The June Bug

Already it’s been 6 months of 2021 and the summer sun has shone upon us. The smell of summer, taste of flies and feeling of casual optimism is slowly returning in abundance. Bringing with it warmer temperatures, June could not have come too soon. It’s the perfect month for al fresco dining, sunbathing and sitting under a tree with a book in hand. La dolce vita!

What’s Happened

Hive Roundup:

Meditation apps: a review – Olivia provides a soothing overview of easy meditation apps to find peace of mind. Get into a seated tadasana or go full locust to reach that brief moment of knowing yourself.

PhD Overwhelmed? How to say Yes and No – Jack surmises how to stay on top of doing too much without sinking into the Overwhelming waves. Grab your tea and stickies to check out the Jackspeak of this article.

Research for Policy: What is it and how does it differ from academic research? – Faye delivers and insightful read by delving into the differentials and statestcraft on how research is done for policy.

Rounding off Manchester 

Graduation – Whether a undergraduate with a casual ear towards PGRs or summer postgraduates, congratulations to all whom signed off on theses, completed their exams and donned their graduation caps, physically or in spirit!

What’s next

In the Hive Pipeline

Science Writing tips from the experts – Nadine lets us in on the secret of how we can get our science journalism skills up to scratch.

Teaching On Zoom – Tarnjit provides pointers of how the teaching, tutoring and outreach world has changed in the post-COVID world.

The Green Price of Fast Fashion – Katie prepares a breakdown of how fashion shapes our carbon footprint, with some stunning visuals from Isabel.

In the UOM:

Bike Month – Get on your bike and pedal away! Join thousands of people across the country and appreciate the benefits of the 2-wheeled transport mode of choice. Not only is it better for the environment than hopping on the bus or getting in a car, but you also get the added benefit of exercise!

Book Club (Friday 25th June, 12:30 to 13:30 BST) – Come along and discuss ‘A Thousand Ships’ by Natalie Haynes.

Developing Resilience for Challenging times (Monday 28th June, 13:00 to 14:00 BST) – Struggling to keep well and focused during these times? A problem shared is a problem halved! Sign up for this workshop and work through your difficulties together. 

Around the World

Mid-summer 

Although found in the guise of a neopagan Stonehenge sunrise within Britain, the summer solstice is steeped in traditions globally. Here are a few of our favourites:

Midsommer (Sweden) – Made more famous by a recent horror film, this harmless celebration involves dancing around a Maypole, or midsommarstång, whilst singing an array of summer songs such as Små grodorna (small frogs). Be careful about going to the lakes at night though…

Inti-Raymi – On the other side of the equator, this ancient Incan festival was the most important celebration of their calender in the Cusco capital during their winter solstice . In honour of the sun god Inti, it is still held within indigenous Andes populations, and  similar festivities are seen during the Mapuche’s We Tripantu from Chile.

St. John’s Eve (Europe) – The sight of bonfires and family gatherings sweeps across central and Northern Europe, where traditional solstice celebrations have combined with Johnmas’ feast day. From Estonia’s Jaanipäev, Latvia’s Jāņi and Finland’s Ukon juhla/Juhannus, fires are kindled, townsfolk are gathered and feasts are ravaged.

Final words

After a timely delay and slight speed bump to our final words for this June 25th release, a summer glowing in celebrations and some sense of normality has swept through. Whether it’s sports fever from the Euros, Olympics and British Lions, a real Fête de la musique of, well, upcoming music festivals or just soaking in the outdoors, it looks like the end of this academic year can be celebrated somehow and somewhere. 

See you soon sunny readers!

Written by your friendly Wellbeing Sub-editors 

If you would like to contribute to any wellbeing news, as well as tips, tricks and tipples for next month’s bulletin, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

(jack.sharpen@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk and olivia.mak@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk)