Category: Staff Networks

It was a real privilege to represent three University of Manchester staff networks at Staff Network Day – Women@Manchester, as a core committee member; the Dharmic Cultures Network, as a core committee member; and the Vegan+ Staff Network, as co-chair. The day was a lovely reminder of how powerful our staff networks are in bringing colleagues together from across different parts of the University. I had some brilliant conversations with colleagues who were keen to learn more about the networks, share their own experiences, and understand how they, their families, friends or colleagues could connect with the work we do.

I am sharing my lived experience in this blog for a few reasons. One is my role on the Directorate of Research and Business Engagement EDI Committee, where local committees and staff networks play an important part in shaping our everyday working culture. Another comes from my work as a Communications and Engagement Coordinator supporting the Research Platforms, where bringing people together is both part of the role and something I genuinely value. I am motivated by people, their stories, and the connections that help large institutions feel smaller, more human, and more humane.

Infertility affects around 1 in 6 people of reproductive age. At our University, with roughly 12,000 employees, this equates to around 2,000 current staff members experiencing some form of fertility issue during their lifetime. The Fertility Journeys staff network has recently been established to support colleagues affected by fertility issues, providing a safe space for sharing experiences and raising awareness within the community.

There’s an old saying, “Birds of a Feather Flock Together.” When you look around at nature, you can see it’s true. By networking, we get the opportunity to flock with people who share our interests and values – building strength in identity and providing a platform for ideas and feedback.

We interviewed Tokeer Ahmed – Chair of the Race & Equality Network (REN) at Capgemini UK since 2021 – as part of the ‘Let’s Talk Careers’ podcast series and he has kindly written a blog piece on the importance of staff networks and mentoring. Employee networks and mentoring, particularly reverse mentoring, play a critical role in advancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. These initiatives create environments where employees from diverse backgrounds feel supported, and they contribute to building an inclusive culture that goes beyond policies to real, lived experiences of equality.

In a time of heightened social unrest and urgent calls for justice, the workplace is no longer just about employment. It’s become a space where allyship and solidarity play a pivotal role – particularly for those just beginning their career.