CMS Staff Newsletter _18th May 2022

Under t he Microscope

Issue 24 | Date: May 18t h 2022

ANNOUNCEM ENTS

- Northgate Development update, click here
- Do you have a valid UoC staff parking permit? Click here to apply
- Online Mental Health First Aid Course (MHFA) - May and July sessions
- Staff Development Workshops - May/June 2022

Any items for inclusion in the next edition of Under t h e M icr oscope should be sent to [email protected]

SUPPORT FOR STAFF M ENTAL HEALTH AND W ELLBEING

Healt h Assu r ed: Peace of M in d Video Podcast - Health Professor St even Jones,

Assured have launched a brand-new video podcast series - Programme Leader for MSc
Peace of Mind - available now in the My Healthy Advantage Psychiatry reflects on working as
app. This exciting series, will dive deep into a range of a Mental Health professional.

mental health topics with our incredible counsellors here at "Everyday routines can become

Heath Assured. fixed and add to a sense of

Please see the link here to access the first podcast on Work loneliness. Mental health issues
Related Stress. may have been exacerbated due to
pandemic enforced isolation with

new ways of working and living.

Edu cat ion Su ppor t Par t n er sh ip - This is a charity Time for reflection requires

dedicated to supporting staff who work in the Education recognition of some changes we

sector. Its website provides information and advice on a could all make in our lives.
range of topics, and the organisation also offers a free Sometimes we may lose sight of what is important, and may
helpline which staff can access 24 hours a day, 365 days a need to refocus our interests. For me it is about passion and
year on 08000 562 561. doing some things that we enjoy in and out of work (but need to
do more work on both).

Healt h Assu r ed - EAP - The EAP is a confidential employee Working overseas as a clinician with marginalised populations
benefit designed to help you deal with personal and from 2012 onwards re-energised me as a person and
professional problems that could be affecting your home professional. Mental health problems in other countries are very
life or work life, health and general wellbeing. Health similar to that in the UK, but they are more visible in low to
Assured offers a whole raft of services for you and your middle income countries. Working with other cultures and
international health care systems is challenging, but very

immediate family members (spouse/partner and children rewarding. Expectations of what can be changed have to be

aged 16 to 24 in full time education, living in the same realistic and the long game considered. Mental health care

household) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. encompasses compassion, hearing/ understanding what is

For further information on how to access the service and to being conveyed. It can often be the small things that count and
just as easily get missed. As a mental health professional the
download the App click here.?
qualities of care, compassion, are concern for others are central

attributes for practice. Irrespective of working in remote tribal

Able Fu t u r es - provide independent support to people areas or inner city areas these are crucial attributes. Show

working and living with mental health difficulties. Able genuine interest, spend time, share a drink, talk, ask questions,
Futures is a nationwide specialist partnership set up to smile, and try to connect. I have always used an interpreter
provide Access to Work Mental Health Support Service on overseas, but rapport requires positive nonverbal gestures,
behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions. Able facial expression, eye contact, and empathy are universal
Futures can help you manage your mental health at work so communication skills. Mental health projects require a team
you can enjoy more good days. They can provide up to 9 approach and support from colleagues, I am fortunate to work
months of advice and guidance from a mental health with dedicated people in the UKand overseas."

specialist who can help you learn coping mechanisms, build

resilience, access therapy or work with your employer to

make adjustment. Call Able Futures free on 0200 3213137.

Further information can be found on their website here.

DEPARTM ENT UPDATES

A w ar m w elcom e t o ou r n ew st af f m em ber s! Bet h an St allw ood, Sen ior

Cait lin M cQu een , Lect u r er in Bioscien ces - "I gained my Lect u r er an d Pr ogr am m e Lead
BSc in Molecular Cell Biology from the differentiation. f or M Sc Biot ech n ology - "My love
University of York and was fortunate enough for Biotechnology began as an
to secure a BBSRC funded PhD at the undergraduate at the University of
university. My research focused on the Wales, Bangor. After completing my
transcriptional regulation of muscle BSc (Hons) in Environmental Biology,
development in Xenopus tropicalis. I with my Honour's project on bacteria
investigated the expression pattern of a novel from acid mine drainage, I went straight into a PhD with The
subunit of RNA Polymerase III which I found British Antarctic Survey, co-supervised by the wonderful Prof.
present in early muscle progenitors, and its Peter Williams at the University of Wales. As I was presenting a
role in regulating tRNAexpression during muscle paper on the molecular pathways of oil-degrading bacteria from
Antarctica at an international conference in Cambridge, I was

