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Monday 27 February 2012

Beyond the Campus: Filmmaking and Freelancing at Entry Level

Beyond the Campus: Filmmaking and Freelancing at Entry Level

Tuesday 28th, 6:30 - 8pm. Academy 2.

So you walk out of The University of Manchester with a degree in creative media, but what next? Do you dare go down the unknown path of 'The Freelancer' or do you start ringing round the first call centre jobs you see in the Metro? Are you now doomed to surrender to corporate work and commercials? Fear not, the friendly folks at Filmonik (Manchester based open mic screening night and seven-day filmmaking Kabaret) are here to give you some straight-talking advice about surviving as an emerging creative in this great city. Through this informal chat we hope to make you aware of the joys, opportunities and challenges of indie filmmaking, freelancing and being creative in the North West.

The event will include several screenings.
Speakers include: Steve Balshaw - Programme Manager for The Salford Film Festival &, Grimm Up North Horror Festival, Kate Murphy - Arts Council England, Chris Lane - Film Producer, Mat Johns - Film Director.

Sexuality Summer School 2012: 'Homophobia and Other Aversions'

Sexuality Summer School 2012: 'Homophobia and Other Aversions'

22nd - 25th May 2012

Confirmed Speakers: Ann Cvetkovitch, Mary Cappello and Lois Weaver

Registration for the 2012 Summer School: Homophobia and Other Aversions will go live on the University of Manchester's e-store page on 1st March 2012.  Please visit: http://estore.manchester.ac.uk/

The Sexuality Summer School has been held annually by the CSSC since 2008. The Sexuality Summer School is coordinated by the Centre for the Study of Sexuality and Culture (CSSC) and the Research Insitute for Cosmopolitan Cultures (RICC) and sponsored by artsmethods@manchester.

The Summer School is an annual event intended for postgraduates and researchers working in the broadly defined area of sexuality studies. The Summer School addresses current debates within queer studies, emphasising in particular its implication for the interdisciplinary study of culture. It offers an opportunity for students to discuss queer debates with researchers in the CSSC as well as international scholars brought in for the event. Applications welcome from Doctoral and Masters' level students from any university.

For information about previous years of the summer school see: http://www.arts.manchester.ac.uk/subjectareas/englishamericanstudies/research/cssc/summerschool/

More information about the 2012 summer school will be posted on the website above and on the facebook page so keep checking for updates. For any more information please email the postgraduate assistant Clara Bradbury - Rance on sexualitysummerschool@gmail.com

Friday 24 February 2012

National Student Survey 2012

...is now open: http://www.thestudentsurvey.com/

Please take the opportunity to give your feedback on the course you've taken and your experience at University. If you're unsure about any aspect of the NSS, or would like clarification of issues and procedures, please contact your Academic Advisor. Remember, responses are anonymous, and you should feel free to express your honest opinions. The survey has an impact on what things get done or don't get done so let us know what works, what you love, and what might need attention....

Thursday 23 February 2012

Korean Summer School programmes

The Study Abroad Unit have 4 scholarship places on offer for undergraduate students from ANY SUBJECT AREA (no language skills required) to go and study in South Korea at one of the world’s top universities, and with leading academics, this summer:

Seoul National University International Summer Institute (25th June to 26th July) –
http://oia.snu.ac.kr/isi/isi_1.jsp
Courses offerings include :
·         Korean Language
·         History and Culture of Modern Korea
·         Doing Business in Korea
·         Korean Economy: Past and Future
·         North Korean Politics and Foreign Policy
·         Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy
·         History of Chinese Political Thought
·         Human Rights Issues in East Asia
·         Security Issues in East Asia
·         Economic Geography
·         Korean Architecture and Urbanism
·         Environmental Management and Sustainability Analysis
·         Digital Innovation in Korea
·         Korea’s Science, Technology and Development
·         Strategic Technology Decisions in Business and Management
...and more!


Tuition fees and the application fee cost are covered by the scholarship.

However, you will need to budget for the costs associated with flights (£600 - £700), accommodation (approx £350), food, local transport, additional activities/travel (including the optional Seoul National fieldtrip approx. £200), and any required books.


Application process and timeline:

Step 1 Please fill out the SNU Summer Programme online application form at this link: https://selectsurveys.humanities.manchester.ac.uk/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=l613lo8 This should be accompanied by a letter of reference from a member of academic staff at The University of Manchester, sent by email. The deadline for receipt of applications and references is Friday 23 March 2012 (at 5pm).

