All Equality & Diversity courses

The Institute of Astronomy is hosting “Dignity and Respect at Work” workshops for ALL staff as part of the University wide E&D policy and training programme.

To be held in the Sackler Lecture Theatre in the Hoyle Building

Sackler Lecture Theatre in the Hoyle Building

How often do you find yourself on social media during the course of a normal week? More importantly, how does using social media make you feel?

Since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, the ways in which we have used social media has changed, as well as how we feel about social media in general. Social media is a paradox. It connects us in some ways, while pushing us apart in other ways. Social media has become our source of information, and a valuable means of connecting with friends and family, while at the same time making us feel lonelier and disconnected.

In this talk, we will explore some of the research about social media, connection, loneliness – as well as looking at some ways that we might be able to helpful reframe our relationship social media in our everyday lives.

Tyler Shores is delighted to announce that he has secured two external speakers to join him next week.

Luke Fernandez is Assistant Professor in the School of Computing at Weber State University where he teaches classes on the politics of technology and software development and Susan J. Mattwho is Professor of History at Weber State. They have both co-authors of Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stupid: Changing Feelings about Technology, from the Telegraph to Twitter (Harvard University Press, 2019).

Tyler Shores manages the ThinkLab research program at the University of Cambridge, and is a Senior Research Associate at the Intellectual Forum, Jesus College. His research focuses on digital habits, social media, and how digital environments shape how we work and think. Prior to Cambridge, Tyler worked in online education at Stanford, served as a director at an international education nonprofit organization, and worked at the Google world headquarters in Mountain View, California while running the Authors@Google program. His various work has been featured in the New York Times, BBC, WIRED, amongst others. And he was once on an episode of The Simpsons.

Luke Fernandez is Assistant Professor in the School of Computing at Weber State University where he teaches classes on the politics of technology and software development. He is co-author of Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stupid: Changing Feelings about Technology, from the Telegraph to Twitter (Harvard University Press, 2019). He holds a PhD in Political Theory from Cornell University. He is also a software developer. His articles have appeared in The Washington Post, Salon, Slate, and the Chronicle of Higher Education, among other places.

Susan J. Matt is Professor of History at Weber State. Her research focuses on the history of emotions and US social history. She is co-author of Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stupid: Changing Feelings about Technology, from the Telegraph to Twitter (Harvard University Press, 2019). She is author of Homesickness: An American History (Oxford University Press, 2011), and Keeping Up with the Joneses: Envy in American Consumer Society, 1890-1930 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2003). Her writing has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Journal of American History.

Join Dr Jill Armstrong, Murray Edwards College, for this research-based workshop on how unintentional bias influences networking and career sponsorship and how to tackle this.

In this session Rachel Bailey, from the University SPACE network, gives personal insights from her experiences of supporting and caring for someone with mental health issues.

Yvonne McPartland, Deputy Head of the Staff Counselling Centre, will be leading a one hour live event to offer attendees the opportunity to understand how counselling can support personal resilience, especially in the current climate of fear and anxiety.

You will be have the opportunity to safely ask questions to Yvonne and other members of the Staff Counselling Centre team.

Details on how to join this session will be on your booking confirmation email.

During this event we will share what we know about the racial composition of the University and what staff and students have told us about their experiences.

We will present the institutional action plan to improve racial equality at Cambridge and will seek your feedback.

The Vice-Chancellor will also reflect on the University’s aspirations and the way forward towards a more inclusive University.

A light lunch will be provided from 12noon.

Remember when we used to live in precendented times? It seems like it was just yesteryear but it only feels that way because it was.

It has been a time for us to really remember the meaning of words and phrases, like how ‘just managing to stay afloat’ or ‘just keeping my head above the water’ are both overwhelmingly positive achievements (just consider what would happen if you didn’t!).

But living like this is exhausting in so many ways, so at this year’s Festival of Wellbeing, let’s think a bit about just being in this moment and being apart together.

