All-staff session: conversation with staff networks

20 May 2022

Vice-Chancellor Robert Van de Noort was joined by the chairs of our five staff networks for a session on how they are enabling #ViableVisibleVoices of our community.

The event was related to the National Day of Staff Networks, which took place on 11 May 2022. This year's theme was #ViableVisibleVoices.

Introducing the session, Robert said, "Staff networks are mainly about people, about progressive change, about supporting the employee journey and inspiring a sense of belonging".

Yota Dimitriadi, Chair of the Staff Disability Network, was the first to speak. She said the recently published Disability and Neurodiversity Review report had been received well by network members. "Colleagues so far have reported that they have felt included and represented and this is important as they trusted us with their lived experiences.

"I feel the outcomes of the proposed recommendations are intersectional and will benefit all colleagues. Of course, as we work through the recommendations, we will identify layers of complexity from language to action that we together need to address but the feeling is that principles of involvement, advocacy and signposting advice and the 10 recommendations have been shaped by ppl with lived experiences."

Santosh Sinha, Co-Chair of the BAME Staff+Allies Network said it has been a busy year for the network. "We have been Visible through a number of events, like the inaugural Black History Month lecture with Rob Neil, the return of race science with Angela Saini, future-proofing your career with our own Naeema Pasha in the Henley Business School and the impact Black Lives Matter campaign has had on D&I networks.

We have been Viable through our participation in the Race Equality Review, the forthcoming Race Equality Charter application, discussions related to Ways of Working, initiating discussions with Schools and Functions on how they can make their areas more inclusive for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic colleagues.

We are showcasing Voices of Black, Asian and Minority ethnic people not just from within our University but from institutions like School of Oriental and African Studies and London Metropolitan University.

Lindsey Key and Emma Broomfield, Co-Chairs of the Parent & Family Network, spoke about the introduction of breastfeeding rooms at the Library, Meteorology and at London Road.

Lindsey said, "Our membership has grown to almost 350. Within the network it has become a real community, with people sharing their experiences, asking questions. We did a lot of events - including an 'Engaging Dads' event with an external speaker, worked with LGBT+ Network, and various informal catch-ups, including the parents of children transitioning to primary schools."

Emma Broomfield said, "We will continue with the informal coffee meets to facilitate community and support, work on a returning from maternity pack for managers and parents and champion policy for loss in pregnancy".

Eleanor Draycott, Co-Chair of the Women@Reading Network, said, "Over the last year we have introduced a Network Teams and run a number of varied events to enable members and staff from the wider University Community to engage with each other and have open conversations about topics of interest to them.

"Key focus of events are in and around International Women’s Day/Women’s History Month in March each year, with other events taking place throughout the year.
Events that have been particular popular this year are: guest speakers to talk about the Menopause, Domestic Abuse – working with Partner Berkshire Women’s Aid and Imposter Syndrome – from a woman’s perspective."

Ruvi Ziegler, Chair of the LGBT+ Network, said the return to campus had made visibility easier. "We received a Silver Award in the latest Stonewall rankings, and continue to engage with them through the Workplace Equality Index. We worked with RUSU for Pride week and through an LGBT action group, and continue to work closely with the other staff networks.

"We continue to support the training for LGBT+ Ally, Trans Awareness and Bi Inclusion, and standing up for vulnerable groups, including LGBT+ asylum seekers.

You can also access the recording on Microsoft Stream.

Videos of previous all-staff sessions

All-staff session: Henley’s Apprenticeship Levy success (20 April 2022)
All-staff session: Implementing the University Strategy (6 April 2022)
All-staff session: Community engagement (23 March 2022)
All-staff session: International Women's Day - #BreakTheBias (9 March)
All-staff session: Engaging the media (24 February)
All-staff session: Disability and Neurodiversity Review (9 February)
All-staff session: University's role in plans for development of Shinfield (2 February)
All-staff session: Portfolio Review Pathway update (13 January)

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