Today is National Day for Staff Networks. The day was first launched on 10th May 2017 to emphasise the incredible work that staff networks do and the many benefits they offer to the workplace. It is an opportunity for staff networks to celebrate their achievements, and for the organisations they operate in to recognise the importance of their role. The theme for this year is #stayingstrong.
At the University of Bristol, we have six staff networks. These include:
- Apprentice Staff Network
- Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff Network
- Childless Staff Network
- LGBT+ Staff Network
- Neurodiversity Staff Network
- Parents and Carers Staff Network
Staff networks offer a safe space for colleagues with shared identities or experiences to connect through regular meetings and events, and are also consulted on university policy and guidance to ensure that the voices of their members are heard and reflected in the decision-making process. They are therefore a key part of the equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) work that we do.
I think that the staff networks themselves are really important because they really create these spaces where people can come together and share their experiences, but crucially also look at how we can make the University better, and challenge the University to be better – Reuben Chatterjee, Co-Chair of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff Network.
Being a member of a staff network is a fantastic way to connect with a wide range of colleagues from across the university with similar interests to yourself – Rowan Kinsella, member of the Apprentice Staff Network and Neurodiversity Staff Network.
In 21/22, over eight hundred members of staff were involved with our staff networks and network events. Network highlights from last year include:
- The Apprentice Staff Network held a Winter and Summer Away Day which allowed network members to get to know one another, and focused on developing resilience.
- The Childless Staff Network continued to raise awareness of childlessness in the workplace and engaged with other universities to discuss best practice regarding policies and support for childless members of staff.
- The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Staff Network continued to support the development of the University’s anti-racism action plan and supported minority ethnic staff by implementing a buddying system which pairs existing members of staff with those who are new to the University.
- The LGBT+ Staff Network supported the University in participating in Bristol Pride and contributed to the University’s submission to Stonewall’s Workplace Equality Index, which saw the University earn a place on Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers list and achieve a Gold award – a first for the University!
- The Parents and Carers Network collaborated with Staff Engagement to arrange a workshop specifically addressing Wellbeing for Working Parents and Carers, and ran a series of online events to collect feedback about the blended working trial.
- The Neurodiversity Staff Network arranged for Pete Quinn, an Inclusion Consultant, to deliver a talk on Neurodiversity and supported the University to secure Research England funding for the Supporting Neurodivergent Research Culture project.
Our culture and staff community benefit from the range of staff networks at the university and the hard work of volunteers who lead them. So on this day, and every day, we want to celebrate all the fantastic work that they do and say thank you!
If you are interested in joining a staff network, or want to find out more, visit the staff network webpage.