From the Talent & Organisational Development Team:

On Wednesday 12 May 2021 Staff networks in organisations across the UK are celebrating the National Day for Staff Networks.

Also known as Networks Day, it aims to encourage collaboration, support aligned activity and further inspire the voice of network members. Many staff networks provide employees from under-represented groups with valuable guidance and timely advice as they navigate their organisation’s culture and endeavour to offer their authentic best in the workplace. ​

The theme for 2021 is #Togetherness.  

Why not connect with one of our Staff networks?

The Networks provide an opportunity for new and existing staff to meet people outside their own department.

Meetings run termly and dates are advertised on the website Staff Equalities Networks – Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity – University of Kent

The EDI Forum

The overall purpose of the EDI network is to represent the views of staff and students, and act as a channel of communication for equality, diversity and inclusivity topics. Membership includes the departmental EDI Representatives, Staff and Student networks, harassment contacts and student union.

EDI Network – Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity – University of Kent and join in the conversation on the EDI forum Teams site

The LGBT+ Staff Network

The network aims to raise the profile and promote positive attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT+) staff and all colleagues in the Rainbow Community across the university. We support LGBT+ colleagues in the workplace, and aim to contribute to the development of relevant university policies and practices so that they are LGBT-inclusive, so that Kent is truly a welcoming space for colleagues of all sexualities and gender identities. It has a Microsoft Teams channel which you can join by using the code skd6691.

LGBT+ Staff Network – Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity – University of Kent

The Disability Staff Network (DSN)

The Disability Staff Network’s ambition is to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for colleagues with disabilities at Kent. Its purpose is to support disabled staff and those staff working with disability or with an interest in disability. It provides a forum to share information and consider good practice, providing recommendations to enhance University policy and practice where appropriate.

The DSN has a Teams/SharePoint page. If you experience any issues with accessing this please email dsnchair@kent.ac.uk to request to be added.

Disability Staff Network – Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity – University of Kent

The Women’s Network

The Women’s Network has been running since 2004 and has been a positive initiative over the last few years. At a time when the University is keen to promote the recruitment, retention and recognition of women in higher education, and Kent in particular, the women’s network has been a group that offered valuable support to members, and feedback to the University on priorities for action.

Women’s Network – Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity – University of Kent

Harassment contacts

The harassment contacts comprise of individual members of staff who have volunteered to take on the role of the harassment contact. The University has appointed and trained some members of staff as harassment contacts to allow staff a point of contact should they feel they have been subjected to or witnessed any form of harassment.

Harassment Contacts – Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity – University of Kent

The BAME Staff Network

The BAME Staff Network launched in October 2019 to support the University’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity and provide an active forum for BAME staff to discuss issues and share experiences important to them. The network bring a range of experience and knowledge related to both staff and students – critical to a nuanced contextual understanding of BAME experiences at the University. It creates a community for academic and professional staff who identify as being part of a Black Asian Minority ethnic group.  The aim is to help each other connect in ways that will create a sense of belonging through sharing our experiences and providing support that will drive progressive equitable change. Email: bamestaffnetwork@kent.ac.uk

BAME Network – Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity – University of Kent

Other networks – Contact Equalityanddiversity@kent.ac.uk for further information 

WREN – Women’s Researcher Network

Inclusion Allies and Mental Health Allies

Allyship is an active, consistent, and arduous practice of unlearning and re-evaluating, in which a person in a position of privilege and power seeks to operate in solidarity with a marginalized group

Alex Gharagozlow, Rutherford ’88, fell in love with the University of Kent the moment he stepped on campus. He was captivated by the international culture and warmth of the University community.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science (BSc) with honours, Chemistry with Management Science he has pursued a career in life sciences with start-ups and multinational organizations including Danaher and Amgen. Alex is an expert at helping organizations develop and implement complex performance improvement transformations. In commercial and operational roles in Europe, US and Asia he has pivoted between line responsibility and internal consulting. He holds a dual MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management, and National University of Singapore.

