Please note changes to session timings and locations

Monday 2 December:

11:15am, Room B2, The Hemsley, University Park

1.00pm, Room A18, King’s Meadow Campus

Delivered by disability charity Leonard Cheshire, this 1-hour session will outline key information to enable managers to confidently support disabled employees and remove barriers in the workplace.

Drawing on insights from Leonard Cheshire’s employment programmes and work with students and graduates, discussions will cover understandings of disability within the UK, recognising barriers and making adjustments, and the manager’s role in creating an inclusive work environment.

The same 1-hour session will run at 11:15 on University Park and again at 1.00pm on King’s Meadow Campus.

To book a place please email stating your preferred session time.

The post Disability at Work – Leonard Cheshire Briefing Sessions for Managers appeared first on People and Culture.

We are delighted to confirm four centrally-led events and initiatives taking place between 26 November and 16 December 2019: 

Wellness in the workplace: Mindful movement and breathing for anxiety

Tuesday 26 November, 3.30-5.00pm, E44 (Yoga Studio), Portland Building

Back by popular demand. An interactive session for staff led by professional pianist Dr Xenia Pestova, Director of Performance, Department of Music, using simple breathing techniques, focus exercises and gentle stretches incorporating yoga and Qi Gong influences to help you understand and befriend anxiety.

Please email to book. Please note, places are limited.

Disability at Work – Leonard Cheshire Briefing Sessions for Managers

Monday 2 December, Room B2, The Hemsley, University Park

Session Timings: 9.30am and 11:15am

Delivered by disability charity Leonard Cheshire, this 1-hour session will outline key information to enable managers to confidently support disabled employees and remove barriers in the workplace.

Drawing on insights from Leonard Cheshire’s employment programmes and work with students and graduates, discussions will cover understandings of disability within the UK, recognising barriers and making adjustments, and the manager’s role in creating an inclusive work environment.

The same 1-hour session will run at 9.30am and again at 11.15am.

Please note places are limited. Booking is required.

To book a place please email stating your preferred session time.

 Leading through the darkness

Weds 4 December, 5.30pm, Room C14, Teaching & Learning Building

Having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t be a leader, you just have to do things differently!

Inspired by this year’s UK Disability History Month theme of Leadership, Resistance and Culture, Sarah Stephenson-Hunter, Staff Disability Advisor, University of Oxford, shares her personal story, explores what it means to be a leader with a disability and how this has shaped her approach to leadership.

This event is free and open to all. Booking is required:

https://leadingthroughthedarkness.eventbrite.co.uk

Employee Assistance Programme: Drop-in Session with Sodexo

Monday 16 December, 9am to 2.30pm, Room B02, Teaching & Learning Building

No need to book! Just drop in between 9am and 2.30pm to learn more about the benefits available for staff through the University’s Employee Assistance Programme.

Employee Hub Demonstrations by Sodexo

Monday 16 December 9am and 2pm, Room B03, Teaching & Learning Building

Join a short demonstration at either 9am or 2pm to find out more about the University’s Employee Hub.

Booking is required. To book a place please email stating your preferred session time.

The post Disability December events and initiatives 2019 appeared first on People and Culture.

Tuesday 26 November 2019, 3.30pm, Room E44 (Yoga Studio), Portland Building, University Park (accessible by lift)

A 90 minute interactive session for University of Nottingham staff led by professional pianist Dr Xenia Pestova, Director of Performance, Department of Music.

Anxiety can manifest in many different areas of our working lives. Whether you are giving a presentation, preparing for a meeting, facing a difficult conversation, or simply dealing with the day-to-day challenges of life, there are proven methods that can help you feel more grounded and supported.

Dr Xenia Pestova is a performer and music coach with international experience. She will guide you through simple breathing techniques, focus exercises and gentle stretches incorporating yoga and Qi Gong influences to help you understand and befriend anxiety.

Please email to book. Please note, places are limited. Once fully booked, a waiting list will be held. If you have booked a place but can no longer attend, please cancel your booking to allow other colleagues the opportunity to attend.

