Archived Events and News

4 Nov 2021: New Race Equality Charter Chair recruitment

The Race Equality Charter Chair post is focused on delivering the University’s ambition that equality, diversity, and inclusion should be at the heart of the St Andrews experience.

Applications are open until 18 November 2021, with expressions of interest to be made to Mr Alastair Merrill, Vice-Principal Governance: vpgov@st-andrews.ac.uk

Download role description: REC-SAT-Chair (PDF, 168 KB)

New Athena Swan Chair announcement from Vice-Principal Governance, Alastair Merrill (2 November 2021)

I am pleased to inform you that Professor Catherine O’Leary of the School of Modern Languages is being seconded to lead the University’s application for the Athena Swan Silver Award. Professor O’Leary will take up this role from the beginning of December for a period of two years.

Staff feedback invitation from HR by 29 Oct 2021

Disciplinary procedure, fixed term and standard contracts, Redeployment policy.

Staff feedback invitation: Pilot External Work policies (staff) by 15 Oct 2021.

LGBT+ Staff Feedback Questionnaire

As part of our annual LGBT Charter and Stonewall Diversity Champion Workplace Equality Index work, staff are sincerely invited to take part in a voluntary short 5-10 minute online external Staff Feedback Questionnaire anonymously.

The voluntary questionnaire is open to staff until 4 Nov 2021, and will also be conveyed via Staff Memo and EDI groups. Please log onto the link circulated in the Staff Memo.

Feedback: Draft Probation Policy for Professional (support) Staff

As part of an evaluation on the revised policy, HR welcome feedback from employees the draft by 27 Aug 2021.

Feedback: Student Harassment and Bullying Policy

As part of an evaluation on the revised policy, Student Services welcome feedback from students on the draft by 25 June 2021.

Equality Reports published(29 April 2021)

Gender and Ethnicity Pay Gap Reports
Equal Pay Statements
Mainstreaming Report body
Equality Outcomes April 2017-2021 Action Plan Progress
Equality Outcomes April 2021-2025 Action Plan
Staff Equality Data
Student Equality Data

Feedback: Draft Annual Leave Policy

As part of an evaluation on the revised policy, HR welcomes feedback from employees on the draft by 4 May 2021.

Pronoun guidance launched (25 Feb 2021)

Guidance seeks to explain some of the concepts around pronoun use and to help you develop practice that contributes to creating an inclusive environment for all members of the St Andrews community.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science Public Lecture: 2pm, 12 Feb 2021

Annual Biology International Day of Women and Girls in Science public lecture: online MS Teams Event

Covid Guidance for BAME Students published 18 Jan 2021

Feedback: Investigation procedure by 11 Dec 2020

HR welcomes feedback on the draft Investigation procedure, which aims to ensure that investigations are carried out promptly and in a fair and reasonable manner. It is intended to cover all investigations including, but not limited to matters relating to disciplinary, grievance, dignity and respect at work, gender-based violence and capability.

Launch of the new Staff with Disabilities Network

First meeting 12:30pm-2pm, Thursday 3 December 2020 (United Nations' International Day of Persons with Disabilities) via MS Teams.

LGBT+ STEM Week events

16-21 Nov 2020: Co-ordinated by science School Presidents, Saints LGBT+, academic student societies and student representatives.

Report and Support

6 Nov 2020: All employees, students, and members of the public can use the online Report and Support tool to report complaints or concerns to the University and access support information.

Dr Leyla Hussein OBE becomes the University's first female Black Rector

20 Oct 2020: Dr Hussein, a well-known psychotherapist and social activist, was elected by the student body to become the Lord Rector of the University of St Andrews is the President of University Court. The newly-elected rector tweeted: “I’m excited to have been elected as the new Rector for St Andrews University; history has been made today. “I’m the first black woman to hold this position. Thank you to my fantastic campaigning team. Change is coming.” - (The Courier news. Twitter).

Black History Month events (Oct 2020)

Today is the first day of Black History Month. This year, of course, our events to mark Black and African diaspora histories are all moving online, and will take place via Teams. The School of History still have a great deal going on, combining student- and staff-led initiatives with talks by expert academics from outside St Andrews. For more information please visit weblink: https://standrewsschoolofhistory.wordpress.com/2020/10/01/celebrating-black-history-month-2020/

Wed 28 Oct 2020, 4pm:

The student-led Spence Project and the School of History will hold a discussion-based event about the connections between Fife, St Andrews – the University and town – and slavery. The Spence Project are a group of students who have been investigating the links between St Andrews and slavery, including the slave trade, the use of enslaved labour, and the business of slavery. They have made several important discoveries and have lots of exciting plans afoot. This event will uncover some of their findings and discuss future activities, including forms of ‘public history’ work in this field. To attend via MS Teams, please email: spence@st-andrews.ac.uk

Covid Guidance for BAME Staff published 29 Sep 2020

Do you know your Flexiquette?

25 Sep 2020: A group of academic and professional service staff have been working on developing information and guidance for the future of flexible working at the University. The resulting policy, the Flexiquette guidance, has been developed following feedback provided in the ‘All-staff survey on working in the context of Covid’ and utilising Scottish Government guidance.

Feedback: Draft Staff Disability Policy

As part of an evaluation on the Draft Staff Disability Policy, HR welcomes feedback from employees on the draft by 4 September 2020.

