The sessions will provide an introduction to The Conversation, how it works, the benefits of writing for the platform, and how to go about it.

Spaces are limited so please book using the Eventbrite links below.

• .
• .

The Conversation is an online news site aimed at a non-academic audience.

 have an average readership of 35K and some articles have been read by over a million people worldwide. Articles on The Conversation are open access and can be republished by major news outlets like The Guardian, CNN and The Washington Post.

The Conversation requires all contributors to have relevant research expertise in the topics on which they write, and articles are generally around 800 words long. You can read more about pitching to The Conversation on the

Aimed at academics who want to achieve real-life impact from their research, this session will be delivered by the IAA Programmes Team based in Research and Innovation Services (RIS). The session will also include information on the current IAA funded Fellowship opportunities.

Funded by the UKRI, the IAAs are strategic awards that offer a flexible and responsive way to provide support for knowledge exchange, innovation and to help realise impact. This information session will provide invaluable information on the following:

• The Impact Acceleration Accounts
• How you can use IAA funds
• How to apply
• How the Impact Funding Team can support you through the process

Please to attend by 8 October 2025.

• Date: Wednesday 15 October 2025
• Time: 10:00 – 12:00
• Join us in person: Building 100, Room 8013, Highfield Campus
• Join us Online: We will send you a meeting link to the main session 10:15 – 11:15
• Contact: impact@soton.ac.uk

The forward-thinking training, led by research expert (Research Manager at Ipsos UK), is grounded in the ethical, methodological, and philosophical considerations of using artificial intelligence in research. Attendees have benefitted from specialist guidance and expertise to explore how LLMs can support qualitative and mixed-method analysis to summarise the various themes of texts.

Over 40 academics, from postgraduate researchers to professors, were able to apply the methods that they had learned to analyse their own text-based content through a combination of practical exercises and collaborative discussions led by Sarah, alongside Dimitris.

Three training sessions have been delivered thus far, with the latest forming part of the successful AI Festival hosted by the in June. The fourth and final session is open to invited external researchers only and will take place in September at the Ipsos offices in London.

Speaking about the benefits of the training, Sarah explains:

“Adoption of artificial intelligence is increasing in almost every aspect of our society, including life sciences and academia. Learning to utilise the technologies emerging from AI and LLMs will help our researchers save time to be spent delivering innovative research in their fields.”

The training follows the publication of a that was produced by Sarah for her PhD project, the analysis for which was conducted in collaboration with Ipsos. Speaking on behalf of Ipsos UK, Dimitris explains the importance of AI accessibility to researchers:

“Many of the attending researchers had little to no experience with coding or LLMs but now have the knowledge and confidence to use the technology to conduct analysis at a foundational level from which they can build upon”.

To discover more about life sciences research at the University of Southampton, visit the , or .

London Fashion Week 

This year, The Collective at Winchester School of Art is representing graduating designers from the MA Fashion Design programme. In their last semester of study, designers work as a house, collaborating with The Company at WSA and this year, London Fashion Week.

The Company at WSA is a designer-led, cross-disciplinary initiative that supports and showcases creativity in a collaborative and inclusive way. In 2021, The Company at WSA was recognised with a Vice Chancellors Award for Innovative Teaching.

The individual designers demonstrate a strong mix of highly creative, ambitious and innovative collections across various specialisms. The diversity of the designers within The Collective, mixed with the multinational, rich culture that is the city of London, provides the key inspiration and backdrop to the 2025 catwalk presentation, LAST STOP, LONDON.

Details

• Friday 19 September, 19:00
• Church House, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, SW1P 3NZ
• RSVP: r.alasadi@soton.ac.uk

Africa Fashion Week London

Students were selected to show “Turn up the Tartan” collections and products of their work, as well as an opportunity to exhibit on a prestigious catwalk slot.

Reem Alasadi, Programme Leader for MA Fashion Design and MA Textile Design, said: “this event is one of the largest platforms in Europe dedicated to showcasing African and African-inspired design talent. It attracts diverse, international guests, including press, industry leaders – including potential students.

“Our participation directly aligns with the University’s EDI strategy by celebrating cultural diversity and fostering global engagement and serves to demonstrates practical application of how we are successfully embedding EDI into our curricula.

“Our students delivered exceptional work that reflected the high standards of WSA, supported by the excellent styling and backstage coordination of The Company @ WSA. The quality, creativity, and professionalism on display are assets that deserve to be championed across the University”.

Application Deadline: 30 September 2025, 17:00

An application should support or undertake knowledge exchange activity with business, industry, and external partners, including local government, public sector bodies and charities.

Institutes will be investing in outcomes-focussed knowledge exchange activities with external partners, which will create economic and societal impact that addresses Government priorities.

Funded projects should be geared towards supporting increased business engagement and commercialisation, boosting local economic growth and encouraging entrepreneurship. They should demonstrate a clear, outcomes-focussed goal of creating economic and/or societal impact in the UK.

Key Details:

• Awards typically range from £5��–£20��
• Projects must be short-term, with spend completed by 31 July 2026
• �����dzܲԻ���25 projects will be funded across the four Institutes
• �ʰ�����𳦳ٲ���must involve an external, non-academic partner ���Ի���interdisciplinary collaboration across Schools/Faculties
• Collaborations solely with other HEIs are not eligible
• Innovative approaches to knowledge exchange are encouraged

Full scheme criteria, application guidance and form are available via the . Please review the material carefully to ensure your proposal aligns with the call requirements before submitting.

