Staff networks are essential, and they exist to support and empower those who are often marginalised. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion networks offer support, social events and guidance both in and out of the university. They are all self-managed, independent and impartial.
The networks offer a safe space but are also important partners in helping the University achieve better Equality, Diversity and Inclusion for all by consulting on policy, practice and procedures.
'We Need To Talk About Class' Staff Network
A space in which critical conversations about ‘classed’ experiences within the institution can take place without judgement.
The WNTTAC group was founded in April 2019. The group has been set up to focus on the invisible, and often denied, experience of working-class academics and students within the University. The group meets approximately once a month.
The network seeks to inform the development of university policy and procedures relating to the lived experience of people from working-class backgrounds. The group enables staff from working class backgrounds, and those who are keen to support students from lower-socioeconomic groups to come together to share experiences, offer mutual support, and discuss issues that are important to them.
Get Involved:
We welcome anyone who is interested in issues of class inequality at the intersection of other protected characteristic.
To join the network please email paula.stone@canterbury.ac.uk
Staff Parents and Carers Network
The CCCU Staff Parents’ and Carers’ Network welcomes colleagues who have off-campus responsibilities for children and others. Carers include those looking after someone who is unable to care for themselves due to old age or a disability.
The CCCU Staff Parents’ and Carers’ Network launched in September 2021 by the founder and Chair Michelle Meadows, who has worked within the University in HROD as part of the People, Culture and Inclusion Team since 2018, and established the Parents and Carers Network after returning from 12 months’ maternity leave in October 2020.
The network will meet bi-monthly during the academic year, typically virtually.
Outside of the official meetings, we will also be organising several events, including social get-togethers and webinars/workshops throughout the year. The network will also be a place to share helpful support and guidance with other parents and carers.
Get Involved:
To be added to the mailing list, please email: staffparentsandcarers@canterbury.ac.uk
If you wish, you can also be added to the CCCU Parents’ and Carers’ Channel on Teams. Please note that this is not an anonymous space.
CCCQ (LGBTQIA+ Staff Network)
CCCq is the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Ally (LGBTQIA+) Staff Network at Canterbury Christ Church University. Established in 2011, the Network has since supported colleagues and actively shaped the University’s policy and practice in relation to sexual orientation and gender identity. CCCq meets regularly to discuss issues affecting LGBTQIA+ staff, organises various events throughout the year to mark awareness days and LGBT History Month, and generally offers a safe, supportive, open and friendly space for socialising. We are inclusive of all (or indeed none) sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and warmly welcome allies.
The network meets monthly during the academic year, typically virtually. When necessary, we also hold separate ‘extraordinary meetings’ to discuss any urgent issues, or arrange separate meetings e.g., regarding Pride planning that involve people outside the network. Outside of the official meetings, we organise several events, including social get-togethers (picnics, dinners, theatre trips etc.) throughout the year.
Get Involved:
To be added to the anonymous and confidential mailing list, please email: cccq.equality@canterbury.ac.uk
If you wish, you can also be added to the CCCq Chat on Teams, although please note that this is obviously not an anonymous space.
Follow CCCq on:
Global Majority Staff Network
The Global Majority Staff Network is committed to anti-racism, equity and building solidarities and to promoting, supporting and improving the Global Majority staff and student experience at Canterbury Christ Church University. This includes shaping and responding to race equality strategy, policy and practice.
The network (formerly the BAME Network) uses the empowering term ‘Black and Global Majority’, recognising the national and sector-wide critical conversations on the limitations of words such as ‘BAME’. We align with Professor Gus John’s lexicon which positions ‘Black and people of colour as Global Majority’, encouraging a reframing of these identities outside of the white lens, and acknowledging that global majorities are ‘racially minoritized in institutional contexts in the UK’
Get Involved:
We invite colleagues from any part of the University to meet, share experiences and discuss ways in which we can help each other. We organise events, invite speakers, gather socially… and much more.
To join the network please email: globalmajority.equality@canterbury.ac.uk
Disabled Staff Network (DSN)
The Disabled Staff Network is open to all members of staff at Canterbury Christ Church University. The network is inclusive of a range of disabilities, long term / chronic health conditions, learning differences, mental health issues and to members of staff who have a specific interest in this area of work.
The Disabled Staff Network's purpose is to support disabled staff and those staff working with disability or with an interest in disability. The network also provides a safe space to share information and consider good practice, provide recommendations to enhance University policy and practice.
Get Involved:
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the running of the network. A number of events, including social get-togethers are organised throughout the year.
Please email: disabledstaff.equality@canterbury.ac.uk
As well as disabled and chronically ill staff and allies, membership includes representatives from the People, Culture and Inclusion team, Student Support and Wellbeing, and Estates & Facilities.
Women’s Network
The network has been set up to focus on women from across the University. The network seeks to inform the development of University policy and procedures relating to the working lives of women, and enables women to come together, share experiences, opportunities and knowledge, offer mutual support, and discuss issues that are important to them.
The Women’s Network began in March 2014 and has since organised several activities and events for Network members and the wider University community.
Please note, the network currently does not have a network chair or network committee. If you would like to be involved in this capacity or re-launching our women’s network, please email equality-and-diversity@canterbrury.ac.uk
Get Involved:
If you would like to become a member of the network, please email: cccuw@canterbury.ac.uk.
Please note, this inbox is being monitored by the People, Culture and Inclusion Team until a network committee is in place.