Summer holiday child provision for University staff

Weekdays from Wed 23 Jul to Mon 10 Aug* (at zero cost).

In line with Government advice for easing lockdown in phase 3 on sport, culture and leisure activities Saints Sport are delighted to be able to offer a new Junior Saints Summer Camp open exclusively to children of University staff and students in the first instance. *Please note that the dates for the camp are still to be confirmed based on the current guidelines being approved at the next Government announcement on Thursday 9th July.

Feedback: Draft Gender Based Violence Policy

As part of an evaluation on the draft Gender Based Violence (GBV) Policy, HR welcomes feedback from employees on the draft by 17 July 2020.

Black Lives Matter: St Andrews says sorry

12 June 2020: A statement by Professor Sally Mapstone, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of St Andrews.

Event:Global Accessibility Awareness Day (online) Date: Thursday, 21 May 2020 The ninth Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) is held to get everyone talking, thinking and learning about digital access/inclusion and people with different disabilities. The University will be hosting online events, for more info please refer to webpage: https://events.st-andrews.ac.uk/events/global-accessibility-awareness-day/

Event: Race in Higher Education workshop

Cancelled on 13 Mar 2020 due to national climate restrictions.

Dates/times: Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 March 2020, 10am-3:30pm

Venue: Lower Parliament Hall, 66 South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9QW.

This workshop will focus on the question of whether policy and practice of race/ethnicity in HE sector in the UK is about the least possible change without disrupting the existing status quo or is it about bringing about meaningful structural and cultural change/transformation. In bringing together leading academics and practitioners from the UK, the aim will be to discuss the challenges and opportunities that the race/ethnicity agenda brings to the HE sector and examine ways forward in terms of sharing good practice.

Keynote Speakers:

Dr Gurchathen Sanghera (St Andrews)
Prof Vikki Boliver (Durham)
Prof Rowena Arshad (Edinburgh)
Prof Kalwant Bhopal (Birmingham)
Prof Heidi Mirza (Emeritus UCL)
Dr Omar Khan (Runnymede)
Dr Jason Arday (Durham)
Christopher Jones (P/G, Durham)

The event and refreshments are co-funded by the School of International Relations and the EDI Team to enable free attendance, however registration via the Eventbrite webpage is required:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-race-to-the-bottom-race-and-higher-education-a-workshop-tickets-90943439275?aff=ebdssbeac

Event: Caring for carers

Time and date: 10am-3pm, Tuesday 11 Feb 2020

Venue: C5 Seminar Room, Bute Building

Attendees: Staff, by CAPOD registration

Interactive course, Wellbeing for Carers, which will help carers to establish ways of staying well under the pressures of caring. This course will provide carers with techniques to relieve emotional distress and manage stress; ideas for coping with change; and ways of supporting and communicating with your cared for person. Participants commented that the opportunity to discuss and share ideas with others was extremely valuable. Comments on the course include:

“Learned useful coping skills, and not to be so hard on myself.”
“It was such a relief to talk to other people who felt the same as me.”
“It gave a lot of useful information and websites.”
“This course helped me have conversations with other family members about their input and support.”

Event: LGBT+ Memory Project Exhibition

Time and date: 6.30pm-9pm, Monday 10 Feb 2020

Venue: Beacon Bar, Students' Union building

Attendees: All are welcome

A photo display accompanied by 13 short stories of the queer experiences of staff and students across the University.

Event: Out Thinkers @ St Andrews

Time and date: 6.15pm-7.45pm, Tuesday 26 November 2019

Venue: Large Rehersal Room, Students' Union building

Attendees: All are welcome

Out Thinkers @ St Andrews (in association with Pride in STEM) will showcase the talent of our LGBTIQ+ researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), providing a platform where people can talk about their exciting research while truly being themselves and celebrating that STEM is for everyone.

The event is free, but please book a ticket in advance via: https://events.st-andrews.ac.uk/events/out-thinkers-st-andrews/

This event is open to everyone, no matter your sexual orientation or gender identity, and the aim is to make the talks accessible to both science and non-science audience members.

Our incredible LGBTIQ+ researchers will be talking about: ‘Do chimpanzees understand how others see the world? How do children’s views on fairness vary across cultures? How are human-computer interfaces changing? What are quantum materials and why are they useful? Can we harness the power of sunlight to drive chemical reactions?’ The talks will be followed by a short Q and A session, where audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions and raise comments. A reception, with food and drink, will be held after the talks in the foyer on the ground floor of the building.

Menopause and the workplace: new directions in research

Wednesday 13 November 2019, 1pm to 2:30pm, Lecture Room 4, The Gateway

As part of the CREDI seminar series, the group will welcome Professor Joanna Brewis to present her work focussing on the importance of an intersectional, political economy approach to research on menopause.

The event is free but registration is required. Lunch will be provided.
To register, please email credi@st-andrews.ac.uk
Everyone is welcome.

National Coming Out Day: 11 October

All Staff are sincerely invited to complete their Diversity Monitoring data confidentially using HR Self Service voluntarily by:

Signing into the Self Service webpage
Select 'Equal Opportunities'
Select 'Check your details'
Select 'edit these details'
Once completed please select 'Submit'.