Timeline:

30 September: Application Deadline

October: Institute panels review applications

November: Applicants notified of outcomes

If you have any questions, or would like to have a conversation with an Institute before making an application, please reach out to the relevant contact below:

• IfLS: Alexandra Mant, Collaboration Manager – mant@soton.ac.uk
• SMMI: Sue Brindle, Coordination Manager – j.brindle@soton.ac.uk
• SRI: Jon Lawn, Collaboration Manager – p.lawn@soton.ac.uk
• WSI: Courtney Lee, Collaboration Manager – k.lee@soton.ac.uk

You may also direct general enquiries regarding the application process to resinitiatives@soton.ac.uk

These events coincide with National Inclusion Week 2025 – an annual event started by dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to build inclusive workplaces.

There will be workshops looking at the use of language and data, reasonable adjustments and finding diverse voices. There is an opportunity for you to shape our Strategic Plan – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for the coming years. And colleagues will share some of the great work that’s been happening to diversify staff recruitment, create positive spaces for LGBTQ+ people, and more!

The EDI team is also planning a research poster showcase. There’s still time to submit a poster if you have one to share!

All events will take place in Building 100 on Highfield Campus or online, and are spread throughout the week. See the listings below or check the for full details of the sessions and to book your place.

Monday 15 September

12:00 – 13:00������

13:00 – 14:00������

Tuesday 16 September

1000 – 11:00 ������

13:00 – 14:00������

14:00 – 15:00������

15:30 – 16:00������

Thursday 18 September

10:00 – 11:30������

Friday 19 September

12:00 – 13:30 ����

Importantly, these changes do not affect existing Skilled Worker visa holders for the duration of their current visa. However, any sponsorship extensions, changes of employment and switch requests will be assessed in line with the new rules.

A summary of the changes are:

• The skill level for eligible jobs increased to Level 6 (Degree level). Typically, this means University jobs at Grade 4 and above.

• In limited circumstances, the University may be able to sponsor jobs at Level 3-5 on the RQF, which is typically University jobs at Grade 3. These situations are:
  • For Skilled Worker visa holders who have permission using a Certificate of Sponsorship which was assigned before 22 July 2025. This is a transitional measure and the Home Office confirm this will not be in place indefinitely.
  • Jobs/Standard Occupation Classification (SOC) codes on the ‘’ or the ‘. Sponsors have until 31 December 2026 to sponsor jobs on these lists, and the UK Government reserve the right to bring this date forward.

• Salary thresholds have increased in line with the 2024 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) data. The General thresholds have changed follows.

• Supplementary work is restricted to SOC codes at RQF 6. Skilled Worker visa holders with continuous permission since before 22 July 2025 can continue to undertake supplementary work in SOC codes at RQF Level 3-5.

As a reminder, the University will not increase salary or change the SOC code for the purposes of meeting the relevant salary threshold. This would be discriminatory against other employees.

The immigration rules are subject to change, sometimes often and with little warning. As a result, future sponsorship can never be guaranteed. Sponsorship requests are reviewed on a case by case basis, no more than three months in advance, and in line with the rules in place at that time.

The new rules are very complex and a number of factors must be considered. Please review the following SharePoint sites linked below, and reach out to the HR Staff Visa team (via Ask HR) if you have any questions on these changes.

All sponsorship requests for existing employees must be submitted using the following HR Request:

Further information:

You can find information on how to complete your appraisal discussion in our previous post.

Second Line Reviews

All second line reviews must be completed by 15 October 2025.

The Second Line Reviewer must input a confirmed contribution descriptor before authorising the appraisal.

You can find further information, including how to complete second line reviews, on the .

If you have queries about the appraisal process and how it applies to you, please either:

• Raise a ticket through 
• Speak to ‘Ask HR’ on 023 8059 7547
• ������������AskHR@soton.ac.uk
• Review the  ���Ի��� pages on the .

On 4 September , including John Holloway, Associate VP Interdisciplinary Research as main panel interdisciplinary expert, and Gemma Fitzsimmons, Head of Research Information and Systems as panel secretary for the Physics and Sociology sub-panels.

A number of our colleagues have also been appointed as members of the REF sub-panels:

Mark Spearing, Vice-President Research and Enterprise said:

“These appointments reflect the breadth of talent across our research community and the valuable contribution made nationally. Sub-panel members play a vital role in ensuring a fair, rigorous and inclusive REF process, and it is fantastic to see colleagues’ expertise recognised in this way. I know they will bring real insight and dedication to this important work.

I would like to thank all the panellists for putting themselves forward for these important roles. We recognise that it represents a significant commitment. We have undertaken work to ensure that all panel members are recognised and supported as they do this important work on behalf of the UK’s research community.”

Date: Friday 12 September 2025

Times: 11:00-12:00 | 14:00-15:00 (Pre-booking essential)

Strongroom showing the Wellington archives

This Hartley Library Archives & Special Collections Heritage Open Day tour will include time to explore rare book and original archival material in the search room relating to Southampton in the Georgian and Regency eras, including places known to and reflecting the life of Jane Austen. The organisers are also offering a “behind the scenes” tour of the strongrooms, which are the specialist storage areas where the Hartley Library houses archives and rare books. Also included is a tour of the conservation studios.

Contact: Karen Robson @ archives@soton.ac.uk

Additional information: