Equality & Diversity course timetable

This session, delivered by Marta Costa and Laura Fachal, will introduce StepWide, a leadership programme developed by postdocs for cis and trans women postdocs. Current initiatives to bridge the gender gap focus on academic staff, with little support for those trying to reach that particular career stage. StepWide was designed to question and broaden current and constrained ideas about leadership and develop the confidence and skills that will allow women postdocs to increase their visibility, improving promotion and progression.

Marta Costa is a Senior Research Associate at the Department of Zoology working on creating a map of the nervous system of fruit flies. She did her undergraduate in Biology in Lisbon, Portugal, followed by an MSc in Neuroscience at UCL. She then moved to Cambridge for her PhD, followed by a postdoc. She is also a Research Associate at Lucy Cavendish College.

Laura Fachal is a Senior Staff Scientist at Wellcome Sanger Institute. She earned her BS in Veterinary, MSc in Biotechnology and PhD from University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain. She completed her postdoc at the Centre for Cancer Genetic Epidemiology, University of Cambridge. She is also a Research Associate at Lucy Cavendish College.

The session helps to increase the understanding of systemic racism and race. It encourages participants to reflect on their own identity, building confidence to speak about race and capacity to challenge racism.

The training will be split into two 1h sessions. This will allow us to make space for discussion while not making the zoom meeting too long.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Please only book if you can attend both sessions.

A survey of our staff diversity network members and stakeholder groups in Spring 2021 showed there was overwhelming support to set up a new network for disabled staff and staff with long-term conditions. 67% of respondents were in favour of setting up a network run through mailing groups and virtual meetings.

What people said they would like to get from such a network is a safe space to bring issues to and get support, advice and information (60%), and a body that would advocate for its members and inform institutional policy (20%).

We learnt that people would like the network to help those supporting colleagues and caring for disabled family members and those with long-term conditions, and that it would be very helpful to have a repository of resources and guidance easily accessible.

At this event

At this event we would like to think about the particular impacts of COVID on disabled staff and those with long-term conditions and present our initial thoughts on how this staff network could work.

Speakers will include Dr Hisham Ziauddeen, the University’s Disability and Wellbeing Champion, Professor Alison Dunning, Disabled Staff Network Chair and Dr Miriam Lynn, Head of the University’s ED&I Section.

We would be grateful if you could make time to attend and would greatly appreciate your comments and feedback in developing our plans for this new staff network.

Sign Up To The Network To find out more about the new Disabled Staff Network, and to join, please see the DSN webpage

*Date for your diary!*

Developing the Disabled Staff Network: Focus Group

After this event, we would like to have more conversations going into the detail of how we can best support members and potential members of the Disabled Staff Network.

If you would like to take part, please also sign up to one of the sessions being run in January 2022 (see the events listed in the left margin).

The session helps to increase the understanding of systemic racism and race. It encourages participants to reflect on their own identity, building confidence to speak about race and capacity to challenge racism.

The training will be split into two 1h sessions. This will allow us to make space for discussion while not making the zoom meeting too long.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Please only book if you can attend both sessions.

The session helps to increase the understanding of systemic racism and race. It encourages participants to reflect on their own identity, building confidence to speak about race and the capacity to challenge racism.

The training will be split into two 1h sessions. This will allow us to make space for discussion while not making the zoom meeting too long.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Please only book if you can attend both sessions.

The session helps to increase the understanding of systemic racism and race. It encourages participants to reflect on their own identity, building confidence to speak about race and the capacity to challenge racism.

The training will be split into two 1h sessions. This will allow us to make space for discussion while not making the zoom meeting too long.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Please only book if you can attend both sessions.

The Women’s Staff Network would like to bring together members who would like to discuss and share their experiences of their menopause journey.

The group’s aim is to provide a supportive environment and informal discussion.

When anyone mentions resolutions at this time of the year, most of us tend to think – what’s the point, as we never end up sticking to them anyway.

Drink less, eat less, lose weight or stop this or stop that. It’s all so exhausting. So what’s the alternative?

This session delivered by Elena Carpenter (Personal Performance / Life Coach and Lean Practitioner) will give you the space, time and tools for going about achieving your aspirations and ambitions more successfully.

