Wednesday 10 May was National Day for Staff Networks, a day dedicated to recognising networks and the value they add to the workplace. Staff networks are all about people. They are about progressive change, supporting the employee journey and inspiring a feeling of belonging.
At Durham we have a wide range of staff networks. Our networks bring together colleagues with shared heritages, experiences, or characteristics to support each other and to work with the University to foster change and improve our staff experience.
Do you know which networks are available to you?
Here we’ll introduce you to them.
Mothers and Mothers-to-be (MAMS) Support Network
Our MAMS network is for mothers or expectant mothers at the University and membership in this network is drawn from across our departments and divisions, covering both staff and students.
The group meets informally a least once a term and they keep in touch via email updates and their Facebook page. If you'd like more information or to join the network please visit their SharePoint page.
LGBT+ Staff and PG Network
The LGBT+ network is open to all people from the LGBT+ community and allies including staff, postgraduate students, as well as their partners and friends.
The network aims to provide confidential support and information to staff on LGBT+ matters in the workplace and offer advice on LGBT+ equality and diversity issues within the University.
Informal meetings take place approximately once a month. If you'd like more information or to join the network please visit their SharePoint page.
First-Generation Staff Network
Our First-Generation Staff Network brings together academic and professional services staff who self-identify as first-generation university graduates or who wish to support first generation members of the DU community.
The network aims to celebrate and promote the achievements of first-generation staff through events, discussion forums, mentoring, network meetings and training events.
By connecting like-minded individuals, the network seeks to foster a sense of belonging amongst network members.
To find out more about this network, visit their SharePoint page.
Dr Kyriaki Nanou Associate Professor in European politics about said about the network:
I am really happy to be involved in the First-Generation Staff Network. There is a great sense of community, with all members ready to support and empower one another. It is a very diverse network with a positive 'can-do' attitude, which I find inspirational. The network activities have made me realise that, through sharing our work and life experiences, we can turn barriers into opportunities.
The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Network
The BAME Network was established in October 2017 and aims to provide a voice for BAME staff and to engage with BAME postgraduate students of all levels studying at the University.
The network is open to all members of staff at the University interested in engaging with BAME issues. The group welcomes and encourages participation from all BAME staff at the University who by virtue of their race, religion, colour or ethnic origin are identifiable as being different from the ethnic majority.
For more information or to join, please visit their SharePoint page.
Jordan Mullard, Fixed Term Lectureship said:
The BAME Network has made a very important contribution to my time and development at Durham University. I’ve worked closely with Chairs past and present on feeding back my involvement on the Race Equality Charter Self-Assessment Team and supported on representing the network at various university-level meetings. Above this, however, has been its value in creating solidarity and a sense of wider belonging.
Disability Network
"The network works to ensure our neurodiverse or disabled staff can flourish in the university as well as our students." said Benedict Douglas, Assistant Professor in Law.
The Disability Network was relaunched in March this year and is in the process of establishing a committee/working group to take forward a productive and supportive agenda. This will allow the committee to tackle a range of disability related issues and events throughout the year.
Our Disability Network aims to provide a voice for staff with disabilities and to create a space where issues affecting staff with disabilities can be discussed in a supportive and confidential way.
Membership to the network is confidential and open to anyone who self identifies as having a disability irrespective of what it is. We would encourage any colleagues who would like to become a member to email ds.network@durham.ac.uk
Women@DU
Women@DU is a network that brings together staff from across the University who identify as women, in order to share experiences, opportunities and knowledge, offering mutual support and a networking space to discuss issues that are important to us.
The network brings together colleagues in an inclusive community, regardless of grade or role within the University.
If you have any questions regarding the network, please email marie-claire.barnet@durham.ac.uk or sarah.prescott@durham.ac.uk
Sandra MacDonald, Acting Vice Principal of Josephine Butler College commented : ''Notable workshops for me have been about the menopause and imposter syndrome: hearing other women’s experiences has been invaluable. But we also have less structured networking events and feel-good walks. If you haven’t joined, you really should!”
I love being part of a vibrant network that goes across the whole University and unites women who work here, bringing many colleagues together to talk about issues that are close to our hearts.
Durham University Technical Managers Network
This is a network for technical managers from all Faculties and areas. Founded in 2013, the network was set up to encourage interaction, communication and collaboration between all technical managers.
They meet once a term to look at issues such as apprentices, safety and facilities issues, training and development of technical staff around the University. They also share knowledge, experiences, best practice and provide support.
Any technical managers interested in joining can email beth.upex@durham.ac.uk or j.m.dodds@durham.ac.uk