Alex has long maintained connection with the University, faculty and alumni. He has served on the UKA board since 2016 and in collaboration with the UKA board has helped develop its 2021-2023 strategic plan. “It has been enormously rewarding to give back to an institution that was so instrumental in my development and one that continues to be a beacon in advancing thought leadership in global issues.

At a time of unprecedented transformation in higher education, the UKA board is working closely with regional chapter chairs and the Kent alumni organization to further strengthen the special relationship between the University of Kent and its thriving alumni community in the US.

The University of Kent in America Inc (UKA) was established to connect its U.S based alumni to the University of Kent. It’s also a US registered charity (501(c)(3)) which raises funds for exciting student-focused initiatives.

The UKA aims to reach as many of our alumni and friends across the States as possible, to connect them with professional networks, and to foster involvement with the diverse range of events and activities the University arranges for alumni.

As the Government continues its easing of lockdown, we have a roadmap for staff returning to campus from 10 May 2021 onwards.

Roadmap for return

You can find an accessible version of this image on our Roadmap for staff returning to campus webpage.

What’s changed

Starting from 10 May (the start of our Summer Term), our criteria for staff returning to campus is changing. As well as essential staff (eg, those who provide practical support for students or work in a lab), those staff who cannot work from home for various reasons will be able to return to work on campus. This might apply if you:

• need access to lab equipment
• perform critical activities unable to be done remotely
• would benefit for physical/mental health
• are unable to work from home effectively due to eg, lack of space/Wi-Fi issues/childcare close to campus

Working on and off campus

As highlighted at our recent Covid-19 Staff Webchat, flexible working will become more and more of a feature of how we work as more staff come back onto campus. From September onwards, this will become University policy under our new Hybrid Working Scheme. Further details will be shared with colleagues shortly.

Staying safe

On return to campus, it is important that you help everyone stay safe by following latest guidelines (subject to Government review), including:

• Following the two-metre social distancing rule and room occupancy limits
• Using the hand sanitiser on entering a building and wearing a face covering (unless exempt) at all times, unless in a single occupancy office
• Opening windows, if possible, when sharing a room with others
• Not dropping your guard in informal settings

The University has an Asymptomatic Test Site on campus and all staff and students are eligible for two free Covid tests per week. Everyone regularly on campus is strongly encouraged to take up this opportunity or, if attending on an occasional basis, arrange a test before coming in. Where facilities are available closer to home, you may prefer to be tested regularly at a local symptom-free Community Test Site.

What to do next

In the first instance, you will need to talk to your line manager about the nature of your role and how this affects when you might return to campus. You should also discuss whether in the future, you may be eligible and wish to work partly at home. Once you have agreed a return date to campus, you will need to return any office equipment you have been using to work from home eg, chairs, computers, screens, keyboard/mouse.

You should also ensure you are aware of current safety measures, including the University’s Risk Assessment.

Find out more

You can keep up-to-date with latest Covid-19 changes and guidance on our staff coronavirus pages.

With best wishes,

Richard

We are hosting our next Postgraduate Virtual Open Event on Thursday 20 May 2021, from 16.00 19.00 

It’s been a year since our first virtual open event in May 2020, we’ve come full circle and will be hosting our next postgraduate event this May. The virtual open events invite prospective students to come along and talk to specialist academics and admissions staff about postgraduate study at Kent. As well as finding out more about the Graduate School and funding opportunities.

We continue to see positive attendance numbers at our live open events, for both undergraduate and postgraduate, ranging from 600 – 2000 attendees per event.

Preparations for the event are underway and those who are taking part have been informed by the Recruitment team

Our undergraduate open day is still open to review on-demand

It would be a great help if colleagues could promote the virtual event across their platforms, either on their school websites and on social channels.  As well as forwarding on to friends or family members who may be interested in a postgraduate programme at Kent.

For further information about the event and find out how to register please visit the Postgraduate Events webpage.

