Women working at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) can access support from four staff networks, including a Women’s Network that is dedicated to helping the University remain a progressive place for women to work and thrive.
To celebrate the UK's National Day for Staff Networks, NTU's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team invited all the current members of NTU staff equality networks, and anyone interested in finding out more, to attend an engaging drop-in event to network with members and access relevant information.
Claire Bell, NTU Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion said “We want to celebrate everything our networks have done so far to help NTU develop inclusive practice. We also want to welcome new members and hear fresh ideas about how staff equality networks can continue to contribute in advancing NTU’s inclusive community.”
At the event, guests gained important insight into the work and achievements of NTU's employee networks.
Women’s Staff Network raises the profile of women at NTU
The Women’s Staff Network aims to increase the profile of women at NTU, empower women and create a supportive, aspirational and motivational space to thrive.
The network meets at least once a term over a lunchtime period at one of the university campuses and is led by a Steering Group who supports the following network groups: Aspiring Leaders, Early Parenting, Women in Academia and WSN Social Group.
The network has an online community where members regularly post information such as network meetings, social events and pieces of interest. It is a key stakeholder in the Athena SWAN agenda; network members helped shape the ‘Trailblazing Women of Nottingham’ exhibition on International Women’s Day 2019; it is establishing ‘Women in the Academy’ to support career development; and it champions the need to give NTU equality networks a distinct voice in the NTU2025 strategy.
The network also celebrates International Women's Day (IWD). For IWD 2019, the Women’s Staff Network encouraged the NTU community to wear purple and show their support for gender equality. Colleagues joined network members for a group photo, and women used a ‘Wall of Wisdom’ to promote the advice they would give to their younger self, to other women in their profession or to others generally.
Disabled Employees Network (DEN) offers a collective voice
The Disabled Employees Network (DEN) welcomes disabled staff from across the University as experts in their own experience and inclusive practice. Participation in DEN activities and communications is open to any staff member who identifies as disabled. This includes physical and sensory impairments, mental health difficulties, specific learning difficulties, some long-term health conditions and developmental disabilities.
The purpose of DEN is to provide mutual support and a collective voice for disabled staff at NTU, and to support the University in being disability inclusive and disability confident. The key aims are to: promote positive attitudes towards disabled people and raise awareness of disability equality; develop feedback and suggestions on NTU policy, planning and implementation as it relates to disabled staff; liaise both internally and externally with key groups and individuals to support the aims of the network.
The network provides input into designs for new buildings, services, systems and practices, and is a key contributor to NTU’s EnAble programme.
LGBT+ Staff Network creates an inclusive space for everyone
The LGBT+ Staff Network looks for opportunities to raise the profile of LGBT+ equality through key events and activities; advises the University on relevant policies and practices; and provides strategic advice on issues affecting LGBT+ staff in the workplace.
Recent activities include: a Q&A panel with local LGBT+ activists; a vibrant collective presence at Notts Pride march; consulting with the University on its trans inclusion policies and practices; and regular social events throughout the year.
The network also champions visible symbols of inclusion on campus; developing guidance on inclusive language; and ensures new data systems have considered LGBT+ inclusivity.
NTU defines LGBT+ as including individuals who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, undecided/questioning, queer, or those who self-define as any other marginalised non-normative sexual orientation or gender identity, or those who choose not to define their sexual orientation or gender identity. The University also co-ordinates an LGBT+ Allies scheme for people who do not identify as LGBT+ themselves but are keen to develop LGBT+ inclusive practice.
REACH provides a collective voice for BME colleagues, and celebrates diversity as one of NTU's greatest strengths
REACH advocates for matters relating to race, ethnicity and cultural heritage at NTU, supporting the University and wider community in furthering the equality agenda. Any staff member who shares REACH’s values - wanting to support the advancement of racial equality and celebrating the strengths and achievements of a diverse staff community - can join.
The network is still fairly new and hopes to centre its activities around support, education, celebration, consultation, inspiration, staying current and community engagement. REACH is a key stakeholder in diversifying the NTU workforce; develops guidance on the use of inclusive language; champions mandatory Unconscious Bias training; and pushes the need to give NTU equality networks a distinct voice in the NTU2025 strategy.
Eysha Howell, Co-chair of REACH, says: “I believe we’ve got something that we can share and build on together and learn from each other. We hold events, we reach out to members and let them know what’s going on in the community, we take a lot of feedback from the staff who say what they would like to see within the university and we try to work with that."
“I would suggest that staff keep an eye on the ‘What’s On’ emails because we are always posting things on there, and just get involved – there’s lots for you to get involved in, whether it’s an event or whether you want to showcase something that you’re doing yourself, or just want to highlight what you’re doing in your department to help the university with the overall strategy," she adds.
Join an employer that supports its diverse workforce
The Nottingham Trent University Staff Equality Networks offer unique insight and can lead the way in helping NTU navigate change, against an ever-evolving landscape of technology, workspaces, teaching strategies, borders and funding.
To further your career with an employer that really embraces and supports the individuality of all its staff members, search and apply for some very exciting and purposeful job opportunities with NTU today.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.