The University of Sheffield
Human Resources

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Pinknic - Sheffield's first 'pink picnic'

pinknicSheffield’s very first pink picnic, the Sheffield Pinknic, will be held in Weston Park on Sunday 15 September. This free event, sponsored by the University, is aimed at all LGBT communities in Sheffield. Drop in from 12 noon to 7pm for an afternoon of entertainment, food, drink, and community.

Our sponsorship of the Pinknic is part of our continued support for LGBT equality across the University, which most recently included flying the flag for Sheffield Pride.

For more information see http://www.gaysheffield.co.uk/news/sheffield-pinknic/

Sheffield Pride 2013

PrideThe University is sponsoring Sheffield Pride for the 4th consecutive year.

This year Sheffield Pride takes place on Saturday 6th July in Barkers Pool and Devonshire Green. The event, which celebrates the LGBT community in the city of Sheffield, kicks off with a free community event in Barkers Pool from 1pm featuring stalls and live entertainment. This is followed by a ticketed event in Devonshire Green with headline acts and a carnival!

For more details and to get involved see our Sheffield Pride 2013 pages and the official Sheffield Pride website.

Gay by Degree 2013/14

GBDThe Stonewall Gay by Degree University Guide is for lesbian, gay and bisexual prospective students to help them choose a University that will welcoming and supportive University.

Universities are scored against a ten-point checklist of things they should have in place such as a homophobic bullying, networks and LGBT events and sexual orientation monitoring.

We are pleased that the University has retained its 9/10 ranking on the 10 point checklist. This sends a strong message to all prospective students that the University actively considers the welfare of LGBT staff and students. The University is one of only 5 Russell Group Universities to score 9 or 10/10.

For further information see Gay by Degree.

Athena SWAN Awards

asOur Athena SWAN University Bronze Award has been renewed for a further 3 years, until April 2016. In addition, Animal & Plant Sciences received a departmental Silver Award and the School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) was awarded Bronze.

To find out more see our Athena SWAN webpages.

LGBT Consultation

On May 16th 2013 a consultation took place with members of our LGBT Staff Network and LGBT Student Committee.

This gave us the opportunity to discuss our progress as a University, and what our focus should be in the coming months and years.

The discussions will now feed into our action plans to build on our University wide support for both LGBT staff and students whilst being mindful of the views of the LGBT University community.

To find out more see LGBT at the University.

Hidden Perspectives

HiddenHidden Perspectives is a ground-breaking project which aims to challenge the assumptions made by mainstream readings of the Bible to explore the implications for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people who can feel alienated by interpretations of the text.
This was launched on 11 April 2013 with the first major event being a daylong festival on Saturday 1 June. For further information see the Hidden Perspectives University webpages.

Storying LGBT @ TUoS

smallOur LGBT staff and students have appeared in a film focusing on their experiences of being out and proud in the University and the city of Sheffield.

'Storying LGBT @ TUoS' was launched at an event in February 2013 as part of LGBT History Month, and was attended by external guests and staff and students across the University. To watch our film and find out more about the event see our Storying LGBT webpages.

Research Fortnight

RFThe University has appeared in a Research Fortnight article discussing our recent performance in the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2013, in light of the recent RCUK 'Statement of Expectations for Equality and Diversity'. The statement outlines that RCUK would like those organisations which receive funding to show evidence of progress in the areas of Equality and Diversity. We discuss this statement with regards to Stonewall and our LGBT work, including the Staff Network.

Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2013

smallThe University is pleased to announce it has been ranked 106 out of almost 400 organisations from many sectors entering the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2013. This is an improvement of 25 places since our last submission in 2011, and in a record year where the number of organisations entering continues to rise.
For further information on our submission and work for LGBT staff and students please see our Workplace Equality Index Results page.

REF 2014 Equalities and Diversity Training

REFIn line with the University's REF2014 Code of Practice, the University expects all Units of Assessment (UOAs) to be open, transparent and clear in their processes for staff selection. It is a requirement of HEFCE that all individuals responsible for making staff recommendations be provided with tailored training on equality and diversity.

Human Resources have made available an online REF equalities and diversity training tool for this purpose. All staff that will be involved in staff selection must undertake this training prior to any selection recommendations being made. The training takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and can be accessed via the Learning Management System. A log will be kept of who has successfully completed the training. Following the training, staff involved in making selections are welcome to discuss any specific concerns or issues with their Faculty HR Manager.

All staff are welcome to complete the training, which has also been shared with the trade unions and the Equality Advisory Panel. For further information about the REF, please see the University's REF2014 webpages.

Portrait of a Woman

portraitThe achievements of inspirational women across the University are being celebrated with an exhibition of portraits set to travel throughout the University campus over the next year.

Nominations were called for over summer 2012 for women with inspirational life stories achievements to be celebrated with specially commissioned portraits to be displayed in pride of place around the University. The portraits will hang in the University's Firth Hall before visiting different locations throughout campus and will culminate in one woman being selected to have a professional portrait painted and permanently displayed in Firth Hall.

The exhibition was opened by the Vice Chancellor at an event held in late 2012.

To find out more and to view the online exhibition see our Portrait of a Woman webpages.