From the Talent & Organisational Development Team:

We are happy to share the details for our upcoming Belong and Grow week, which will be coinciding with Learning at Work week, running 17-21 May.

Like last year, to ensure safety, we will be taking a virtual approach to BAG week, and the main aim is to encourage you to take time during the week for your personal development and well being.

Each day we will have a theme, and share resources via the Teams Channel, such as blogs, internal staff pages and Ted talks that tie in to the theme of the day, and promote learning.

Full details of the schedule can be found on our latest blog but we are happy to announce the following additions to the schedule for BAG week:

Monday 17 May:

The Coronavirus Pandemic is taking Gender Equality back decades – How can we address this as an organisation and individual? External Keynote: Catherine Mayer, 10am -11am (bookable via Staff Connect)

Tuesday 18 May:

• Creative Writing – Facilitated by Steve Cope, 11.00 – 12.00 (bookable via Staff Connect)
• Apprentice Information Session –Facilitated by Loretta Izod, 10.00 -11.00 (bookable via Staff Connect)
• Exploring Neurodiversity – an open and safe space to talk with colleagues, supported by the Disability Staff Network, 14.00 – 15.00  (This will be a Teams meeting, and our blog contains the Teams joining link)

Thursday 20 May:

Domestic Violence Awareness – Facilitated by Rising Sun, 10.00 – 12.00 – register directly with Rising Sun via the Eventbrite link.

Friday 21 May:

• Writing for Wellbeing – Facilitated by Steve Cope, 11am-12noon (bookable via Staff Connect)
• Balanced Breathing Session – Facilitated by Rebekah Osborne, 2pm-2.30pm (bookable via Staff Connect)

All Week:

• Coffee with a Mystery colleague – building on the successful initiative, Kent Colleagues Connect
• 1:1 Coaching with Rebekah Osborne – a 90minute coaching session. Rebekah specialises in anxiety but is more than happy to explore anything that anyone wants to bring to coaching (email ldev@kent.ac.uk if you would like to book a session)

If you want any further information, or to be added to our Teams channel, please get in touch via email, ldev@kent.ac.uk

The E-Learning Team are pleased to announce that the next event in our series of ‘Digitally Enhanced Education webinars’ will take place on Thursday 10 June, from 11:00-13:30, with the theme ‘Pedagogy and Practice when Teaching Online’.

Please find the agenda for the event below:

11:00 – 11:05 – Dr Phil Anthony (University of Kent): Introduction

11:05 – 11:20 – Dr Sam Lau (Hong Kong Baptist University): Engaging Quiet Students in Online Teaching

11:20 – 11:35 – Assistant Professor Phinu Jose (Christ University, Bangalore – India): Teaching Digital Natives-Privilege or Pain

11:35 – 11:50 – Dr Maren Deepwell (Chief Executive of the Association for Learning Technology): Key Insights from ALT’s Annual Survey for Teaching Online

11:50 – 12:05 – Kate Lister (Open University): Embedding mental wellbeing in technology enhanced learning

12:05 – 12:15 – Break

12:15 – 12:30 – Assistant Professor Alexandra Mihai (Maastricht University): Active learning online? Yes you can!

12:30 – 12:45 – Lara Bird (Office for Students): Gravity assist: Propelling higher education towards a brighter future – Where are we now?

12:45 – 13:00 – Dr David Martin (University of Dundee): Taking engagement in lectures to the next level – an experimental improved audience response system.

13:00 – 13:15 – Dr Lisa Quinn (University of Leicester): Integrating Multi-Source Inputs into Pre-recorded & Remote Live Lectures

13:15 – 13:30 – Professor Barbara Oakley (Oakland University, US): The magic of the brain’s hidden learning system

If you would like to join the webinar series, please express your interest here if you haven’t done so already. We will add you the Microsoft Team linked to the series. Colleagues from outside the University of Kent are very welcome to join –  so please feel free to circulate.

If you would like to present at a future event, please complete this form and I will be in touch.

We hope to see you on 10 June.

Phil Anthony and the E-Learning Team