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Aston University partners with Shoosmiths to open up opportunities to study a law degree
Pathways to Law in partnership with Shoosmiths will launch in September 2022 Up to 30 Year 12 students per 18-month cohort will complete the initiative Aston University will host information, advice and guidance sessions as well as law taster sessions at the University as part of the programme. A programme to support students from under-represented backgrounds towards a career in law has been launched by Aston University in partnership with leading law firm Shoosmiths. The Pathways to Law will launch in September 2022 with up to 30 Year 12 students taking part in an 18-month programme of activities to give academically-able, disadvantaged students the chance to develop important key skills in preparing to study a law degree. The government made an announcement about its plans for improving access, participation and outreach initiatives in November 2021, calling for more work style pathways from universities, schools and companies in the West Midlands. Aston University will host several information, advice and guidance sessions as well as law taster sessions on campus over the 18-month programme. Shoosmiths will host three core events: Routes in to Law (Year 12 Feb 2023), Professional Skills and Employability (Year 12 June 2023) and a networking event hosted by Shoosmiths (Year 13 October 2023). Saskia Loer Hansen, Interim Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for prospective law students from across the West Midlands. “Aston University is proud of its track record on social mobility. Research by the UK government’s Social Mobility Commission shows that even when those from working class backgrounds gain access to professional occupations, they go on to earn an average of £6,000 less per year than colleagues from more advantaged backgrounds – a ‘class pay gap’ that persists even when they have the same education, training and experience. “We hope that initiatives like this will help close the class pay gap further and look forward to opening applications in summer 2022.” Alex Bishop, Partner and Co-head of Shoosmiths’ Birmingham office said: “Initiatives like Pathways to Law are an important part of our firm’s continued commitment to advancing social mobility. “It is wonderful to see Victoria Potts, one of our stellar Birmingham lawyers so passionate about driving forwards social mobility through this new programme to offer more potential opportunities for young people in our city who might otherwise feel a career in law is beyond their reach.” Victoria Potts, Associate at Shoosmiths who is leading on the creation and delivery of the programme said: “I am looking forward to partnering with Aston University to work to open up the legal profession for students who would not normally see their career within it. “All of the students who will be selected for the programme will meet widening participation criteria set by the higher education regulatory body, the Office for Students, and be based in the West Midlands area. “We are keen to develop a pathway which widens the social profile of candidates in the legal profession and is representative of the community it serves. “These activities will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the students and will help level the playing field for their progression into higher education and the legal profession.”
Aston University encourages SMEs to sign up to Innovation Workshops to support business growth
SMEs with a registered or trading address in Birmingham, Solihull, Redditch, Bromsgrove or the Wyre Forest are invited to attend The full series consists of three workshops hosted by academics from Aston Business School and Birmingham City Business School The workshops are part of the Innovation Vouchers scheme to help drive innovation and business growth SMEs with a registered or trading address in Birmingham, Solihull, Redditch, Bromsgrove, or the Wyre Forest have been invited to attend Aston Business School’s Innovation Workshops. The free1 workshops are part of the Innovation Vouchers project, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The full series consists of three workshops hosted by academics from Aston Business School and Birmingham City Business School on 2, 9 and 23 February 2022 running from 9.30 am to 5.00 pm at The Eastside Rooms in central Birmingham. The academics include Innovation Vouchers project director Professor Nick Theodorakopoulos and head of Aston Business School Professor Pawan Budhwar. The workshops are on three key areas: 2 February 2022: Envisioning Growth through Innovation 9 February 2022: Leadership & Strategy for Innovation 23 February 2022: Marketing for Innovation Attendees who attend all workshop sessions will receive a ‘Managing Innovation in Business’ certificate from Aston Business School. Nick Theodorakopoulos, professor of entrepreneurship development and Innovation Vouchers project director at Aston Business School, said: “The Innovation Workshops support small-and-medium sized businesses to build their capacity to innovate and grow. “Independent evaluations from the previous project phases have showed that workshops have a positive impact on attendees, resulting in substantial increases in gross value added and new job creation. “The staff who deliver the workshops are experts in their field with excellent industry experience. I would encourage businesses owners to attend the Innovation Workshops and grow their business.” Tickets for the Innovation Workshops are available HERE. Notes to Editors 1The workshops are free for eligible businesses. However, de minimis rules apply. The support we plan to provide through the workshops will comply with the State Aid rules using the de minimis exemption (in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1407/2013, OJ L 352/1). Under this exemption a single undertaking may receive up to the limit of €200,000 of De Minimis aid from the Member State within which it does business and which provides the aid over any period of three fiscal years. To attend the workshops, you will be asked to complete a Statement of Previous Aid received under the De Minimis exemption and arrange for a director of your business to sign it. Using this information we will assess your eligibility to receive assistance. About Innovation Vouchers European Regional Development Fund The project is receiving up to £803,273 of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (and in London the intermediate body Greater London Authority) is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund. Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding Workshop Times and Dates All Innovation Workshops start at 9.30am and end at 5pm.