After completing my PhD at the University of York, I moved to approached by the Australian Anatarctic Survey, asking if I would

the University of Sheffield to conduct my Postdoctoral Research. like to take up a position with them. I jumped at the chance and

Here, I focused on the role of Shh signalling in regulating 6 months later, I found myself on a ship sailing to Antarctica.

aspects of limb development- from control of digit number and After another a couple more industrially funded and classified

specification of evolutionarily conserved flight feathers through postdoctoral research projects, a short stint in industry, and

to detailed 3D mapping of limb muscle patterning. My most many years of lecturing an teaching, I am incredibly proud to

recent project investigated whether limb cells could be cultured have joined the University of Chester. I have already made links

in vitro and maintain their expected developmental timing with a charity which provides clean water to rural communities

without cues from the wider embryo. My research has given me in Africa, and I look forward to strengthening this connection

the opportunity to use methods including embryonic dissection, with Master's research on the decontamination of water, among

transcriptomic analysis, in situ hybridisation, protein-DNA many other exciting projects."

interactions, Lightsheet microscopy and gene targeting methods In my spare time I love swimming in the sea with my kids (we
(Morpholino Oligonucleotides and CRISPR-Cas9). resumed this practice in March after a couple of months off over

I am excited to get started and hopefully bring my love of all winter, walking (or running slowly) with our dog, reading Greek

things developmental biology to UCS!" mythology (you're never too old to learn something completely

new) and painting insects and birds."

Rober t Davies, Lect u r er in Exer cise Ch loe Rober t s, Adm in ist r at ive
M edicin e - "I have been involved in Assist an t - "Having studied BA English
health and exercise science since 2009,

coming from a sporting background. Since Literature at the University of Chester, I

then I have completed undergraduate and went on to complete my PGCE in

postgraduate degrees in the UK (Bangor Secondary English at the University of

University), and postdoctoral research and Chester during the first lockdown. I

teaching positions in Ireland (University of worked as a training English teacher at

Limerick). I have also conducted research and consulted for Helsby High School for 7 months, with

several companies (mostly) in the Irish dairy and agri-food 3 of those months being remote
industry. Most of my research to date has been focused on the teaching through Microsoft Teams! After completing my PGCE,
regulation of human skeletal muscle metabolism and muscle I worked as an English teacher at Hillside High School in
function by nutrition and exercise. However, I also have a keen Liverpool and have completed 8 months of my NQT training so
interest in the role that nutrition and exercise play in promoting far. Throughout my time at university, I worked a wide variety
physical performance, healthy aging and metabolic health. In of jobs, including waitressing, domestic services, tutoring and I
the near future, I wish to advance research in this area,
particularly looking at interventions in older and/or obese worked as a barista in a small coffee shop in Germany on an
adults. Over the last couple of years, I have worked as principal exchange programme. I have recently joined the
and co-investigator on successful project grants, which have administration team for the Medical School, and I am looking
investigated the impact of protein nutrition on skeletal muscle forward to getting to know everyone!

metabolism and skeletal muscle function at rest and after Outside of work, I am a Grade 6 guitar player and an avid

exercise. As of April 2022, I will be returning to the UK to join reader. In October 2022, I will be starting my masters in

Chester Medical School as a lecturer on the Health and Exercise Nineteenth-Century Literature and Culture, and I am anxiously

Science BSc and Exercise Medicine MSc programmes at awaiting the release of the reading list as an excuse to
University Centre Shrewsbury.
purchase yet more books! This year, I am hoping to gain my

If you are interested in any aspect of my research or teaching driver?s license (5thtime lucky? hopefully!) and am looking
feel free to send me an email ([email protected]) or add forward to never having to take the train again!"

me on ResearchGate or LinkedIn. Further information about me

can be found on ORCID."

