Category Archives: Uncategorized

Industrial Action at Kent

From Martin Atkinson | Director of HR and Organisational Development

On 27 January, we received notification that the University and College Union (UCU) has announced further strike days as part of the national disputes over the proposed changes to the USS Pension Scheme and over Pay and Conditions. This will take the form of two periods of action at Kent:

14 to 18 and 21 to 22 February
28 February to 2 March

The UCU’s mandate for Action Short of a Strike (ASOS) remains in place until 3 May.

We regret that this decision has been taken and that it has not yet proved possible to resolve these national disputes. Strikes inevitably lead to some disruption, but we will continue to work with our local UCU colleagues on all of the issues. As with the strike days in December, we have in place plans to mitigate disruption as far as possible for all our staff and students.

While we might have differing views on how to address the various issues, we all want what’s best for Kent. We showed this togetherness in December during a difficult period, and we were able to maintain good relations and minimise disruption for staff and students. I hope that we can all approach this next period of strike action in the same constructive way.

Martin Atkinson | Director of HR and Organisational Development

Sign up now to help at this year’s Celebration Ceremonies and Congregations

Thank you to everyone who has already offered to help at this year’s Celebration Ceremonies and Congregations.

Graduation is a key moment in the lives of all our students and, following the pandemic, we’re keen to ensure this year’s ceremonies from March onwards are extra special.

It’s great that so many colleagues across the University have already shown an interest, but we always need more help – for roles from ticket collection to graduate registration, ushering and handing out certificates.

Benefits for you

These are wonderful occasions to share with our graduates and help celebrate their success, but there are plenty of other benefits for you too, including:

The ceremonies are a great way to get to know colleagues in both your own team and across the University.
If you work two or more ceremonies, you will receive a free lunch/dinner.
If you’re on grades 1-6, you can claim for TOIL (time off in lieu) or overtime payments.
If you’re on a higher grade, you may be able to claim time back, subject to agreement with your manager.

Find out more

Watch our video on how you can help make our ceremonies extra special!

Further information on what’s involved is also available in our Congregations Factsheet and you can find out about the ceremony dates here. Feel free to email us at congregations@kent.ac.uk if you have any questions.

If you’re ready to sign up, please complete this form asap.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Liberty Chambers and Chloe Cooper, Congregations team

E-Learning webinar: ‘Pedagogy and Practice when teaching and learning Online’

The E-Learning Team are pleased to announce that the next event in our series of ‘Digitally Enhanced Education webinars’ will take place on Wednesday 16 February from 14:00 – 16:45 (GMT), with the theme ‘Pedagogy and Practice when teaching and learning Online’.

Agenda:

14:00 – 14:05 – Dr Phil Anthony (University of Kent): Introduction
14:05 – 14:20 – Professor Kathleen M Quinlan (University of Kent): Returning to the lecture hall? how to trigger students’ interest in large group settings
14:20 – 14:35 – Jessica Moody (Advance HE): Building ‘belonging’ in online teaching
14:35 – 14:50 – John Moran, Professor Debbie Holley & Adam Bancroft (University of Bournemouth): ‘Martian Attack: the story so far…
14:50 – 15:05 – Katalin Hanniker & Irina Niculescu (University of Surrey): Co-designing a module with students and staff from different universities, time zones and cultures
15:05 – 15:20 – Amy Rattenbury (Wrexham Glyndwr University): Locking down the fundamentals for Scaling Up your teaching
15:20 – 15:30 – Break
15:30 – 15:45 – Chris Morrison (University of Kent) & Dr Jane Secker (University of London): Copyright and online learning at a time of transition
15:45 – 16:00 – Dr Mark O Connor (University of Kent): Online and blended provision: What can we learn from MOOCs… and what else do we need?
16:00 – 16:15 – Ben Watson (UCL) & George Rhodes (University of Westminster): What are the foundations for meaningful adoption of a digitally accessible culture in the education sector? Lessons from multiple organisations.
16:15 – 16:30 – Dr Suzanna Klaf & Dr Amanda Irvin (Columbia University): Five Principles for Inclusive Teaching and Learning
16:30 – 16:45 – Dr Julie McGurk (Yale University) & Dr Jamiella Brooks (University of Pennsylvania): Rigor as Inclusive Practice

Please share

Colleagues from outside the University of Kent are very welcome to join this community and so feel free to circulate. Please ask anyone wishing to join to complete the Digitally Enhanced Education registration form if they haven’t already. We add them to the mailing list linked to the series.