“Coming out to others can be a hugely liberating experience and many people say it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from them.” – LGBT Youth Scotland

“Estimated Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual population across the UK is between 5%-7%. Employees who feel their employer has an inclusive culture feel able to be themselves at work. Staff who are able to be themselves are happier at work, and more productive.” – Stonewall Coming out as an adult information

Classics and Race: Research and Pedagogy

10am–5pm, Monday 14 October 2019
Lower College Hall, University of St Andrews
Open to all students and staff; no registration is required.
"A workshop convened by the School of Classics to consider concepts of race in relation to the classical world, Greek and Roman. The aim of the workshop is both academic and pedagogical: to consider ideas of racial identity in ancient societies, and the role of race in shaping the discipline of ‘Classics’ that we as modern-day classicists have inherited. We hope to generate discussion on the way that we understand and present ‘Classics’ in relation to race in the present day, and how it (and we) should change and adapt in the future."
- 10.00 – 10.15 Welcome (Rebecca Sweetman, Head of School, Classics) and introduction
- 10.15 – 11.00 Classics for all? Challenges facing the discipline in the 21st century, Mai Musie (University of Oxford)
- 11.00 – 11.45 Otherness and Identity in the Near East, Tom Harrison (University of St Andrews)
- 11.45 -12.30 ‘Otherness’ in Jewish and Roman Identities in the First Century AD, Rebecca Hachamovich (University of St Andrews)
- 12.30 – 1.00 Recent Initiatives in Philosophy: the Minorities and Philosophy Project, Maria Jimena Claval Vasquez (School of Philosophy, St Andrews)
- 1.00 – 2.00 Buffet lunch
- 2.00 – 2.45 Postcolonial Classics, Barbara Goff (University of Reading)
- 2.45 – 3.30 #ClassicsForAll: what studying Classics taught me about my relationship with western civilisation, Hardeep Dhindsa (University of Edinburgh)
- 3.30 – 4.00 Teaching Black Athena, Ralph Anderson (University of St Andrews)
- 4.00 – 5.00 Round table discussion

Staff Family-friendly policies/guidance feedback

HR is currently reviewing the following family-friendly policies and guidance (hyperlinked), and would like to receive staff feedback, open until 24 May 2019.

Creating Inclusive Classrooms The theory and practice of teaching underrepresented groups

Minorities and Philosophy SASP in collaboration with the Diversity Reading List
19 Apr 2019, 11am-5pm, School III, the Quad.
11am Annie McCallion (Manchester) ‘Disassociated Disagreement: The impact of Extracted Speech on Undergraduate Philosophers’
12:15pm Ian Kidd (Nottingham) TBA
1:15pm Lunch
2:30pm Simon Fokt (Edinburgh) ‘Decolonising philosophy curricula with the Diversity Reading List’
3:45pm Open Discussion

REF 2021 Code of Practice: Staff Consultation (staff login required)

The University is currently seeking feedback from staff members on a draft version of the Institutional Code of Practice, prepared under the guidance of the Institutional REF 2021 Equality and Diversity (IRED) Review Group, and with input from the Research Excellence Board (REB), Academic Council, Heads of School, Directors of Research, Directors of Impact and trade union representatives.

Responses by 12pm 4 April 2019

BAME Summit 2019: Discussing issues of diversity and representation

11 Mar 2019, 7-9pm, School VI, the Quad.
Panellists: Anas Sarwar MSP, Dr Jasmine Gani (academic in the School of International Relations), Sukhi Bains (Head of E and D)
Open to staff and students

As part of an evaluation on the current ‘Policy for the Assessment of Students with Disabilities’ University of St Andrews staff and students are welcome to provide their feedback via the following online survey open from 4 Feb to 8 Feb 2019. Survey (and more information) weblink:

https://standrews.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/academic-adjustments-for-students-with-disabilities

Dr Francesca Sobande, Black Women and the marketplace in the UK

17 Dec 2018, 12-1pm, School 5, United College for the talk and discussion, after which they will move to the Hebdomadar’s Room for networking and further discussion over tea, coffee and vegan cake.
Please register via Eventbrite for catering purposes.

Digital advancements and the rise of social media have expanded and changed the ways that black women in Britain are depicted in media, both online and offline. Dr Francesca Sobande (Edge Hill University, UK) will draw on her research on the media experiences of black women in Britain to facilitate a discussion on the intersections of racism, sexism and capitalism.

How are the lives of black women in Britain influenced by online content and communication? How do their online experiences shape processes of cultural production? How are the intersections of racism, sexism and capitalism entangled with these issues? In this Early Career Women’s Network event, Dr Sobande will draw on her research related to the media experiences of black women in Britain to answer some of these questions.

Dr Sobande is a Lecturer in Marketing and Advertising at Edge Hill, where her research focuses on issues concerning race, gender, media and the marketplace. She is the co-editor with Akwugo Emejulu of the forthcoming To Exist is to Resist: Black Feminism in Europe (Pluto Press, 2019). She is also the author of The Digital Lives of Black Women in Britain (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020).

Prof Carron Shankland (University of Stirling): How did I get here? Being and becoming a professor

When: Tue, 27 November 2018, 2-3pm
Where: Cole 1.33a, School of Computer Science
Series: School Seminar Series
For: Staff/students

Please email admin-cs@st-andrews.ac.uk to register your attendance

Celebrating the History of St Andrews Feminism, 21 November, 2-4pm, Buchanan Lecture Theatre.