DEPARTM ENT UPDATESCONTINUED

Sian Lan gm ead, Com plex Car e Th e M B Ch B pr ogr am m e - We are currently in the process

Pr oject M an ager - "I have recently of recruiting international postgraduate students, if you are

retired from the NHS, having worked 30 interested in starting Medicine in September, but have yet

odd years as a mental health nurse in to complete your The University Clinical

various roles: since joining the medical Aptitude Test (UCAT), it is not too late, you can apply direct

school as Complex Care Project Manager. to Chester Medical School:

New and exciting pastures ahead! h t t p s:/ / w w w 1.ch est er .ac.u k/ in t er n at io n al/ h ow -ap p ly

Once upon a time I was working as a

secretary and one day say an advert, entitled something along STAFF SPOTLIGHT
the lines of, ?What did you do at work today?. The text was

accompanied by a picture of one person reaching out to Well done to the following staff who have been nominated
another, this latter one looking fearful and distressed. It was a for this year 's 1939 awards:

recruitment drive for mental health nurses, it struck a chord Dr Michelle Cordingley nominated for ?Most helpful feedback?
and ?Outstanding Academic Support Staff ?
with me and I applied for my nurse training. The rest, as they
say is history. I have seen changes for good and bad, but

nothing changed my commitment to providing the best patient Dr Christopher Jones nominated for 'Mental Health
care I could. I passionately believe in the value of learning Champion?

from experience in terms of personal and professional Prof Steven Jones nominated for 'Most Helpful Feedback'

development: this new role gives the opportunity to translate Dr Svetlana Mysina nominated and shortlisted for 'Most
Helpful Feedback'
some of what I have learned from the shop floor into a
meaningful training package.

Prof Eustace Johnson nominated for 'Most inspiring Lecturer '
Outside of work, I enjoy photography, Second World War

history, travelling to anywhere hot and most importantly

spending time with our rescue dog Jock, Prof Steven Jones recently gave a TEdx talk on suicide and

I was mentor for student nurses on their practice placements. I self harm work. Click here to watch the talk via Youtube.

enjoyed this, the inquisitive mind of a learner, kept me on my "Suicide is a global issue. Global evidence to operationalise

toes. It was a pleasure to see students I had mentored locally is the challenge . Our approach from work in India and
subsequently qualify and move into their career of choice, UK approach is that both cultures learn from each other.
International work ethic - must have direct patient and family
although it was a not always welcome reminder that time was benefit. Importantly see the person and not the diagnosis. A
passing and I was getting older!" sensitive subject and one that requires compassion and

understanding. Suicide has many facets to it, that cannot all

be addressed but not talking about suicide was not an
We are incredibly proud to announce that our first cohort option."
of Physician Associate Studies (PA) students have graduated

from the School. Many of the graduates have taken up jobs

in the local NHS trusts and are enjoying their new careers

as fully qualified PA?s. We are wishing them all the best in RECENT PUBLICATIONS

their future careers within the NHS. Krishna, M., Jon es, S., Krishnaveni, G.V., Veena, S.R., Prince,

M.,Kumaran, K.,Karat, S.C, Somashekar, R., Nagaraj,S., Fall,

C.H.D. (2022) Social n et w o r ks, depression,

non-communicable disorders and disability: findings from the

MYsore studies of Natal effect on Ageing and Health (MYNAH),

South India. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology.

Sumanth Mallikarjunamajgi , Nihar Mal mal, Krishna, M.,
Ebuenyi, I., Jon es, S.(2022) Screening for Mental Illness using
GMHAT App of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus at a
tertiary care hospital in India ? A cross sectional study. Journal
of Family Medicine and Primary Care.

Jon es S & Nathan R (2022) Constructing and conceptualizing
suicide and self-harm, in Contemporary Social Problems in
the UK, Stanley S (ed), Routledge (in press).