Joining instructions will be provided on your booking confirmation email.

Love and the Law – An insider’s look at the legal battle for marriage equality in Australia

Following a few short introductions from the LGBT+ Staff Network Committee, we’ll be joined by Matthew Psycharis who will be talking about his first-hand experience in the legal fight for marriage equality in Australia.

We will then have the opportunity to meet each other informally over ZOOM to discuss the talk amongst other topics of interest.

In many of the world’s liberal democracies, we may now take for granted the simple proposition that two consenting adults, regardless of sex or gender, may be lawfully married. The recognition of marriage equality speaks to a more fundamental principle – that our law ought not to discriminate between persons on the basis of gender, sex or sexuality. And yet, until only a few years ago, Australia had outlawed same-sex marriage (‘SSM’). In 2016-2017 this became a bitter battleground, which, after stasis in Parliament, ultimately culminated in a High Court constitutional challenge and a legally-mired national plebiscite.

Matthew was one of the lawyers who advised the SSM campaigners, and who ran the court case challenging the lawfulness of the government’s stance. His legal team was comprised entirely of volunteers and was arrayed against the full resources of the Australian Government. In this Chatham House talk, he will describe how a strategy of marriage equality didn’t just mean marriage equality at all costs – in the eyes of the campaigners, it had to be done the right way. With dignity. And that meant a constitutional showdown with a government committed to dragging the question of legal equality through an ugly public vote. It also meant dealing with opposition from within the legal profession. It’s a story of how, when pursuing change, means can be just as important as ends.

Biography of speaker – Matthew Psycharis:

Matthew is a lawyer, originally from Australia. Before coming to Cambridge, he worked as a litigation lawyer at a leading Australian law firm. He advised on a wide range of disputes and regulatory investigations. In a pro bono capacity, he led a series of legal teams in high-profile constitutional disputes, involving human rights, LGBT+ rights, as well as advising NGOs on issues concerning offshore refugee detention and the drafting of anti-discrimination legislation. Matthew worked as an Associate (judicial assistant) to a Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria. And, before coming to the law, trained as an economist, working at the Department of Treasury and Finance. Now, Matthew is a second-year PhD researcher at the Cambridge Faculty of Law, researching the use and abuse of referendums and popular votes. He is also a Director of the Cambridge Pro Bono Project.

Pronouns: he/him/his

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

A curated LinkedIn Learning course, provided by the University of Cambridge's subscription to LinkedIn Learning.

The course can be accessed here.

Workshop 4: Behaviour

Delivered by Kathrin Hicks from the University Counselling Centre

The most common behavioural consequences of long term health conditions are avoidance and doing too much. These often go together in a “boom or bust” cycle. We will look at what this means in the context of living a life in line with our values and how we can work towards achieving a balance of rest and activity, and of different types of activity.

Concepts to be covered include:

• How the boom/bust cycle operates and its long term consequences
• The idea of behavioural activation: the positive impact of gradually increasing activity on mood
• The idea of activity scheduling, with a particular emphasis on balancing activities we “have” to get done and activities that bring us pleasure, meaning and social connection
• The concept of our core values and how we can use this to influence the way we plan our activities

There will also be time to pull the ideas from all 4 sessions together, considering them within the original conceptual framework.

Joining instructions will be provided on your booking confirmation email.

Take a break from looking at your screen and join us for a walk around Madingley Park.

The tour will give you the opportunity to get out into nature and explore more of the University estate including the Capability Brown designed parkland.

How we view ourselves and the world around us impacts our ability to dream and achieve.

This session thinks about how an entrepreneurial mind set can help you identify new opportunities, solve problems and make change in your working and personal life.

Our mental health is likely to be impacted in some way by the pandemic and lockdown conditions. Dr Olivia Remes, a researcher at the Institute of Public Health, will explore the nature of depression and anxiety and will suggest practical ways to cope during this challenging time.