Talk by Dr Sarah Browne about the history of the Women's Liberation Movement in St Andrews, followed by a panel with original members of the Women's Liberation Movement in 1970s St Andrews. We will then convene for coffee/cake and further discussion. Children are welcome at this event. Let us know about dietary requirements by emailing us at ecwn@st-andrews.ac.uk. Please register at eventbrite.

Beyond belief: Discussing spirituality

14 November 2018, 12-2pm, Byre Studio: https://events.st-andrews.ac.uk/events/beyond-belief-discussing-spirituality/

As part of Interfaith week we invite you to join, or just listen to, the discussion on "Can anyone be without some beliefs about human nature and the meaning of human life?"

This is a new initiative in collaboration with the Chaplaincy team and EDI. There will be regular opportunities for University staff to explore philosophies of life, value and spirituality. This is particularly, but not exclusively, aimed at individuals of non-Abrahamic faith groups or those of no specific faith.

‘Mistaken for the coffee lady: a discussion into the lack of BAME academics in UK higher institutions'

2 November 2018, 1-4pm, University of St Andrews Arts Lecture Theatre: www.facebook.com/events/317664015487574/?active_tab=discussion

The conference will include guest speakers:

Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu DBE CBE FRCN FQNI PhD, a British-born nurse, health expert, tutor, lecturer and Emeritus Professor of Nursing at University of West London of Irish and Nigerian descent.
Dr Sanghera Gurchathen, a senior lecturer in International Relations here at St Andrews.
Professor Ann Phoenix, a British psychologist and academic, whose research focuses on psychosocial issues related to identity and how social identities such as Race and Gender shape our psychology.

The conference topics will deliberate a number of topics including:

What can be done by UK higher institutions to increase successes in meeting the Race Equality Charter, and how can we use successes in other initiatives such as Athena Swan, to help shape this?
What can be done to stop the exclusion and alienation of black academics and BAME students from academic networks crucial for advancement?
What are the steps that the St Andrews University, as an academic institution, could take to incentivise academics from more diverse backgrounds, and what needs to be done to actualise such processes?

National Coming Out Day: 11 October

All Staff are sincerely invited to complete their Diversity Monitoring data confidentially using HR Self Service voluntarily by:

Signing into the Self Service webpage
Select 'Equal Opportunities'
Select 'Check your details'
Select 'edit these details'
Once completed please select 'Submit'.

“Coming out to others can be a hugely liberating experience and many people say it feels like a huge weight has been lifted from them.” – LGBT Youth Scotland

Draft British Sign Language (BSL) Plan 2018-2024

Staff, Students, visitors and the BSL community are invited to comment on our Draft BSL Plan by the extended deadline of 19 October 2018.

Queer Question Time - 7:15pm (panel at 8pm), 4 Oct 2018, Lower Parliament Hall

Join the Union Debating Society and the Saints LGBT+ for our annual joint panel. We have a number of speakers from the LGBT+ community who are coming together to discuss some of the current issues within the LGBT+ community and surrounding culture.

Guest speakers include Patrick Harvie MSP and Reverend Scott Rennie.

All of our events are open to anybody regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Should you have any questions about the event then contact either the St Andrews Union Debating Society or the Saints LGBT+. If you are worried about attending the event alone then message the Saints LGBT+ or send an email to SaintsLGBT@st-andrews.ac.uk and we will endeavour to find an event companion for you.

University of St Andrews Equate Scotland Student Champion 2018-2019

Bryony Hockin, a PhD student from the School of Chemistry, has been selected to be the 2018-19 Equate Scotland Student Champion for the University of St Andrews. Bryony will be leading on events and activities throughout the coming year for women studying STEM subjects at St Andrews to connect them with each other and with women STEM professionals, as well as working with the network of Champions throughout Scotland.

Network for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion seminar series: Prof. Barbara Risman

"From sex roles to gender as a social structure: Implications for organisational change"
Date: Wed 30 May 2018, 12-1:30pm
Venue: Lecture Room 4, School of Management, The Gateway
Please register your attendance by emailing Jasmin Hinds (jah30@st-andrews.ac.uk) by 24 May 2018.

Intersectionality in HE - 9 May 2018, 1pm, School II, United College, University of St Andrews

Open to: All staff and students.

The third in a series of events on race and ethnicity in HE led by UCU St Andrews. Victoria Showunmi is a researcher and teacher at UCL Institute of Education. She has published widely on ethnicity, gender and class in education and leadership. In this talk she will address intersectionality, the simultaneous consideration of social-demographic identities, in higher education.

Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Research Conference - 8 May 2018, 10am-4pm, Parliament Hall, University of St Andrews.

This event celebrates the first year of the University of St Andrews’ Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Research Fund, which provides pump-priming funding for research projects focussed on that theme. Speakers include those funded in the first round of the scheme, who will be reporting on their research to date and their future plans, along with specially invited presenters from St Andrews and further afield.

Prof Iyiola Solanke, University of Leeds - Where are the black female professors in the UK?
Session 1: Chair, Prof Ruth Woodfield
Session 2: Chair, Prof Sharon Ashbrook
Closing Keynote: Dr Gurchathen Sanghera
Conclusion: Principal, Prof Sally Mapstone

The Women Who Shaped St Andrews - 13 April 2018 7:15-8pm

Open to: All staff, students and the public.