Presented as part of Disability December.

The post Wellness in the workplace: Mindful movement and breathing for anxiety appeared first on People and Culture.

An inspirational talk/Q&A by Sarah Stephenson-Hunter, Staff Disability Advisor, University of Oxford (and former UoN Disability Adviser).

Having a disability doesn’t mean you can’t be a leader, you just have to do things differently!

Inspired by this year’s UK Disability History Month theme of Leadership, Resistance and Culture, Sarah shares her personal story, what it means to be a leader with a disability and how this has shaped her approach to leadership.

Join Sarah to learn more about what we can all do to support disabled staff and students to fully realise their potential.

Free to attend. Everyone welcome. Booking required:

https://leadingthroughthedarkness.eventbrite.co.uk

Presented as part of Disability December.

The post Leading through the Darkness – Wednesday 4th December 2019, 5.30pm appeared first on People and Culture.

Back by popular demand …

Following some great feedback for our ‘dance for health and wellbeing’ workshop for Month of the Mind (May 2019) we are delighted to be able to offer more of these sessions for staff throughout the year.

The next workshop, on Thursday 7 November 2019 from 1:15-2:15pm, is a facilitated hour of movement and dance based on ideas from a movement meditation practice called ‘5 Rhythms’ developed by Gabrielle Roth.

The music follows a pattern of flow, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness and your dancing / movement can be as gentle or energetic as you feel comfortable with.

There are no steps to learn and you can go at your own pace. No dance experience is necessary just a willingness to have a go!

There’s no need to wear specific dance clothing but please do wear something comfortable which you feel able to move about in.

Free to attend. Booking is essential as places are limited. Reserve your place here.

The post Dance as Therapy Workshop – Thursday 7 November, 1.15-2.15pm appeared first on People and Culture.

Black History Month has been celebrated in the UK for more than 30 years. It acknowledges signature moments in the history of the UK and is a celebration of the magnificence of cultural diversity and the enriching value in peaceful co-existence.

A number of events are taking place at the University of Nottingham this month in celebration of Black History Month, acknowledging history is being made not just during October but every minute, every hour, every day, every week and month.

We’d like to encourage everyone to get involved, join our celebrations and share details of the programme within their respective areas.

Event highlights include:

• 20th Century Britain through the lens of Black American Music
  7.30-10pm, Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 October 2019 at Peggy’s Skylight, 3 George Street, Nottingham NG1 3BH
  Join us for the screening of three BBC documentaries directed by the British director James Maycock:
  • Northern Soul: Living for the Weekend
  • The Motown Invasion: How the Detroit Label Captured the UK’s Soul
  • Gershwin’s Summertime: The Song that Conquered the World

Gain a unique perspective, at different times and places during the mid-20^th Century, of the influence of Black American music and youth culture on the UK – well before the advent of either social media or Hip Hop.

For more information, and to book your place, please visit the event page.

• Career Success – the BME Experience
  4-6.30pm, Thursday 17 October, Senate Chamber, Trent Building

Join our BME staff, students and alumni to hear about their careers, have your questions answered, share experiences, get ideas and build your network. A mix of short presentations and informal small-group discussion, the evening will be chaired by Dr Nalayini Thambar, Director of Careers and Employability.

For more information, and to book your place, please visit the event page.

Activities and events will also be taking place in our Faculties, Schools, Departments and Professional Services. These include:

• Black Healthcare Leaders and Trailblazers
  Tuesday 1 – Thursday 31 October, Medical School Foyer, QMCA display of black healthcare leaders and trailblazers will be in the foyer of the Medical School for Black History Month.
• Black Nurses: The Women who saved the NHS
  5-7pm, Monday 7 October, Lecture Theatre 3, QMC
  The School of Health Sciences BME Student Network is hosting a screening of the BBC documentary “Black Nurses: The Women who Saved the NHS” followed by a thirty minute discussion afterwards.