Step 2 The International Office will select and notify the successful candidates by Friday 13th April.  Notification will be sent via email to Manchester Student email accounts.
(Please note that if unsuccessful in your application for a tuition-waived place you can always apply to Seoul National University directly as a private fee-paying student- deadline for direct applications is 29 April to avoid paying the application fee, or 27 May).

Step 3 The selected candidates will then be asked to attend a compulsory briefing meeting during the first week of 23rd April (exact time and location TBC).

Step 4 Letters of acceptance and important information will be forwarded to you by the International Office and you will be asked to make appropriate arrangements in good time before your departure i.e. plane tickets, insurance, visa clearance etc.

We look forward to receiving your application.

AHRC Doctoral studentships at MMU

Two funded studentships in English Literature at MMU: http://www.mmu.ac.uk/research/studentships/arthum.php

Wednesday 22 February 2012

Buxton Festival Literary Assistant 2012

Buxton Festival is looking for an enthusiastic person to volunteer as our literary series assistant at the Festival in July 2012.  This placement would suit a student or recent graduate looking for practical experience in the events or arts industry.

The placement will run from 5th July - 25th July in Buxton.  While the placement is unpaid, we do provide simple accommodation in Buxton (if needed) and money towards your food and travel expenses.

Being a Festival Assistant can be a hugely rewarding experience that will help you on your way to a great job in the arts or events industry.  Past Festival Assistants have gone on to work in some great places including Wembley Arena and The Lowry Theatre and Buxton Festival!

But it is also VERY hard work.  We are looking for an enthusiastic, friendly, motivated person who will thrive on the long days, variety of roles and pressure of the Festival.

As Literary Assistant your work would include:

 *   front of house duties
 *   event stewarding
 *   technical set-up for events (e.g. laptop and projector set-up)
 *   audience microphones for Q&A sessions
 *   assist with book sales after events
 *   meet and greet speakers and VIPs
 *   anything else that might crop up along the way!

You will also have the chance to see as lots of literary talks and be an important part of the Festival team.

If you would like to apply please send a CV and covering letter to claire@buxtonfestival.co.uk<mailto:claire@buxtonfestival.co.uk>.

Closing date - 30 March 2012.


Many thanks
Claire Rhodes
Development Manager, Buxton Festival
July 7 - 25, 2012
'a happy marriage of music, opera and books'  The Observer
3 The Square | Buxton| SK17 6AZ
01298 70395
www.buxtonfestival.co.uk<blocked::http://www.buxtonfestival.co.uk/>

Tuesday 21 February 2012

EAS Research Seminar, Weds at 4

Abigail Williams (Oxford), 4pm, Poetry Centre

'Home improvements: eighteenth-century miscellanies and their users'

All welcome

ReachOut Charity volunteering

Do you believe everyone should have an opportunity to improve their life chances?

Are you interested in supporting, empowering and helping those from underprivileged backgrounds?

If so, you’re exactly what ReachOut is looking for…

What is ReachOut?
-Manchester based mentoring charity that works with kids aged 4-18 from disadvantaged communities
-Provides young people with a safe, affordable and positive way to spend their free time
-Offers a range of projects: Maths & English tutoring, football academies, primary/secondary school mentoring

What you do:
-Spend 2/3 hours a week working with young people. Activities range from sport to dance to team building exercises.
-Mentor a young person, helping them with schoolwork, hobbies & achieving their goals.
-Commit to a 20 week program (projects don’t run during exam period or university holidays)

What you get:
-Free training, CRB check & transport (From ReachOut HQ in Victoria Park)
- Ongoing support and training relevant to your role (including TeachFirst) training
-A great opportunity to escape the Oxford Road student bubble and make an impact on the wider community


If you think you’re interested or have any questions, please get in touch:

Email: hannah@reachoutuk.org
Phone: 0161 224 6803
Office Address: 6 Oxford Place, Rusholme, M14 5RZ

Monday 20 February 2012

Why Marx Is Right

An invitation to a Book tour:
Why Marx Is Right
with literary theorist and critic Terry Eagleton, author of the book Why Marx Is Right
and Alex Callinicos, professor of European studies at King's College London

SWSS is organising a panel discussion with Terry Eagleton and Alex Callinicos on Terry Eagleton’s new book: Why Marx Was Right. The meeting will take place on Tuesday 28th February, 7pm, Leamington Lecture LG12, Samuel Alexander Building, University of Manchester.