Venue: Museums and Collections University of St Andrews (MUSA), 7a The Scores, St Andrews

Enjoy an exclusive screening of our short documentary, ‘The Women Who Shaped St Andrews’ and discover the legacies of the powerful female benefactors who influenced everything from natural history research to student accommodation. Ponder the reasons why stories of these women are often ‘hidden’ from view, and join us as we celebrate their contribution to the University we know today. View the Enduring Gifts exhibition before settling down to the documentary.

St Andrews PRIDE - led by the University, Sat 7 April 2018 from 1pm

Open to: All staff, students and the public.

Fife's longest running PRIDE event is back and bigger than ever, with local and national business and charity partners, schools, community organisations and loads of student groups taking part. St Andrews PRIDE is a chance for the entire community to come together to show support for the LGBT+ community, supported by @univofstandrews @SaintsLGBT @standrewsunion #standrews #pride @LGBTYS @StonewallScot. The procession starts at 1pm from St Salvators Hall lawn and will be followed by a reception with live music, a bar and promotions from local business and charity partners from 2pm to 5pm in the Stage. Both are free and all are welcome.

Details: https://www.facebook.com/saintslgbt

Inspiring Women - Wed 7 March 2018, The Old Course Hotel, Old Station Road, St Andrews, KY16 9SP.

Times:

5:30pm – Networking + Sandwiches, hot and cold drinks
6pm – Speakers + Q and A
7pm [Approx] – Networking, sandwiches and drinks

8 March 2018 is International Women's Day. On the eve of this annual celebration of the contribution women have and continue to make to our world, St Andrews Business Club is honoured to have inspiring women who have achieved much to date in their careers and lives share their stories, lessons learned and advice to other women.

Speakers: Prof Sally Mapstone, Principal (keynote), and Nicola Dames, Founder, Vanilla Blush

Centre for Minorities Research (CMR) - launch event led by the Principal

1-4pm 16 Feb 2018, Parliament Hall. Keynote speech by Prof Philomena Essed, Antioch University, known for her outstanding work on 'everyday racism' and gender studies. Members of the CMR board will engage in a panel discussion.

Stress-busting and Relaxation Express Event

Tue 13 Feb 2018, 12-1pm, Arts Building, Seminar Room 9.

Staff are invited to attend the Early Career Women Network (ECWN) stress-busting and relaxation express event. This session, which encompasses hints and tips, breathing techniques and visualisation/relaxation followed by an informal chat, will be led by Melanie Atkins. A selection of fruit will be available.

International Women In Science Day

12 Feb 2018, 5:30-8:30pm, Club 601 (in the Students' Union building) free event for staff/students and public.

The day in which we can celebrate, admire, and try to understand the forces of nature which have triumphed in adversity. Scientists such as Jane Goodall and Marie Curie are well known, however, countless other female scientists have had major impact on the world go unnoticed by most other than the select few. In honour of this day the Biology Society, in conjunction with SUMS, Physoc and Chemistry are hosting a talk-panel with female scientists from Biology, Physics, Maths and Chemistry, and a presentation by our guest speaker Prof Clare Peddie, Head of the School of Biology.

'Working at the crossroads between evidence and practice to achieve gender equality'

Mon 12 Feb 2018, 1-2:30pm, The Boardroom, University of St Andrews, The Gateway building, North Haugh, St Andrews, KY16 9RJ

Led by Dr Nikola Balvin, Knowledge Management Specialist, UNICEF Office of Research

‘Academic Women Here! On being a female academic at the University of St Andrews’ - launch event led by the Principal

11am-12pm Mon 5 Feb 2018, School of Chemistry Common Room (Purdie Building, North Haugh)

New diversity staff networks

To support University staff we will be launching 4 new networks - please complete the following online interest forms before 31 Jan 2018:

LGBT Charter awarded to the University on 15 Dec 2017 by LGBT Youth Scotland‌

LGBT-Charter-UStA-presentation-15Dec2017

Early Career Women (EWC) Network

Weds 13 Dec 2017 11am-1pm, Medical Sciences Building (Seminar Room 1)

This will be a casual affair with coffee, tea and cakes (vegan and gluten-free will be provided, plus milk alternative for coffee). Our idea was that it would be nice to have a bit of time to get to know each other while eating cake. We hope you agree!

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Marks the culmination of Saints LGBT+ TRANSFEST, our second annual festival of gender identity. We will assemble in St Salvator's Quad for 6pm and there will be a torchlit procession down to the pier, where representatives from Saints LGBT+ and the Students' Association will read poems, prayers and benedictions, along with a list of those who have died in the last year due to violence against transpeople. This is a chance to show that the St Andrews community stands in solidarity with transgender people. Ceremonial dress is encouraged.