If you would like to present at a future event, please submit a short synopsis and Phil Anthony will be in touch.

Best wishes,

The E-Learning Team

Condolences for Sir Crispin Tickell, former Kent Chancellor

We were sorry to hear news of the death of Sir Crispin Tickell, Chancellor of the University of Kent from 1996-2006.

Sir Crispin was a career diplomat. He advised four prime ministers and, as cited in his Guardian obituary, had formidable intellect and displayed impeccable timing when intervening in policy.

In a long career, he had often found himself in the right place at the right time. In 1956, as a junior Foreign Office official, he dispatched a Royal Navy destroyer to deter a threatened Argentinian invasion of the Falkland Islands, an intervention that was successful.

He was involved in many negotiations on behalf of the British government, from arms control with the Russians, to entry talks to the European Community in 1972. But perhaps his greatest contribution to forming policy was on the environment. He argued for mandatory international pollution control, something that is finally taking shape.

In 1977, while taking a sabbatical at Harvard he wrote Climatic Change and World Affairs, one of the first, and for at least a decade, the only book on the coming climate crisis, and what governments should do to prevent it.

Sir Crispin’s final diplomatic post was as British ambassador to the United Nations and permanent representative on the UN Security Council from 1987 until 1990. It was in this post that he played an active part in the talks to end the Iran/Iraq war.

Following “retirement”, Sir Crispin chaired Major’s government panel on Sustainable Development from 1994 until 2000 and was a member of two Labour government taskforces. He was warden of Green College, Oxford from 1990 to 1997 and Chancellor of the University of Kent from 1996 to 2006. He was also president of the Royal Geographical Society (1990-93) and the Marine Biological Society (1990-2001).

You can read the full obituary for Sir Crispin on Guardian online.

Kent’s response to EHRC statements on upcoming LGBTQ+ legislation

The University of Kent is committed to fostering a positive working environment where all staff are treated fairly, with dignity, courtesy, respect and consideration. We recognise that the response of some institutions, both international and national, regarding plans to legislate for a ban on conversion therapy in England and Wales, and Gender Recognition Act reform in Scotland, are placing our trans colleagues at an increased risk of harm.

We do not – and will not – tolerate discrimination and harassment within our institution. We have been pleased to see growing awareness of the diversity of the trans and non-binary community and increased understanding of the breadth of gender identities. Unfortunately, this visibility has come with a rise in hostility towards some members of the trans community.

We encourage all staff and students to actively engage in increasing their understanding of the issues facing the trans and non-binary communities and to take action to create a more inclusive environment. To understand more around the specific current concerns, the Stonewall response to EHRC statements on upcoming LGBTQ+ legislation and Mermaids’ response to the EHRC highlight the impact that this is having on the trans and non-binary communities.

This is situated in an ongoing context, where Trans and non-binary people face discrimination and harassment:

At work, including from colleagues, managers, customers and clients;
In public, including verbal and physical abuse;
Online, particularly on social media where targeted harassment, bullying and abusive comments and even attempts to find and share trans people’s previous names and current address are increasingly common;
Trans people also face barriers to accessing healthcare, such as long waiting lists for treatment.

As an institution, we are committed to speaking out when we witness or hear transphobia, challenging decisions that exclude trans people, including ways of thinking that perpetuate a rigid gender binary, learning how best we can support our trans colleagues at all times, and educating ourselves and those around us.