For more information, and to book your place, please visit the event page.

• Organ and Blood Donor Awareness Campaign
  11am-1pm, Tuesday 8, 15, 22, 29 October, A Floor, Medical School Foyer
  10am-2pm, Saturday 12 October, Nottingham City Centre
  10am-2pm, Saturday 19 October, Beeston Town Centre
  The School of Health Sciences BME Student Network is leading a month-long campaign to raise awareness of blood and organ donation, at the University of Nottingham and in the wider Nottingham community. Because of the new rules around organ donation changing next spring, and low numbers of blood and tissue donors from the black community, this is at timely campaign to debunk myths around donation and encourage more people to register.
• BecoME: BME Leaders in Healthcare Conference
  9am-5pm, Saturday 26 October, Business School South
  The School of Health Sciences BME Student Network, together with the Afro Caribbean Medical Network and the Students’ Union BME Network, present “BecoME: BME Leaders in Healthcare” conference. Open to all, this conference will highlight the journeys of prominent BME leaders in healthcare, offer career building workshops, and provide an opportunity to network with other current and future leaders of healthcare.
  For more information, and to book your place, please visit the event page.
• Black Faces in High Places
  4pm, Wednesday 2 October in Room A03 Auditorium, Teaching and Learning Building
  A panel discussion entitled Black Faces in High Places – A Navigation Of Race and Gender In Workplaces and Academic Institutions.
  Find out more on the event page.
• Film Screening: I Am Not Your Negro
  4-7pm, Wednesday 9 October in B63, Law and Social Sciences Building, UniversityPark
  This 2017 documentary film, I Am Not Your Negro, is based on James Baldwin’s final, unfinished manuscript ‘Remember This House’. The film uses the words of James Baldwin to explore the troubling issues that face people of colour living in the US.
  Find out more on the event page.
• African Drumming Workshop
  12-2pm on Thursday 10 October in the Medical School Foyer, Queen’s Medical Centre
  Join us for a workshop where you can learn more about African drumming.
  For more information, contact Linda Allsop at linda.allsop@nottingham.ac.uk.
• Steel Drum Band
  12-2pm, Friday 11 October in Hipps Cafe, A Floor, Queen’s Medical Centre
  A live steel drum band performance with Caribbean food available in Hipps Café.
  For more information, contact Linda Allsop at linda.allsop@nottingham.ac.uk.
• Let’s Dance! Free salsa classes and food market
  12-2pm, Tuesday 15 October, Medical School Foyer, Queen’s Medical Centre
  Come and have a go and learn a few steps!  Cleon has been teaching salsa for a very long time and is great fun. Or just come along to watch and have lunch at our food market from 11am. So much to choose from – Indian, Indonesian and Jamaican.
  For more information, contact Linda Allsop at linda.allsop@nottingham.ac.uk.
• Windrush is not history: Lunch and Seminar
  12.30-2pm, Wednesday 23 October in B63 Law and Social Sciences Building, University Park
  This seminar will explore how the resonances of the past persist in the present, focusing on drawing out the interlinked web of historical events and present-day exclusions.
  Find out more on the event page.
• Decolonising the curriculum 
  2.30-5pm on Wednesday 30 October in A4 Law and Social Sciences Building
  This workshop is an opportunity to re-think the beliefs that underpin the curriculum, to challenge these values and to imagine a different curriculum that is inclusive of other voices/histories/theories.
  Find out more on the event page.
• University of Nottingham Libraries
  Libraries are celebrating Black History Month by asking staff and students to recommend reads which explore BME culture and history to build a Black History month reading list.
  Find out more on the event page.

Other events may be announced throughout the month. For full listings please visit the University’s event listings.

Dr Val Watson, Head of University Counselling Service and Chair of the University’s BME Staff Network, said:

“Recent sighting of the slogan ‘Black History is everyone’s history’ on a tee shirt brought a smile of recognition and pride with a sense that some progress has been made. Black History recognition was public.  Matters of race, racism, belonging, immigration and discrimination are a significant feature of national, international political and personal debates, education discussions, decision making and actions. The need to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our Black heroes and reflect on the consequences of injustices experienced by Black people is a necessity. The effects of the UK Windrush scandal reminds us that Black history is everyone’s business and to deny this truth is perilous.

