Space for Change Session 2 - 02.10.24 by School of Natural Sciences - EDIA Team

Please find the Discussion Board to our last Space for Change Event here:

natsciedi — 2024-09-16 15:36:05 UTC

Please feel free to use this space as our discussion board.

natsciedi — 2024-09-16 15:38:36 UTC

Start writing by pressing on the '+' in the bottom right hand corner. Feel free to enter discussion points anonymously.

You will not be identified or expected to speak about what you have added in these sessions!

Many thanks!

~ EDIA Team

Promotions

2024-09-27 09:59:34 UTC

It is well documented that academics from ethnic minority groups have lower success rates in grant applications (e.g. to UKRI), generally lower citation rates, lower acceptance rates for academic publications, fewer prestigious invitations, and so on. Yet, none of this seems to be accounted for within our promotions procedures. I'd like to raise this as a discussion point.

Accessible fonts, styles, colours

2024-09-30 11:55:56 UTC

As the move from Blackboard to Canvas takes place, is there a way to check that the resources being developed for use are created with accessibility in mind from the beginning? This topic was raised by someone last time in the Padlet, and want to make sure this opportunity is not missed.

A1: Understanding culture: data collection

2024-10-01 14:32:07 UTC

B1a: Set up a network of LGBTQ+ champions

2024-10-01 14:32:16 UTC

B1b: Support the Physics LGBTQ+ student and staff network

2024-10-01 14:36:13 UTC

B1c: Evaluate and increase EDIA's online presence as a tool for information sharing

2024-10-01 14:36:26 UTC

B1d: Create information packs for LGBTQ+ staff and students

2024-10-01 14:37:33 UTC

B1e: Establish understanding of the reporting and grievances landscape and process within SoNS

2024-10-01 14:37:45 UTC

C1a: Hold educational and community-based events

2024-10-01 14:38:17 UTC

C1b: Share stories of current LGBTQ+ SoNS students and staff

2024-10-01 14:38:31 UTC

C1c: Assess and provide LGBTQ+ training to SoNS

2024-10-01 14:38:41 UTC

A.1: Culturally competent support for staff

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:07:06 UTC

e.g.:

race working group/steering group

mental health support
staff network
staff race equality forum

A.2: Academic-focused development programme

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:08:25 UTC

e.g:

grant mentoring scheme
reciprocal mentoring scheme (G1-4)
management trainings
research support groups

A.3a: Increase visibility of SoNS EDIA work/presence

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:09:30 UTC

events
calendar
collaborations

A.3b: EDIA webpage for staff/students

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:09:50 UTC

blog
resources
trainings

A.3c: Review and Update Anti-Racism Training

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:36:14 UTC

A.4: Collect & Monitor Staff/Student experience data

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:37:25 UTC

reporting mechanisms and frameworks (report & support)
surveys (culture survey)
focus groups

B.1a: Student-led network

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:39:11 UTC

e.g.:

buddy sheme
peer network
academic and/or social support

B.2a+b: SoNS targeted Outreach

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:39:53 UTC

prioritising racialised learners (e.g. through geographic location in Greater Manchester, or by School)

B.3a+b: increase student recruitment + retention

natsciedi — 2024-10-01 15:45:29 UTC

recruitment:

increase financial support avenues (increase scholarships funding)
outreach events

retention:

influence current scholarship policy
explore studentships/cost of living funds

Hephaestus - Disability & Neurodivergence Action Plan

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:24:40 UTC

Priority A. Living Experience of Disabled and Neurodivergent Staff and Students

Priority B. School of Natural Sciences Data Requirements

Priority C. Collaborative Efforts

A.1 Establish baseline level of training currently provided.

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:26:49 UTC

A.1a - Explore current training within SoNS available relating to disabilities and neurodivergence, including where it's available (face-to-face, asychronous, hybrid) , what it includes, time commitment (alternating days, "all-day"), who completes these and what is mandatory,

A.1b - Explore current training outside of SoNS available relating to disabilities and neurodivergence, including where it's available, what it includes, who completes these and what is mandatory, and funding available

A.1c - Begin establishing new baseline of important areas of knowledge needed for staff, including D/deaf, neurodivergence, physically disablilities and chronical illnesses.