Acton, D., Jaydeokar, S., Jon es, S. (2022) Co-design and
development of a multi-component anxiety management
programme for people with an intellectual disability.Journal of
mental health and intellectual Disability

KEY DATES 7t h - 12t h Ju n e | Wor ld Hear t Rh yt h m Week , Car er s
Week an d Nat ion al In t en sive Car e Week 2022
9t h M ay at 6pm | In au gu r al Lect u r e, " Un der st an din g
an d opt im iszin g h u m an m ovem en t : Lesson s lear n t 9t h Ju n e | In t er n at ion al Biom edical Scien ce Day - Dr
f r om t h e lab, h igh per f or m an ce spor t an d lif e" by Pr of Michelle Cordingley is organsiing a Departmental evenand
Pau l Wor sf old - Information about the lecture can be further details can be found in the flyer at the end of this
found here n ew slet t er .

19t h M ay | An Even in g w it h Dr Car olin e Wilk in son - This 1st - 29t h Ju n e | Pr ide M on t h - An Annual LGBT Pride
special event, taking place at the incredible, Celebration Every year, during the month of June, the LGBT
newly-refurbished theatre at Reaseheath College, Cheshire, community celebrates in a number of different ways.
will allow us to gain an insight into the wonderful work that
takes place at the Manchester Institute, and the research 7t h - 12t h Ju n e | Wor ld Hear t Rh yt h m Week , Car er s
currently happening at Cancer Research UK ? because of Week an d Nat ion al In t en sive Car e Week 2022
supporters like you!

More information and details of how to register can be
found here

19t h an d 20t h M ay | Alcoh ol: Sh ar in g t h e Tr u t h vir t u al 10t h Ju n e, 09:00-16:00 | Pr act ice Sym posiu m - This one
co n f er en ce day event will explore, expand and enhance our ideas and
approaches to Practice Learning; this will also be an
Local charity Share Shrewsbury is holding a virtual two-day opportunity to celebrate the best of practice with our
conference this week on the topic of alcohol dependence Practice Excellence (CAPE) Awards There will be
and the impact it has on individuals, families, and presentations and workshops; opportunities to discuss
society. Find out more and book your tickets . £3 per new projects, staff development and innovations. To
t icket . register please click here

Over the course of the conference, you?ll hear about the 18t h Ju n , 09:00-16:00 | UG & PG Open Day
latest breakthroughs in research and treatment of alcohol
dependence, and from a number of world-class speakers, 2n d Ju n e | Collabor at ion in Can cer : an
who will share best practice in recovery and talk about how In t er pr of ession al St u den t Sym posiu m in On cology -
families can be central to this. This free annual one-day symposium is structured around
real patients with cancer, highlighting their overall journey
21st M ay, 09:00-16:00 | UG Exper ien ce Day and their interactions with healthcare professionals. The
topic for this year 's conference is breast cancer. The
28t h M ay | Cosm ic Cape Fest ival - Love discovering new session will draw the expertise of various specialists in the
music? The Cosmic Cape Festival could be just up your multidisciplinary team, facilitating open and interactive
st r eet . discussions regarding their roles. For more information
and details of how to register, please click here.
Taking place in Capenhurst on Saturday 28 May, the
Festival will be hosted by BBC Music Introducing's Dave 29t h Ju n e | Lear n in g an d Teach in g Con f er en ce -Save the
Monks and will champion the very best new music, art, and date! The 2022 Learning and Teaching Conference will take
street food from across the North West. place on 29 June and will incorporate both in-person and
online activities. This year the theme of the conference will
University of Chester students and staff can get a 40% be Sustainability in H.E. If you have suggestions for either
discount on single tickets using the code CHESTERUNI40, sessions to be run or speakers to invite, please let us know
however please note, this code isn't available for group by filliing in the form here. A call for papers will open at a
bookings. later date.

You can find the full line up here - and you can book your 30t h Ju n e - 1st Ju ly | PGR Sym posiu m - Featuring past
tickets here. and present PGR students with external speakers including
those from Chester Zoo & Tate Liverpool.
1st Ju n e at 6pm | In au gu r al Lect u r e, " Tidyin g t h e Dead:
Bodies an d War Com m em or at ion in Br it ian an d The deadline for registration is Friday 3rd June. Delegates
Ger m an y, 1914-2020" by Pr of Tim Gr ady - Information can attend in-person at Exton Park Campus, Parkgate Road
about the lecture can be found here or virtually via Teams.