Presenter: Saints LGBT+Open to: All staff and studentsDate: Mon, 20 Nov 2017, 6-7pmVenue: St Salvator's Quad

Impossible and inevitable: Caribbean culture/queer belonging and the literary

Thur 16 Nov 2017, 5:15-7pm, Lawson Lecture Room, Kennedy Hall

Presenter: School of English
Open to all staff, students and public

What does it mean to talk about the Caribbean as a 'queer place'? In one sense this proposition is clearly a provocation, a brushing against the grain of the Caribbean’s dominant cultural framing as a homophobic region, even ‘the’ homophobic region. In another sense, it is the logical conclusion to a line of reasoning that has persistently and persuasively positioned the Caribbean as a place that undoes the usefulness of thinking about identities in terms of origins, singular ancestries, guaranteed lineages and culturally discreet groupings. It is this fundamental contradiction in terms of framing the relationship between Caribbeanness and the idea of a sexual continuum that has animated the thinking of Professor Alison Donnell in relation to a number of literary works that represent the queerness of Caribbeaness from VS Naipaul to Shani Mootoo, and from Andrew Salkey to Junot Diaz. Professor Donnell of the University of East Anglia will present some of her findings in this English Language Seminar.

Gender Fluidity in the Ancient World: research and pedagogy

Weds, 15 Nov 2017, 11am-5pm, Arts Building Lecture Theatre, University of St Andrews.

A workshop convened by the School of Classics to consider concepts of gender fluidity in relation to the classical world, Greek and Roman. The aim of the workshop is both academic and pedagogical: to consider how the concept of gender fluidity can allow us to shed new light on ancient society, and how the changing makeup of the student body in universities – students now tend to enter university with a broad and nuanced understanding of gender identities – can or should influence the topics we teach and the ways in which we teach them.

Programme:

11am-11:15am Welcome (Jason König, Head of School, Classics) and introduction (Sian Lewis) 11:15am-11:45am Queer Realities: A Cultural and Historical Survey of Gender (Hayden Cooper, University of St Andrews) 11:45am-12:30pm Athena as Non-Binary Deity (Olivia Huntingdon-Stuart, Age of Athena Project) 12:30pm-1pm Philosophers on Genderless Gods (Alex Long, University of St Andrews) 1pm-2pm Lunch 2pm-3pm Womanly Men and Girly Boys: Approaching Gender Fluidity in Classical Athens (James Robson, Open University) 3pm-4pm The Fe/Male Eunuch: Gendering Eunuchs in Antiquity and Beyond (Shaun Tougher, Cardiff University) 4pm-5pm Round-table discussion: Gender Fluidity, Teaching and LearningPanel: Jon Hesk, Briana King, Sian Lewis, Kirsten Schauff.

Professor Dame Linda Partridge: Ageing Healthily

Friday 10 Nov 2017, 1-2pm. Venue: Byre Theatre Auditorium, University of St Andrews.

The School of Biology recognises the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science with a public lecture introduced by Principal Professor Sally Mapstone and presented by Professor Dame Linda Partridge, leading scientist in the field of ageing and ageing-related diseases. Her lecture, 'Ageing Healthily', discusses some of the recent discoveries made on preventing ageing in humans without side effects, from repurposing existing drugs to understanding environment and dietary restrictions.

Interconnect Student Networking Evening for Women in STEM

Date: Friday 10 Nov 2017
Location: School of Chemistry, Purdie Building, University of St Andrews.
Details: Informal networking supporting female students studying in STEM subjects, for staff and students
Contact: Facebook Interconnect St Andrews
17.20 - Welcome Reception (Common Room)
17.30 - 19.15 Talks (Lecture Theatre B)
17.35-18.05 Susie Mitchell, Programme Director at Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow
18.05-18.20 Heather Lambert, Business Development at Fluorochem Ltd, Manchester
18.20-18.30 COMFORT BREAK
18.30-18.45 Rita Tojeiro, Research Fellow at Physics and Astronomy, St Andrews
18.45-19.00 Tanja van Mourik, Reader at Chemistry, St Andrews
19.00-19.15 Ruth Letham, Lecturer at Computer Science, St Andrews

Scotland Women In Technology Awards (Oct 2017)

Gender Equality Champion Winner: Sjoukje Inge Sophie Ijlstra, University of St Andrews

Sjouke has experienced first hand the gender discrimination that can occur in the technology sector. But took that experience and channelled it into supporting other women to learn coding and digital expertise. She is an ambassador not just in Scotland but in two other countries and is involved in a number of women into technology initiatives in her university and beyond.

Out of the Box: Diwali - Each Sunday in October 2017, 1-3pm (all ages), Museum of the University of St Andrews, 7a The Scores, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9AR.
Celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of light. Decorate a henna hand, find out the story of Rama and Sita and add some colourful, crafty fireworks to our night sky.

Casting Race on Stage and Screen - free ticketed event, The Byre, University of St Andrews, 7pm, 4 Oct 2017.

With Dr Julia Prest exploring casting in relation to race and ethnicity, the opportunities and challenges through interviews with actor Satya Bhabha and Mezzo Soprano Andrea Baker, who sings a short a cappella excerpt from Sing Sistah Sing!

Queer Question Time:

7:30pm 28 Sep 2017, Parliament Hall, University of St Andrews - panel speakers:

Calum Irving (Director of See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health discrimination since Jun 2016)
Dr Elisabetta Girelli, Senior Lecturer in Film Studies, University of St Andrews
Commander Douggie Ward MBE, joined the Royal Navy in 1997, Logistics officer, qualified submariner and Barrister
Juno Roche, writer and campaigner - publications range from Refinery29, Diva, the Tate Magazine, ES Magazine, Photoworks
Dr Matthew Sothern, Director of Teaching, School of Geography and Sustainable Development, University of St Andrews

Shared Care Scotland: Welcome respite to carers at University of St Andrews (7 Aug 2017)

The University is helping to acknowledge the unsung heroes who provide care for their loved ones 24 hours a day by participating in a national scheme providing free holiday accommodation for carers. Several families have enjoyed short breaks within the University’s accommodation service as part of the Respitality scheme: Respite and Hospitality, a project that works to provide short breaks to full-time unpaid carers, run by Shared Care Scotland. Free overnight stays have been gifted in residences (David Russell Apartments, McIntosh Hall, University Hall and the Agnes Blackadder Hall) to carers during the academic summer break.

