We’re excited to announce the launch of a new monthly blog series from Information Services (IS), designed to shine a light on the wide range of software, tools, and support services available to both staff and students.
Why are we launching this series? Because of you.
In recent student feedback, some students shared that while they eventually discovered some of the excellent services we provide, they often only learned about them later in their academic journey. By that point, they wished they had known sooner. We also know that staff are incredibly busy, and it’s not always easy to keep up with the full range of digital tools and support available.
This new monthly feature aims to change that.
Why This Matters
IS offers a wide variety of software, platforms, training opportunities, and support services to enhance teaching, learning, research, and day-to-day work. From specialist software and collaboration tools to data storage solutions and digital skills training, there’s a lot available — and not all of it is widely known.
Our goal is simple:
- Help students make the most of their time here from day one.
- Support staff with tools that improve efficiency and innovation.
- Ensure no one misses out on services that could make their work or studies easier.
What to Expect Each Month
Each monthly post will highlight a specific service, software package, or support offering. We’ll cover:
- What it is
- Who it’s for
- How it can help
- How to access it
- Tips for getting started
We’ll also include real examples of how the service can be used in practice — whether that’s supporting research projects, enhancing presentations, managing group work, improving accessibility, or protecting your data.
Some months we’ll spotlight well-established tools that deserve more attention. Other times, we’ll introduce new services or recent enhancements you may not yet be aware of.
Designed With You in Mind
This series is directly inspired by student feedback. Many students told us they were impressed by the digital tools available — but only discovered them through word of mouth or late in their degree.
We want to make sure that:
- First-year students know what’s available from the start.
- Postgraduates can access advanced tools early in their research.
- Staff are confident in recommending and using IS services.
- Everyone feels supported in making the most of our digital environment.
Have a Suggestion?
We’d love this to be a two-way conversation. If there’s a tool you think deserves more attention, or a service you wish you’d known about sooner, let us know. Your feedback will help shape future features.
Keep an eye out for our first spotlight post coming soon. You might just discover a tool that saves you time, boosts your productivity, or enhances your studies in ways you didn’t expect.
Information Services is here to support you — make sure you’re getting the most out of it.