Upcoming events

9 MARCH EVENT IS FULLY BOOKED 

We are running a waiting list and if you would like to be added to the list please email diversity@shu.ac.uk   Please note that workshops A and B are massively over-subscribed and it is unlikely that places will become available.

Click here to see an overview of all the SHU IWD 2016 events and activities – and how to join them. IWD SHU Activity 7 to 11 March 2016

Click here for the SheFest brochure. SheFest Brochure 2016

International Women’s Day 2016

The 8^th March marks International Women’s Day (IWD). Observed since 1909, it is a global celebration of respect, appreciation and recognition of women, while continuing to call for greater equality.  The focus this year is on Parity.

The World Economic Forum predicted in 2014 that it would take until 2095 to achieve global gender parity. Then one year later in 2015, they estimated that a slowdown in the already glacial pace of progress meant the gender gap wouldn’t close entirely until 2133!

Everyone – men and women – can pledge to take a concrete step to help achieve gender parity more quickly – whether to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, call for gender-balanced leadership, respect and value difference, develop more inclusive and flexible cultures or root out workplace bias. Each of us can be a leader within our own spheres of influence and commit to take pragmatic action to accelerate gender parity.

Each year Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) takes an active part in celebrating and recognising IWD. As such, there will be a number of activities and events taking place across the University, week commencing 8^th March, to recognise and encourage action that supports and contributes towards gender parity – so watch this space!

On 9^th March, in conjunction with The University of Sheffield (TUoS) we are hosting the event below. FULLY BOOKED.

Places are limited. Each University has 60 places, with up to 12 delegates from each University attending each workshop, and each workshop will be run twice – if you wish to attend – we recommend you book this event and select your workshops as soon as possible! Booking details and link can be found after the workshop summaries.

IWD Event: You and Your Career Trajectory

11.45 – 12:00    Registration and Welcome, Heart of the Campus Café Collegiate Crescent Campus

12:00 – 12:45    Professor Shearer West, Deputy Vice Chancellor, TUoS ‘Women and Leadership in                        HE’ (Lecture Theatre, Main Building, D008)

The session will open with a welcome from Professor Nicola Woodroofe (SHU) and Dr Lynne Bingle (TUoS) followed by a Q&A session at the end of Professor Shearer’s talk.

12:45 – 13:15       Lunch

Following lunch you may attend two facilitated workshops of your choice (outlined below) which focus on different aspects of career development. Afternoon tea will be served between the workshops, followed by a talk from Dr Julia Yates.

15:00 – 15:45,      Dr Julia Yates, Senior Lecturer – University of East London. ‘Appearance, Attractiveness and Career’ (Lecture Theatre, Main Building, D008)

Dr Julia Yates has been involved with supporting career development for nearly twenty years as a practitioner, trainer, researcher and writer. As a practitioner she started her career working for the University of London Careers Service and then became Director of Employability and Enterprise at the University of the Arts London. Three years ago Julia became a senior lecturer at the University of East London, on their Diploma in Career Guidance and in 2011 set up the country’s first MSc in Career Coaching. Julia now lectures on career development and conducts research into career decision making, career image and pedagogical approaches.

There are 5 workshops to choose from. You will be asked to rand your preferences from 1 to 5. Where possible you will be placed on your top two choices however, if fully booked your third/fourth option may be offered.  Please read the workshop summaries before making your selection.

Workshop details

A) Gaining confidence and resilience

13:15 – 14:30 and 15:45 – 17:00, Main Building, Room D004

Facilitators:

Professor Nicola Woodroofe – Sheffield Hallam University (SHU)

Professor Julie Gray – The University of Sheffield (TUoS)

Session outline:

This will be a supportive and interactive session which encourages delegates to consider and discuss issues surrounding confidence and resilience. The session will cover how confidence impacts our behaviour and explore how to build confidence though positive thinking. We will discuss what resilience is and provide examples of when we have used this, finishing up with some tips around building resilience in your career.  The session will be led by two senior women professors, one from each university, who will share their experiences of overcoming setbacks and how they have built up resilience during their careers.