For members of our trans, non-binary and intersex communities

Network support

Join our communities – the Staff LGBTQ+ Network, Kent Union LGBTQ+ Network and Trans, non-binary, intersex and questioning peer support group are here to support you.

Gender neutral toilets

We recognise that this is a particular concern for trans and non-binary members of our community, and we have maps of both our Canterbury and Medway campuses highlighting the location of gender neutral toilets.

Harassment reporting

We fully support and encourage all our students and staff to report incidents of harassment and discrimination.

Rainbow Lanyard

The University of Kent Rainbow Lanyard celebrates and promotes our work around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Wearing one shows your commitment to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all of our LGBTQ+ staff and students. It also shows LGBTQ+ people that they can ‘bring their whole selves’ to you without fear of judgement or an unsupportive reaction.

For allies

We recognise that it can be challenging to know how to support other members of our community facing discrimination and harassment or speaking out when we witness or hear transphobia. Below are some actions that you can take.

Update your email signatures

Add your pronouns to your email signature, (Pronouns means how you identify — he/him, she/her, they/them, for instance — and how you’d like other people to refer to you. This is a great, inclusive practice for everyone, even or especially if you’re cisgender – if you’re not sure what this means, Stonewall have put together a helpful glossary).

Active Bystander training

‘Active Bystander’ is an innovative and award-winning training session which gives staff and students the skills to challenge unacceptable behaviours, including those which may have become normalised over time.

We have three sessions planned which are running in April, June and August all bookable via Staff Connect. Students have an online Bystander module that is part of the Expect Respect module on the student Moodle site.

Learn more about the challenges members of our community face

Online training in Staff Training Moodle on Transgender Awareness and LGBTQI – these are easily accessible, available at any time and give an introduction to the challenges members of our community face. We recommend that all staff engage with these training opportunities.

Access resources

Using the resources available removes the burden of questions, explanations and discussions from members of the trans community – the links below are an excellent starting point for people wanting to understand more.

Our LGBTQ+ network have a fantastic blog that covers ongoing news, events and challenges – stay up to date with the issues affecting the community.

Mermaids UK and Stonewall have easily accessible resources and Q&A that cover many of the relevant issues.

Rainbow Lanyard

Be part of the University Community Choir

If the winter blues or work stress is getting to you, it might be time to try singing the blues away!

Try something new and feel connection, create community and lift your spirits… We are delighted to invite you to join the University Community Choir, meeting weekly on Canterbury campus.

The pandemic has been a challenging time and left many of us feeling a bit isolated. Create new connections within the University community and get away from your work and study in a relaxed and uplifting environment.

Singing in a Choir has many benefits, it’s informal, social, and helps you focus on something different as part of a group. Most importantly it’s fun!

It’s free to join, and there are no auditions, and you don’t need to be able to read music. Come along to meet others, or bring a friend. Starting from 9 February, every Wednesday. Sign up now!

Upcoming dates

Wednesday 16 February, 14.00-15.00 (Grimond Lecture Theatre 3)
Wednesday 23 February, 14.00-15.00 (Grimond Lecture Theatre 3)

Spread the word to anyone else (staff or student) who might enjoy this opportunity. If you have any questions, please email Mita Mondal

LGBT+ History Month at Kent

What is LGBT+ History Month?

LGBT+ Month is an annual nationwide celebration throughout February, which was started in 1994 to celebrate the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. The history month gives a focus to raise awareness of the prejudice that can still exist, but also to raise up role models, celebrate achievements, and build a more just community. This year, the national theme is Politics in Art: ‘The Arc is Long’, and we at Kent also aim to ‘educate out prejudice’ and open doors for more dialogue and visibility for everyone in our diverse university community.

Kent Celebrations

You can find the Kent LGBT+ History month programme of events on the Kent Union website, featuring both online and in person activities open to all. Look out for exhibitions in the Library and the ‘LGBTQ+ In Lockdown’ exhibition in Keynes Atrium featuring student artists reflecting on what lockdown meant for them, both positive and negative. You might like to take part in a new book club, or try some hands-on activities such as tie dye t-shirt printing, pronoun badge making or Zine creating.

