LU Equality Staff Networks
Equality Staff Networks
We have several Equality Staff Networks (sometimes referred to as EDI–supported networks) at Lancaster University for staff and students. If you are interested in setting up a new equality network for staff, please contact the EDI team. We also have several informal networks and affinity groups that staff and students can join, to find out more about these please see our Inclusive Lancaster pages. For enquiries about new student associations, please contact Lancaster University Students' Union.
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The Lancaster University Women’s Network was established to support Women at Lancaster University by providing a forum for empowerment, discussion and individual development as well as a platform for debate, awareness raising and to facilitate action for change.
Aims:
- Be a forum for networking across the organisation for women to share experiences and offer support to one another in confidence
- Empower women in the workplace
- Raise awareness of issues regarding inequality or opportunity
- Promote good practice across the University and facilitate action for change
- Provide a platform for the voice and views of women within the University to be represented and channelled to the appropriate committees
- Offer targeted development activities and events for women including training, mentoring and support.
Membership:
Membership of Lancaster University Women’s Network is open to all staff and research students at Lancaster University.
Get Involved:
If you are interested in getting involved, you can visit Women's network website or email us at women@lancaster.ac.uk.
The Lancaster University LGBT+ Staff Network was established to support and empower LGBT+ staff and postgraduate students. We are an inclusive and welcoming space for anyone who defines themselves as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, non-binary, queer, intersex, asexual or questioning (LGBTQIA+) and our allies.
We aim to support LGBTQIA+ staff and postgraduate students at the University, regardless of their gender, age, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, socioeconomic background, or any other characteristic.
Members of staff can contact the LGBT+ Staff Network for confidential support and advice on LGBTQIA+ issues. The Network is also an informal point of contact for issues related to being LGBTQIA+ and can confidentially signpost people to relevant services available within the University.
We hold informal bi-monthly lunchtime meetings where we meet to chat and discuss current initiatives, ideas and concerns. There are also occasional social events held off-campus in the evening. Currently all meetings are held via Teams.
We take part in nationally important events such as local Pride marches, LGBT History Month and Trans Day of Remembrance.
We help to promote good practice across the university, sharing our expertise to drive forward policy changes. We recently contributed to Lancaster University’s Trans Equality Policy and Guidance, and are currently contributing towards Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index: a benchmarking tool used by employers in the UK to assess their achievements and level of progress on LGBT+ equality as compared to Stonewall’s criteria and other institutions’ good practice.
We have recently formed a Safe Home Base LGBTQIA+ Ally Network, where staff can volunteer to be a visible, safe port of call for staff and students. You can find out more about this here: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/edi/inclusive-lancaster/safe-home-base/.
To join the LGBT+ Staff Network, please email lgbtstaffnetwork@lancaster.ac.uk and we will add you to our mailing list and Team.
Our mailing list is confidential and we are fully compliant with GDPR.
Please click here for our LGBT Staff Network Updated Terms of Reference
Lancaster University Parents' and Carers' Network (PCN) is a support network for all staff who count themselves as a parent or carer (of children or adults).
We are a self-run network, started in Summer 2019, and provide an opportunity for parents and carers to share experiences and provide support to each other. We provide a forum to discuss issues affecting parents and carers and, through the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) Committee, we can raise relevant issues with University management. Through our resources list we signpost useful information to members - suggestions for additions are very welcome.
We usually meet informally once a month, alternating days to accommodate different working patterns. Upcoming events are listed on the Staff Intranet Events page. While members are mostly remote working during the Covid-19 restrictions, we are meeting via Teams fortnightly - upcoming meetings are listed on our Teams 'General' channel.
Network members can join our Microsoft Team to communicate outside of meetings.
Contact us if you'd like to join:
- Email: parentsandcarersnetwork@lancaster.ac.uk
- Website: https://portal.lancaster.ac.uk/intranet/cms/parents-carers-network
- Microsoft Teams: Grp- Parents and Carers Network
The Lancaster University Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority Staff Network exists to contribute to the development of an anti-racist culture at Lancaster University and to promote the enhancement of levels of inclusion experienced by staff from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds.
We aim to be an effective and collective voice of Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority staff that contributes to institutional decision making, ensuring that the University’s obligation and commitment to advancing anti-racism is realised in practice and is embedded in all our policies, processes, practices and spheres of university life. We also to provide support to Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority staff members of the network in their navigation of their lives at the University.
We usually meet informally once every other month, alternating days to accommodate different working patterns. Network members can join our Microsoft Teams to communicate outside of meetings.
