14 News News in brief


Maths support for all A free Maths Drop-in Centre is now open at the University to offer help and advice to students and staff on a range of maths problems.


Providing a one-stop-shop for any maths issues, the service is part of an on-going scheme by the Department of Mathematical Sciences to improve the employability of students.


The new helpdesk, run by trained frontrunner Plus student advisors, will offer support to students and staff on maths issues on all levels. It is an extension of the staff-run lunchtime helpdesk, which was set up three years ago to help first-year maths students. All questions will remain confidential.


The Drop-in Centre is open from 2 to 3pm Monday-Wednesday and 12 noon to 1pm Thursday and Friday.


Local businesses are also invited to use the service, although their problem may be dealt with on a consultancy basis.


E mathshelpdesk@essex.ac.uk Location, location


New apps are being created to help staff and students navigate around the Colchester Campus and access teaching information. The Find Your Way@essex app provides both indoor and outdoor navigation across the Colchester Campus. Meanwhile, computer science students Vegard Polden and Jonny Baker have developed the Essex Scheduler app. The app, which is not an official University of Essex product, lets students quickly access their timetable and online Essex resources at the touch of a fingertip.


findyourway.essex.ac.uk/RL3/ UEssexC.php //play.google.com/store/apps/ details?id=com.nudge.essexscheduler


Membership granted


Liz Anderson of the Central Procurement Unit (CPU) has been granted full membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) after completing three years’ relevant experience.


Liz said: “This has been possible by having had the opportunity to obtain a broad range of experience in the CPU, working on many and varied projects across the University.”


Festival of Social Science


Essex marked the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Science with two major oral history events and a special quiz for colleges.


Events were held at the Clifftown Theatre in Southend to mark the anniversary of the 1953 floods and at Essex Record Office in Chelmsford


to mark the 100th anniversary of the opening of the first purpose-built radio factory by Guglielmo Marconi. Those attending were invited to be videoed discussing their memories.


The UK Data Archive organised a social science challenge for sixth form students from Essex and Suffolk compered by comedian Hazel Humphreys. The winning team was Farlingaye High School from Woodbridge.


Colchester’s ‘Avatars’ help reassess the past


A major series of talks at firstsite will provide new perspectives on the history of Colchester – Britain’s oldest recorded town and first capital of Roman Britain.


The monthly talks organised by Professor John Gillies from the Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies will reflect on the statues of historical figures depicted on Colchester’s iconic Victorian Town Hall.


Colchester’s Avatars: the historical figures on Colchester’s Town Hall will discuss why these people were chosen and their relevance to Colchester’s past, present and future.


Speakers will include leading University of Essex academics alongside local and architectural historians who have conducted


research into the area’s heritage.


The first talk is on Thursday 24 January and is titled ‘The Building and the Figures’. The speakers will be architectural historian James Bettley and Colchester historian and Visiting Fellow at the Department of History Andrew Phillips.


Future talks include ‘Thomas Audley and Samuel Harsnett’ with Professor James Raven and Professor Gillies, ‘Edward the Elder and St Helena’ with Andrew Phillips, ‘Boudicca and Eudo Dapifer’ with Philip Crummy and ‘William Gilberd’ with Professor David Tilley, Peter Noakes and Ken Rickwood.


T 01206 577067 E info@firstsite.uk.net www.firstsite.uk.net


Sandford Mill Museum curator Dr Geoff Bowles, and Marconi Veterans’ Association Chairman Peter Turrall at the Chelmsford event


Picture courtesy of Essex Chronicle Series


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