Month: January 2019

Malham Dissertation Fieldtrip – One of a kind ‘writing retreat’ for Leeds Beckett final year Human Geography and Planning Students

Share This:

In January, final year students studying BA Human Geography and BA Human Geography & Planning spent three days in Malham, a small village in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales. Each year staff accompany students on this fieldtrip and although it is known colloquially as the ‘Dissertation Boot Camp’, students always have a great time. The trip is actually an innovative ‘writing retreat’, the only one of its kind in our university. It is run by Dr Bronwen Edwards, who is a trained academic writing retreat facilitator. Indeed, several of the staff are actively engaged in research on student fieldtrips and writing, and we have drawn on this experience to create a writing retreat that really works for our students as they embark on writing up their dissertation research.

We have a busy programme of activities. Students can choose to attend communal writing sessions, dissertation workshops, and specialist group tutorials on ‘troubleshooting your methodology’ or ‘making a start with your content chapters’ and so on. This year’s exciting addition was a new workshop led by Dr Karen Horwood ‘Serious play lego!’ where students were encouraged to explore where they were at with their dissertations and how to move forward, by making lego models. We are really lucky that several of the staff are experienced walkers and lead country walks for all the students in the spectacular countryside. The rural setting is great for relieving stress, clearing the head, and encouraging the creative flow.
Students have lots of opportunities for support and advice In Malham, but the main aim is to create time and space to write, away from the usual distractions of city life. We help students learn strategies for writing productively when they return to normal student life in Leeds, for example how to break through writer’s block and how to establish a routine of regular writing. So many students find this trip game-changing for their dissertations, building their academic confidence and renewing their enthusiasm for their dissertation topics.

Article by Dr Andre Pusey, Course Director, Master of Planning / BA Housing Studies / BA Human Geography

a.pusey@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

More about our Human Geography, Housing and Planning Courses on the School of Built Environment and Engineering Website

Grant and Funding workshop with the CITB

Share This:

When: Wednesday 13th February 2019 | 08:00 for registration, 08:30 to 09:30 for the seminar.

Where: Room 221, School of Built Environment and Engineering at Leeds Beckett University, Northern Terrace Building, Queen Square Court Road, off Woodhouse Lane, Leeds, LS2 8AG

For their next event, Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and the Humber are delighted to bring you this practical workshop in conjunction with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) looking at the various funding streams available to SMEs in the construction industry and how to access them.

Delivered by Monica Costelloe and John Long, Regional CITB Advisors for Yorkshire, the event is an opportunity to learn about the CITB Training Model, including the Training Directory, Training Register and how to claim grants. Monica and John will also be running through the process for claiming up to £10,000 through the Skills and Training Fund. The skills and training fund currently assesses applications at six points throughout the year and with the next date being on 1st March 2019 there is a real opportunity to secure funds for upskilling your workforce in a matter of weeks.

In addition the workshop will also outline the other ways in which the CITB can support your business as well as answering any questions you may have and giving you advice and guidance on how to apply.

CEYH realises how important SME’s time is so we have deliberately organised this event for an early morning start and are throwing in tea, coffee and breakfast too!

Please note: The funding is available to CITB registered employees with between 1 to 99 employees. Even if you are not yet CITB registered, please do come along and find out how to get registered and the benefits of joining.

Please note the session is due to end at 9:30 although our advisors will be around until 10:00 for any additional questions.

Booking

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE VIA EVENTBRITE

 

 

Wood for Good – Timber construction to be showcased in month long Sheffield festival

Share This:

 

WoodFest comes to Sheffield throughout February with a focus on health and wellbeing; low carbon; circular economy; building performance; offsite construction; and modular design.

The month-long event will feature wood in design and construction in Sheffield and Yorkshire and the programme includes an exciting line-up of events, seminars, exhibitions and challenges celebrating the versatility and sustainability of building with wood, organised by the UK timber industry’s campaign, Wood for Good.

