The grant funding secured by Aston University will be invested in a variety of carbon reduction projects including: Andrew Bryers, sustainability manager at Aston University, said: “One of the greatest challenges today in meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero target is decarbonising the way buildings are heated. In fact, most of the buildings in the public sector still rely on fossil fuel-based heating and as these heating systems approach the end of their working lives it is an ideal opportunity to transition to low carbon heating.” “The projects that we are investing in at Aston University are expected to save in the region of 2.2 million kWh annually, which will save around 430 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.”
Aston University celebrates launch of first wave of Institutes of Technology
"There remains a significant national skills shortage for engineering and we are pleased to be helping to address this through the provision of courses for young people wanting to progress to higher technical education, adult learners and people who want to develop their engineering skills." Professor Sarah Hainsworth Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean of the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences Aston University Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are collaborations between further education (FE) providers, universities and employers IoTs focus on the specific technical skills needs required in their local area They provide employers with a skilled workforce and students with a clear route to technical employment Aston University is joining in a nationwide celebration to mark the launch of the first wave of 12 Institutes of Technology on Thursday 8 July. Institutes of Technology (IoTs) are collaborations between further education (FE) providers, universities and employers. They specialise in delivering higher technical education (at Levels 4 and 5 – equivalent to the first and second year of a degree) with a focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, such as engineering, digital and construction. IoTs focus on the specific technical skills required in their local area. They will provide employers with a skilled workforce and students with a clear route to technical employment. By bridging skills gaps, these new institutions will drive growth and widen opportunity. Gillian Keegan, minister for apprenticeships and skills, said: “Institutes of Technology are the pinnacle of technical education, helping to develop the highly-skilled talent pipeline employers will need for the future. “By bringing together Further Education colleges, universities and businesses, Institutes of Technology are unique partnerships which will help to tackle skills shortages in vital sectors, from marine engineering to healthcare, cyber security to agri-tech. “Institutes of Technology are also playing a vital role in our multi-billion Plan for Jobs, which is helping to level up opportunities and support people to get the skills they need to get good jobs as we recover from the pandemic.” The Greater Birmingham and Solihull IoT has brought together the most innovative education providers within the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership area with leading industry stakeholders to create a powerhouse for advanced manufacturing and engineering. The consortium is led by Solihull College & University Centre, Aston University and Birmingham City University, working alongside South and City College Birmingham as a core partner and supported by BMET College, University College Birmingham and the University of Birmingham. The partnership will jointly design, develop and widen education and training opportunities aligned to the latest skills needs of leading-edge employers and the local, regional and national economy. The group will target under-represented learners, facilitating clear opportunities for progression from school to high-level occupations. In this new video, partners and employers explain what the IoT means to them: The following passage was included in the recent Government Skills for Jobs white paper, with the GBS Institute of Technology highlighted as an example of good practice: Government Skills for Jobs white paper Building work has started on the GBSIoT Hub at Aston University. It will be completed at the end of 2021 and will be an innovative hub, providing a fabulous resource for students and learners from across the region. Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology is all about two things: economic growth and prosperity. The Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology is going to give us wonderful new skills in the sectors of the economy that are really growing fast here.” Professor Sarah Hainsworth, pro-vice chancellor and executive dean of the College of Engineering & Physical Sciences at Aston University, said: “We are delighted to be working with our partners on the Greater Birmingham and Solihull IOT for Advanced Manufacturing. It has been really exciting to see the work progressing on delivering the new Hub for students and learners on the campus at Aston University. "There remains a significant national skills shortage for engineering and we are pleased to be helping to address this through the provision of courses for young people wanting to progress to higher technical education, adult learners and people who want to develop their engineering skills. "The Hub will be home to a new cyber physical manufacturing rig which will create a simulated working environment linked to advancing Industry 4.0 technology and state of the art digital facilities and I really look forward to when it becomes the new home for our IoT students.” Find out more about the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology at www.gbsiot.ac.uk
Aston University graduates among highest paid in the country, new data reveals
"We continue to regularly meet with industry to ensure that the content of our courses meets the needs of the labour market, which is reflected in these findings." Saskia Loer Hansen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Engagement Median earnings of employed Aston University graduates are £33,400 five years after graduation - the 20th largest in the UK Range of subject disciplines offered at Aston University have high median salaries Graduates from allied health subjects had the 5th largest median salary five years after graduation at £37,200. Graduates of Aston University are among the highest paid in the country five years after graduating, according to new data released by the Department for Education. The 2021 Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) data shows that employed Aston University graduates have the 20th largest median salary overall five years after graduation at £33,400, compared with £24,900 sector average Subject level data in the LEO reveals that graduates from allied health subjects at Aston University had the fifth-largest median salary five years after graduation at £37,200, which is over £11,000 more than the sector average. It’s also good news for sociology and social policy graduates, with the median earnings in those subjects at £32,500 five years after graduation, the fourth largest in the country. Graduates from the materials and technology courses at Aston University earn a median salary of £42,000 five years after graduation which reflects the performance of the University’s logistics graduates. Speaking on the LEO data, Saskia Loer Hansen, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Engagement at Aston University, said: “We are delighted to see this recognition that our graduates are highly employable and go on to secure fulfilling and well-paid jobs once they have graduated. “It is fantastic to see the University appearing in the top 20 when it comes to median salaries five years after graduating, with an increase of £200 compared to last year’s results. “This is the 5th year of LEO and Aston University has always fared well and is among the top 20 largest median salaries five years after graduation for the 2nd year in a row. “We continue to regularly meet with industry to ensure that the content of our courses meets the needs of the labour market, which is reflected in these findings. It once again shows Aston University offers great value for money when it comes to employability. “We also work hard to ensure that students have a positive learning experience when they study with us and I am confident that the quality of this experience contributes to the great longer-term employment outcomes for Aston University graduates as measured by LEO.” The LEO analysis also shows that the University’s new graduates quickly earn good incomes with a median salary of £23,000 one year after the end of their courses, which is £4,400 higher than the sector average of £18,600.
Aston University cyber security experts shape government policy around resilience of supply chains
"Cyber security of any organisation, inclusive of its supply chain, should be promoted in conjunction with other organisational targets, such as profitability, productivity and financial/operational risk management" Professor Vladlena Benson, Aston University Researchers from Aston University’s Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Research Centre have been invited to respond to the call for evidence by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) The centre works with businesses to help improve resilience to cyber attacks It comes after a series of high-profile attacks on managed service providers affecting thousands of firms and compromising government agencies. Experts from the Cyber Security Innovation (CSI) Research Centre at Aston University have responded to a call for evidence by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on cyber security in supply chains and managed service providers. The CSI centre works with businesses to help improve their security posture and develops state-of-the-art solutions for supply chain resilience and business continuity. Recent research1 from the centre explored organisational approaches to supply chain management in the West Midlands, specifically in the times of remote arrangements and when traditional business continuity practices in supply chain management have been challenged. It comes as two high profile attacks (SolarWinds and Kesya) on managed service providers threatened the world and brought to a standstill credit card processing for major retail chains in Sweden, while US government officials' personal data was compromised. The €6.9m TRACE project, an EU-funded scheme of which Aston University is a key partner, addresses these issues and kicked off on Friday 9 July 2021. Professor Vladlena Benson, director of the CSI at Aston Business School, recently attended a round table by the Minister of Digital Infrastructure. She said: “Based on the conclusions of our research, we make a recommendation that cyber security of any organisation, inclusive of its supply chain, should be promoted in conjunction with other organisational targets, such as profitability, productivity and financial/operational risk management. “The identification and promotion of synergies between cyber security, profitability and productivity is a strong driver to ensure that, at a senior level, organisations take responsibility and accountability for effective cyber risk management. Dr Donato Masi, from the CSI Centre at Aston University, said: “Profitability or productivity are close to the competitive advantage of the firm and security of the supply chain of any organisation underpins its longevity on the market it operates in. “Investment in cyber security measures, including supply chain risk assessment and counter-threat controls, should be viewed as a ‘cost of doing business’ and business success and/or longevity.” 1Find out more about the research of the CSI Centre here
Clean, Silent Energy Whenever You Need It
Sitting on the dock on a quiet evening, it’s easy to take electricity for granted. It’s silent, odourless, and always available… until the power goes out. Francois Byrne is an engineer who has spent years developing power backup and replacement systems that work silently and with no fumes, supplying power when the hydro grid goes down, and even replacing that grid entirely with a solar- or wind-powered battery system. He is the owner of Hybrid Power Solutions. “We’re a Canadian manufacturer, specializing in attractive, easy-to-use power systems that work seamlessly and supply as much power as our customers need, no matter where they are,” says Francois. That might mean powering tools and equipment on a construction site or a mine located far from the electrical grid, or a military site or a film shoot where the noise of generators is unacceptable. And it can mean powering a bunkie that’s beyond reach of hydro lines, or providing silent backup power for homes and cottages. Power Tower For whole-home power supplies, Francois recommends the Power Tower. “Our Power Tower is a scalable system that’s incredibly easy to use,” says Francois. “There’s no maintenance, no fuel to buy. You simply wire it in to your home and forget about it.” Solar panels allow the Tower to supply power regardless of whether the electrical grid is operating. “It’s a great way to help offset the cost of hydro or get completely off the grid,” Francois explains, adding that wind turbines can also feed in to the Power Tower. “And when the power grid goes down because of a storm or some other reason, the system just keeps on supplying energy.” “It’s a power backup system that actually pays for itself over time.” Whole home or portable options The Power Tower is capable of offering 6,000 watts of continuous power and up to 18,000 watts of surge power at 120- and 240-volts, plenty of power to make true off-grid living a reality. As many as 15 lithium-ion batteries can be connected to the wall-mounted control unit. “We work directly with our customers to help them find the best power solution for their situation,” says Francois. Hybrid Power Solutions also offers smaller, more portable units that are suitable for boats and trailers and RVs, as well as smaller cabins and bunkies. “You still want power when you’re at the lake or in the woods, but you want it to be silent,” says Francois. “That’s what we supply. No fumes, no noise, no fuss – just clean, reliable electricity wherever you need it to be.” Originally published in Muskoka Life Magazine.