This event is hosted and provided by the University of Cambridge Women’s Staff Network and is open to members and non-members. To join the Women’s Staff Network, please visit our website

We would like to have more conversations going into the detail of how we can best support members and potential members of the Disabled Staff Network.

If you would like to take part, please sign up to one of the two Focus Group sessions running in January 2022.

More information to follow.

This talk is being deliver by the Women in Higher Education Network (WHEN) and hosted by Professor Eef Hogervorst and Dr Emma Odonnell.

This talk focuses on menopause and the effects it has on cardiovascular health. Emma will touch on menopause and its symptoms and how exercise training can help moderate these symptoms. She will also briefly discuss the current consensus on the risks and benefits of hormone replacement therapy and the effect these hormones have on cardiovascular health.

The University of Cambridge Women’s Staff Network are a partner institution for WHEN as both Networks are dedicated to speeding up equity of opportunity for women in higher education. All WSN members can join WHEN for free on their website.

Professor Eef Hogervorst - Professor of Psychology - University of Loughborough Eef Hogervorst did her PhD in at the University of Maastricht on the modelling of age-related cognitive decline. She subsequently worked at the Universities of Oxford (1998-2005), Arkansas Medical Sciences USA and Cambridge as a neuropsychologist and epidemiologist to investigate risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.

Dr Emma O'Donnell - Lecturer, Exercise Physiology - University of Loughborough Emma graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Exercise Science from Brighton University before completing an MSc in Exercise Science at the University of Toronto, Canada. She then went on to complete her PhD in Exercise Science with a specialisation in cardiovascular physiology at the University of Toronto, Canada (2013). After completing her PhD, Emma undertook post-doctoral studies in the Clinical Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory at the Toronto General Hospital, Canada. Emma’s research focuses on the cardiovascular health of women, with emphasis on the independent and combined effects of estrogen deficiency and exercise training in premenopausal and postmenopausal women. In January 2016, she returned to the UK to take the post of Lecturer of Exercise Physiology at the University of Loughborough. Emma is a member of The American Physiological Society and The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. The Zoom joining link will be provided on your booking confirmation email.

PLEASE NOTE PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE TO ATTEND ALL THREE SESSIONS

12.45 - 2.15 pm

3 and 17 February | 3 March

An Elderly Person in your life! An opportunity for individuals to explore positive approaches to preparing for and responding to the unexpected changes & challenges that occur as they include the increasing needs of an elderly person into your lifestyle. This includes those elderly people who are independent as well as those with specific needs.

Workshops to help you prepare participants for the future and respond to current challenges through informal networking and input from our experienced facilitators. The materials are delivered over 3 x 1-hour sessions:

• Prepared to Care
• Difficult Conversations
• Problem Solving

All participants receive a pack with key information to improve their links to the elderly person. Focus on you and your wellbeing Caring4Elders participants confirm the value of time to reflect on their approach to incorporating the practical and emotional changes that occur as an elderly person becomes less independent. Participants have all asked for more time to continue the network at the end of the workshops which have been offered in the East of England since 2017

12:45 Zoom open 13:00 Workshop commences 14:00 Workshop finish 14:00 - 14:15 Time for informal questions and discussion

The Women’s Staff Network holds regular informal networking and discussion groups to allow members to meet, share ideas and experiences.

February’s discussion will focus on making a change in your life. The pandemic has forced many of us to reflect on our lives and what is most important to us. Many newspapers have reported on 'the great resignation' with many employees considering career changes.

But change could also be a new hobby, a new relationship or a new challenge.

Join us to discuss a change you would like to make in your life or to hear from others about what they are considering.

PLEASE NOTE PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE TO ATTEND ALL THREE SESSIONS

12.45 - 2.15 pm

3 and 17 February | 3 March

An Elderly Person in your life! An opportunity for individuals to explore positive approaches to preparing for and responding to the unexpected changes & challenges that occur as they include the increasing needs of an elderly person into your lifestyle. This includes those elderly people who are independent as well as those with specific needs.

