Equality Highlights 2014–2015 Celebrating Equality and Diversity at Sheffield Hallam University
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Equality highlights 2014–2015 Celebrating equality and diversity at Sheffield Hallam University Supporting women Mentoring scheme – Dyslexic student Football Unites SHU Fest – students In this issue in STEM – Sheffield 146 students from 33 wins award – a Racism Divides – and staff showcase Hallam’s events countries champion materials and Sheffield Hallam the diversity and encourage girls and cultural diversity engineering student students apply talent at Sheffield women to explore page 10 overcomes dyslexia their media skills Hallam science careers to win a national to explore racism page 15 page 8 award in sport page 13 page 14 Introduction Breaking down barriers supporting all This edition of Equality Highlights focuses on collaboration between people and organisations to drive positive change and make real differences to people's lives. We are shining the spotlight on Hallam students and staff who champion diversity and inclusion and have collaborated with employers and organisations on projects and activities that raise awareness around equality and diversity that help bring about change. We've asked them to tell their stories to share their experiences of what drives and motivates them and hope they will inspire others. Equality and Diversity Team Role models p4–7 News p8–15 This edition Here we highlight four student role models, Here we report on activities related to each with a passion for their work, some very equality, diversity and inclusion in the active in their communities, freely giving 2014-15 academic year. We’ve picked stories their time and talents to benefit others. that reflect the successes we’ve had, but also our plans for how to respond to the challenges that lie ahead. 2 International Women’s Day, 8 March 2016 International Women’s Day SHU’s Women Professors Group, members The second event - held at Sheffield’s (IWD), observed since 1909, is from HR and E&D, also collaborated with the Town Hall and supported by the White University of Sheffield (TUoS) and delivered Rose University Consortium - invited a global celebration of respect, two events which focused on the overarching individuals from the universities and appreciation and recognition theme of the gender pay gap. The first, held employment sectors across the region, of women’s economic, political, at SHU, was for all female staff from both which were recognised as actively leading Universities and was opened by Professor on and promoting networks to drive change, and social achievements, while Nicola Woodroofe (SHU) and Professor Catlin particularly on inclusion, equality and the continuing to call for greater Buck (TUoS). gender pay gap. equality. Tracey Lancaster, Director of Corporate Guests were welcomed by the Lord Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) plays an Affairs (SHU) and Professor Tilly Loescher Mayor of Sheffield, Cllr Peter Rippon who active part in recognising and promoting (TUoS) were plenary speakers and shared highlighted the importance and need for IWD. In 2015 a number of activities and their views on the importance of career greater recognition of the challenges and initiatives took place that were created progression, recognition of opportunities, achievements of women across the region. and delivered by a voluntary group. Senior barriers and their personal career This was followed by a number of plenary leaders, peers and colleagues were invited development experiences. Attendees then speakers who discussed the absence to nominate inspirational female SHU staff participated in five facilitated workshops. of women in HE senior roles (PVC Anne and students. Over 30 individuals were Each workshop was co-designed and Peat - TUoS), lack of gender equality in the recognised and 23 profiles - sharing not facilitated by SHU/TUoS peers and covered workplace (Assistant Dean HWB Helen Best), only what they had achieved but also their topics such as; building and strengthening the pay gap, working patterns and family life story - were published on SHU’s dedicated professional networks, being female is not a (FaithStar Director, Shahida Siddique), and ‘celebrating IWD’ intranet page. pathology: performance anxiety and gender, working as a woman in engineering (Director mentoring for career development, having of Cutting Technologies Ltd, Jane Robinson). In addition to this, five short films of staff challenging conversations, and gaining and students were created. Each of the confidence and resilience. Feedback from ‘It was nice to hear experiences from women inspirational women featured had been those that attended the event was impactful: who have gone through ups and downs and identified by colleagues/peers as truly managed to lead their career successfully.’ ‘Excellent event. Really worthwhile achieving career/personal success through ‘Fascinating presentations regarding impact workshop topics and a great opportunity motivation, determination, drive and of gender pay disparity.’ compassion. to hear/discuss with others from both universities. More next year please!’ ‘Inspirational - thanks for sharing this. It certainly heightens awareness of how ‘The plenary talk and workshops were students and staff have faced adversity a wonderful and unfortunately rare and come out as stronger people and give opportunity to meet and network with SHU/ back - quite humbling!’ - Liz Barnes, Deputy TUoS peers. It was a fantastic opportunity to Vice-Chancellor think and reflect about career.’ ‘An inspirational day!’ 3 role models Ellie Davison Students’ Union part-time women’s rep 2015-16 Coming from a small village in Cumbria, My 2 large aims for this year, and hopefully Promoting these there wasn’t much to get involved with that future women’s officers will continue in in terms of feminist societies or women’s further years, are to fully establish, support societies, gaining liberation groups, and this is one of the and promote a range of gender equality reasons why I was so excited to be moving promoting and women’s liberation societies members and to Sheffield. within the Students’ Union. Promoting these societies, gaining members and making making others I imagined that like most other students others aware of their relevance in our society unions in the country, there would be is key to striving towards a better university. aware of their loads going on to do with women’s rights and gender equality. But when I arrived And my second large aim is to start a relevance in our in September I was really disappointed! I discourse with nightclubs in Sheffield, trying couldn’t find anything to do with women’s to promote a zero tolerance policy to sexual society is key to liberation going on! harassment on nights out. striving towards a And this is why I decided to run for women’s Alongside this I’ve got some fun events officer, so that come next September, there planned throughout the year celebrating better university. won’t be another fresher who’s disappointed. women so watch this space and get involved! Passionate freshers will be able to get involved with the women’s group, the new If you have any comments/ questions feel feminist society and with women’s liberation free to contact me at [email protected] events, and we can have a strong, connected, large group of students who can stand together to combat sexism and promote gender equality within the university. 4 role models Ellie Simpson Students’ Union disabled students’ rep 2015-16 My background helpful as a new, disabled student that there I am representing all of the disabled students was a specific rep there for me, so I applied at Sheffield Hallam. I am studying Sport Development with for the role as I thought that I could make Coaching, and I have just finished my first it more visible to the disabled students of What else do I do? year. Since starting at Sheffield Hallam, I Sheffield Hallam. I am an international athlete in the Club have really enjoyed the student experience. Throw and RaceRunning. The Club Throw Although I have not been able to fit in many My Students’ Union role is the Paralympic equivalent of the Javelin extra activities at University due to training In my role of Disabled Students Rep I and it is specifically for athletes with for my sport, I’ve been able to take part in really want to set up a specific society higher levels of Cerebral Palsy & Spinal some fantastic course related activities, for disabled students. Before I started at Cord Injuries. RaceRunning is a sport that such as the SHU Sports Conference 2015, Sheffield Hallam and I was considering other enables athletes with Cerebral Palsy and and I gained a Level 2 Multi-skills Coaching universities, I noticed that quite a lot of the similar disabilities to sprint with support. A qualification. The BBC even followed me other universities had fantastic societies ‘RaceRunner’ looks like a big tricycle without around University for a day in semester 1, specifically for their disabled students. As a pedals and athletes lean on a chest plate, filming me for BBC Look North – they did a sports student and a sports fanatic, I would which puts them into the natural position feature on me based around my sport, which like to investigate the possibility of setting for sprinting – it is essentially wheelchair is Athletics, the charity I run, which is CP up a disability sports club. I know that racing, but athletes propel themselves with Teens UK, and the fact that I had just started Sheffield Hallam already has a Wheelchair their legs as opposed to their arms. I have at Sheffield Hallam as a student. Basketball Club, but unfortunately my type been very lucky to be selected for the World I founded and I run the charity CP Teens of Cerebral Palsy won’t allow me to propel CP Games in August for both the Club Throw UK, which helps teenagers & young people a wheelchair, and catch and throw a ball and RaceRunning.