Details on how to join this session will be on your booking confirmation email.

Stress and its partner anxiety are part of life for us all. In fact, without them, we would not achieve nearly as much as we do. However, too much stress can become problematic. In these times of uncertainty, it is more important than ever to prioritise our mental health, to recognise when we and others are struggling, and to find strategies to help us manage its impact. This talk will put stress and anxiety in context and offer ways in which to think about and manage their effect on us both physiologically and mentally.

Presenter: Ashley Meggitt MSc Ashley is an associate lecturer and research psychologist working at Anglia Ruskin University. He holds a master's degree in psychology and is studying for his PhD. He spent 25 years of his first career working within the Cambridge University and College environment and is well versed with many of the challenges this brings. He has also spent the last 5 years volunteering for a mental health charity.

In this interactive session, Jonathan Taylor, a Chartered Psychologist from Pearn Kandola https://pearnkandola.com/ will discuss how inclusion contributes to our self-esteem, well-being and our ability to perform at our best.

The session will explore how we can maintain our social well-being whilst physical distancing through inclusive practices and leadership with our colleagues.

Highly recommended for anyone who manages people, or with an interest in Leadership, Inclusion, or Well-being.

Joining instructions will be provided on your booking confirmation email.

Menopause Cafés exist to increase awareness of the impact of the menopause on those experiencing it, their friends, colleagues, and families.

Anybody interested in sharing stories, experiences, and questions about menopause is welcome!

A mentoring relationship could help you to progress in your professional life/career and build your networks. It can also support your mental health by increasing confidence and reducing anxiety.

If you are interested in hearing about mentoring and its effects on mental health, join the ourcambridge Self-Match Mentoring Scheme' team for an informal session and discussion.

“(Mentoring) supported my mental health through a period of work-related anxiety/stress”.

Professor Tamsin Ford CBE, will explore the evidence impacts of the upheavals of the Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting restrictions on children and young people – is there a Tsunami of mental health conditions or are the kids alright?

Tamsin is Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge. She is an internationally renowned Child Psychiatric Epidemiologist who researches the organisation, delivery, and effectiveness of services and interventions for children and young people’s mental health.

There are many aspects of the current research culture that negatively impact on the mental health of researchers. At Cambridge, we have set out our ambitions for creating a better research culture in an institutional action plan.

Liz Simmonds (Postdoc Academy) and Yi Ting Chua (president of the PdOC Society) from the University's research culture working group, talk about how the plan aims to improve different aspects of research culture, and following from that help to improve researchers' mental health.

A webinar run by Jenny Swain, CPSL Mind to consider the emotional impact of lockdown and tips for dealing with emerging out of lockdown.

Our ways of working and living online have changed a great deal during the past year.

What kinds of habits and routines have we created in our digital lives?

In this session we’ll talk how we might balance digital productivity and wellbeing, how to cope with digital fatigue and distraction, and more.

A mentoring relationship could help you to progress in your professional life/career and build your networks. It can also support your mental health by increasing confidence and reducing anxiety.

If you are interested in hearing about mentoring and its effects on mental health, join the ourcambridge Self-Match Mentoring Scheme' team for an informal session and discussion.

“(Mentoring) supported my mental health through a period of work-related anxiety/stress”.

An hour-long session in which Sabina and Kate from the Staff Counselling Centre guide you through gentle breathing and mindfulness exercises to help you relax and self-soothe.

Why is the suicide rate so much higher in men than women?

What are the barriers that stop men speaking openly about their emotions and seeking professional help?

Come and watch an engaging conversation between two male staff counsellors as they deliberate these issues. There will be plenty of time for questions at the end.

In the role of parents and carers, we may be concerned about how those around us are coping in these challenging times, especially our children as we start to come out of lockdown.

In this panel session Dr Fiona Peacock, Faculty of Education, and Dr James Biddulph, Headteacher of the University Primary School, will discuss the main issues our children face as they return to school and lockdown rules gradually relax.

