Category Archives: Volunteer

“The Conversation” – Call for Articles

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ConversationUK-Logo_RGB_CS1-large_1_407_86The University has now joined a project called ‘The Conversation’, a free-to-read website containing topical articles written by academics. It’s intended to be an alternative to the mass media – allowing academics the freedom to write evidence based think-pieces without their words being twisted to suit media agendas. It’s also good for giving early career researchers a platform and some writing practice if they want to test their ideas out and build some confidence.

The process involves the academic submitting their text to the website, then changes are batted back and forth between them and the editor, and then the academic has to give final approval before it’s published. All articles are creative commons so you would be able to cut and paste them onto your own websites.

In Michaelmas Term there will be an introductory session for interested academics to attend at which “The Conversation” editors will speak. Subsequently there will be small group training for any academics who want more guidance about how to write a good piece.

If you are interested, please contact Carolyne Culver who will put you in touch with the relevant person within “The Conversation”.

To view the website – Click Here
To sign up as a reader – Click Here

LMS Holgate Lectures and Workshops – Session Leaders Wanted!

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For some years, the London Mathematical Society has run a ‘Holgate Lecture’ scheme. This has provided speakers an opportunity to go into schools to give a mathematical lecture to a group of students or teachers, and are intended to enrich and enhance mathematical education, looking both within and beyond the curriculum. The Society intends to re-launch this scheme, this time as the “Holgate Lecture and Workshop sessions”, and invites applications from people who would like to become Holgate Session Leaders.

It is anticipated that, primarily, each session leader will offer a range of sessions for those in education outside of higher education.  This could be at primary, secondary or A-Level or equivalent, and may also cover adult education. The leader would also be free to offer sessions to other relevant groups, for example teachers of mathematics, to enhance their professional mathematical development.

Holgate session leaders do not charge a fee for giving talks, but local organisers are expected to pay travel expenses and subsistence costs, together with any local costs of organising the session. The LMS will then pay an annual honorarium to the session leaders.

To apply, applicants are asked to send a short (2-page) CV and a letter detailing what it is they think they could offer as a Holgate Session Leader, and what they believe that the Holgate sessions could offer as an educational experience.

The closing date for applications is the 22nd May 2015. If you are interested, please contact Suzanna Marsh here, who will direct you to the next steps.

To find out more – Click Here

NCTEM Magazine – Writers needed!

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The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) is looking for new writers and/or a new writer/editor for its monthly, online Secondary Magazine.

The aim of the magazine is to provide a topical mix of maths education news and items that dig a little deeper into pedagogy and research. They have a variety of topic pieces, as well as regular features, and the position will be paid!

If you are interested, please email steve.mccormack@ncetm.org.uk by 12pm on Thursday 2nd April with a brief explanation of why you’re interested, any relevant maths teaching and writing experience, and what you might bring to the role.

In addition, they request the first couple of sentences (max 50 words in total) of:
• one item that might appear in the Heads Up section of the magazine, and
• one item that might appear in any of the other regular sections.

To find out more about the NCETM Magazine – Click Here
To view the advertisement – Click Here

“Smart Oxford” Initiative – Volunteers needed

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The Smart Oxford Initiative is now live! Smart Oxford represents a commitment by Oxfordshire Partners to develop efficient and effective use of data and technology for the benefit of it’s citizens.

The aims of “Smart Oxford” are listed below:

  • creating joined-up thinking and behaviour across all city services;
  • creating economic and social prosperity;
  • enhancing performance, well-being and quality of life;
  • reducing costs and resource consumption; and
  • engaging actively with all its citizens.

The website will be looking for bloggers on smart-city related topics so anyone is interested in writing a smart-city themed article, or re-blogging some existing material. This would be an excellent opportunity to utilise your knowledge and point-of-view on a public network, reaching Oxford and beyond.

To visit the Smart Oxford website – Click Here
To volunteer your writing assistance – Click Here