Aston University opens applications for Midlands’ Pitch Up investment competition
The Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up Competition is aimed at small business leaders looking for support with gaining investment Ambitious business leaders can improve their ability to win investment while boosting their profile The final will take place at Venturefest on 24 March 2022 at Eastside Rooms. Applications to Minerva Birmingham’s Pitch Up 2022 competition have opened. Formerly known as ‘Pitchfest WM’ and now in its 7th year, participating businesses have the chance to pitch head-to-head to a variety of investors to win a cash prize, and the ultimate accolade of Pitch Up Champion. Pitch Up is a collaboration, co-delivered by the Aston Centre for Growth, University of Birmingham Enterprise, and Minerva Business Angels, part of the University of Warwick Science Park Ltd. The competition provides the opportunity for ambitious business leaders to improve their ability to win investment while simultaneously boosting their business profile. Interested business leaders can apply here, applications close on 28th February. Shortlisted applicants will be supported through a workshop to refine their pitch deck, sharpen their pitching skills and receive valuable feedback in order to improve. The first workshop will take place on 20 January 2022. A select number of successful applicants will then advance to the next stage of the competition and have the opportunity pitch to an investor-led panel to gain more practice and receive more feedback. The best performing businesses will then be selected to pitch at the prestigious Pitch Up Final. This will take place as part of Venturefest WM on 24 March 2022 at Eastside Rooms, Birmingham. Venturefest attracts some 300 delegates including investors, entrepreneurs and innovators. The overall winner will be decided by audience vote and crowned Pitch Up Champion 2022, they will receive a cash prize and the option of additional support from Minerva Birmingham. Last year’s winner, Mark Platt Founder and CTO of Figura Analytics, said: “I was really amazed to win last year’s competition and delighted at the new connections and networks I made as part of the process. “The support received through the competition was fantastic; each workshop I attended allowed me to meet new people, learn new skills and left me energised and eager for more. Our winning pitch was definitely the result of some really insightful advice and feedback from the team and panel members.” The event has put more than 125 entrepreneurs directly in front of investors and helped bring in excess of £40,000,000 of investment to the region's small businesses to date. Paula Whitehouse, director of Aston Centre for Growth, said: “We are delighted to continue this collaboration, Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up exists to boost access to finance for the region’s most exciting and innovative young businesses. “The competition continues to play a crucial role in unlocking opportunities and investment for the future of high growth companies within the region.” Alex Toft, head of Minerva Business Angels, part of the University of Warwick Science Park Ltd. said: “It’s great to be part of such a collaborative relationship building not only support for our entrepreneurs but helping to build that support structure of finance and experience provided by investors. “This is a great opportunity for those earlier in their development cycle who would otherwise struggle to get noticed. We also continue to call on those who have never considered angel investing to join to reach out to us to find out more.” David Coleman, CEO of University of Birmingham Enterprise said: “Within the Midlands, there is a clear disparity between the large proportion of the UK's high-growth companies that are based here, and the investment secured. “That's why collaborative programmes like Pitch Up, which engage a diverse range of investors, are so important to increasing the likelihood of companies securing the funding they need.” Find out more about Pitch Up, by contacting centreforgrowth@aston.ac.uk, visiting Minerva Birmingham Pitch Up or apply now here.
Ask an Expert: Should Gaming Companies Release Their Latest, Greatest Platform Updates Early?