Participants will discover how to contextualise the difference between an appropriate anxiety or stress reaction to what is going on in the world, how attachment theory and positive relationships between people support resilience, and how parents could support their children in their journey out of lockdown.

Float into the clouds for this relaxing session discovering the world of the artist John Constable.

Join one of the educators from the Fitzwilliam Museum as they guide you first through a slow looking activity, before four short drawing exercises to try your own 'skying' at home.

Mental Health Awareness Week

Join Claire Thompson, NHS Psychological Well-Being practitioner and author of Mindfulness and the Natural World and The Art of Mindful Birdwatching to hear about her journey into mindfulness, the natural world, well-being and mental health.

The session will explore what it means to develop a mindful relationship with ourselves and the rest of the natural world and why it is vital for our well-being and that of our planet that we do so.

Claire will present some of the current evidence supporting the benefits of mindful nature connection for well-being and mental health and share practical tips on how to connect with the natural world in our daily lives.

The session will end with a Q&A.

Led by Sarah-Cate Blake, Education Officer at the Fitzwilliam Museum, this session will include ideas and resources for those working with or caring for young people.

A set of ideas and techniques for Young People to put into practice and facilitate their own self-regulated wellbeing resilience. Some of these are creative and practical activities, others are from trauma informed yoga and mindfulness.

University Sports Centre

Dr Elizabeth English, the University Mindfulness Practitioner, will explore components of mindful communication, and how we can create calm and satisfying connections with other people, even under pressure.

Life can at times feel relentless, overwhelming and draining. We can become so caught up in our thoughts and feelings that they entangle us in ways that are harmful. Mindfulness is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as clinical trials show that it works to halve the risk of depression in those who have experienced illness (Professor Mark Williams). Mindfulness practice can help us become more present in the moment, increase our awareness of feelings and help us notice signs of stress, low mood and anxiety so we can take steps to address them. These sessions are offered to help staff experience the benefits of Mindfulness practice as a way of supporting health and wellbeing.

Join Esther Hunt, for a series of six standalone weekly sessions. Book into as many or as few as you wish. No materials necessary, although you may wish to be seated in an upright chair with a blanket around you to maximise the benefits.

Esther Hunt trained as a Mindfulness Teacher with the British Mindfulness Institute and was taught by Dr Patrizia Collard. She is a Registered and Accredited Psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Affiliated Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling in the Faculty of Education.

Zoom joining instructions will be provided in your booking confirmation email.

This interactive 30 minute session will be led by Dr Elizabeth English, the University’s Mindfulness Practitioner.

Elizabeth will start by exploring self-kindness through an understanding of human needs and the concept of inner relationship. Drawing on the work of clinical psychologist Marshall B. Rosenberg, and philosopher, Eugene Gendlin, she will include experiential reflections on the theme, and a guided mindfulness practice. The sessions will end with a brief opportunity for questions.

Further reading: Rosenberg, Marshall B. Nonviolent Communication: A language of Life, 2nd Ed (Encinitas CA, 2003). Focusing Gendlin, Eugene T., Focusing, 3rd edn (New York, 2007).

A Mindfulness session – “May our heart's garden of awakening bloom with hundreds of flowers.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Mindfulness is recommend by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as it can help improve mental health.

Esther Hunt trained as a Mindfulness Teacher with the British Mindfulness Institute and was taught by Dr Patrizia Collard. She is a Registered and Accredited Psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an Affiliated Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapeutic Counselling in the Faculty of Education.

For more information on the benefits of Mindfulness please visit the NHS website

This session is for staff in the Faculty of MMLL, especially those examining language oral exams.

This session builds on the 'Understanding Unconscious Bias' online module and aims to provide participants with an understanding of the nature of Unconscious Bias and how it impacts on individual and group attitudes, behaviours and decision-making processes. This session will enable you to work towards reducing the effects of unconscious bias for yourself and within the Faculty, with particular focus on language oral assessments.

