Staff and student networks | University of Sunderland in London

Staff Networks

All Identities Included (LGBTQi+) and Allies
BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) Staff Network and Allies
Menopause Support Network
SOLO Staff Network – Staff Living Alone or in Isolation
Parents and Carers Network
Disability Support Network
Fertility Support Network

The aims of the groups are to:

Create connections, safe spaces, shared purpose, interests and sense of belonging for members
To share problems, knowledge, ideas, situations and lessons
Solving problems and challenges for members
Bringing resources, processes and other ways of change to the University
Being a powerful voice and source for positive change

Chaplaincy

The University's full-time Chaplain, Reverend Chris Howson, is based at the University of Sunderland's main campus.

You can get in touch with him at chris.howson@sunderland.ac.uk or contact our Wellbeing team for more information.

Other networks

Athena SWAN

Advance HE started the Athena SWAN project in 2005, combining the work of the Athena Project and the Scientific Women's Network (SWAN). The scheme celebrates good employment practices for women working in science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics (STEMM) for higher education and research.

Its remit was expanded in 2015 to include the arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), professional and support roles, as well as trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work done to impact gender equality more widely - not just addressing the barriers affecting cis-gendered women.

The University of Sunderland was one of the first to be given the Bronze Award for advancement and promotion of careers for women. Each year, we continue to make progress and practical change to address gender equality and were awarded the Bronze Award again in April 2019.

SunGen

This network is for students and academics with a research interest in gender and sexuality.

They aim to:

Create cross-subject links around the University
To promote a culture of active research in the field
To encourage debate and provide a space for the exchange of ideas
To grow the network

Subscribe to their email list, or contact angela.smith@sunderland.ac.uk for more information

The Race, Class and Ethnicity (RaCE) interdisciplinary research network

The Race, Class and Ethnicity (RaCE) Interdisciplinary Research Network was inaugurated in October 2018. The RaCE network was launched in 2018 as a response to the current and past lived experiences of race, class and ethnicity.

The group believe that society is influenced by the economy, poverty and racism and how these three things interact is of concern to the Equality Act 2010 as well as the requirements public bodies have to be anti-discriminatory and inclusive.

You can find out more in our Research section.