Audience:

The session is aimed at staff at all career stages wanting to build confidence and resilience in their career progression. Examples will principally be taken from programmes available to academic and research staff, but the practices shared will be of relevance to other roles and sectors.

B) How did I get here, and where am I going?  The art of strategic career planning

13:15 – 14:30 and 15:45 – 17:00, Oaklands, Room 203

Facilitators:

Rachel Tobbell – trainer, facilitator and equality consultant

Session outline:

In this session delegates will be encouraged to take a step back from their busy daily schedules to reflect on where they are in their work and life and where they might like to go next.  We will be discussing our values, our strengths and weaknesses, our likes and dislikes, and what we think success is all about.  We will consider what we could do to move ourselves forwards in our career, whilst navigating around ‘career cul-de-sacs’ and away from ‘glass cliffs’.  There will be some challenging questions and lots of supportive discussion.

Audience:

Women from any career level, and in any role, who wish to reflect and plan for their future career and career development.

C) Networking: Why you should and how you do it!

13:15 – 14:30 and 15:45 – 17:00, Oaklands, Room 215

Facilitators:

Danny Hannah – Sheffield Hallam University (SHU)

Claire Pickerden – White Rose University Consortium

Session outline:

Networking. Love it or hate it, we all have to do it. In this highly interactive session delegates will be asked to examine their attitudes towards networking as well as their current networking activities and the range and usefulness of their own contacts and connections. We will share tips, experiences on building our professional profiles, and share advice on how to build a personal brand/networks that works for you.

Audience:

Women from any career level and in any role who wish to reflect on their networking skills, their current networks and what they could do to build these further.

D) Athena SWAN: Making positive changes

13:15 – 14:30 and 15:45 – 17:00, Oaklands, Room 216

Facilitators:

Dr Caroline Dalton – Sheffield Hallam University (SHU)

Dr Lynne Bingle – The University of Sheffield (TUoS)

Session outline:

Has the battle for equality/parity been won? Or do we still need “female-specific” initiatives?

As Athena SWAN is widening its remit do we move on from gender issues to other protected characteristics, such as race? Athena SWAN also now includes Arts and Humanities so what is the picture like here in comparison to the original target STEM departments? We will explore the statistics around gender pay differences, the real impact of maternity leave on your career and discuss how we can use the impetus provided by Athena SWAN to make positive changes and how we can make sure EVERYONE is on board to make these changes.

Audience:

Women from any career level and in any role who want to try to and make real seed change in (gender) equality and parity.

 E) Challenging conversations and your career

13:15 – 14:30 and 15:45 – 17:00, Heart of Campus, Room HC 0.07

Facilitators:

Katie Leeman – Sheffield Hallam University (SHU)

Dan Newberry – The University of Sheffield (TUoS)

Session outline:

We know when we need to have a challenging conversation with someone, a conversation that, if it took place, could have a positive impact on our career – think promotion, think appraisal, think career development. So why do we put it off or spend little time planning and preparing for it? Where do you start? What do you say? What should you consider, and more importantly – what do you want to get out of it!? This practical session is designed to help you address these questions.

Audience:

This session is open to everyone. If you have avoided having a challenging conversation, come away from one thinking ‘what I should have said was…,’ need to manage one, or want to be prepared for when one arises – this session will equip you. Please come with a challenging scenario you want to address, or one which you have already had, but on reflection would have liked a different outcome.

IMPORTANT: Registration is now closed.

The official IWD theme this year is ‘Pledge for Parity’. For more information about IWD please visit: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

This week sees the start of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) History Month. In this guest post, Tom Reaney (Alumni Information Officer and member of SIGNAL! – Sheffield Hallam University’s LGBT staff network) tells us about the background to the month and looks at what’s going on on campus and in the city to celebrate it.

LGBT History Month provides a perfect opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the achievements of LGBT+ people, honour key milestones and turning points in LGBT+ history, and recognise the hard fought and won battles for LGBT+ rights and equality across the world – many still ongoing.

Why is LGBT History Month important?