9t h Ju n e at 09:30 via Team s | Tech n ician Com m it m en t Click here for details of how to register.
Net w or k Even t - Information about the event can be
found here

LEARNING AND TEACHING now accepting expressions of interest in the Level 4
Certificate in Supervisory Leadership and Management in
Nat ion al acclaim in REF f or Un iver sit y 's global Higher Education (WBIS) and Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma
exper t ise - The results of the 2021 Research Excellence in Leadership and Management in Higher Education
Framework (REF) published on 12th May have (WBIS).
demonstrated clear and consistent improvements in both
the volume and quality of research produced across the For further information on each of these programmes and
University of Chester. details of the application process please see? our
Accredited WBIS Programmes page on Portal.
In particular, the results show that 51% of research has
been assessed as world leading or internationally excellent, Please note that you will need your line managers approval
compared to 31% in the first REF in 2014. before applying and the deadline for expressions of
interest is Friday 3rd June 2022.
Additionally, the number of University staff who submitted
research almost doubled, with an 85% increase from the APA Docu m en t s - The APA referencing style has recently
previous assessment in 2014. The University also been updated. Please can all Module Leaders ensure that
submitted its highest ever number of units, or subjects, for APA doucmnets within the Moodle/Teams sites are current.
review ? all of which showed a stronger performance than Further information about APA7 referecning can be found
seven years?ago. here.

This will help secure more research funding for the TALENT - Spr in g 2022 session s - The TALENT programme
University and enhance its reputation nationally and supports postgraduate research students and professional
in t er n at io n ally. services staff who teach, and visiting lecturers to gain
AFHEA. Registration for the Spring sessions of TALENT is
The full story, including report highlights, can be viewed on now open, with the first session on 10 May. Click here for
the news section of the University website, via this link. more information and to register.

St u diosit y - Flexible working means students may be M an agin g you r car eer at t h e Un iver sit y of Ch est er ? -
working on assignments and requesting feedback on their There are many resources available to support your career
academic skills outside of the working hours of the development at the University. The Managing Your Career
Academic Skills (Ask) team. Utilising an engaging and Guide has been developed to provide a range of
purposeful additional online support provision would allow information and guidance? to support your career at the
students to self-service/triage their academic skills at a University, whether you wish to stay in your current role or
time convenient to them, before being signposted to the apply for promotion and progress your career. The guide
most relevant resources or aspects of the Academic Skills can be found here:
provision.
The following qualifications are available free of charge to
Studiosity is an Educational Tech company that provides all eligible members of staff, whether academic or
online, on-demand, academic skills support for students. professional services, throughout their period of
Based in Australia, they provide online skills support to employment at the University:
universities spanning Australia, New Zealand, the United
Kingdom, Ireland, Dubai and Hong Kong, with a UK office in - TALENT
London. The University is intending on trialling a
partnership with Studiosity in order to consolidate and - CheERS
enhance academic skills support for students.
- PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Learning and Teaching in HE
Studiosity connects students with academic writing
specialists and core skills tutors who provide general - PG Cert/PG Dip/MA Higher Education Studies
feedback on written assignments or via a live chat session.
These services are available to students 24/7 as an - Freestanding modules from the above
additional tool to develop some academic skills, p r ogr am m es
particularly academic writing.
- Access to the LTI workshop programme?
The next demonstration/Q&A session hosted by the
Directorate of Access, Skills and Apprenticeships (DASA)
and Studiosity will take place on Monday 23rd May from
10:00-10:45. To Register, please click here.

