Other groups
Staff network groups are a fantastic way to network with people from all over the University.
Please see below for a list of all our current staff network groups.
Peer support and interest groups
1st Gen Network
The 1st Gen network is open to all staff who regard themselves as the first in their family, to attend university. The group is in its infancy as a formal staff network, although core members have been meeting since 2023. During this time discussions have included the 'class ceiling', imposter syndrome, access to 'insider' networks, perceived cultural barriers, material financial constraints, hidden campus 'codes', and many other issues that disproportionately affect 1st Gen university staff.
Now an official network, our next step is to agree a plan for offering collegiality and practical career guidance to 1st Gen UoM staff while seeking ways to influence institutional behaviours, where appropriate. We are keen that the group is inclusive (i.e. open to both academic and PS staff); that we reach out to 1st Gen students in due course (with a view to sharing our experiences with them), and that we support each other as we reflect on our own personal and professional journeys.
You might be interested in attending the upcoming launch event:
📅 Date: Monday, 22 September
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
📍 Location: Council Chambers, Whitworth Corridor
There are still a few places available. To reserve your spot, please contact Siobhan Cartwright at Siobhan.b.Cartwright@manchester.ac.uk.
🎤 Guest Speakers include:
- Professor Jenn Hallam, Vice-President for Teaching & Learning
- Professor Tony Redmond, Emeritus Professor of International Emergency Medicine and Founder of UK-Med
Lunch will be available at the event.
If you would like to join the Microsoft Teams space and mailing list, please email equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk
Climate
The Climate staff network is a friendly grouping of staff and students who are passionate about limiting (and potentially even reversing) the damaging effects of man-made climate change, both in a local and global sense.
The network's goal is to inspire awareness of this topic and to help create an inclusive discourse around existing work occurring across both the University and the surrounding Greater Manchester region.
The group would also like to highlight and discuss the concerns of students, supporting them in their aspirations relating to climate change awareness and actions.
Meetings
The Climate staff network hosts regular lunchtime seminars at which guest speakers discuss a variety of topics related to climate change and sustainability. Previous talks have focussed on sustainable fashion, eco-anxiety, food waste, and effective climate change communication.
These seminars and any other relevant climate change events are advertised in a weekly newsletter via Listserv.
Further Information
Endometriosis & PCOS Network
The Endometriosis & PCOS Network was set up in July 2022 and currently supports over a hundred colleagues across the University. We are a support and advocacy network, and we have a space on Teams where we share information that we find helpful, ask any questions we might have, meet for bi-monthly virtual coffee mornings, and we aim to host annual awareness events. You don’t need to have a formal diagnosis to be part of the group, as we know how hard it can be to get one, this is just a space where you can get some information and support from colleagues who have similar experiences. There are also people in the group who have joined as they want to learn more about Endo and/or PCOS to support someone close to them who has it. If this is something you’d be interested in, we’d love to have you! We are here to help lighten the load and advocate for what we need to succeed at work.
To join the network, please contact endo.pcos@manchester.ac.uk
The Fertility Journeys Network
The Fertility Journeys Network was initiated by a small group of staff at the University in 2024. This network aims to connect people across the University whose lives are impacted by fertility issues of any kind, and to provide a safe space for members to share their experiences.
An additional goal of the network is to raise awareness of fertility issues amongst the wider University community. With some recent support from a University EDI Changemaker’s Fund award, we have been able to partner with Fertility Network UK (FNUK), one of the UK’s leading fertility charities. Through this partnership, all staff at the University now have access to a range of resources and support offered by FNUK’s Fertility in the Workplace team, which can be accessed here.
The network also recently hosted its first webinar event, delivered by Seema Duggal from the Fertility in the Workplace team. Seema’s webinar introduced the topic of infertility more broadly, as well as addressing some of the key impacts of infertility in the workplace, including advice for managers on how to support staff members experiencing fertility issues. The link to the webinar can be found here.
For staff who wish to join the network’s private teams channel, please contact Lizzy Cottrell (elizabeth.cottrell@manchester.ac.uk), Nicola Begley (nicola.begley@manchester.ac.uk) or Kristina Brubacher (kristina.brubacher@manchester.ac.uk). Please note that all discussions on this channel must be treated confidentially.
Further University resources and existing policies:
HIV Network
Join the HIV Network for support and advice, for those living with HIV or have somebody close to them with HIV.
Inclusive Alliance Network
The Inclusive Alliance Network (IAN) is a new peer support initiative for supervisors and line managers at the University of Manchester, aimed at improving support for disabled staff and PGRs.
Founded by Dr Konstantina Drosou (Lecturer in Biomedical Egyptology) and Laura Howard (PhD candidate, and Disabled Staff Network Co-Chair), the network provides a space to share best practices, access training and resources, and discuss challenges in an open and supportive environment.
Key resources available in the IAN Teams space include:
- A podcast featuring key university leaders discussing inclusive supervision
- A leaflet outlining support available for disabled PGRs
- Training materials on the lived experiences of disabled staff and students
- Survey findings on the biggest barriers faced by disabled colleagues
IAN is a collaborative space—members are encouraged to share experiences, advice, and resources to foster a more inclusive and supportive university environment.
Join the conversation: UOM-EDI-Inclusive-Alliance-Network | General | Microsoft Teams
International
The International staff network is aimed at overseas staff and postgraduate students at the University.