Led in the UK by charity Schools OUT, LGBT History Month has a dedicated theme each year – this year, the theme is Religion, Belief and Philosophy. This is a particularly prominent theme given that strongly held religious beliefs, interpretations of religious texts and the influences of key religious figureheads have all historically led to negative, discriminatory, dismissive and violent attitudes towards LGBT+ people globally. This tension is still very much a concern today, with the Anglican Church’s punishment of more liberal, accepting churches, people in the US such as Kim Davis making headlines for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and the ongoing ‘gay cake’ bakery row.

However these issues seem pale when compared to the treatment of LGBT+ people in countries that aren’t the UK or America. In 2015, an updated report released by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights entitled “Discrimination and Violence against Individuals Based on their Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” highlighted the shocking statistics on LGBT+ hate crimes, and drew attention to the fact that LGBT+ people are often targets for religious extremists.

So what do we do?

History Month gives LGBT+ people and allies the opportunity to counter negative perceptions and stereotypes by celebrating and shining the spotlight on achievements by LGBT+ people, as well as celebrating stories from everyday LGBT+ lives.

The Inner Temple Library in London have produced a fantastic LGBT legal milestone timeline, along with supporting information.

UK LGBT charity Stonewall is currently profiling LGBT+ people of faith on their website, as well as showcasing Christian LGBT+ role models in their latest publication, also viewable online.

Sheffield also has a support group for Christian LGBT+ people, which meets twice per month for socials, speakers, discussions, bible study and prayer. The Hidden Perspectives project at The University of Sheffield has been looking at LGBT+ and faith through thought-provoking and engaging events and discussions since 2013, and continues with a research symposium this month titled ‘Orange is the New Bible’.

What’s happening? How can I join in?

There are a great varied number of events and activities going on in Sheffield and on campus to celebrate the month – see what’s coming up by viewing the full programme as it stands here

Keep your eyes on SIGNAL! and Hallam LGBT+ links below for more up to date information on events taking place, as well as other informative posts and discussions around History Month – join in the conversations!

If you have any feedback, want to ask a question or wish to find out anything more not covered here, please email us at lgbt@shu.ac.uk

Tom Reaney – Alumni Information Officer and SIGNAL! member

LINKS

LGBT History Month

Web – http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/

Twitter – @LGBTHM

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LGBTHistoryMonth/

SIGNAL! – Sheffield Hallam University’s LGBT+ Staff Network

Twitter – @SHU_Signal_LGBT

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SignalatSHU

Hallam LGBT+ – Sheffield Hallam University’s student liberation group

Web – http://lgbtsh.weebly.com/

Twitter – @lgbthallam

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SHUSULGBT

Facebook (History Month) – https://www.facebook.com/Hallam-LGBT-History-Month-902045786539511

Same Love – Sheffield LGBT+ Christian Support Group

Email – sameloveorg@yahoo.co.uk

Hidden Perspectives

Web – http://hiddenperspectives.org/

Twitter – @HPerspectives

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hidden.perspectives.sheffield/

Overview

International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8th 2016, is a global celebration of respect, appreciation and recognition of women, while continuing to highlight and strive for greater equality. Thousands of events occur to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women and Sheffield Hallam University is an active participant. There will be a number of activities and events taking place across the University week commencing 7 March 2016, to recognise and celebrate IWD.

Nominate an inspirational female

In support of this year’s theme of ‘pledge for parity’ we are asking people to nominate inspirational female staff and students. If you know someone who has triumphed despite life’s obstacles, achieved challenging goals (either within or outside the workplace), is recognised by others as a role model, has inspired/motivated others, is an ordinary woman doing extraordinary things – then please let us know! Please send all nominations by Noon, Monday 25 January. Examples of last year’s profiles can be found here: http://www.shu.ac.uk/ad/international-womens-day/students.html

If you know a student, staff member or colleague that you think should be nominated please use the hyperlinked forms below. If you’re nominating a student please return the completed form by email to Kayleigh Gray at k.gray@shu.ac.uk, and if you’re  nominating a member of staff please return the form to Katie Leeman at c.leeman@shu.ac.uk. Once your nominations have been received members of the volunteering group will contact your nominee, inform them that they have been recognised by you, and request a short personal narrative which will be published.