From Syria to St Andrews (20 Jun 2017)

Haian Dhukan left Syria in 2012 to study his PhD in International Relations at the University. Since then the ISIS takeover of Palmyra forced his family to flee – eventually reaching Southern Turkey with a caravan of refugees. Today Haian graduated with his PhD following a thesis entitled: Syrian Regime and Arab Tribes: Informal Alliances and Conflict Patterns in Contemporary Syria. He was joined by his son, who was born in the UK while Haian was studying.

Haian said: “My St Andrews experience has been amazing. When I came to do my PhD I didn’t expect that I would be graduating with my son here at the same time as well.

A wheelchair user since childhood due to a physical disability, Haian has also used his time in St Andrews to highlight access issues faced by disabled people. He set up The St Andrews Access Group (SAAG), which has worked with the University’s equality and diversity officer to create a webpage called ‘Reporting accessibility difficulties across Fife’. Haian commented: “The University has made good progress in making many of their buildings accessible".

Have your say: Feedback invited from staff and students on the current University 'Policy and Guidance on Trans Staff and Students' by 9 Jun 2017

The University is delighted to host Jessica Lynn, president of Your True Gender and advocate for transgender education, for a one-off, out of term-time seminar. Jessica is the only biological parent in the USA to be removed from her child’s birth certificate due to her gender transition. Her seminar will cover her transition, her sex change, and the legal and ethical aspects of gender identity, as seen through her intersectional perspective.

Venue: Lecture room 2, School of Management, Gateway building
Date/time: Weds 7 June 2017, 2pm
Audience: All University staff/students
Jessica-Lynn-Transgender-Event-7-Jun-2017 (PDF, 3,787 KB)

Women and the academic career

Date: Wed 10 May 2017.
Time: 13.30-16.30.
Venue: Byre Theatre Top Floor Studio
Key details: Examine the obstacles for women in the academic career, self-sabotaging patterns and how to avoid them in grad school, the job search, and the tenure track. Focuses on self-promotion, negotiating, childcare, work-life balance.
Target audience: Academic/research staff and research postgraduate students in all disciplines.
Course mapped to: Vitae's Researcher Development Framework domains: B2 (Self-management) and B3 (Professional and career development).

Roseangle House Nursery at the University of St Andrews

The University is pleased to announce a brand new purpose built children’s Nursery at East Sands with 44 places was opened in April 2017, welcoming children aged 0-5 years from both University and non-University parents and carers. The Nursery is managed by Roseangle House Nursery on behalf of the University.

4 Collins House, East Sands, St Andrews KY16 8TU
Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-6:30pm
Roseangle House Nursery
10% off fees for staff and students
University Nursery Staff/Student info April 2017 (PDF, 149 KB)

University Public Sector Equalty Duty reports (April 2017).

Co-existence Initiative Annual Conference (with Interfaith Scotland) Sat 22 April 2017, 10am-2pm, Parliament Hall, University of St Andrews, South Street.

BAME in Academia event: Why isn’t my Professor Black? Fri 21 April 2017, 1pm. School 3, St Salvator’s Quad, University of St Andrews.

Gender Diversity in Mathematics Event Weds 19 April 2017, 1-4pm, Maths Theatre A (The goal of the event is to start a discussion on what we as a larger community can do to support women and gender minorities in maths.

International Women's Day events:

Sister sit out

Female St Andrews students are calling on all women in town to join them in a ‘sit-out’ next week (Wednesday 8 March) to mark International Women’s Day. A group led by MLitt student Danielle Gold is looking for fellow females to take part in the event which is supported by the UCU, Women for Women International and HerCampus.
1-4pm Wed 08 March, St Mary's Quadrangle, University of St Andrews.
She said, “We are calling all women in St Andrews – students, University staff and residents – to participate in a ‘sit-out’ event in St Mary’s Quadrangle. The aim is to have a peaceful, inclusive afternoon where we will host speakers to talk about what it means to be a woman, women’s issues (particularly within the current political climate) and ultimately to show solidarity with fellow women living in St Andrews and across the world. We want you to be able to make it your own, whether you want to communicate your ideas and listen to others all afternoon or drop in for a few minutes between class or work. This event is open to everyone but is primarily a celebration of International Women’s Day and therefore our priority is to amplify women’s voices."

Art + Feminism Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon

11am-3:30pm Wed 08 March 2017, Hebdomadar's Room, St Salvador's Quad, University of St Andrews.
Open to All staff, students and public.
Wikipedia’s gender trouble is well documented. Those who identify as women/non-binary are significantly underrepresented on Wikipedia – both in terms of its contributors and its content. Let’s change that. Join us for a communal updating of Wikipedia entries on subjects related to art and feminism. People of all gender identities are welcome! Participants are invited to join for part or all of the session – and even if you don’t intend to edit, please stop by to show your support.

