Distinguished Visiting Fellows Handbook

Distinguished Visiting Fellows Handbook

Welcome from the Director of the Graduate School Welcome to Queen Mary, University of London. We are delighted that you have accepted this Distinguished Visiting Fellowship in the Graduate School in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Queen Mary is the third-largest college of the University of London, and we take pride in the quality of our academic research. In the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, Queen Mary saw a 100 per cent increase in 5 and 5* rated departments, with Law, Hispanic Studies and Linguistics achieving the elite 5* ranking. According to the Guardian Good University Guide (2006), Drama, Economics, History, Law and Modern Languages are all ranked in the top ten nationally for their subject. In recent years, Queen Mary has invested 175 million in an exciting and innovative development programme, which includes the Westfield Student Village Development which enables Queen Mary to accommodate more than 2,000 students in and around the Mile End Campus, an award-winning new Medical School building in Whitechapel and the refurbished Lock-keeper s Cottage Graduate Centre in Mile End. The College is a truly international community, with students and staff from more than 100 countries; yet it is firmly rooted in its East London community. We hope that you enjoy your time here and make full use of the facilities and contact available to you. With warmest wishes Richard Schoch Director, Graduate School in the Humanities and Social Sciences

Contents Travel into and around London 02 By tube By bus By air Accommodation 04 Other information 05 Queen Mary Identity Card/Security Pass Lock-keeper s Cottage Graduate Centre Library Communications Banking Campus safety Health care Dining options Resource conservation Athletics and recreation Local attractions Useful links The information given in this brochure is correct at the time of going to press. The College reserves the right to modify or cancel any statement in it and accepts no responsibility for the consequences of any such changes. Queen Mary, University of London 01

Travel into and around London Queen Mary is located in Mile End, east London, which is within easy reach of Central London. By tube Mile End Station - the London Underground (or Tube ) - is a five minute walk from the accommodation area: the District, Hammersmith & City and Central Lines giving quick access to all areas of London. King s Cross, for the British Library, is an 18-minute journey, and Liverpool Street, from where mainline rail services go to Stansted Airport, for example, is a five-minute trip. By bus The Number 25 bus stops directly outside the College on the Mile End Road, on its way from Stratford in East London (the centre of the Olympic preparations) to Oxford Circus, in the West End. By air Stansted Airport By Train: www.stanstedexpress.com Stansted Express is the fast and convenient way to Stansted Airport from central London (Liverpool Street station) with trains departing every 15 minutes with an average journey time of 45 minutes. From Liverpool Street, Mile End Tube is 2 stops (5 minutes) away. By Coach: The coach station (or bus station) is located below between Zone C and D of the Short Stay Car Park. Tickets can be purchased from the coach ticket desk in the arrivals area in the terminal or in the coach station. Tickets may also be purchased on the coach. Some coaches run to London Stratford, from where Queen Mary is one stop away on the Central line. Heathrow Airport By Train: www.heathrowexpress.com The Heathrow Express is a non-stop train service that offers the fastest travel option between Heathrow Airport and central London. Services run every 15 minutes and the journey time is just 15 minutes; seven to eight minutes more to and from Terminal 4. A standard single fare is 14.50 and a standard return is 27. The train arrives at Paddington Station, from where you can catch the Hammersmith and City line to Mile End. We recommend the combination of Heathrow Express and Tube to Mile End and the most efficient way of getting from Heathrow to Queen Mary. By Tube: London Underground s Piccadilly Line provides you with a quick, cost-effective route to the airport from the capital. There is one station (Heathrow Terminals 1, 2, 3; in fare zone 6) serving the central terminal area. Journey time is under an hour and you shouldn t have to wait longer than ten minutes for a train even off-peak. Purchase a Travelcard and you re covered for buses and some trains too. Underground walkways link the Heathrow Tube station with the terminals. The average journey time from Heathrow to Mile End is one and a half hours. Change from the Piccadilly Line at Holborn to the Central Line, which will bring you directly to Queen Mary. Tickets are available at London Underground stations, from ticket offices or machines. For fares, times and other information, visit www.tfl.org.uk By Taxi: London licensed taxis are available from outside each terminal for travel within the London area. To ensure there are adequate taxis to meet demand, a computer system is used to control the flow of vehicles to the forecourts. The approximate cost from Heathrow to central London is 46-50 with an average journey time of one hour. Journeys inside London and within 20 miles of the airport are priced using the taxi meter. By Coach: Frequent services connect the airport with more than 500 local and national destinations. There are a number of different coach (or bus) operators with National Express being the largest. Most coaches pick up and set down passengers at the central bus station, which is located close to Terminals 1, 2 and 3; however, some services stop outside the terminals themselves. Please check with your coach company for exact information. Coach tickets for all services can be purchased from the travel centre in the central bus station. Tickets for the National Express services can also be pre-booked online or by calling +44 (0)8705 808 080. 02 Queen Mary, University of London