Level 4 Cer t if icat e in Su per visor y Leader sh ip an d
M an agem en t in High er Edu cat ion (WBIS) an d Level 7
Post gr adu at e Diplom a in Leader sh ip an d M an agem en t
in High er Edu cat ion (WBIS) - The Leadership and
Organisational Development (L&OD) Team within HR are re

M Y RAM ADAN REFLECTIONS

At iye Bak iler , Lect u r er in M edical Pr act ice an d is a pr act icin g Ph ar m acist in bot h com m u n it y
ph ar m acy an d gen er al pr act ice. At iye is par t of t h e M u slim com m u n it y an d w an t ed t o sh ar e h er
r ef lect ion on Ram adan - "The last couple of years has presented us all with the challenges of Covid-19,
irrespective of our backgrounds it has reminded us of the everlasting fact that we all are in this
together. This year, we have witnessed a rare conjunction of Christian Easter, Jewish Passover, and
Islamic Ramadan that are observed and celebrated religiously and/or traditionally by millions of people
around the world. This conjunction of the holidays for the three Abrahamic religions gave us all faith
and hope for a blessed and peaceful future.

Many of you will have heard of Ramadan. In this first attempt at an amateur piece of writing, I am hoping to share with you
my reflections and understanding of it as a practising British-Muslim woman of Turkish Heritage. I am not a scholar nor the
perfect representative but humbled to have this opportunity and would like to start with a quote from a fellow
British-Muslim Cat Stevens, aka Yusuf Islam:

?Blessed with another month of Ramadan. A time to get closer to our true nature as mindful beings? time to reconnect?

During this holy month, Muslims around the world fast between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is an act of worship that has
its place in several religions, and it is gaining popularity within contemporary practices. Islamic fasting involves many
intentional acts; for example, abstaining from arguments, fighting, gossiping, and lying as well as eating, drinking, smoking,
and some other earthly desires. No, water is not allowed either! Fasting requires self-discipline and it is also a way of
remembering those in the world who don?t have enough to eat or drink. I believe fasting takes one on a journey of
challenges to discover qualities such as resilience, mindfulness, empathy, and gratitude. It is important to remember that
fasting is for those who are physically and mentally healthy enough to undertake it. There are several exemptions, these
include children, the elderly, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menstruating, and those who are traveling.

Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic Calendar, and it is believed to derive from the word ?Ramadi? which is the name
given to the first rain after Summer, just as Autumn starts, that cleans/washes the earth from dust and dirt. Therefore, I
believe that Ramadan does not only clean/wash away the bad habits and actions but lets the good habits and relationships
be conceived and born.

Ramadan is the time for spiritual growth and building a stronger relationship not only with the Creator but with all that is
created; the most sacred one being other human beings. Muslims aim to achieve this through selfless and intentional acts
of kindness, charity, and reflection throughout Ramadan to last a lifetime. As the great champion, Muhammed Ali said, ?do
not count the days; make the days count?; I see Ramadan as a starting point in becoming a better version of myself as a
human, citizen, mother, pharmacist, and a student.

Some aspects of Ramadan may sound unfamiliar to many, however, having lived in the UK longer than in Turkey, I cannot
help but see similarities between Christmas and Ramadan traditions. The first memories I have of Ramadan go back to my
childhood when I begged my mother to join in with the fasting and demanded to be woken up in the early hours of the day
for Sahoor, the meal just before sunrise to start
fasting. I must also mention that I looked forward to
eating delicious, traditional bread, Ramadan Pidesi,
at Iftar when adults broke their fast. I now bake this
bread for my children and guests. Iftar is a very
special dinner and is eaten every night with family,
friends and neighbours of different cultural and
religious backgrounds throughout Ramadan and it
reminds me of Christmas dinner.

On the last night of Ramadan, just like on Christmas
Eve, I remember being so excited about the new
clothes, shoes I would get to wear in the morning of
Eid, the celebration following Ramadan, and the
pocket money and sweets, my friends and I would be
given by family and relatives. As a child, I always
wondered why we had to eat baklava in every house
we visited on Eid and now concluded that there is an
unwritten rule. Baklava is the must-have dessert of
Eid (literally) because it is home-made and proudly
served by the woman of the house.

As I come to the end of my reflections, I would like to
thank you for allowing me to start building a bridge
between my culture and yours. I firmly believe that
our ways of life, traditions, cultures, and religions do
not separate us; they serve as bridges."