LSE SPECTRUM Annual Report 2016-17 Contents Foreword 3 Mission and Vision 4 Terms of Reference 5 Events 6 Community Engagement 8 Communications 10 EDI and HR Liaison 12 Operations 14 Training and Conferences 16 Appendix – Public Events List 2016-17 18 2 Foreword Welcome to our round-up of Spectrum activity in 2016-17. Over the year, we were involved with hosting eight public events at LSE, publicised event blogs and podcasts, and attended training by Stonewall and by trans awareness charity GIRES. We co-founded a cross-London collaborative, spoke at three internal events for staff, launched LSE's first LGBT+ Role Models and Allies Directory, and won an award. In terms of progressing LGBT+ equality at LSE, we were very pleased to be a part of LSE's jump of 52 places in the Stonewall annual Workplace Equality Index. We have contributed to working group initiatives, consulted on numerous internal policies and processes, mainstreamed LGBT+ internal communications, lobbied for positive change and provided confidential support for staff. Our proudest moment this year? Flying LSE's first ever Pride flag with complete support from LSE Interim Director Julia Black and Chief Operating Officer Andrew Young. We have had so many comments from staff who said it made them feel that they belonged! LSE joined Stonewall's Global Diversity Champions programme at the same time, which we hope is a clear signal that LGBT+ equality is something we will all continue to strive for. Andra Fry and Gillian Urquhart, Spectrum Co-Chairs 3 Mission and Vision Spectrum is LSE's LGBT+ staff network. We support and represent staff from all minority sexual orientations and gender identities. All staff are welcome to join our network. Network aims Our aim is to support and represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and other gender identities and sexuality minorities at the School. Lobbying and representation To act as the officially recognised staff representative group for issues relating to LGBT+ equality regarding School policy and formal consultations which the School may undertake. Culture and education To organise in-School cultural and educational activities that focus on LGBT+ issues, particularly in areas where the School has academic expertise, to promote greater awareness of debate on LGBT+ issues and the School's contribution to these areas. Events are open to all. Social networking and support To provide a social support network for LGBT+ staff at the School, to encourage staff to feel open and confident about their identity, and to demonstrate the School's commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace. 4 Terms of Reference Membership of the network Membership of the Network is open to anyone employed by LSE, including the Students’ Union, freelancers, contractors and graduate students. Members can be LGBT+, supporters and allies. Managing the network The Network is managed by a Committee of LGBT+ staff volunteers, which elects a Chair/Co- Chairs annually. Committee vacancies are open to the wider Network. Non-Committee members are welcome to get involved, e.g. by volunteering ideas or helping with events. Joining the network Email [email protected] and ask to join the mailing list. This mailing list and any correspondence to it are confidential. Individual email addresses will not be displayed in group communications. Members receive a termly newsletter and ad-hoc communications by email. Twitter users may follow @LSESpectrum. The Spectrum website is regularly updated. Events All members are invited to attend a Michaelmas Term Welcome Reception and monthly meetings. Members will be invited to cross-London HE staff network events. Spectrum will commemorate important LGBT+ dates and anniversaries. Spectrum will also hold LGBT+ themed events that are open for anyone to attend. Events will be publicised by email, social media and on the Spectrum website. Spectrum committee 2016-17 Heather Anderson (from May 2017) James Deeley - Secretary Andra Fry - Co-Chair Daniel Payne - Communications Hayley Reed (Co-Chair until May 2017) - Communications lead Andrew Sherwood – Community liaison lead Dan Smith (from May 2017) Chris Thomas – Events lead Gillian Urquhart - Co-Chair from May 2017 5 Events We hosted free LGBT+ public events on sexual orientation and gender identity with high profile speakers, followed by networking receptions. These events were organised by Spectrum committee members, or co-hosted by Spectrum. Each event provided an opportunity for Spectrum members, the wider LSE community and the public to come and find out more about different parts of the LGBT+ experience. Co-hosting events with other parts of LSE is a great way for us to reach more people. In 2016-17 we were involved with hosting eight public events at LSE. Event podcasts and blog interviews with speakers extended our reach globally. Image: speakers