Our Inclusive Community
We embrace and celebrate the diversity of our staff and students. This page is a testament to our vibrant and inclusive staff community and details some of the many fantastic initiatives we have in place to support and connect our staff members.
Our Culture of Inclusion and Belonging
We are committed to providing an inclusive learning and working environment where staff members work collaboratively and productively together, in a culture of mutual respect, dignity and belonging for all.
Advancing equality of opportunity, valuing diversity, and embedding inclusive practice is central to our University Strategy and reflected within our commitments, which include:
- Becoming accredited as a Disability Confident Employer, and working towards Disability Confident Leader in 2024
- Achieving the Stonewall Gold Award and being ranked the 56th top LGBTQ+ inclusive employer for the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index 2024.
- Holding the Athena SWAN Bronze Award for gender equality since 2015, renewed in 2020, with the School of Applied Sciences holding a departmental Silver Award
- Achieving the Bronze award for the Advance HE Race Equality Charter.
To find out more please visit: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion - University of Huddersfield
Our Staff Network Groups
We also support our staff with the provision of several EDI networks, including:
- LGBTQI+ Network
- B.A.M.E. Network
- Disability Network and Neurodiversity Group
- Women’s Network
- Inclusive Allies
Our Staff Equality Networks provide a safe space for staff sharing a protected characteristic or identity to access peer support, networking, and consultation with the University regarding policies and projects.
Our Wellbeing Support Groups and Initiatives
To help promote social wellbeing and connection, our dedicated Staff Wellbeing team run a series of regular wellbeing groups including Menopause Talk and Support, Returning Parents and our Staff Choir.
Menopause Talk and Support
Join our peer support group
The Staff Wellbeing Team hosts a monthly Menopause Talk and Support session for staff. Peer support is a vitally important and helpful way of supporting people through the menopause.
Returning Parents Group
Connect with colleagues
Have you recently returned from maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave? Or have you got little ones at home and you're having to juggle working, school drop offs, childcare, and the rest? If so, our support group, offers the perfect opportunity to connect and talk with other members of staff who are going through similar circumstances.
Staff Pop Choir
Pop along for a sing song
Our University choir provides a positive, relaxed environment where staff can unwind and have fun singing popular tunes. There is no audition, no singing ability or experience necessary and you won’t be asked to sing on your own (unless you really want to!). All staff are welcome to attend.
Our International Staff Community
International Buddy Scheme
Our international buddy scheme is available to new international colleagues who are relocating to the UK. The focus of the scheme is to enable new international colleagues to connect with others who have already made the move to the UK, who can provide support based on their own experience.
Relocation Support
We have collated a wealth of resources and information to help our international colleagues settle into life here in the United Kingdom and at the University.