Not quite how I anticipated spending my holiday...

Well, the news came yesterday that I have been selected to interview for the full-time LDA post... whilst I am in Sweden. In the end I finally said yes, but it does mean that I have to spend valuable holiday time putting together yet another 5 minute presentation. I will have the train journey to London to work on it and a bit of time once I am at Joan's. I hope to have the majority of it completed before the plane leaves Gatwick as I just need to focus on having fun with my friends. Fingers crossed for a good outcome though... some stability in my life would be a welcome relief.

Learning Development Wordle

Progress at last...

With Colin Munn's help, I finally have managed to find a suitable time to get the PALS presentation scheduled. I think that I will still travel down to the ferry terminal for both cohorts and give them yet another little pep talk.

Frustrated and annoyed...

As expected, the general acceptance of the idea of PALS coming into the Marine Biology degrees is lukewarm at best. I have a major uphill battle to wage with this one. BUT... because it is soooo important to me, I am willing to put in the elbow grease and apply the great American CAN-DO attitude to hopefully win the day! Watch this space!

Slowly building a case...

What I keep banging on about regarding PhD students and employability! Must finalise a date for a meeting with Mick Fuller ASAP! http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/articles/10.1038/nj7437-393a

2nd year direct entry students

In looking ahead to the 2013-14 academic year, I have been in discussions with Dave and Kerry regarding the direct entry students from Falmouth and Newquay. After meeting with a few of the students in this current cohort, it became apparent that they didn't have a proper (or really any) induction once they arrived on the Plymouth campus. So, steps are being put into place to avoid that from happening this coming year, especially if there may be up to 30 direct entry students (MBCE & MBO).

I have been put in charge of coordinating efforts between Susan Haley, Colin Munn, Dave and Kerry to make the students feel welcome and actually have an induction to the various resources available to them on campus (computing, LabPlus, the library, the UPSU (pastoral care), student support services, etc.). I may try to get PALS leaders involved in helping them feel welcome, which would create a win-win situation as they would be of the same year group.

There is lots of work to do to put together a dynamic induction programme for the arriving students, but I think if they get off to great start when they first arrive, then perhaps they will fare better throughout the rest of their degrees. One can only hope.

PALS in Marine Biology!

Just a quick note to say that my PALS proposal has been fully funded for the 2013-14 academic year! This is HUGE and such AWESOME news for our students! I can't wait to get it going!