Late last year, Emory Business published an excellent article featuring research by Emory’s Ramnath K. Chellappa. An excerpt is included below and an attachment to the full article is attached as well. In June 2016, Xbox executive Phil Spencer told technology blog The Verge that it might be “crazy to announce something this early” as he unveiled the release of Xbox One X. It was a full year before the gaming console was set to hit the market. But Spencer, executive vice president of gaming at Microsoft, did so to arm customers with “as much information as possible.” He also wanted to communicate to developers what tools they’d have at their disposal. However, new research by Ramnath K. Chellappa, professor of Information Systems & Operations Management; associate dean and academic director for the MS in Business Analytics at Goizueta Business School, and Rajiv Mukherjee, assistant professor of information and operations management, Texas A&M University Mays Business School, shows that these types of preannouncements, no matter how informative, may not always be in a company’s best interests. According to Chellappa and Mukherjee, the value of preannouncing the latest and greatest features of a gaming console isn’t nearly as straightforward as the value gained by alerting customers to a new version of a Ford F150. While it may sound counterintuitive, as Chellappa and Mukherjee explain in their recent paper, “Platform Preannouncement Strategies: The Strategic Role of Information in Two-Sided Markets Competition,” sometimes the best way to announce new features in a platform-based world is by saying nothing at all. “We’re dealing with an ecosystem when we buy platforms,” Chellappa explains. “There’s a big difference between how products provide utility to an end-user versus how platforms provide utility to two sides of a market, one of which might be end-users.” When a company unveils a new version of a bicycle or television, there isn’t an ecosystem associated with those products. “But when you buy a gaming console, the value of you owning that console goes up as more of your friends play the same console,” Chellappa says. In their paper, the authors refer to this type of value as “same-side network effects.” In the platform world, Chellappa adds, there are also “cross-side network effects” in play—that the value of the gaming console goes up as more games are developed for that console. While many studies in marketing have focused on product preannouncements, the pair’s paper, published in Management Science earlier this year, is the first to study the use of preannouncements as a strategic lever for platforms rather than products. To conduct their research, the authors used game theoretic analysis to study three specific preannouncement strategies: formal (advertising, participating in tradeshows, developer training programs); informal (releasing information on a user or developer forum); and no announcement at all. The authors use Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s PlayStation gaming consoles as the primary setup in their paper (although their findings are generalizable to similar platforms). What Chellappa and Mukherjee found was that there were scenarios where it made sense to preannounce, but other scenarios where companies would be better off making either a lackluster preannouncement or none at all. “You would think that if I’m going to put out a new platform that has a lot of new features, I should inform the market about all those things,” explains Chellappa. “But what we find is that sometimes the competitive effects can force you not to announce much about the products you’re releasing because it might create a kind of a price competition.” For instance, a headline in an August 2020 blog in tomsguide.com comparing Xbox One X to Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro, stated: “The Xbox One has more power than the PlayStation 4 Pro, but Sony fights back with an incredible game lineup and a lower price.” The article also includes insight including: Agents and Developers Create Business Model for Two-Sided Markets and Strategic Preannouncements Push Prices and Licensing Fees Higher The article is attached here – it’s well worth reading the entire piece. Gaming is a billion-dollar business – and if you are looking to know more about this subject – then let our experts help. Dr. Ramnath K. Chellappa is Associate Dean and Academic Director of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program. He is also the Goizueta Foundation Term Professor of Information Systems & Operations Management at the Goizueta Business School, Emory University. Ramnath is available to speak with media regarding this topic – simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.