Christiane Lellig, Wood for Good campaign director, said:

“WoodFest Sheffield promises to offer a fantastic opportunity to bring all those involved with the built environment to explore what can be achieved when we work together. Each event is a chance to learn and share about the use of timber in architecture, particularly around health and wellbeing and offsite construction. It provides a platform to discover what’s happening in the region and to be inspired by timber design.”

Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber and Leeds Beckett University are pleased to support this event along with several other high profile partners including Arnold Laver; Sheffield University; Paul Testa Architecture; PEFC UK and TRADA.

PROGRAMME

Small Project / Big Challenge

WoodFest kicks off on 7 February with Small Project / Big Challenge, an evening seminar with sustainability-focused Sheffield architects Paul Testa Architecture and Jon Carr Structural Design along with Sheffield University. They will discuss design and structural challenges with examples including the multi-award-winning Hen House.

48-hour Student Challenge

On 8 and 9 February TRADA will run its annual student challenge at Sheffield University for students of engineering, architecture, architectural technology, quantity surveying and landscape architecture. Judged by high profile engineers, architects and quantity surveyors, multi-disciplinary teams will compete in an intense 48-hour challenge to design an exemplary student accommodation predominantly from timber.

Healthy Buildings

On 21 February, health and wellbeing are top of the agenda at an evening event with Edward Murphy from Ollio Consult, and further experts. The talks and panel discussion are followed by a networking and drinks reception at Kollider.

Modern joinery production – factory tour

A tour of timber door, window and stair manufacturer JELD-WEN’s production facilities will take place at 10am on 28 February. This will offer the chance to see first-hand how timber doors are made in the company’s Sheffield factory, from the timber arriving on-site through to the finished product leaving for distribution. The tour will include a presentation followed by a drinks reception for all attendees.

Sustainable procurement

Managing forests in a sustainable way is vital to protect these important ecosystems, reduce the impact of climate change and to preserve plant and animal species for the future. On 28 February, the PEFC (the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) will deliver a lunchtime CPD to explain how to procure sustainable timber and timber from sustainably managed forests.

More CPDs, site visits and behind-the-scenes tours

Further events include window-specialist Bereco hosting a CPD session on noise and health in the build environment at their Sheffield showroom.  There will be a behind-the-scenes tour with Sheffield timber merchant Arnold Laver including a networking lunch, followed by an afternoon CPD. Visitors will have the opportunity to see their production facilities including roof truss manufacturing and its treatment plant.

Striking examples of great architecture and design, such as the Hunt House – featured in The Modern Timber House in the UK book, will offer visits focussed on sustainability and wellbeing within the Sheffield region. Modern timber design can be explored more centrally in an exhibition at The Arts Tower and a further evening event on offsite construction and modular design.

Keep checking the WoodFest Sheffield web page to book your place, find out more details, confirm dates and see further added events.

Partners include: Arnold LaverBerecoConstructing Excellence Yorkshire & HumberHalliday Clark ArchitectsIstructE YorkshireJELD-WENPaul Testa ArchitecturePEFC UKSheffield University and TRADA.

Book your place for any of the WoodFest Sheffield events here.

 

 

Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber 2019 – Invitation to the official launch

Share This:

When? Thursday 24th January 2019 | 18:00 to 19:30 (registration from 17:30)

Where? Addleshaw Goddard | 3 Sovereign Square | Sovereign Street | Leeds | LS1 4ER

Who? Anyone interested in submitting an entry or being involved in the 2019 Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber Awards. Whether you are an awards pro or a first time entrant, this event is your opportunity to speak to a selection of our judges as well as the organising team – ask anything you like!

About

Constructing Excellence Yorkshire and Humber (CEYH) awards are back!

Please join us for our official launch event where we will be outlining key changes for the 2019 awards followed by a question and answer session with a selection of our judges and networking.

The judges will be there to give tips and advice on what they look for in a winning entry as well as tips and tricks for ensuring your submission stands out!

The CEYH organising team will also be on hand to answer any practical questions about the awards processes as well as provide details of the evening itself.

Drinks and nibbles will be provided.

Booking (free to attend)

CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR PLACE via Eventbrite

Further info

Further info about our awards, including links to the forms to download can be found on our awards page here

With thanks to our sponsors