Workshops to help you prepare participants for the future and respond to current challenges through informal networking and input from our experienced facilitators. The materials are delivered over 3 x 1-hour sessions:

• Prepared to Care
• Difficult Conversations
• Problem Solving

All participants receive a pack with key information to improve their links to the elderly person. Focus on you and your wellbeing Caring4Elders participants confirm the value of time to reflect on their approach to incorporating the practical and emotional changes that occur as an elderly person becomes less independent. Participants have all asked for more time to continue the network at the end of the workshops which have been offered in the East of England since 2017

12:45 Zoom open 13:00 Workshop commences 14:00 Workshop finish 14:00 - 14:15 Time for informal questions and discussion

Join Museum Director Liz Hide for a women's history tour of the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, exploring some feminist themes within the museum's collections of rocks and fossils.

The 45 minute tour will introduce you to some of the hidden figures and pioneering women who have contributed to the study and understanding of Earth sciences.

This event is hosted and provided by the University of Cambridge Women’s Staff Network and is open to members only. To join the Women’s Staff Network, please visit our website

Limited places

Join Museum Director Liz Hide for a women's history tour of the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Sciences, exploring some feminist themes within the museum's collections of rocks and fossils.

The 45 minute tour will introduce you to some of the hidden figures and pioneering women who have contributed to the study and understanding of Earth sciences.

This event is hosted and provided by the University of Cambridge Women’s Staff Network and is open to members only. To join the Women’s Staff Network, please visit our website

Limited places

The session helps to increase the understanding of systemic racism and race. It encourages participants to reflect on their own identity, building confidence to speak about race and the capacity to challenge racism.

The training will be split into two 1h sessions. This will allow us to make space for discussion while not making the zoom meeting too long.

Everyone is warmly invited to attend.

Please only book if you can attend both sessions.

PLEASE NOTE PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AVAILABLE TO ATTEND ALL THREE SESSIONS

12.45 - 2.15 pm

3 and 17 February | 3 March

An Elderly Person in your life! An opportunity for individuals to explore positive approaches to preparing for and responding to the unexpected changes & challenges that occur as they include the increasing needs of an elderly person into your lifestyle. This includes those elderly people who are independent as well as those with specific needs.

Workshops to help you prepare participants for the future and respond to current challenges through informal networking and input from our experienced facilitators. The materials are delivered over 3 x 1-hour sessions:

• Prepared to Care
• Difficult Conversations
• Problem Solving

All participants receive a pack with key information to improve their links to the elderly person. Focus on you and your wellbeing Caring4Elders participants confirm the value of time to reflect on their approach to incorporating the practical and emotional changes that occur as an elderly person becomes less independent. Participants have all asked for more time to continue the network at the end of the workshops which have been offered in the East of England since 2017

12:45 Zoom open 13:00 Workshop commences 14:00 Workshop finish 14:00 - 14:15 Time for informal questions and discussion

This session will provide the opportunity to hear from different women about their careers, what has impacted on their choices and any lessons they have learnt along the way. We are delighted to welcome the following speakers for our March session –

Rachel Coleman- Head of Enterprise Database Application Management, University Information Services Dr. Antoinette Nestor - Engagement Manager, Cambridge Zero & Engagement Manager, Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge

The talk will be followed by an opportunity to ask questions and for members to discuss topics raised.

Every woman working at Cambridge has their own career journey and story to tell. We aim to hold a number of these sessions during the academic year, so please get in contact if you would be happy to share your story and email jenny.rampling@admin.cam.ac.uk

Gender Equality, Cambridge and Me! Past to Present.

The Women’s Staff Network and University Gender Equality Champions invite you to attend a panel discussion, chaired by Liz Hide, University Gender Equality Champion STEMM

Come and take part in this lunchtime panel discussion where we will consider gender equality in relation to what matters to us, what the bigger picture is for gender equality at the University and if/how the issues of gender equality have changed over the years.

Panellists include:

• Anjum Nahar, Postgraduate President, Cambridge Students’ Union
• George Cronin, LGBT+ Network
• Jenni Skinner, Co-Chair, Race Equality Network (REN)
• Jenny Rampling, Chair, Women's Staff Network (WSN)
• Miriam Lynn, Equality Diversity and Inclusion
• Sarah Colvin, University Gender Equality Champion AHSSB&L

Everyone is very welcome to attend, post questions to the panel and join the discussion.