ERIC DOBSON EXHIBITION The University Gallery, University of Northumbria, Newcastle upon Tyne, is exhibiting Eric Dobson's paintings, drawings and collages from today to December 23 (Monday-Thursday 10am to 5pm; Friday/Saturday 10am-4pm). Eric Dobson taught at Newcastle University 1953-1989 and this exhibition provides a belated tribute to an artist/teacher whose reticence was endearing but, in terms of his talent and stature, sometimes exasperating.

ASSASSINS An amateur premiere of the musical, Assassins, by Stephen Sondheim will take place at the Lindsay Arts Studio, University of Keele, December 13-17 at 7.30pm. Details: Brian Rawlins, Keele University, ST5 5BG (tel 0782 621111).

ON-LINE AND IN CONTROL "On-Line and In Control: Women and IT", a day school will take place on December 3 (10am-4pm) at Birkbeck College's Centre for Extra Mural Studies, 26 Russell Square, London WC1B 5DQ. Speakers include Alison Adam (UMIST), Lynne Gornall (University of Glamorgan), Jennifer Light (Harvard) and Joan Mason (director of Association of Women in Science and Engineering). Details: Elaine Kitteringham (tel 071 631 6674).

ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS The Centre for Mediterranean Studies at the University of Bristol is holding a conference entitled "Single Market, Environmental Standards and the Politics of Expertise in Europe", funded by the ESRC, on December 9-11. Details: Geoffrey Pridham, Centre for Mediterranean Studies, University of Bristol, BS8 1TU. Tel 02 303030 ext.8471, or 2888.

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PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION The Open University's quality support centre has organised a conference for educators in the professions of accountancy, engineering, law and nursing, to compare different ways of securing practitioner competence, and public confidence, through universities' contributions to professional formation. Speakers from the key professional bodies and case study presenters will stimulate debate and reflection. It will be held in the Royal Horticultural Society HQ at Westminster on December 2 (10am-4.20pm). Details: Rebecca Stringer at QSC, 344-354 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8BP (tel 071 8 4411).

POLITICS OF DEATH PENALTY Hugo Bedau, visiting professor from Tufts University, Massachusetts, will give his third lecture on capital punishment, "The Politics of the Death Penalty in America", in room 8a, University of Westminster's School of Law, Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4SR (5.30-7pm). Admission is free.

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SUPERVISING POSTGRADUATES A conference, organised by the Consortium of Care for International Students, will be held at Ravensbury House in Westbourne Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham on December 1. The following topics are included on the programme: what is meant by a research student; application procedures and structures within British universities; expectations of a supervisor and the reality; how to help develop linguistic skills. Details: Joan More, Consortium of Care 50 Knightlow Road, Birmingham B17 8QB.

THE RESEARCH FUTURE The ninth public conference of the Standing Conference of Arts and Social Sciences will be held on December 10 (11am-4pm). Entitled "Arts and Social Sciences: The Research Future" keynote speakers include John Laver (chairman, HRB) and Ronald Amann (chief executive ESRC). The panel will comprise John Bagnall, Marilyn Butler, John Griffith and R. J. Johnston. The conference will be held at the Institute of Historical Research, Senate House, London WC1. Details: Professor J. Birkett, French department, The University of Birmingham, B15 2TT, tel 021 414 5964.