Contact us if you'd like to join:
The Disabled Employee Network (DEN+) is a staff network for all those who identify as disabled or having a long-term condition, including mental health conditions, and for those who wish to help with accessibility and inclusivity. We are developing a programme of meetings which includes informal social gatherings, formal meetings to discuss how we might improve working conditions for disabled employees, and informative talks open to all, to allow for open discussion of disability-related topics.
If you would like to be involved in the Disabled Employee Network and have your say on how to improve services for staff with disabilities across Lancaster University, or have any questions about the network, please email the network.
Email: den@lancaster.ac.uk
We keep our mailing list confidential and your details will not be shared with other members without your permission.
Network members can also join our DEN+ Microsoft Teams page, please email us to join.
The Lancaster University ‘Young Staff’ network aims to encourage a culture of continuous professional development and support for younger members of staff.
Membership is open to all permanent and temporary Lancaster University staff and PGR students that define themselves as in the younger staff bracket, typically those under 30 years of age, but the network is very happy to welcome anyone above this age who feel they would benefit from becoming a member. The network may also be beneficial to those who are new to Higher Education.
The self-run group will provide a space for members to learn from their peers, professionals and other network groups both internal and external to the University, as well as signposting to useful resources. The network will also act as an informal and supportive space for younger staff from across the University to meet, share experiences and socialise.
Contact us if you’d like to join:
- Microsoft Teams Group: Grp - Young Staff Network
- Email: youngstaffnetwork@lancaster.ac.uk
- Twitter: @LancsYoungstaff.
Please click Young Staff Network Terms of Reference for our Young Staff Network Terms of Reference
The University is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and recognises the necessity of robust support to empower all staff to achieve their full potential and excel in the evolving landscape of Higher Education. Equality staff networks are essential in supporting staff from various protected characteristic groups, as defined by the Equality Act 2010. These networks assist the University in understanding workplace equality issues, influencing policy, and meeting statutory obligations. They also promote the sharing of experiences, mutual support, and community building through effective collaboration.
Staff are encouraged to engage with equality staff networks, similar to their involvement in various activities within the broader Lancaster community. Managers should promote opportunities for staff to join relevant equality staff networks and support their participation wherever possible. Typically, equality staff networks hold monthly, one-hour meetings and collaborate through MS Teams on an ad hoc basis.
The University’s Equality Staff Networks Framework supports the work of existing and new equality staff networks, covering the nine protected characteristics defined by the Equality Act 2010. It outlines the roles and responsibilities of both the networks and the University, including information on establishing new networks, structure, support, resourcing, budget, and responsibilities.
Download the Equality Staff Networks Framework for more details.
For more information on staff networks, please contact the University EDI Team at edi@lancaster.ac.uk
Faculty Networks
Find out what EDI activity is taking place in your faculty and who to contact for more information.
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Information to be added shortly.
What’s happening?
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EDI) which meets quarterly and is responsible for the development and improvement of practical steps to reduce inequity and further the advancement of equality within the faculty. The Committee ensures that the principles of equality are embedded throughout the culture of the faculty. The EDI Committee monitor the faculty’s Athena SWAN Action Plan and is responsible for ensuring that the faculty maintains its trajectory to meeting the current plan and to developing and implementing initiatives in support of future equality enhancement plans.
The Faculty of Health and Medicine hold an annual EDI forum which is open to all staff and PGR students. In previous years, the Forum has been centred around the Gender Pay Gap and Belonging and Inclusivity. Where possible, Health and Medicine also aim to identify Awareness Raising Days to promote or be involved in throughout the academic year.
Who to contact?
The chair of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is Dr Elaine Taylor
What’s happening?
The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy Group support, inform and guide the EDI activity within the Science and Technology departments in line with University EDI strategies. The group meet on a termly basis and facilitate the sharing of good practice and enable communication in both directions to and from departments and the University. The group feed into the University Athena Swan (AS) committee and from departmental EDI meetings. Proposals agreed in the EDI Strategy Group are forwarded to Dean’s Group, PRC and where necessary onwards to the University EDI Committee and the EDI Manager.
The EDI Strategy Group are keen to promote and organise Awareness Raising Days within the Faculty and have previously supported departments to deliver EDI related events and conferences throughout the year.
Who to contact?
The co-chairs of the EDI Strategy Group in FST are Professor Joe Sweeney and Dr Suzana Ilic.
What’s happening?
The Management School have recently been awarded their Athena Swan bronze award and have established a LUMS EDI Committee following their evaluation of data and practises. They are progressing their comprehensive action plan priorities to advance gender equality within the Faculty.
Who to contact?
The chair of the LUMS EDI Committee is Professor Claire Leitch