Allyship Network

The Allyship Network seeks to create a support system for staff working on E&I, aiming to make E&I a collective effort across the university, broadening understanding through multiple perspectives. The goal of the Network is to bring Allies from across the university together to share knowledge and create a hub that can support inclusivity. Everyone is welcome to join, whether you are an experienced Ally or just starting out in your allyship journey and want to learn more.

Key aims of the Network include:

Highlighting training opportunities and policies to members.
Collaborating with other Staff Networks to develop campaigns furthering E&I within the University.
Celebrating staff contributions to E&I and emphasising the importance of the work.

If you are interested in joining or would like more information, you can get in touch at allyship.network@canterbury.ac.uk

CCCU Academics for Academic Freedom

CCCU Academics for Academic Freedom is a group of staff who seek to discuss, affirm and protect academic freedom within the university and the sector. We organise discussions and debates, formal and informal, to that effect.

We welcome new members to the group, and also dialogue with anyone who wants to engage with the issues.

To get involved or for more information, contact Jim Butcher and/or Claire Street.

CCCq (LGBTQIA+) network

The CCCq network is made up staff who are members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community. Their thriving community has a lively Teams chat where members can chat to and support each other easily. There are also events that occur throughout the year, highlighting the network's emphasis on social connection within and beyond the University.

If you'd like to get in contact, please email CCCq.

Disabled Staff Network (DSN)

The DSN is a network for disabled staff members and those who are affected by disability. The network welcomes all disabilities, whether they are visible or non-visible.

The DSN advocates for staff who are met with barriers and obstacles, and propose changes when necessary. With the goal of making university a welcome and inclusive place for staff with disabilities, the DSN are champions for our colleagues in this network.

There is also a real emphasis on celebrating our disabled staff, recognising their hard work and contributions to the CCCU community.

If you'd like to get in contact, please email.

Domestic Abuse Hub

The Domestic Abuse Hub provides a space for CCCU staff, students, community partners and experts by experience to work together in highlighting and tackling domestic abuse.

We are committed to working collaboratively, acting as a University-wide forum to share ideas and good practice for addressing domestic abuse, and to ensure an inclusive and sustainable approach within the University and the wider community.

The network is open to staff, students, experts by experience and community partners. There are events throughout the year, both within and beyond the University, designed to raise awareness and understanding of domestic abuse and promote support and safety; we also promote research-informed knowledge exchange activities, training opportunities, policy development and specialist support.

To enquire about joining the CCCU DA Hub network, please email: cccu-da-hub@canterbury.ac.uk

Recommended Learning:

An Introduction to Equity and Inclusion (mandatory for staff)
Inclusive Leadership
Unconscious Bias
Inclusive Language and Communication

Global Majority Staff Network

The Global Majority Staff Network aims to bring together professional and academic colleagues who identify as Global Majority. The network is committed to an inclusive work environment where colleagues can share experiences, develop a sense of belonging, and support each other.

With a wealth of academic, professional, and lived experiences, the network aims to drive change and contribute to the University's Equity and Inclusion Strategy and Vision 2030, that aims to 'eliminate discrimination, promote equity, diversity, and inclusion, and embed a strong sense of belonging in all that we do'.

They are committed to being open to all members who support the aims of the network, keen to continue working with colleagues who do not identify as Global Majority and warmly welcome your contributions.

If you'd like to get in contact, please email the Global Majority team.

Interfaith Network

The Interfaith Network is a safe space for people of all faiths who believe that people work best when they are able to bring their whole self into the workplace . As a network it seeks to be a place where people feel welcomed and recognises the fact that inclusion of faith or belief is a positive aspect of a person’s wellbeing and approach to work and colleagues.

They host and promote interfaith dialogue and events whilst also supporting individual faith-based communities in living out their faith on campus.

The Interfaith Network is distinct and separate from the Interfaith Council.

If you'd like to get in contact, please email the Chaplaincy.

Staff Parents and Carers Network

The CCCU Staff Parents and Carers Network welcomes colleagues who have off-campus responsibilities for children and individuals in a carer’s role.

The network hosts a thriving Teams site where parents and carers can communicate and support each other. The platform also has guidance, advice, relevant policies and shared resources on the platform, always available to help those in the network.

The network arranges in person and online meetings. However, as they are mindful of the work/life balance and additional responsibilities of members, these tend to be more occasional and aimed to encourage connecting.

If you'd like to get in contact, please email the team.

Women's Network

The Women's Network is underpinned by a shared passion for raising the profile of women at CCCU, women empowerment, and creating a supportive, aspirational, and motivational space for women staff at all stages of their careers.

Celebrate – women’s achievements and contributions to the success of CCCU
Advocate – for all women particularly those working at CCCU
Represent – develop campaigns that drive meaningful change at CCCU proving a platform for the voice and views of women to be heard
Empower – empower members to push for meaningful change across the University achieving equity for women employed at CCCU
Support – provide a safe supportive and confidential environment for members to share information, discuss their experiences and reach out to each other for advice and support.

It’s important that all women are supported and have their voices amplified by the network. When referring to all women, they include women of colour, bisexual, lesbian, trans, non-binary, disabled, and those from all socio-economic classes.

If you'd like to get in contact, please email Suzanne Obrien.

Women's Research Network

Women academics face many obstacles when pursuing a research career. As a result they are more likely to be in precarious research positions and less likely to become professors or be submitted to REF exercises.

The Women's Research Network was created to advocate for the underrepresentation of women in active research. The aims of this new staff network are to:

Empower women researchers at all career stages at CCCU.
Create a supportive, aspirational, and motivational space for women researchers in a safe and welcoming setting.
Advocate an inclusive and equitable research culture within the University.
Celebrate women in research and research by women.

If you'd like to get in contact, please email Agnes Gulyas.

'We Need to Talk About Class'

The 'We Need to Talk About Class' is CCCU’s staff network dedicated to working class colleagues, emphasising the contributions working class professionals make to tertiary education, as well as the obstacles faced due to class.

As a staff network, they seek to engage with class analysis and celebrate working class culture and identity.

If you'd like to get in contact, please email WNTTAC.

Neurodiversity Staff Network

The Neurodiversity Network is a newly established staff network at CCCU. They meet on a regular basis, whilst maintaining a friendly Teams chat for their members to keep in touch and seek support.

Their key aims are to:

improve inclusion of neurodivergent staff
provide a safe space for discussion
influence and champion positive change for neurodivergent staff

If you'd like to get in contact, please email Neurodiversity Network.

Staff societies

Our staff members are integral members of our CCCU community, with many societies available to them. Find out more about staff societies.

Black History 365 and Closing our Gap