Announcements

The Leeds Critical Data Studies Group is a multidisciplinary group of researchers across the University of Leeds who are working on the critical interrogation of data systems and logics. The core activities for the group are to organise events and workshops to discuss current research and to learn new research techniques. Events and workshops include monthly seminars to discuss issues relating to critical data studies in each of our fields of study, workshops for Leeds researchers on how to extract, analyse and interpret data from online platforms and other websites and conferences to present current issues relating to critical data studies.

http://datastudies.leeds.ac.uk/

The Iqbal Centre for the Study of Contemporary Islam seeks to foster understanding of the field of Muslim reformist thought as an area of growing interest in Islamic and Religious Studies. It does so through its dynamic programme of teaching and research activity; supporting and enriching undergraduate and postgraduate study; and bringing Muslim reformist thought to the wider public via a number of media, including conferences, seminar series, workshops and dynamic online resources.

The Centre directors, Mustapha Sheikh and Tajul Islam, are based in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies, and linked to the Arabic, Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies subject area.

http://iqbalcentre.leeds.ac.uk/

Dr Melanie Bell has taken up the position of Associate Professor in Film & Media in the School of Media and Communication, and has brought an AHRC funded research project with her on her move from Newcastle University.

This new study of the history of women who worked in the British film and television industries is exploring the contribution women made in the years from 1933 to 1989. It is drawing on archive sources held by the union (BECTU) and first-hand accounts from women themselves. The project’s lead researcher, Dr Melanie Bell, explains: ‘While a minority of women worked ‘above-the-line’ as directors and producers, thousands were employed ‘below-the-line’ as hairdressers, continuity ‘girls’, production secretaries/assistants, negative cutters, editors, wardrobe assistants, make-up artists, researchers, librarians and more. Yet the contributions of women in these roles barely feature in existing historical accounts. This project is exciting because it will finally provide us with a fuller picture of women’s contribution to the film and television industries.’

http://womenandfilmhistoryunit.leeds.ac.uk/

RESS is a core curriculum research strand which spans all five years of the MBChB programme. Students undertake a long in-depth project in Year 4 which continues through to Year 5. The projects aim to improve the quality of healthcare in any part of the service related to the clinical specialities. Projects may be linked to Year 4 electives, to include an international healthcare aspect with time spent abroad, or take shape as a research study, clinical audit or public health project.

“The RESS strand encourages a critical approach to evidence-based medicine, preparing graduates as the ‘Professionals and Practitioners’ of tomorrow”.

Professor Trudie Roberts, Director of Leeds Institute of Medical Education

http://ress.leeds.ac.uk/

Romantic Climates is a blog published by the AHRC-funded project British Romantic Writing and Environmental Catastrophe, based at the University of Leeds.

Scholars from around the world will be contributing blog posts about their work on Romantic ecology. We hope that the blog will showcase cutting-edge research into how Romantic-period writers, artists, and thinkers understood the environment.

http://romanticcatastrophe.leeds.ac.uk/

HISENTS is a new project in the School of Chemistry, the School of Chemical and Process Engineering – Institute for Materials Research, and School of Mechanical Engineering. The project aims to deliver an advanced nanosafety platform capable of providing high-throughput toxicity screening for the risk assessment of novel nanomaterials, and draws on academic expertise in electrochemistry, nanomaterial synthesis and characterisation, and microfluidics.

The platform will be made up of an integrated set of miniaturised modules each representing critical human physiological functions from molecular interactions, through to cell, organ and organism effects.

http://hisents.eu/

A two day conference organised by the School of Politics and Intarnational Studies will take place on October 13th and 14th in University house – “Putting the Responsibility to Protect at the Centre of Europe“. The conference seeks to address the state of R2P at the global level and reflecting on European perspective. Topics covered will include ethics, gender, humanity, refugees and international law.

A number of high-profile speakers will be presenting keynotes at the conference, including Jennifer Welsh (Former Special Adviser on R2P to the UN Secretary General and Professor of International Relations, European University Institute), Simon Adams (Director of the Global Center for the Responsibility to Protect, New York), Gillian Kitley (UN Office for the Prevention of Genocide and Responsibility to Protect), and the Rt Hon. Hilary Benn MP (Leeds Central MP).

http://r2pconf.leeds.ac.uk/

CRIMSON is a  two-year research project (2016-2018) funded by the MS Society and led by Dr Ana Manzano from the Centre for Health, Technologies & Social Practice, University of Leeds. The study aims to improve our understanding of how people with multiple sclerosis weigh up the pros and cons of treatments. It will also help health care professionals to take those preferences into account when helping someone to choose a treatment, in the context of their individual circumstances.

The study will be designed and conducted with the involvement of people with MS, and the findings widely disseminated to cover MS patient groups, clinicians and academic community.

http://crimson.leeds.ac.uk/

Anthea Hucklesby, Professor of Criminal Justice in the School of Law and Pro-Dean for Research and Innovation, has recently launched a unique and innovative cross-disciplinary network to examine the use of tracking devices (non-removable wearable devices that enable location monitoring or tracking of wearers by third parties). Her previous project was on the Use of Electronic Monitoring in EU Member States.

The network is hosting four events during 2016 and 2017 which are open to all. A number of bursaries for postgraduate researchers to attend the events are available. More information on how to apply for bursaries can be found here.

http://trackingpeople.leeds.ac.uk/

The University of Leeds Human Rights Journal is a multidisciplinary publication created by students with the aim of providing a platform for ambitious undergraduates to publish their academic and creative work on the theme of human rights. It was founded in 2012 and is the first journal of its kind in the UK. Contributing to the University of Leeds Human Rights Journal provides students with an insight into the world of academic publishing and is particularly useful for those considering a career in academia. The journal is produced entirely by undergraduate students and those involved with the project are able to develop valuable skills to use in their future careers, including editing, design, finance and marketing and publicity.

http://hrj.leeds.ac.uk/