Gatwick Airport By Train: www.gatwickexpress.com Gatwick Express offers dedicated, highspeed travel between central London and Gatwick Airport. With a journey time of 30 minutes between London Victoria and Gatwick (35 minutes on Sundays), it is the fastest option. A standard single fare is 12 and a standard return is 23.50. The Gatwick Express service arrives in Victoria Station, which is half an hour from Mile End Tube station on the District Line. By Coach: National Express and Oxford Bus Company coaches operate from the upper terminal forecourt (South Terminal). The majority of services also call at the North Terminal (on the lower level outside International Arrivals). Tickets can be bought at National Express ticket desks in Arrivals in both the North and South terminals. There is also a ticket desk and covered waiting area in the South Terminal coach station. By Taxi: Private hire car services (taxis) are provided by the airport s official partner, Checker Cars. They operate a quoted fare system and cars can be pre-booked with fares paid in advance or at the end of the journey, by cash or credit card. A journey into central London takes approximately 65 minutes and costs around 77. Checker Cars North Terminal office Tel: +44 (0)1293 501377 Checker Cars South Terminal office Tel: +44 (0)1293 502808 Queen Mary, University of London 03

Accommodation As part of your fellowship award, you will be allocated free accommodation on campus. This comprises a one-bedroom apartment or studio in the awardwinning Student Village, with private kitchen and bathroom facilities. The Village, which borders the historic Regent s Canal, includes the Global Village cafe (specialising in International foods), a laundrette, a convenience store and offers 24-hour security. The Village is centrally located for all College amenities, including the Library and Lock-keeper s Cottage Graduate Centre, where many events take place throughout the year. Bedlinen and towels are provided for the duration of your stay. There is a small television and internet access within the apartment, an account password for the latter can be set up with Computing Services on arrival (see Communications below). For Fellows who are expecting visits from their families during their stay at Queen Mary, foldaway beds can be arranged with the Residences Office. www.qmul.ac.uk/qmliving/accommodation/ Tel: +44 (0)207 882 3103 A virtual tour of campus is available through this link: www.qmul.ac.uk/about/campus/mileend/ virtual/ 04 Queen Mary, University of London

Other information Queen Mary Identity Card/Security Pass To obtain a Queen Mary ID card, which will give you access to the Lock-keeper s Cottage Graduate Centre and Queen Mary Library, contact Computing/Information Services www.is.qmul.ac.uk/ Tel: +44 (0) 20 7882 3302 Lock-keeper s Cottage Graduate Centre The Centre occupies the refurbished and extended lock-keeper's cottage alongside the Regent's Canal. The design is by Surface Architects, based in Shoreditch, who recently came first in the UK Young Architects of the Year Award. The George Steiner seminar room is adjacent to a new common room and kitchen for staff and postgraduate students, and two open plan rooms for postgraduate students and visiting fellows. These rooms are equipped with workstations, and have internet and printing facilities. The Centre is open to all postgraduates in the Humanities and Social Sciences, visiting fellows and academic staff, and complements the facilities currently available in the Arts Research Centre, refurbished some three years ago. The extension to the building has been designed deliberately to contrast with the Victorian cottage, which has been restored to its original appearance, and makes maximum use of a wonderful waterfront location. Library The Queen Mary Library has a very strong collection of books and journals, and is a lending library. It also has a large collection of e-journals which can be accessed through the campus internet-connection. For opening hours and other information: www.library.qmul.ac.uk Campus communications Each apartment has Internet access, an account and password for which can be set up after registering with Computing Services. There is also a telephone handset provided, which can receive incoming calls only, and you will be allocated a telephone number upon arrival. Computing/Information Services www.is.qmul.ac.uk/ Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 3302 There are also internet terminals in the Main Library on campus, as well as the Lockkeeper s Cottage Graduate Centre and the Arts Research Annexe. There is a post-box directly outside the residences, and collections are made daily. Banking Most visitors find it simpler to use cashpoints/atms to make withdrawals from their normal bank accounts, rather than opening a new account. There is a Barclays Bank on campus, with a cash-point on the Mile End Road. Campus safety Queen Mary, University of London seeks to create and maintain an environment in which all staff and students are valued and are encouraged to contribute towards the mission of the College. The College therefore seeks to develop a community that shares a number of common goals, one of which is a high level of safety and welfare provision for its employees, students and others that are affected by its activities. When you arrive at your residence on campus, you will be asked to note the fire exits in the building, and have a clear idea of health and safety procedures (this information will be available in the flat/studio). The campus is patrolled at all times: the Security offices are at the entrance gate in Westfield Way: Security Email: mile-end-security@qmul.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0)207 882 5000 In order to make the college as secure as possible, we kindly ask you to wear your college ID card while you are on campus. Queen Mary, University of London 05