Georgia Southern University was selected as a finalist for the Chapter of the Year awarded by Student Veterans of America (SVA), an organization focused on advocating for and advancing resources for veterans in higher education. The University has SVA chapters on the Statesboro Campus and Armstrong Campus in Savannah, both of which were recognized with the award. “I am so proud of both of our SVA Chapters,” said Col. George Fredrick, Ed.D., director of Military and Veteran Services. “They offer truly outstanding support to our military-connected student population at Eagle Nation.” While this is the first time Georgia Southern has been a contender for this acknowledgement, the University has a tradition of being recognized for its investment in the military community. The Army ROTC program was established in 1980, and has won the MacArthur Award four times since 2009 for being one of the nation’s top ROTC programs. The Military Times publication named Georgia Southern as a Top 15 Best for Vets 4-year school for five consecutive years, including in 2019 when the University was ranked No. 1. Because the University operates near Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah and Fort Stewart in Hinesville, a number of students, faculty and staff are enlisted, retired or spouses of military members. Richelle Keilholz, Ed.D., is the staff advisor for SVA-Armstrong, and she believes this makes the campus community and military community deeply intertwined. “They become part of the campus culture, and I think that’s where you start to see that excellence comes when you have that kind of devotion,” said Keilholz. “You want to see our military service members, our family members and our spouses succeed in the military community and in higher education.” Georgia Southern’s relationship with veterans isn’t common among other universities, said military veteran project coordinator Rudy Duero. Many veterans feel overlooked and are an “untapped resource,” but not at Georgia Southern. “It’s awesome to have a group of individuals at the executive level who care and respect the opinions of the veteran students,” Duero said. “Veterans are being heard and they know that they’re being heard when they have good leadership representing them. The communication is always open.” Georgia Southern is one of five schools to be named a finalist for the award. The University sent a delegation to Orlando to attend the awards ceremony on Jan. 7. Academic and financial resources for veterans looking to pursue a degree can be found here. And if you’re a journalist looking to cover how Georgia Southern is working to support our veterans and the university’s military veteran project – then let us help. Rudy Duero is available to answer your questions - simply reach out to Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Research offers larger implications for health care environments Some of the most dangerous contaminants aren’t visible to the naked eye, but Georgia Southern University researchers are working to protect construction workers from this invisible danger. In the construction world, chronic exposure to crystalline silica, which is present in dust particles created from drilling, grinding and sawing on job sites, can lead to serious medical issues and preventable fatalities. Atin Adhikari, Ph.D, associate professor in Georgia Southern’s Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, has been awarded a $28,400 grant from Poma 22, LLC, to test new air curtain technology that could protect construction workers from hazardous fine dust particles. As the principal investigator (PI), Adhikari will work with co-PIs Aniruddha Mitra, Ph.D, professor of mechanical engineering, and Saman Hedjazi, Ph.D, assistant professor of civil engineering and construction management, from Georgia Southern’s Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing. “This research is important and innovative because we will test a revolutionary technology against fine dust exposure in construction sites that integrates a filtered air duct system into a hard hat, creating an air curtain or armor,” said Adhikari. “If we get a promising result, then this technology can be applied against other types of particles including bioparticles present in healthcare work environments.” Graduate research assistant Victoria Clower, who is earning a Master of Public Health in environmental health sciences, values her involvement in life-changing research. “This study of new technology on dust exposure control in construction sites will be very valuable with the quantifiable results showing the effectiveness of the air curtain technology,” she said. “As someone who is interested in occupational health, I am excited to work on a study that may provide an opportunity for other innovations for workplace safety to improve.” The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational and Safety Health Administration estimates roughly 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica at work. Workers at risk can develop lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and kidney disease. In addition, approximately 500 preventable silica-related deaths occur each year. As an environmental public health researcher, Adhikari has published numerous peer-reviewed studies on air quality and filtration. This project will focus on testing a newly developed respiratory protection technology, the Z Flow Pro helmet, which provides a downward draft through the front of the helmet, creating an air curtain in front of the worker’s face. Previous research has found that the air curtain is strong enough to deflect larger, visible particles. Adhikari and his team will conduct comprehensive field testing of this new technology to determine if it is also effective protection against fine particles, providing valuable information and justification on the readiness level of this product to protect construction workers. If you’re a journalist looking to cover this new testing that Georgia Southern is a major part of – then let us help. Atin Adhikari is available to answer your questions - simply reach out to Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.