The network also includes the informal International Buddying Programme. The programme uses partners new international staff with existing members of staff and network members from the same country. The idea is that they can help share information before the move to Manchester and once the new staff member is at the University.
Further information
To join the International staff network mailing list or for more information about the informal International Buddying Programme please email equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk.
University resources
- New staff
- EU referendum support
- International staff handbook (updated May 2020)
Menopause support
The Menopause support group is open to all members of staff who are:
- going through (or have gone through) the menopause naturally or prematurely due to surgery or cancer treatment.
- interested in the menopause and wanting to be able to be more supportive.
- going through any other type of significant hormonal change.
Meetings
Plans are currently in place for the Menopause support group to meet about twice a year (around International Women’s Day in March and International Menopause Day in October) as well as a number of other informal get-togethers.
Further information
Join the Menopause Support Group’s Yammer to communicate with other members and share articles, stories, or your own experiences in a confidential space.
University resources
Parents, Carers & Guardians
The Parents, Carers and Guardians peer group offers support to staff who have caring responsibilities. We organise three celebratory and educational events for parents, carers, guardians and their families during holiday periods and key events such as religious occasions.
The network also promotes an inclusive culture, aligning practices to University policies and works with senior leaders to implement improvements.
If you have experienced baby loss, you are also welcome to reach out to us for advice and support.
Events and Meetings
The group aims to meet regulalry in person and sometimes on line with specialist guests throughout the year. Babies and children are very welcome.
The next event will take place on 17 December 15:30 – 18:30 in the Nancy Rothwell Building Event Space.
Join us for a festive lunch, carol singing, family games and a visit from Santa! Full for all families.
Further information
If you are interested in joining the Parent & Carers peer support group, please email uom-parentcarerguardiannetwork@manchester.ac.uk
Or you can request to join the Teams site via this link.
University resources
- The University provides a range of policies and services to support parents and carers.
- Breastfeeding at work guidance.
- Welfare rooms which can be accessed by all staff.
- Time off for special leave policy;
- Career break policy;
- Flexible working policy;
- Managers essentials;
- Parents and carers;
- Supporting staff with a caring responsibility;
- Carers' policy.
People impacted by cancer
The People impacted by cancer peer support group is open to anybody at the University and aims to support anyone who has been impacted by cancer - as a sufferer, as a carer, or simply as a friend.
The group brings together people in a safe and supportive environment to discuss and share experiences as well as signpost people to internal and external support.
Further information
For more information, contact equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk.
University resources
Stress at work
The Stress at work staff network group is an online group that provides an opportunity for staff to talk openly about stressful circumstances they are experiencing in an environment of mutual support and understanding.
The group is aimed at people who feel like they could benefit from talking about their difficulties with colleagues, and who are willing to offer their support to colleagues who are experiencing stress-related difficulties.
There is no stipulation regarding the source of stress for participants, and it is essential to the working of the group that individuals feel that no issue is too trivial or unworthy to bring up for discussion. The ethos of the group is not to present prescriptive solutions to problems, but to provide an environment in which it is beneficial to draw on collective experience and understanding.
Meetings
The group meets once per month and the running of the group is supported by the Counselling and Mental Health Service. Routes for seeking individual support will be highlighted in the group as appropriate.
Vegan
The Vegan staff network welcomes anyone interested in helping improve the lives of animals. Veganism is not just a diet, it is an ethical approach to life that informs every decision.
The network is a place for discussion and initiatives around FoodOnCampus, introducing a Vegan-Friendly pension option, improving University curricula, and other ways to advance an intersectional agenda that includes veganism at its heart.
Join the Vegan Network
To keep informed about activities and meetings you can join the network Microsoft Teams Space by emailing equalityanddiversity@manchester.ac.uk.
The Working-Class Peer Group is a supportive and inclusive network open to all colleagues across the University, with a particular focus on those from working-class backgrounds. We welcome staff from all roles, disciplines, and social class identities, and are committed to fostering a space that recognises and values intersectional experiences.
Our aim is to create a safe and respectful environment where colleagues can connect, share experiences, and support one another. We actively encourage participation from all staff, regardless of background, and are committed to continually strengthening an inclusive culture where everyone can contribute and thrive.
The network exists to bring colleagues together to learn from one another, build meaningful connections, and support career development, while also advancing social class equity across the University.
We are committed to:
- Supporting working-class colleagues
Providing a welcoming and inclusive space where individuals feel safe, valued, and supported in their professional journeys. - Promoting social class equity
Working collaboratively to challenge barriers, share knowledge, and contribute to a more equitable University environment. - Raise awareness of social class backgrounds and intersectional identities that are not recognised under The Equality Act 2010.
- Building community and enabling development
Hosting a range of social, professional, and educational activities that encourage networking, peer support, and growth. - Collaborating across EDI networks
Partnering with other equality, diversity, and inclusion groups to strengthen intersectional support and shared advocacy.
Get Involved
Whether you identify as working class or are interested in supporting social class equity, you are warmly invited to join the network. Together, we aim to build community, share knowledge, and create positive change across the University.
To join, sign up here (Working Class Peer Group – Fill out form) and you will be added to the Teams Channel and email distribution list for meeting invites.