All Equality & Diversity courses

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.