It is a common misconception that University staff get long summer holidays. Although the Easter term ended on 13 June and the Michaelmas term doesn't start until 7 October, the University does not close down.

While undergraduates may not be here, post graduate students, staff and other researchers are still working.

As an example of this, the Bioscience Engineering group has started a series of Informal Seminars which will run for the rest of the summer. The seminars aim to improve communications and provide an opportunity for people not directly involved in bioscience engineering to learn what is being done in this field. The next seminar will be presented by Michael Carter who will give Advice on establishing businesses in Britain.

Other researchers are taking the opportunity to attend conferences. For example, members of the Magnetic Resonance and Catalysis group will be attending the EUCHEM conference on Structure and Molecular Mobility in Heterogeneous Systems, August 27-29, 2003, Fiskebäckskil (north of Göteborg), Sweden and the 7th International Conference on Magnetic Resonance Microscopy in Utah from September 21-26, 2003.

Of course, it's not all work. Staff and students will also be trying to fit in holidays. Some, such as research student Bart Hallmark, prefer more adventurous expeditions.

And, finally, we must not forget the two weddings that have happened in the last month. Congratulations to both couples.