Good COP or bad COP? | The Aston Angle
Four Aston University experts reflect on COP26 and what it means for transport, community and global action on decarbonisation, support for small businesses and China’s coal consumption. COP26 was the 26th United Nations Climate Change conference held in Glasgow from 31 October to 13 November 2021. The participating 197 countries agreed a new deal, known as the Glasgow Climate Pact, aimed at staving off dangerous climate change. But will it be enough? Dr Lucy Rackcliff explains why replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with electric ones alone is not radical enough. The overwhelming message coming from COP26 transport day seemed to be that moving to zero emission-vehicles would solve the well-documented issues created by petrol and diesel fuelled vehicles. As noted at the conference itself, transport is responsible for 10% of global emissions, and emissions from transport continue to increase. The WHO estimates that transport-related air pollution affects the health of tens of thousands of people every year in the WHO European Region alone. However, on-street pollution is not the only effect we should seek to address. Transport is responsible (directly or indirectly) for a wider range of environmental issues, and a wider range of health impacts. Moving to electric vehicles will not address impacts such as loss of land for other activities, use of finite resources in the manufacturing process, the need to dispose of obsolete materials such as used tyres, and the health effects of sedentary lifestyles, facilitated by car-use. In urban areas in particular, re-thinking policy to focus on walking, cycling and public transport-use could free up land for other activities. Car parks could become actual parks, in turn encouraging more active lifestyles, creating space for people and plants, and leading to a range of wider societal benefits. Assuming that replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with electric ones will solve all our problems is a strategy which lacks ambition, and thus denies us the benefits that more radical thinking could deliver. Dr Lucy Rackcliff, Senior Teaching Fellow, Engineering Systems & Supply Chain Management, Aston Logistics and Systems Institute, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. "Assuming that replacing petrol and diesel vehicles with electric ones will solve all our problems is a strategy which lacks ambition." Professor Patricia Thornley reflects on the role that Aston University and EBRI can play in empowering community action and informing global action with research. COP26 energy day was a fabulous experience. I have never before seen so many people in one place with one ambition: to support and accelerate decarbonisation of the UK’s energy systems. We ran a “fishbowl”, which allows people with different perspectives on a topic (experts and non-experts) to participate in dialogue around a common interest. Our researchers, local government representatives, industrialists and students shared their thoughts on what our future energy mix should look like, how it should be delivered and who needs to act. Without doubt the consensus was that many different technologies have a role to play and there is an urgent need to accelerate implementation. There were reflections on the importance of governance at different levels and an interesting discussion around the relative merits of centralized solutions and devolved actions. The reality is that of course we need both and that made me think about what Aston University and EBRI can do. Of course we should implement centrally with initiatives like the impressively low carbon Students’ Union building, but we also need to raise awareness among our students. Our film showing with the Students’ Union a week later helped with that I hope, and many more of our courses are incorporating sustainability elements which is fantastic. But what we haven’t quite achieved yet is an empowered, proactive voice that would lead to wider community action. There are pockets of excellence but a lot still to be done. My second week at COP26 was very different with police presence outside a building where I had three meetings with industrialists on the controversial topics of forestry and land-use. It was sad to be working with key players to improve sustainability and increase carbon reductions through UK bioenergy while listening to drumbeats outside from objecting protestors. There is a real lack of understanding around forest management and global land use and we need to work harder to improve that. It is a huge challenge, but one that EBRI will work hard to address. Professor Patricia Thornley, Director of EBRI, Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute (EBRI), College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. "There is a real lack of understanding around forest management and global land use and we need to work harder to improve that." Professor Presanta Dey explores whether Government pledges on climate change will translate to practical support for small businesses Following the COP26 climate change summit, the UK Government led the way in making a series of pledges and policy commitments to combat climate change. The question is: how will this translate to practical support for SMEs? Large corporations often take centre stage at COP, which is welcomed, but if we are to see real change, everyone needs to be involved. COP26 provided a refreshing voice for UK small businesses which featured panel discussions on the ‘SME Climate Hub’, highlighting net zero opportunities and challenges for SMEs. The momentum of COP26 has already inspired over 2,000 UK small businesses to sign up to the UN's Race to Zero campaign, which is designed to accelerate the adoption of