Facebook event here: http://www.facebook.com/events/126013234186387/

Capitalism has not only been shaken to its roots by major economic crises but also by a new wave of revolutions, revolts and uprisings from the Arab world to Wall Street. Terry Eagleton’s tour on the release of the paperback version of Why Marx Was Right will take issue with the prejudice that Marxism is dead and done with. Alex Callinicos, author of The Revolutionary Ideas of Karl Marx and leading member of the SWP, will lead of the discussion alongside Terry Eagleton.

The ideas of Karl Marx can help activists and revolutionaries today to analyse the systemic failures of capitalism, which create crisis, poverty and war, and its contradictions which bring strikes and revolution.

Marx understood that workers, forced to sell their labour power to survive, are also what makes the system work. When they discover that power for themselves, they can challenge capitalism at its heart and begin to lay the foundations for an alternative society based on the needs of the many, not the few.

Come to the Socialist Worker Student Society meeting as we discuss the ideas and questions, which will be central for all those who are fighting to change the world.

Monday 13 February 2012

cities@manchester Research intelligence project assistant

cities@manchester Research intelligence project assistant
cities@manchester is a Faculty of Humanities initiative to bring together and raise the profile of cities/urban research at the university. It is directed by Professor Kevin Ward and connects over 150 researchers across the faculty and beyond. The website is www.cities.manchester.ac.uk and blog is www.citiesmcr.wordpress.com.
One of cities@manchester objectives for 2011-12 is to improve large scale cross-school research bid co-ordination on cities/urban themes. In particular we are interested in a) developing a clearer picture of the ways in which schools currently support grant applications and b) producing a plan for how cities@manchester can add to and improve existing provision. In particular we are keen to develop research intelligence around EU Framework and RCUK funding. In order to do this we will be recruiting two people to work as researchers on this project.
Research intelligence project assistant
Role Specification: 1.    Audit school research offices in the faculty to understand the ways in which research
applications are supported. Produce a 1 page brief on current gaps in research support; specifically how a) cities@manchester can increase the chances of collaborative bidding and b) the kinds of support cities@manchester can provide during the bid development phase.
2.    Audit cities/urban researchers and school research offices to produce a report on who has recently made applications and who has recently considered but failed to submit applications. Collate key information (via web research, email or interview) on the researchers involved, project/thematic outline, reasons for lack of success/submission.
3.    Produce a list of core funding bodies and relevant awards, with assistance from school research offices. Set up online calendar with deadlines, targeted around the cities/urban theme.
4.    Identify who in the university are on EU and RCUK committees – i.e. people who are well positioned to speculate on future initiatives and calls for applications. This may involve some interviews with cities/urban researchers.
5.    Write a 2 page brief on key themes, based on RCUK and EU web site searches and phone conversations with a) those in the faculty with experience in research bidding and b) those involved in decision making in RCUK and the EU.
6.    Compile a list of research networks and potential collaborator institutions for EU and large-scale RCUK projects; based on interviews with research offices, EU/RCUK committee members and current/past grant holders.
7.    Organise a dissemination meeting for the briefing documents, as a means of reinforcing the findings and starting conversations about future applications
8.    Further information gathering may be specified as the project develops.
Person specification 1.    Applicants must be a University of Manchester PhD student in year 3 or 4 (or equivalent
part-time).
2.    An interest in cities/urban research and a broad understanding of relevant research themes.
3.    Experience of intelligence gathering (website research, interviewing) 4.    Experience of concise information categorisation and report writing. 5.    Experience of working on projects where self-motivation, persistence and strong
communication skills were required. 6.    Some experience or knowledge of Higher Education research funding environment is
desirable. Terms and Conditions
1.    These positions will be paid on an hourly basis at the standard GTA rate of £13.39. 2.    We estimate the total hours involved will be between 50-100. 3.    The work schedule is flexible and can be adapted to suit the successful applicant in line
with the requirements of the project. 4.    Work must be completed by 13 July 2012. 5.    The successful applicant will report to Caitriona Devery, cities@manchester research
project co-ordinator and Kevin Ward, cities@manchester director. Application details
Applicants are requested to email a 2 page CV along with a 1 page covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and in particular how you meet the person specification. The deadline for applications is Monday 5 March 2012. Interviews will be held the week beginning 12 March.
Informal enquiries can be made to Caitriona Devery    caitriona.devery@manchester.ac.uk