There are also educational webinars and seminars on ‘The Experiences of Transgender Students in Higher Education’, a series of highly exciting sessions as part of our ‘Celebrating Consent Day’, Student Support workshops on building resilience, film screenings, a Woody’s Quiz, and the chance to get tickets for the Queer Prom in March. LGBTQ+ flags will also be flying across both the Canterbury and the Medway campus. Learn about the meaning behind each of the unique colours and designs.

Support at Kent

Some of the discussions about LGBTQ+ experiences in lockdown may be challenging to engage with, or provoke feelings that you might benefit from working through in a therapeutic setting. Student Support and Wellbeing are running a therapeutic ‘Reflect, Recover and Empower’ workshop for LGBTQ+ students on 21 February, 19.00-20.30 with a particular focus on the personal impact of Covid-19 and coping with future change.

Student Support and Wellbeing offer mental health support, counselling and peer support groups to all students. You can also check out our LGBTQ+ self-help resource section online.

We have a number of ways to help and support staff, including through our EAP programme and Mental Health Allies. You can find all the information on support available to staff on our SharePoint site.

Networks and Societies

Kent operates networks and societies for its staff and student Rainbow communities. The Staff Network is open to all staff, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. It runs a confidential mailing list as well as organising different events throughout the year to promote equality and diversity and to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ people and issues. It also organises social events so that staff can network and seek advice and support from fellow colleagues. Please email the staff network if you are interested in joining.

The LGBTQ+ Student Network acts as a voice for LGBTQ+ students to both the University and the Union and helps to ensure informed decisions are made on a practical and strategic level as well as planning events and networking opportunities for new and returning students. Email the Student Network if you are interested in joining.

You can also join the student LGBTQ+ Society at Canterbury and the Medway LGBTQ Society, whose primary function is to facilitate a safe space for students of marginalised gender identities and sexualities to socialise and meet other like-minded individuals, helping to develop friendships and support networks.

Allyship

LGBT+ History Month is for LGBTQ+ people and their allies as well. If you want to learn more about being an effective ally and using your power and influence to magnify the voices of underrepresented or marginalised groups, then our online Ally resources are an excellent place to start.

Follow #KentLGBTQHM22 on social media for the latest information on what’s on, and if you would like to contribute your experience and perspective to conversations, podcasts or articles on this theme during the month, please email StudentServicesWeb@kent.ac.uk.

Written by Natalia Crisanti, Student Engagement and Communications Officer, Student Services and Becky Lamyman, Student Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Officer, Student Services. 31.01.22

Equal Pay Audit 2022

The University has started work on a scheduled Equal Pay Audit. To make this representative of the University population, your help is needed to check and, if necessary, update your equality information on Staff Connect by Friday 4 February.

The audit will update and build on the picture we gained from the 2015 audit. Data will be analysed by gender, age, ethnicity and disability, and also include some intersectional analysis which examines the impact of overlapping protected characteristics on pay.

This data is anonymised and in order to further protect confidentiality, low response numbers are masked and not reported on.

A Working Group comprising Human Resources, EDI staff, Union and Staff Representatives is currently working on a scoping document which will be published in due course.

To update your data, visit the ‘My Details’ and ‘My Equality Info (Edit)’ tabs from the left hand dashboard on Staff Connect.

Female-only Tennis Coaching Course

Are you a female student or staff member at Kent looking to develop and expand your knowledge and understanding of coaching Tennis?

Kent Sport is delighted to be offering our first tennis coach education course in our new University of Kent Indoor Tennis and Events Arena, at our Canterbury Campus.

Working in partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Virtus Leisure Management, the LTA’s approved LTA Coach Development Centre, we are hosting the two-day LTA Level 1 Assistant: Core Training Course.