at Rising through the Ranks, May 2017. Credit: Andrew Sherwood 6 October 2016 We held our annual Welcome Reception on Spirit Day in October 2016. Attendees included LSE's interim Director Julia Black and COO Andrew Young who are now our senior champions. January 2017 Trans man and activist Stephen Whittle spoke at LSE on 10 January in Pressing for Change: 25 years seeking trans equality, a public event we co- hosted with LSE Library. The event podcast has had over 44,000 downloads. February 2017 During LGBT History Month we worked with LSE Library on events on 22 and 24 February to coincide with their exhibition "Glad to be Gay" and LSE's Literary Festival, and a reading from writer Stuart Feather on 28 February. We were pleased to help promote LSE Library's excellent LGBT+ resources, including the Hall Carpenter Archives. We also hosted writer and activist Peter Scott Presland on 15 February in an event that Spectrum's Daniel Payne organised with local charity Opening Doors London. March 2017 Stonewall CEO Ruth Hunt spoke at LSE in Stonewall: then and now, a public event we co-hosted with LSE Library on 14 March. The podcast of Ruth's talk has had over 34000 downloads. An interview with Ruth by Spectrum's Hayley Reed and Artemis Photiadou of the LSE British Politics and Policy blog is posted on both the LSE British Politics and Policy and EDI blogs. May 2017 On 4 May we teamed up with the EDI Taskforce to host a public event about the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index. It was arranged and chaired by Spectrum's Chris Thomas. An interview with speaker Bex Stinson by Spectrum's Hayley Reed and Alex Free of EDI appeared on the LSE EDI blog. We attended a General Election LGBT Hustings at LSE, which was organised by Pink News, Pride in London and Stonewall. LSE's COO Andrew Young introduced the event. July 2017 We teamed up with two other staff networks at LSE, Power and Embrace, to co-host an LSE Staff Networks Summer Reception on 24 July. This was an opportunity for staff to join any of the networks or find out more in an informal setting. Stephen Bourne joined us for a public event and reception on 27 July to launch his new book Fighting Proud, which was arranged by Spectrum's Daniel Payne. The podcast is available online. 7 Community Engagement Internally, we engage with our members, our wider colleagues and other staff networks at LSE, and relevant student groups like the LSESU Pride Alliance. We have received recognition in terms of invitations to speak at events, and awards. Externally, we are benefiting from joining forces with similar staff networks at other universities. In 2016-17, we spoke at three internal events, co-founded a London network and won an internal award. Image: Andrew Young and Hayley Reed, LSE Values in Practice awards, January 2017. Credit: Candy Gibson 8 September 2016 We participated in the New Academic Induction exhibition and met with the SU LGBT officer and the LSESU Pride Alliance Chair before the start of term, in order to establish a relationship that would work for both parties, even though we have different focuses. January 2017 LSE's 2016 Values in Practice Awards were presented in January 2017. Hayley Reed won an award for citizenship due to her work as Spectrum Co-Chair. March 2017 COO Andrew Young invited Spectrum to speak at the March 2017 PSS briefings. Gillian Urquhart, Hayley Reed and Andra Fry spoke about Spectrum's background, what we achieved during LGBT History Month, and how staff can get involved. From April 2017 We are founder members of LUKI: the LGBT+ network for staff at LSE, UCL, King's College London and Imperial. The four networks are all at different stages of development and operate in varying ways. We have all learned from each other and benefited from mutual support and advice. The group first met in April 2017 and held its first event in September. June 2017 Spectrum's Hayley Reed and Spencer Javangwe of Embrace, LSE's BME staff network, were invited to speak at a conference hosted by LSE Power, the staff network for women in professional service divisions at LSE. The conference theme was Overcoming barriers: the next steps in your career. Hayley and Spencer spoke about personal barriers they have faced as an LGBT+ and a BME person respectively. July 2017 Along with EDI and LSE's other staff networks, we were invited to deliver a mini workshop at LSE Library's Speed Updating session for Library staff. Andra Fry, Hayley Reed, Andrew Sherwood and Dan Smith devised three games to promote awareness of LGBT+ identities, UK history and international laws. Feedback from attendees was very positive. Interim Director Julia Black attended Spectrum’s July meeting. 9 Communications We try to make our members feel that they are part of a wider network; one that understands them and offers them activities, support and opportunities to get involved.