Annual lecture in the History of Women, Gender and Sexuality

5:15-7:15pm Wed 08 March 2017, School I, The Quad, followed by a reception in The Undercroft, St John's House, University of St Andrews.
Open to All staff, students and public.
Prof Sasha Roseneil, of the University of Essex, will present 'Intimate Citizenship: what difference have social movements made?' as this year's lecture in the History of Women, Gender and Sexuality.

For #LGBTHM17 the University will be facilitating the 'St Andrews Pride' through the centre of St Andrews town: Sat 11 Feb 2017, gathering at St Salvator's Quad at 11am, finishing at the Students' Union building by 2pm.

To mark the UN's International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we asked some of our leading female scientists what inspires them and what advice they would give to females and young girls looking to pursue a career in science. See case studies.

Gender and Equalities Research Event - Mon 6 Feb 2017, 1-3pm, Gateway Boardroom, University of St Andrews

Invite to anyone interested in research on gender inequalities, as well as other forms of inequalities (e.g. based on ethnicity, socio-economic class etc.), to this event. We will hold speed presentations, of no longer than 5 minutes. Anyone who wishes to do so can present key elements of their related research or more general grounds of their interest in the area. Aim is to establish shared concerns/research foci in order to foster new collaborations across disciplines. Although we are currently a small group of researchers, we already have representatives from several Schools within the University and are looking to broaden our expertise further.

Presenters: Boyka Bratanova, Gillian Brown, Kate Cross, Ian Gent, Nina Laurie, Sharon Leahy and Ruth Woodfield.

Informal event, and everyone is welcome - lunch will be provided.

Deputy First Minister’s commitment to equality in education (Embedding E and D in Widening Access St Andrews event 19 Jan 2017): Principal Professor Sally Mapstone, who hosted the event, said: “Education is transformative; it takes you somewhere new, intellectually, culturally, physically, and professionally, and it can go on doing that throughout your life."

Quality, openness and diversity: St Andrews’ 11th Principal reveals bold vision in Installation address (29 Nov 2016).

Athena SWAN Lecture: Life, Death and a Career in Academic Medicine - Fri 18 Nov 2016, 2-3pm, Booth Lecture Theatre, School of Medicine (free event) open to staff and students.

University Pangea week: 29 Oct to 3 Nov 2016

Pangea Launch Bonfire, 29 Oct, 7-9 pm, East Sands
International Food Festival, 30 Oct, 5-8pm, DRA Nisbet Room
International Run, 1 Nov, 4-5pm, Sports Centre
Culture and Religion: A panel discussion, 2 Nov, 7-9 pm, School III, St Salvator's Quadrangle
Diversity in Theatre, 3 Nov, 7-9pm, Barron Theatre

Scottish Interfaith Week - events in St Andrews:

Fifth Annual Interfaith Lecture: 14 Nov 2016, 7-7:30pm, All Saints Church, North St, St Andrews, University of St Andrews Chaplain Revd Dr Donald MacEwan.
A Walk in the Cathedral: 19 Nov 2016, 2-3pm, St Andrew’s Cathedral, North Street, St Andrews, A tour of the ruins of the historic St Andrews Cathedral led by Edwina Proudfoot of Scottish Church Heritage.

Academics: 'HEA Equality in the Curriculum Workshops' in Small Rehearsal Room, Student Association/Union, Fri 25 Nov 1-4pm or Wed 14 Dec 2016 2-5pm

National Coming Out Day: 11 October 2016

All Staff are sincerely invited to complete their Diversity Monitoring data confidentially using HR Self Service voluntarily. Simply log into Self Service and select “Equal Opportunities Details”, then “edit these details” for Ethnicity, Disability, Religion or Belief, and Sexual Orientation. Once completed please select “Submit”.

“Employees who feel their employer has an inclusive culture feel able to be themselves at work. Staff who are able to be themselves are happier at work, and more productive.” - Stonewall Scotland

University LGBTIQ+ Staff Role Models webpage live

The Baby and Child Lab is hosting a Family Fun Day - Sat 1 Oct 2016, 10am to 2pm, School of Psychology and Neuroscience, St Mary’s Quad.
Have you ever looked at your child and wondered: “How did you learn that?” Taster of the games the lab coordinators play to try to understand how children think and learn. There will be lots of fun activities, a bouncy castle and opportunities to participate in some of the lab’s current studies.

The Science of Sex Differences - Fri 30 Sep 7-8pm, Studio Room, The Byre (free event) Dr Kate Cross (School of Psychology and Neuroscience)

Inaugural Lecture: Excellence and Gender - Wed, 28 Sep 2016, 5:15-6:15pm, School III, St Salvator's Quad, Prof Ruth Woodfield (School of Management), open to all staff and students. The lecture will be followed by a reception in Lower College Hall.

How different religions look at sex and sexuality? Coexistence Initiative event 7-9pm 26 Sep 2016, Mansfield building (Chaplaincy).

The Divinity School's Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics, directed by Prof. Mario I. Aguilar, is hosting an international conference entitled ‘Silence, Texts and Service: Towards a Christian, Hindu and Buddhist Dialogue’ 23-25 Sep 2016. Within this conference, the ‘St. Andrews Declaration for a Shared Humanity’ will be signed by 120 religious leaders, politicians, ambassadors, and school children from the UK, Canada, and India.