Pride Staff Network
Information on how the University of Sunderland's Pride Staff Network has run between 2022-23.
What is the Pride Staff Network?
The Pride Network aims to provide a safe space to share experiences and knowledge, discuss current topics, and make influence wherever possible.
The network has made great strides to address equality issues through meetings with members and raises awareness of issues to a senior sponsor when necessary.
Our members say that the main reason they attend the network is because it is a community of like-minded people that support each other. It is a way to meet colleagues who identify or have an interest in the LGBTQI+ community, learn more about their experiences, and create positive change in the workplace.
- 90% agree that this network gives them the feeling that they belong
- 80% agree that this network allows them to express their authentic self
- 80% agree that this network allows them to express their views without judgement.
Our Network Chairs
Meet the chairs of the Pride staff network.
Donna Bainbridge
Initiatives and actions that have impacted the University
Our network discussed the ways they have impacted the University positively. One example our members gave was our presence at this year's Sunderland Pride Festival, 'Wear Here for Pride'. By attending the event it helped us raise awareness, as well as being involved in the local community.
Another new initiative that came into effect is the introduction of gender pronouns on staff and students' Teams accounts. This allows non-binary people to choose what pronouns they are known by.
Aims for the next 12 months
The aims for our network in the year ahead include:
- Providing more chances for anonymous input so that people can feel more comfortable to express their opinions.
- Introduce more queer perspectives on events held by the University.
- Create a theme of togetherness by introducing ways for all of our staff networks to interact, rather than being separate groups.
Our senior sponsors
We receive support from senior sponsors at the University. Looking forward, we ask our sponsor to:
- Commit to using their connections and knowledge to support the network in delivering great events, widening membership, and inspiring staff across the University
- Work to feed the views of the networks to the EDI group and Executive
- Show commitment to our network through visual representation and promoting more face-to-face events
- Combat discrimination through more information sessions, as although discrimination is low it is important to understand how it can happen and what to do if it occurs
- Talk more about non-binary lives and the importance of respecting they/them pronounces
- Ensure that staff networks are part of faculty conferences.
Does the network support the delivery of the University’s value of inclusion?
When our members were asked if the group support the delivery of the University's value of inclusion, 77.8% answered ‘Definitely yes’ and 22.2% answered ‘Probably yes’.
Our terms of reference
We asked our members their opinions on how we deliver our terms of reference:
Connections
To create connections, a safe space, shared purpose, interests, information, and sense of belonging for members.
Share
To share problems, knowledge, ideas, situations, and lessons.
Solve problems
To help to solve problems and challenges by bringing resources, processes, and influencing change.
Powerful voice
To be a powerful voice and source for positive change, embedded across the whole University.
Contact us
We welcome feedback on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Please contact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, inclusion@sunderland.ac.uk or the Students' Union at yoursu@sunderland.ac.uk.