Culture and Inclusion
We're committed to ensuring we're a welcoming, inclusive and supportive School. We're dedicated to promoting this culture for all staff, students and visitors.
The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences is committed to promoting an inclusive culture in which students and staff from all backgrounds have a strong sense of belonging and can work creatively and innovatively to achieve their own and the School’s ambitions.
At the heart of developing an inclusive School culture is a commitment to attracting, supporting, developing and retaining talented staff and students from the full breadth of society. We are a global, outward looking School with a clear desire to increase diversity across all research and taught programme areas.
This website contains a summary of our Values and Standards and some recommended reading, as well as links to key related organisations and groups within the wider Newcastle University community, and a summary of the School Culture and Inclusion Committee’s members.
Use the Comment in a Click form to tell us of unacceptable behaviours. These include making someone feel uncomfortable, excluded or threatened based on a protected characteristic. If you would like a response, please include your email address.
Upcoming Dates
Culture and Inclusion Committee
The Culture and Inclusion Committee in SNES meets regularly to discuss and take action towards a better, more inclusive School.
Our members include:
Andrew Beard (Senior Lecturer)
Victoria Coulson (Operations Manager)
John Edgar (Research Associate)
Eleanor Farrington (Equality, Diversity, and Incusion Advisor)
Shannon Flynn (Lecturer)
Elizabeth Gibson (Professor)
Thomas Howard (Reader)
Karina Lee (Education Manager)
Lousie Mair (NUAcT Fellow)
Cristina Navarro Reguero (Lecturer)
Amy Roberts (Chemical Lab Team Leader)
Dimitra Valsami (Postgraduate Research Student)
Katy Sawyer - Secretary (Operations Coordinator (Events and Communications))
Isabel Smallegange - Chair (Senior Lecturer)
Values and Standards
Values
The principles that guide our actions in the workplace.
Respect for One Another – with consideration for the protected characteristics and also acknowledging additional factors (for example members of staff with English as a second language, early career researchers etc.).
Courage – to speak out and challenge inappropriate behaviours.
Empowerment – where all colleagues feel confident and valued to speak up and offer an opinion.
Integrity – ensuring that our actions reflect our commitment to the Culture and Inclusion principles.
Standards
The principles that set context for our values
Lawful – The School commits to operating within the bounds of the Equality Act 2010.
Appropriate Behaviour – exemplary conduct by staff and students both in and out of work.
Total Professionalism – a commitment to working towards an inclusive environment and a selfless commitment to colleagues and students.
Internal Resources
- NU-Women: forum for women to share ideas and mutual support for career development
- JustAsk: support and direction for University employees – help with stress
- Rainbow: for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender staff
- Disability Interest Group: for anyone who wants to help promote a positive, safe and respectful environment for disabled students, colleagues and visitors
- Dignity Support: help with issues of bullying and harassment
- Guidelines for new staff
- Parents and carers: family friendly policies and information
- Leave and sickness absence: maternity, paternity, unpaid, special, buying additional etc.
- Staff benefits: cycle scheme, sports facilities, childcare vouchers etc.
External Resources
- Soapbox Science
- Equality Challenge Unit
- WISE - Women in science, technology and engineering
- Gender Competence in Business and Research: GenCo
- UKRI Diversity
- The Daphne Jackson Trust
- LGBT Foundation
- Disability Support in Higher Education
- AHEAD: Association on Higher Education and Disability
- Working group for the Promotion of Mental Well-Being in Higher Education