Nomination forms:

Staff: https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/thebigpicture/files/2015/09/IWD-Profile-Template-Staff.docx

Students: https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/thebigpicture/files/2015/09/IWD-Profile-Template-Students.docx

Capture the theme through photos

We are also running a photography exhibition with the theme of inspirational women, so if you or someone you know would like the opportunity to see their work displayed please tweet the photos to @kgrayshu with the hashtag #IWDSHU16 or post on the SHU International Women’s Day Facebook page by Noon, Friday 12 February: https://www.facebook.com/IWDSHU/  All posts have to be with the permission of any subjects of the photo and we will automatically assume you’re happy for us to share them unless you tell us otherwise.

Joint event with University of Sheffield

As per last year, Sheffield Hallam and The University of Sheffield are co-hosting a joint event. This will be taking place at the Heart of the Campus, Collegiate Crescent, on Wednesday 9 March 2016, from 12:00 – 17:00. There will be key note speakers from both Universities and a variety of workshops to attend. More details – including how to book – will be published nearer the time however; if you would like to join us and attend the event please hold the afternoon of 9 March 2016 in your diary. Do note that booking will be required as places are limited.

International Women’s Day communication channels

• Blog: https://blogs.shu.ac.uk/thebigpicture/
• Website: http://www.shu.ac.uk/ad/international-womens-day/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/kgrayshu
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IWDSHU/

Sheffield Hallam are planning and delivering another programme of events for this year’s International Women’s Day, following on from the success of last year’s activities widely enjoyed by staff at Sheffield Hallam, University of Sheffield and the public: bit.ly/1ZfaEnH

A working group has been established to organise the programme of events and are looking for volunteers to help out. If you’re a member of Sheffield Hallam staff and are interested in participating in the planning then please contact Katie Leeman at c.leeman@shu.ac.uk

This year’s anti-bullying week runs from 16 – 20 November, and the focus is ‘Cyberbullying and E-Safety’. Bullying is an ongoing issue that affects a great number of people growing up which in turn can have a massive impact on an individual’s mental health both as a young person and as an adult.

Anti-bullying charity Ditch the Label – a pioneering organisation – says, “Bullying is a learnt behaviour and we won’t stop until it’s over.”

Did you know?

• 7 in 10 young people aged 13 to 22 have experienced cyber bullying
• More than 16,000 young people are absent from school due to bullying
• 1 in 3 LGB pupils who experience homophobic bullying change their plans for future education because of it
• 69% of young people have witnessed somebody else being bullied, 43% of which see it at least once a week
• 74% of those who have been bullied, have, at some point been physically attacked
• 17% have been sexually assaulted
• As a result of bullying, 29% self-harmed, 27% skipped class, 14% developed an eating disorder and 12% ran away from home.
• Highest risk to bullying were the following groups: all types of disability, LGBT and low income backgrounds
• 45% did not report bullying. 32% of which felt it would not be taken seriously, 32% were too embarrassed and 26% were scared of it getting worse.

For the full reports and research go to Ditch the Label Research

And in the workplace

• 80% of managers know that bullying is occurring in their workplace
• 49% of managers have suffered bullying themselves
• Bullying affects 1 in 4 people in the workplace today
• Bullying is a major cause of staff grievance, high stress levels and high absenteeism
• 19 million sick days are lost due to bullying per annum
• Sickness absence is costing the UK £13 billion per annum

For full details click here

What can we do?

We can do any/all of the following during Anti-bullying week (16-20 November) but you can also give ongoing support:

• You can support Stonewall’s NoBystanders campaign – watch the video and sign the pledge online or download it here
• Promote pictures of colleagues signing the pledge using social media
• Use the email signature at the end of all your emails during Anti-bullying week:

• Each and every person in Britain has a responsibility to tackle bullying and abuse. Don’t be a bystander: www.nobystanders.org.uk
• Hang posters around your offices and sites to advertise routes available to report instances of bullying and harassment
• Did you know that Hallam’s Student Union advice centre is a third party reporting centre for hate crime where both staff and students can report a hate crime or incident in complete confidence either by phone or in person?