Other information (cont) Health care The College Health Centre in the Geography Building is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Registered nurses are available to help with minor treatment and injuries. Information about other health services such as dentists and opticians is also available at the Health Centre. A local general practice provides GP services on site every morning during term-time. At other times (including the vacation) the GPs can be contacted via their main surgery premises. The practice offers a full range of general medical services. It is preferable that you register with the GP before you need the doctor s services. There is a pharmacy on Mile End Road, directly next door to Mile End Tube station, where prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines can be dispensed. Local hospitals: Both of these hospitals have an Accident and Emergency department. The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, London, E1 1BB Tel: +44 (0)20 7377 7000 Fax: +44 (0)20 7601 7102 Whipps Cross Hospital Leytonstone, London, E11 1NR Tel: 020 8539 5522 Dining options On Campus There is a range of dining opportunities on campus, ranging from quick snacks to fullmeal options. In the vicinity The local area reflects the diverse ethnic population and is host to a wide selection of restaurants serving food from all corners of the globe. Five minutes walk from the residences is a high-class Indian restaurant Zeera (www.zeeraindiancuisine.com) and a friendly Japanese canteen Matsu, serving reasonably priced, good-quality noodles and sushi. Towards Victoria Park, there are more restaurants and delicatessens. There is also a range of supermarkets in the area, two within the immediate vicinity of Queen Mary: Budgens under the Green Bridge, and The Co-op towards Stepney Green Tube station. At Whitechapel there is a large Sainsbury s; Marks & Spencer, Tesco and Waitrose have stores at Canary Wharf, a short ride away on the bus or Docklands Light Railway (travelcards accepted on both routes). At Whitechapel there is a daily market selling fresh fruit and vegetables. In London Further afield there are literally thousands of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from. For a comprehensive guide, see www.londoneatingdrinking.co.uk, which also has a section on the Mile End and Victoria Park area. There are plenty of food-markets all over London. Borough Market, open Saturday mornings, is the most celebrated, selling Farmer s produce, including meat, fish, cheese, vegetables and fruit. There are local Farmer s Markets all over London at varying times during the week. 06 Queen Mary, University of London

Resource conservation Queen Mary is dedicated to minimising our carbon footprint, and we ask you to follow these guidelines during your Fellowship: If you are the last person out of your office, room or work area, please ensure that all lights are turned off before leaving. If it is a bright day and there is enough natural light, please turn off your lights. If you use a computer please ensure that it is on powersave, and that it is turned off when not in use. There are recycling points near the Fellows accommodation, for paper, glass and metals. Athletics and recreation Near Victoria Park (c. 10-15 minute walk away) is Fitness First (Bow Wharf), a membership-only gym. Expect to pay c. 40-50 per month for membership, and possibly a joining fee. Tel: 0870 898 06 21 www.fitnessfirst.co.uk/locator There is a swimming pool at the historic York Hall baths at Bethnal Green. The Mile End Leisure Centre, just minutes from the Campus, offers a brand-new eight-lane swimming pool and teaching pool, two state-ofthe-art Wellness Fitness Centres, an indoor Sports Hall and women-only fitness sessions. The Mile End Stadium nearby also has a floodlit grass football pitch, athletics track and other pitches. Victoria Park has wide open spaces, where many people go jogging. Local attractions Victoria Park is a 10-15 minute walk away, and has a cafe overlooking the lake. Next to the park is an entertainment complex, comprising a comedy cafe, a gym and a bar overlooking Regent s Canal. Mile End Park, with its landmark Green Bridge is between the Queen Mary campus and Mile End Tube station, and contains contemporary sculpture and innovative planting techniques. Much of it is overlooked by the campus apartments. The Mile End Genesis Cinema is an independent cinema, showing all the latest releases. It is located between Stepney Green and Whitechapel Tube stations, and is a 10-15 minute walk. Useful links: Computing Services www.is.qmul.ac.uk Queen Mary Library www.library.qmul.ac.uk Graduate School www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/hss British Library www.bl.uk Queen Mary, University of London 07

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This guide has been produced by the Publications and Web Office for the Graduate School in the Humanities and Social Sciences -Pub0369 For further information contact: The Graduate School in the Humanities and Social Sciences Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS Tel: +44 (0)20 8882 6307 email: l.grant@qmul.ac.uk www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/hss