A.2 Establish understanding of current protocol surrounding line manager and supervisor training, efficacy and behaviour.

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:28:12 UTC

A.2a - Explore current policy and protocol surrounding supervisor/line manager interactions relating to disability and neurodivergence of staff

A.2b - Explore what training supervisors/line managers do relating to disability and neurodivergence

A.2c - Establish level of accessibility and consistency of training and development opportunities for PS admin and tech staff (Athena Swan). Establish format (face-to-face, hybrid, asynchronous), what is included, time commitment (alternating days, "all-day" options).

A.3 Implement workshops, training etc. around disability awareness and tolerance.

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:29:43 UTC

A.3a - Work with DSN, DASS etc. to begin implementing lived experience training for staff within SoNS. Explore current lived experience training available.

A.3b - Raise awareness and encourage uptake of training opportunities to support awareness and understanding of disabilities/NDs (Athena Swan)

A.3c - Conduct additional disability and neurodivergence awareness training within SoNS

A.4 Establish further awareness for disabilities and neurodivergence in SoNS.

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:31:10 UTC

A.4a - Introduce Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Lanyard Scheme within SoNS

A.4b - Circulate information regarding awareness days/weeks for disabilities and neurodivergence within SoNS

A.4c - Celebrate disabled and neurodivergent staff relating to awareness dates within SoNS

A.4d - Review of accessibility of SoNS buildings/facilities/laboratories

A.5 Establish support network for staff within SoNS.

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:31:57 UTC

A.5a - Establish a disabled and neurodivergent staff network within SoNS, which included allies.

A.5b - Support creation of school culture where all are respected, valued, and supported, where everyone has a role in progressing EDIA - relating specifically to disability/ND (Athena Swan)

A.6 Review protocol relating to teaching material creation, accessibility, distribution and use.

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:32:37 UTC

A.6a - Begin a review of teaching materials creation, distribution and use protocol to assess level of accessibility.

A.6b - Produce documentation/guidelines for academic staff to develop accessibility of academic material

A.7 Produce a Best Practices Toolkit

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:33:03 UTC

A.7a - Produce best practice toolkit for staff in working with disabled and neurodivergent staff, handling complaints, DASS support plans, reasonable adjustments, policy creation and enforcement, flexible working and overall awareness.

A.8 Reinforce Social Model of Disability within SoNS

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:33:32 UTC

A.8a - Explore current SoNS, FSE, and University approach to the use of the social model

A.8b - Produce guidance on what the social model is, how to implement into daily work.

B1 - Establish a method to gather student lived experience data within SoNS

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:34:25 UTC

B.1a - Establish student disability and neurodivergence network within SoNS

B.1b - Create and publish student survey/workshops exploring lived experiences within SoNS for disabled and neurodivergent students

B.2 Establish understanding of School, Faculty, University level data collection

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:34:46 UTC

B.3 Explore/Support School, Faculty, University data collection initatives

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:35:10 UTC

C.1 Establish consistent networking with disabled and neurodivergent staff and student networks

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:36:39 UTC

C.1a - Establish forum-style space for networks to discuss issues being faced with SoNS

C.1b - Establish consultation relationships with staff and student disabled and neurodivergent networks to be involved in wider EDIA work, collect current experience data and maintain network involvement

C.2 Establish intersection University online space

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 09:36:52 UTC

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 10:33:11 UTC

Consent course for students needed

Open plan offices - flexibility with staff to work in other spaces

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 10:44:15 UTC

Connection for Asian students with other race/ethnicity

2024-10-02 10:45:53 UTC

As an Asian student, I think promoting the connection between Asian students and students of other races/ethnicities will benefit our environment. There are many Asian students in our school, and Asian culture significantly differs from Europe and America; we should understand this to help with acceptance and integration when we build up our community.

Inter-faculty events

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 11:01:18 UTC

at Alan Turing or Uni place, so we can meet people from different academic backgrounds, more entrepreneurship, programming-related or writing events

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 11:05:25 UTC

Women in StEM events

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 11:18:04 UTC

Ada Lovelace Day

for example

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 11:22:34 UTC

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 11:25:25 UTC

natsciedi — 2024-10-02 11:25:35 UTC

Training needs to emphasise self-identification

rosahepworth — 2024-10-03 15:33:43 UTC