Andrea Levy and Toni Morrison, distinguished writers and exceptional heroes who died this year, have left powerful bodies of work which bring the importance of Black history and experience into focus. Their work reminds us of the richness and endurance of the human spirit, often when oppressed. As Morrison says: “If you can only be tall because somebody is on their knees, then you have a serious problem.”

We’d like to encourage everyone to get involved; show support for our BME staff and students and local community, aim to learn more about black history, contribute to ongoing debates, see the progress we’re making, and help us make more history.”

Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, said:

“I am really pleased to see such a varied and dynamic programme of events that has been led by our staff and students for Black History month. This month represents a vital opportunity for learning and celebration for all, whether or not we are members of the BME community, and I strongly encourage University staff and students to take some time to attend at least one of the events which are taking place. I wish the team every success with the exciting programme of events”.

Find out more…

To find out more about the University’s Black History Month programme, please email People and Culture.

You can also subscribe to the People and Culture blog for further updates throughout October.

The post Celebrate Black History Month 2019 appeared first on People and Culture.

During October 2019 the University of Nottingham is celebrating Black History Month with film screenings, panel discussions and more.

The University is proud to be celebrating Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) culture, history and our BME staff and student community.

Black History Month is a fantastic opportunity to engage with, learn more about and celebrate the achievements of our BME community.

We’d like to encourage everyone to get involved, join our celebrations and share details of the programme within their respective areas.

This year’s centrally organised events include:

20th Century Britain through the lens of Black American Music

Gain a unique perspective, at different times and places during the mid-20th Century, of the influence of Black American music and youth culture on the UK – well before the advent of either social media or Hip Hop.

Join us for the screening of three BBC documentaries directed by the British director James Maycock:

• Northern Soul: Living for the Weekend
• The Motown Invasion
• Gershwin’s Summertime

This event will take place 7.30-10pm, Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 October 2019 at Peggy’s Skylight, 3 George Street, Nottingham NG1 3BH.

For more information, and to book your place, please visit the event page.

Career Success – the BME Experience

Join our BME staff, students and alumni to hear about their careers, have your questions answered, share experiences, get ideas and build your network. A mix of short presentations and informal small-group discussion, the evening will be chaired by Dr Nalayini Thambar, Director of Careers and Employability.

This event will take place 4-6.30pm on Thursday 17 October in the Senate Chamber, Trent Building, University Park Campus.

For more information, and to book your place, please visit the event page.

Activities and events will also be taking place in our Faculties, Schools, Departments and Professional Services. These include:

Black Healthcare Leaders and Trailblazers

A display of black healthcare leaders and trailblazers will be in the foyer of the Medical School for Black History Month.

This event will take place from 1-31 October in the Medical School Foyer, QMC.

Black Nurses: The Women who saved the NHS

The School of Health Sciences BME Student Network is hosting a screening of the BBC documentary “Black Nurses: The Women who Saved the NHS” followed by a thirty minute discussion afterwards.

This event will take place 5-7pm on Monday 7 October in Lecture Theatre 3, QMC. For more information, and to book your place, please visit the event page.

Organ and Blood Donor Awareness Campaign

The School of Health Sciences BME Student Network is leading a month-long campaign to raise awareness of blood and organ donation, at the University of Nottingham and in the wider Nottingham community. Because of the new rules around organ donation changing next spring, and low numbers of blood and tissue donors from the black community, this is a timely campaign to debunk myths around donation and encourage more people to register.

