Dear Colleagues,

This week we welcome a number of students back to campus under the first phase of the Government’s roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions. It’s fantastic to have them back, and I know there has been a great deal of work across the University to make sure both they and staff on campus are safe. We will continue to make sure they have the right support available in the weeks ahead, and will be reiterating safety messages to students to make sure they understand the steps we all need to take to keep each other safe. This includes regular testing, which will be a key part of helping us all get things back to normal as quickly as possible.

This week is British Science Week, and so I wanted to take a moment to celebrate the STEM research and expertise we have across our University. This is an area of strength and one where we want to further raise our profile in the years ahead. We have a number of events taking place this week shining a light on the fantastic work taking place across our Divisions. Do sign-up for the remaining events in the next couple of days if you can.

Monday also marked International Women’s Day, and, while we need to continue to challenge ourselves, I am proud to be part of a university that is determined to celebrate and promote women as part of our wider commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity. It was fantastic to see research and comment on the day from inspirational women across Kent, from ‘Ten tips on how to succeed as a woman taken from the past’ to the impact of Covid on gender inequality and new research on barriers for women in some STEM areas. Also on Monday Dr Louise Naylor chaired our Women’s Staff Network and our BAME Staff Network hosted the Right Reverend Dr Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover, as keynote speaker at an evening event that explored race and gender. Thank you to all who were able to be present at these events.

With all best wishes to you and your families,

Karen Cox

Professor Karen Cox | Vice-Chancellor and President