Dates:

Sunday 27 February and Sunday 3 April 2022, 9.00 – 17.00

Cost:

£100 (usually £275)

Who can sign up:

Female students and staff at the University of Kent. The course has been subsidised by the LTA to encourage and engage more females into a coaching role within the sport of tennis. This enhanced two-day qualification is ideal for tennis parents, enthusiasts, or keen players looking for the knowledge and skills to support group coaching sessions, alongside a lead Coach.

Learning outcomes include:

Communication, organisation, and differentiation skills for group coaching
Basic tactical, technical, physical, and mental development frameworks
Other key assistant skills; from safeguarding to LTA Youth delivery.

LTA Assistants will be trained to assist a lead Coach at any venue. The course is designed so that sessions run by a lead Coach can be run with higher group numbers, or a session with the same group numbers can be run with higher quality. The course learning outcomes are delivered in the context of beginner level, 10 and under coaching.

However, the course covers basic knowledge and skills that are applicable for any age and any level of player. On completion of the course, LTA Assistants will be trained as a Court Supervisor and will also receive their Safeguarding Training which can be accepted as part of LTA Coach Accreditation.

For further information on the course or to book your place contact: sue.bamford@virtuslm.co.uk.

For further information or general tennis enquires at the University of Kent please email: sportsdevelopment@kent.ac.uk.

Celebrating Consent Day, 9 February

Strengthening our culture of consent

The University of Kent aims to be a positive and inclusive community for all staff and students, and provide a place of work and study where respect and healthy relationships thrive.

We are committed to ensuring that our approach against sexual misconduct and assault is transparent and clear to both staff and students – that is it not tolerated and what the avenues are for reporting and obtaining support should it happen. To make a positive culture shift requires not only clarifications of sanctions and process, but a proactive approach to cultivate and strengthen a culture of consent in our university community – which is why we have launched a sex-positive campaign.

We have put together a student facing consent campaign page which is a useful resource for staff too.  In our campaign page we give information about what consent is and share some tips on how to ensure they have got consent, and how they can give consent clearly to their partner(s).

Celebrating Consent Day

As part of this ongoing campaign, we invite all staff and students to attend, learn and participate with us on Wednesday 9 February: Celebrating Consent Day!

Join us in Darwin Conference Suite from 13.00 for an afternoon of interactive and engaging sessions. Get your free tickets via Eventbrite where you can book tickets for as many or as few sessions as you would like!

13.00-14.00 The World of Online Dating: find your perfect partner and stay safe

We are starting our afternoon with a workshop on online dating. METRO and Protection Against Stalking (PAS) will be telling us about how to stay safe in the online dating world, and how to create a profile and enjoy getting know people.

15-15.15 Sex & Empowerment with Ruby Rare

For the second session we will be joined by Ruby Rare, a sex-educator, artist, and body-positive champion. She’s on a mission to engage people of all ages in positive conversations about sex and pleasure. You can expect a talk that moves away from the typical heteronormative sex-ed and addresses the ways in which we can tackle the stigmas around consent education and put pleasure first.

Ruby is a proud ambassador for Brook, the UK’s leading sexual health charity for young people, co-founder of life drawing collective Body Love Sketch Club, and has spoken at TedXLondon, Women of the World Festival, and on BBC Woman’s Hour. She is listed as one of 24 figures making a positive change to social media in Cosmopolitan’s 2021 Positivity Index.

15.30-17.00 Crafting Consent: a collaborative artwork

Our final session invites all participants to reflect on sex-positivity, empowerment, and consent by making a contribution to our community artwork. We will be providing materials and food! Stick around for a chat with our speakers and each other, have time to discuss your ideas and responses while we create a lasting memento of this snapshot in time of Kent’s journey to a more inclusive sex-positive culture.

We hope to see you there! Will you help us put a full stop to sexual assault and misconduct? Consent. Get it. Full Stop.

If you have any questions or want to collaborate on the Consent campaign at Kent, please email us at WellbeingEvents@kent.ac.uk