Department Away Day 2013

The 2013 Away Day was held on Friday 14 June and finished in style with a BBQ at the house of Michael Hill where the sun shone all evening. This year the staff took a trip to the Wheatley Campus of Oxford Brookes University. A short bus ride away on the U1. And it was an excellent day - lots of ideas and some great presentations. Here's (most) of the day in photographs...

Action shot of Joe Tah talking about refurbishment.

Joe Tah (Head of Department) introduced the day and then went on to talk about the plans for the old part of the Abercrombie Building (the home of DREC). Seems like there could be a few changes over the summer. Next it was Ramin (Keivani) and the research slot...

Ramin Keivani talking about research and arrangements for the REF

Mark Austin (left) and Michael Hill update us on postgraduate and undergraduate matters.

Michael Hill introduces the PETAL projects.

After Michael's introduction, the leader of each PETAL project presented their work so far. In case you'd forgotten (the PETAL projects were introduced at the Away Day in 2012) the projects are looking at:

• Quality of Feedback
• Enhancement of Maths and English
• Student Attendance and Engagement
• DREC Accommodation

There were some interesting findings and a lot of different strategies that had been implemented over the past year to try and address the issues that the projects have raised...with some major successes.

Christos Vidalakis presents his findings.

Henry (Abanda) and Franco (Cheung) listening.

Finally, a break for lunch and very nice it was too.

Ramin Keivani and Andressa Minogue

Mike Patrick telling jokes.

Sofia Hussain and Suzy Dudley.

And so, to the afternoon events. Ye Xu and Peter Dent gave an update on international activities (take a look at what they've been up to here and here). Sally Sims gave a report on the Integrated Project (for undergraduate students) which has been very successful this year. The final presentation of the afternoon came from Rebecca Gee and Gina Dalton who talked about the idea of a Case Study Project for undergraduate students.

For the rest of the afternoon the focus was on potential outreach projects that the Department could become involved in. There were lots of ideas buzzing around and hopefully the buzz will keep going and bring some of the ideas to fruition!

The Away Day finished with an amazing meal at a local BBQ joint (photos by Sofia Hussain).

Enjoying the food and the evening sunshine.

Food. With Michael (in THE shirt), Max, George and Joe.