credible net-zero targets. A long journey ahead still awaits us, however campaigns like these will hopefully start a ripple effect inspiring the remaining six million UK SMEs to take climate action. Small businesses have been crying out for more assistance from the government in the form of ‘green’ grants and financial support to enable them to make the necessary long-term changes. The timely announcement of HSBC’s £500m Green SME Fund at COP26 marks a promising first step towards making it easier for SMEs to fund their green ambitions. In summary, COP26 provided some comfort to UK SMEs seeking a higher level of commitment from government, financial services and businesses. This moment must act as a catalyst for policy makers to continue removing the barriers that are holding small businesses back. Professor Presanta Dey, Professor of Operations & Information Management, College of Business and Social Sciences. Professor Jun Du explains what China’s deal means for the rest of the world following its own energy crisis earlier this year… Despite the many disappointments expressed around the COP26 outcomes, important progess has been made for the world economy moving towards carbon neutrality. Among the noticeable achievements China and the US, which together emit 43% of the total CO2 in the air, have agreed to boost climate co-operation despite many disagreements. This includes China’s pledge to more actively control and cut methane emissions during the next decade - even when the country did not sign up to the global methane pledge made in Glasgow. Reaching net zero will be an unprecedented challenge for all countries. China will need to do the heaviest lifting among all. The country’s energy crisis earlier this year has shown just how hard it will be to reach net zero. The exceptionally early and cold winter this year will demand even more coal, so China’s willingness and resolve for climate commitments are good news to all. While lots of attention was turned to the absence of China’s president, Xi Jinping, from the COP26 climate summit, what is less appreciated is the fact that China is serious about decarbonisation. Few countries invest as much as China in that area, nor grow as fast in finding alternative energy to coal and in green industries like electric cars. China has set specific plans in its 14th national five-year plan for economic and social development to reach peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. COP26 could be an additional driver for “an era of accountability” for China. Professor Jun Du, Professor of Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship, Centre Director, Centre for Business Prosperity, Aston Business School levy.
The Day the Universe Changed: A Conversation With Scott Engle, PhD
In the opening to last week's 60 Minutes episode, host Scott Pelley remarked, "this December 22 may become known as the day the universe changed." December 22, today, is the day the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launches the James Webb Space Telescope, the largest and most expensive instrument ever flown. A hundred times more powerful than the Hubble Space Telescope, Webb can see back in time to the formation of the earliest galaxies in the universe in order to study how our solar systems have evolved. Villanova University's Scott Engle, PhD, is an expert in the field of astrophysics and planetary sciences. He recently joined us to answer a few burning questions: Q: 60 Minutes pegged this as "the day the universe changed." Do you think that's overstated or accurate? Dr. Engle: Well, it's mostly accurate. They naturally want to keep it concise, so it sounds a bit better, but it's definitely going to be the day when our understanding of the universe started to change. Webb's capabilities and the quality of data it promises to deliver are going to at least refine, but in the end likely redefine, several theories about the universe. Q: Relatedly, from your knowledge, what do you think are the impacts this type of project will have? DE: The satellite has its primary science goals, but I'm sure a project this large will wind up impacting all areas of astronomy. Theories and models are continually improving, and pairing any of them up with some of the best data possible is always going to produce exciting results and advances in the field. Q: Had you or anyone else in the department (that you're aware of) applied for any research as a part of this project? DE: I don't believe that anyone in the department has applied to Webb yet, but I'm looking to during one of their future calls for proposals. Q: As an astrophysicist, is this something that can be a 'superfan' moment? Is this comparable to any other experiences or projects in your career? DE: There's simply a lot of anticipation and nerves. They've done rigorous testing, so it should all go to plan, but at this point I'm just waiting to see that everything has gone well and observations are underway. After that, it's incredible every time a new satellite is launched and you see the great data it can produce and the new studies that data is allowing astronomers to carry out. It makes me think of when the Kepler satellite first started producing data. It sounds simple enough—Kepler simply stared at thousands of stars and repeatedly measured how bright they were—but the data it produced was a huge leap forward. The number of stars it was observing, the continuous measurements and their excellent precision all combined to produce a dataset that I was amazed to see. Q: What else are you looking forward to about this initiative? Certainly, seems like it was a long time coming. DE: One area of results I'm personally looking forward to are the exoplanet studies and what Webb can tell us about the atmospheres of planets orbiting other stars.