Monday 6 February 2012

First Critical MASS - Weds, not Thurs, this week

9 February      Philip Morgan (Johns Hopkins University/Oxford University)
                        “A Tale of Two Hamiltons: North American-Caribean Crossings”              
                        Samuel Alexander A113, 4pm

CFP: Writing and the Small Press



CALL FOR PAPERS

Writing and the Small Press
a one-day conference at the University of Salford, Saturday 31 March 2012 from 10am-4pm.

The small presses in the UK have a complex and fascinating history as they interact with writerly practice. Developments over the last twenty to thirty years such as the the rise of desktop publishing, the collapse of the net book agreement, and the advent of print-on-demand – as well as digital publishing and online bookselling – have created an environment in which small presses have thrived and created new opportunities for writers. This conference aims to bring together publishers, writers and academics to discuss the influence of the small presses on creative practice and to consider their broader role in cultural production. In addition, there will be practical sessions on how to publish with a small press and opportunities for publishers to showcase their books.

Confirmed speakers include the novelist Elizabeth Baines, poet Robert Sheppard and Alec Newman of The Knives Forks and Spoons Press. Manchester publisher The Red Telephone will also be in attendance.

Topics to be considered include, but are not limited to:

  • The relationship between the creative writer and small presses
  • Specific studies of individual small presses and their lists
  • Genre studies of the role of small presses in regards to poetry, fiction etc.
  • The formal properties of the small press book and its relation to aesthetics.
  • How creative writing and publishing practices are adapting to new media.

Abstracts of no more than 200 words to be submitted by February 29, 2012. Please send to one of the organisers:

Lucie Armitt

Ursula Hurley

Scott Thurston

School of Humanities, Languages and Social Sciences
University of Salford
Salford
M5 4WT

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Critical MASS (Manchester American Studies Seminar) 2011-2012


Critical MASS (Manchester American Studies Seminar)
2011-2012

Semester 2
9 February      Philip Morgan (Johns Hopkins University/Oxford University)
                        “A Tale of Two Hamiltons: North American-Caribean Crossings”              
                        Samuel Alexander A113

7 March          Joanna Pawlik (Art History and Visual Studies, Manchester)
                        “Honorary Beats, Honorary Surrealists”
                        Poetry Centre

18 April          Randall Stephens (Eastern Nazarene College)
                        “The Devil’s Music: Rock and Christianity in the 1950s”               
                        Poetry Centre

9 May             Postgraduate Mini-Conference (precise time TBD)
                        Poetry Centre

Psychoanalysis, culture and society - Postgraduate Conference

A POSTGRADUATE CONFERENCE

CENTRE FOR PSYCHOANALYSIS
MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY
LONDON

Saturday, 9 June, 2012

We invite postgraduate students and research fellows to submit proposals for papers on psychoanalysis or psychoanalytically informed research. Papers may be from any academic discipline, including psychology, sociology, cultural studies, psychosocial studies, history, literature, art, religious studies or philosophy. We also welcome proposals on clinical or theoretical topics from students on psychoanalytic trainings.

This one-day conference is designed to give postgraduate students from all disciplines who are interested in psychoanalysis an opportunity to present and discuss their research in an informal and intellectually stimulating setting.

Abstracts of 300 words (maximum) should include a title, the name of your university or training organisation and a telephone number. Papers should be no more than 20 minutes long. A further 10 minutes will be allowed for discussion. Sessions of 1½ hours will have space for three papers. There will be concurrent panels to accommodate as many papers as possible. The day will end with a plenary.

The conference takes place at the Hendon Campus of Middlesex University (30 minutes from central London) between 9:30 and 5:30 on Saturday, 9 June, 2012. Tea, coffee and a light lunch will be provided. The conference fee is £40 for presenters and attendees.

The deadline for submission of abstracts is Friday, 18  May, 2012. Early submission and registration is recommended. Abstracts and queries should be sent to: David Henderson, d.henderson@mdx.ac.uk

Centre for Psychoanalysis
Psychology Department
Middlesex University
The Burroughs, Hendon
London  NW4 4BT