This event will take place at the following times:

• 11am-1pm, Tuesday 8, 15, 22, 29 October, A Floor, Medical School Foyer
• 10am-2pm, Saturday 12 October, Nottingham City Centre
• 10am-2pm, Saturday 19 October, Beeston Town Centre

BecoME: BME Leaders in Healthcare Conference

The School of Health Sciences BME Student Network, together with the Afro Caribbean Medical Network and the Students’ Union BME Network, present “BecoME: BME Leaders in Healthcare” conference. Open to all, this conference will highlight the journeys of prominent BME leaders in healthcare, offer career building workshops, and provide an opportunity to network with other current and future leaders of healthcare.

This event will take place 9am-5pm, Saturday 26 October, Business School South. For more information, and to book your place, please visit the event page.

Details of all events will follow in a comprehensive programme announced on Tuesday 1 October 2019.

Dr Val Watson, Head of University Counselling Service and Chair of the University’s BME Staff Network, said:

“We’d like to encourage everyone to get involved; show support for our BME staff and students and local community, aim to learn more about black history, contribute to ongoing debates, see the progress we’re making and help us make more history.”

Get involved…

For further details of all events, please visit the University’s event listings.

To find out more about the University’s Black History Month programme, or if you’re arranging a Black History Month event and would like it adding to the central event listings, please email People and Culture.

For news and updates on the events, follow the People and Culture blog.

The post Celebrate Black History Month 2019 appeared first on People and Culture.

Where? Teaching & Learning Building, (UP)

When? Wednesday 3rd July 9:30-16:15.

With a welcome address from UoN’s Vice-Chancellor and key note from Professor Katherine Weare (World Health Organisation & government advisor on education). We will be joined by over 30 HR practitioners and researchers from across the Midlands to look at how well-being initiatives work. There is a choice of 15 workshops including an opportunity to explore what helps your own sense of well-being at work.

For more information on the conference programme and how to booking, please see the conference website:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/professionaldevelopment/wellbeing/staff-well-being-conference.aspx

 Please book early, places are limited. There is no conference booking fee to university staff.

The post Joint staff well-being conference (University of Nottingham and University of Birmingham) – ‘Thriving in HE: what works?’ appeared first on People and Culture.

Wednesday 5th June 2019, 9.30am-3.30pm, Business School South, Jubilee Campus

Join us for this one-day conference on creating and fostering a research community and environment which celebrates and values equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). There will be opportunities to meet representatives from staff and student networks, hear from University leaders and share your experiences.

It is free to attend and open to all postgraduate researchers, their supervisors and professional and administrative staff who support them.

Keynote speakers include:

• Professor Shearer West, Vice Chancellor
• Professor Sarah Sharples, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Dr Karen Salt, Deputy chair of UKRI External Advisory Group for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
• Professor Ian James Kidd, Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy
• Tanya Lines, Diversity and Inclusion Manager/Lead- Strategic Management, The British Psychological Society

Book your place here:

The post Stronger together – Equality Diversity and Inclusion in Postgraduate Research Conference 2019 appeared first on People and Culture.

Thursday 23 May, 9-10am, Portland Building

There’s plenty of advice around about sitting and inactivity being bad for your health. In recent years a growth in dance and wellbeing scholarship has resulted in new ways of thinking that place the body, movement and dance as significant for improved health and wellbeing.

This workshop is a facilitated hour of movement and dance based on ideas from a movement meditation practice called ‘5 Rhythms’ which was developed by Gabrielle Roth. The music follows a pattern of flow, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness and your dancing/movement can be as gentle or energetic as you feel comfortable with.

There are no steps to learn and you can go at your own pace. No dance experience is necessary just a willingness to have a go!

There’s no need to wear specific dance clothing but please do wear something comfortable which you feel able to move about in.

Booking is essential as places are limited. Once fully booked a waiting list will be held.

Please email br-ucsworkshops@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk by 5pm on Tuesday 21 May 2019.

Once your place has been confirmed, you will receive further details and confirmation of location of the workshop.

If you book a place but can no longer attend, please cancel your booking to allow other colleagues the opportunity to attend.

Presented as part of Month of the Mind.

The post Dance for Health and Wellbeing appeared first on People and Culture.