UConn expert explains how to get the best from this holiday season
While this holiday season might feel a little more like the good 'ole times for a lot of families, others are scaling back plans amidst a COVID resurgence. Regardless of how we choose to celebrate, for many this season also brings stress, pressure, and family drama alongside merriment and holiday cheer. But UConn's experts are here to help you get the best out of the holidays this year -- educational psychologist Dr. Sandra Chafouleas offers some tips in a recent interview with CNN: Whenever and however you celebrate, having a holiday season is important for wellbeing, Chafouleas said. Holidays set aside time for relaxation, reflection and reliable traditions -- a trio that has become increasingly important as the world has gotten more chaotic and less predictable, Chafouleas said. Whether you approach them from a spiritual, social or cultural perspective, celebrating holidays can offer a "super big dose" of positive emotions like joy, gratitude, serenity, hope, pride and love, she added. Holiday gatherings can also be a mixed bag of emotions. "The way I do things versus the way we've always done things -- that's just a concoction for some disagreements," Chafouleas said. .................... Small changes can make a big difference, both experts said. For Chafouleas, it can look like identifying which part of the traditions feel like obligations rather than celebrations. "I used to make a million cookies with my kids, especially when they were younger, and I just don't enjoy that anymore, but my girls really like to do that," Chafouleas said. The work and the mess afterward started to take away from the joy of the traditions. "So, I stepped away from that. I keep it simple," Chafouleas said. "They do it, and I get to eat them and participate in the experience of that ritual without have to be the one responsible." Sandra Chafouleas is a UConn Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor of Educational Psychology and an expert on social-emotional well-being. She's available to lend her holiday ritual expertise to your reporting -- just click her icon to arrange an interview today.
Striking a chord! New Savannah museum tells the storied history of Gretsch instruments
Drums, guitars, history, business and education have come together in a spectacular new interactive museum and exhibit in downtown Savannah that will pique the interest of any music lover. That Great Gretsch Sound! museum is a new destination where Georgia Southern University helps tell the story of a family-owned company that is still regarded as one of the music industry’s most influential and innovative instrument manufacturers. The permanent display of music memorabilia, highlighting more than 135 years of Gretsch instruments, is featured in District Live’s new lobby and performance space on the banks of the Savannah River. The museum is the latest addition to the Plant Riverside District. The museum’s opening was recently featured in Premium Guitar : The exhibit space highlights some of the most popular and unique pieces of Gretsch's historic catalog. The museum lobby features some of the most iconic instruments the company has produced, including the White Falcon™, the Chet Atkins® Country Gentleman®, a Brian Setzer Signature G6120, and a vintage 1963 Jet™ Firebird popularized by AC/DC's Malcolm Young. In the District Live performance hall, visitors will be treated to a visual timeline that will allow them to explore the evolution of Gretsch instruments dating back to the 1920s. Approximately 100 guitars are on display in the exhibit, 48 of which were recently on display in Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame. The museum was developed through a special partnership between the Fred and Dinah Gretsch School of Music at Georgia Southern University and The Kessler Collection. In addition to the instruments that line the performance hall and upper section of the lobby, the museum features three sound dome displays with original videos that highlight Gretsch history, instrument production, the worldwide community of past and present Gretsch artists from Chet Atkins and George Harrison to Phil Collins, and the family's storied commitment to music education. Several other display cases take guests on a visual journey from Gretsch's beginnings as a local manufacturer of calf-skin drums, banjos, and accordions to one of the most popular and sought-after producers of guitars and drums during the height of the Rock & Roll era. Downtown Savannah is now helping tell that Gretsch story. The Gretsch museum includes Gretsch instruments and storyboards with QR code links to detailed narratives. "We hope this new museum will preserve the long history and legacy of the Gretsch Family and the Gretsch Brand," Dinah Gretsch said. "It is wonderful to share our history with the city of Savannah, the loyal Gretsch fans and all the tourists that will visit the museum." The museum's artifacts were curated and installed by Aaron Phillips, Georgia Southern's project curator for the Fred and Dinah Gretsch Artifacts Collection. Through his research to prepare the museum, he is confident that the Gretsch Museum will provide a unique musical experience. "My goal was to create a space that is expressive, inspirational, and true to the roots of the Gretsch family and community," Phillips said. "I am in awe of how this turned out!" To learn more – the full media release from Georgia Southern is attached below: If you’re a journalist looking to cover That Great Gretsch Sound! – then let us help. Aaron Phillips, Georgia Southern's project curator for the Fred and Dinah Gretsch Artifacts Collection is available, simply reach out to Georgia Southern Director of Communications Jennifer Wise at jwise@georgiasouthern.edu to arrange an interview today.