Come along to this session for an hour of gentle and inclusive yoga practice, accessible to all body shapes, ages and backgrounds. Don't worry if you have never practiced yoga or are coming back to the mat after some time - everyone is welcome.

Although this session will be held in the gardens, a room will be available in case of inclement weather.

Please wear suitable clothing and bring a mat.

Meeting instructions will be shown on your booking confirmation email.

Come along to this session for an hour of gentle and inclusive yoga practice, accessible to all body shapes, ages and backgrounds. Don't worry if you have never practiced yoga or are coming back to the mat after some time - everyone is welcome.

Although this session will be held in the gardens, a room will be available in case of inclement weather.

Please wear suitable clothing and bring a mat.

Meeting details will be shown on your booking confirmation email.

Delivered in a safe and supportive environment, this session offers individuals the opportunity to learn about the different factors that might create and perpetuate a work environment in which harassment and bullying occur, and strategies for how to address this.

Would you like to try some sculpture with materials you already have around the home?

Soap carving is ideal as it is an easy and cheap way to try your hand at some carving. In this very relaxed session, we will be using Barbara Hepworth as our inspiration to create some soap carvings.

No experience necessary – this is a light-hearted, fun session where you are encouraged to take some time out of your day to enjoy yourself.

All you need is:

• Pencil and paper
• A bar of cheap soap – or a few bars if you have them
• Scrapers and peelers – you can use vegetable peelers, scissors, paperclips and any similar objects

Joining instructions will be provided on your booking confirmation email

This session is for staff in HR related roles and will:

• Introduce the Global Mobility policy and associated guidance documentation.
• Explore the key considerations when sending or recruiting someone to work overseas on an Assignment.
• Discuss different types of overseas working and the processes applicable to each case.

Please note: The seminar will be very similar in content to the Global Mobility Seminar held in August 2019.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the gardens have always been a very important part of Newnham College life.

The first principal, Anne Jemima Clough extolled the virtues of ‘fresh air, exercise and wholesome food’ and as part of the 150th celebrations we are continuing this tradition with the introduction of a new permaculture Food Forest Garden. Designed and grown by students with the garden team, the new garden is a place where all members of the College can learn about permaculture and sustainable food production, and the benefits of working outside together and growing our own organic food.

The tour will also include a visit to the ‘Incredible Edible’ potager beds in the main garden, planted with fruit and vegetables like kale, chard, lettuces, beans and more than 20 varieties of tomatoes for those in College to pick throughout the summer.

Only those with a booking will be admitted to the college in line with the government Covid guidelines

This is a chance to see a demonstration of the new Online Career Development Tool.

During its pilot phase, the new tool is available to participants on the Professional Services Career Development Programme https://www.training.cam.ac.uk/cppd/event/2998518

The CDP is designed to support career development and progression, and particularly welcomes women, BAME staff and other under-represented groups.

After evaluation of the pilot, it is intended that the tool will become available to other Professional Services staff.

This session will introduce and promote the new Recruitment Policy, highlighting the key sections of the policy and how this can support Recruitment activity at the University.

The session will also explore the changes to the recruitment guidance, including a demonstration of the key functionality, a summary of the feedback received during testing and some of the new features that have been added.

There will be ample opportunity to ask any questions relating to the policy or guidance during the seminar.

Please note: The seminar will be very similar in content to the HR Forum sessions that will be taking place over Lent term.

UTBS created 30 Oct 19 - from paper records

If you have ever put off starting or finishing a project for fear you won’t be able to do it justice, or thought it’s just a matter of time before you are ‘found out’ as a fraud, this workshop is for you.

Offering a brief overview of the factors that contribute to and perpetuate attitudes of perfectionism and impostor syndrome, this workshop will lead you through reflective exercises and introduce you to resources to help reshape your thinking around your capabilities, your potential, and your place in the world.