Connections
To create connections, a safe space, shared purpose, interests, information, and sense of belonging for members.
Women's Staff Network
Information on how the University of Sunderland's Women's Staff Network has run between 2022-23.
What is the Women's Staff Network?
The Women's Staff 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 monthly meetings with members and raises awareness of issues to a senior sponsor when necessary.
Our members have highlighted that this network is an opportunity to connect in a community where they can share and support women's experiences. It allows them to network and make friends with like-minded people at the University.
- 77.8% agree that this network gives them the feeling that they belong
- 72.2% agree that this network allows them to express their authentic self
- 70.6% agree that this network allows them to express their views without judgement.
Our Women's Staff Network Chair
Kate Newby is the Chair of the Women's Staff Network.
Initiatives and actions that have impacted the University
Our network discussed the ways they have impacted the University positively. The biggest impact in the last year was the creation of this staff network. It's allowed us to give a platform and a voice to staff members who may not be heard in other forums.
We've also hosted awareness sessions surrounding topics that affect women, to help inform people on these issues and how they can support in the future.
Aims for the next 12 months
The aims for our network in the year ahead include:
- Identifying and addressing barriers for women in the workplace.
- Raising awareness on topics such as gender pay equality, sexism in the workplace, and domestic violence.
- Promoting flexible working arrangements across the University.
- Creating opportunities for women leadership development through Aurora.
- Encouraging confidence building and empowerment through networking and conferences.
Our senior sponsors
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.
- Be more visible in their support of the network across the university.
- Showcase the positive impacts the network has made.
- Support leadership and development opportunities for women and address barriers being faced.
- Create an event or conference with relevant, inspiring speakers, and incorporate a sponsorship scheme.
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, 11 answered ‘Definitely yes’ and three answered ‘Probably yes’.
Our terms of reference
We asked our members their opinions on how we deliver our terms of reference:
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.