Staff Networks

We recognise the power of Staff Networks, these groups provide an opportunity for staff to connect, socialise, support one another, and discuss issues of relevance to their communities.

Staff Networks are run by and for the members. We aim for each Staff Network to be led by a Chair, the key intention behind this role being to embed ownership of the Network within the membership and take a lead on the development of the Network. For more information, see the Staff Network Chair/Co-Chair Role Description. If you're interested in being a Chair of a Network, contact us and let us know.

You can find information about other staff interest groups and work and professional staff networking groups on the insite pages.

BAME Staff Network

A network working towards offering support, boosting confidence, and enabling professional success among Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff at all levels within the University of Warwick.

Read the BAME Staff Network's Terms of Reference.

The Chair of the BAME Staff Network is Rinita Dam, you can contact Rinita on .

Get involved

We have launched a group called ‘BAME Staff Network’ on Teams so that staff can chat and ask questions as well as share information and support. To be added to the Teams group please email the Network Chair Rinita Dam.

Carers Staff Network

The Carers Staff Network was created as a result of feedback from staff of the need for a space to share experiences of working at Warwick with caring responsibilities.

Read the Carers Staff Network's Terms of Reference.

The Chair of the Carers Staff Network is Naomi Mouland, you can contact Naomi via .

Get involved

Caring for somebody can be an extremely demanding and tiring responsibility, sometimes talking to someone in a similar situation might help. The Network will provide a safe environment for you to meet with others and an opportunity to discuss issues that you may be facing or just take some 'time out' from your responsibilities.

Join the distribution list - this is a JiscMail list which allows members to email one another easily.
Join the Carers Staff Network MS Teams team - contact the Chair, Naomi, to be added.

Carer's Leave, Policy, and Passport

The University has introduced paid carer’s leave to help people who struggle to balance their working responsibilities with caring commitments, by offering them further flexibility to provide care and continue to work.

Carers Leave and Passport

Conference Support Awards

The Conference Support Award Scheme provides a contribution of up to £200 to cover extra care costs that an individual will incur in order to attend an essential conference/workshop/training event.

Conference support

Learn more

Read personal stories of carers from the Warwick community.

Personal stories

External links

Employers for Carers - Warwick is a member of Carers UK Business Forum, therefore providing all staff with access to the Employers for Carers platform which hosts resources for employers, line managers, and essential guides for working carers.
Care Companion - developing at WMS, freely available to all residents in Coventry and Warwickshire, provides personalised information and support for carers.
Carers UK.
Carers Trust.
Carers Trust Heart of England.
Gov.UK - Carers.

Digital Accessibility Network Disabled Staff Network

The purposes of the Network are:

To support positive change for staff with disabilities where we each work and more broadly across the University.
To feed back in to the Network and to the ED&I team after every meeting.
To be a central group where any developments across the University can be examined from the point of view of staff with disabilities (e.g. new legal requirements being phased in to make all webpages compliant with accessibility standards).
To promote the concept of inclusive design i.e. design that includes diversity and accessibility from the start and thus improves quality of life for everyone; adaptations can be useful for many people and encourage innovation.

The Disabled Staff Network is open to all staff members with an interest in making the University a more accessible place for all. It welcomes any member of staff with an interest in creating a more inclusive environment whether or not they have a disability themselves.

The Co-Chairs of the Disabled Staff Network are Jenny Wheeler and Nivi Morales Salas, you can contact Jenny on and Nivi on .

Get involved

Join the distribution list - this is a JiscMail list which allows members to email one another easily.
Join the Disabled Staff Network group on Teams.

University resources

My Adjustment Passport (workplace adjustments).
The Sunflower Lanyard - hidden disability scheme.
UK Disability History Month 2020 - Access.
Queering University - Living Positively.

Learn more

Read personal stories of disabled people from the Warwick community.

Personal stories

External links

Diversity Book Clubs

Diversity and inclusion book clubs aim to raise awareness of the diversity issues that prevail wiithin our society and sector, ensuring that members understand the key challenges and barriers that their peers and colleagues may be facing.

Get involved

Find out more about Diversity book clubs currently running at the Unviersity, including how to get involved, here.

Jewish Staff Network

The Jewish Staff Network is open to any Warwick staff member, on any type of contract, who identifies as Jewish, including secular Jews.

Read the Jewish Staff Network's Terms of Reference.

The Chair of the Jewish Staff Network is Daniel Katz, you can contact Daniel on .

Get involved

If you are interested in getting involved with the Jewish Staff Network, contact Daniel for more information.

LGBTQUA+ Staff Network

This Network provides an opportunity for LGBTQUA+ staff to meet, share their experiences, discuss related issues, access information and support, and organise events.

The Chairs of the LGBTQUA+ Staff Network are Izzy Evans, Sam Parr, and Stephen Soanes you can contact them on , , and .

Get involved

Find more information on the LGBTQUA+ Staff Network webpage.

Living Positively

We're supporting everyone to live, work, and study positively at Warwick. Access support for HIV+ staff and students, information on HIV testing and prevention, and develop understanding and allyship.

Living Positively

Queering University

The programme supports staff and students to develop, implement, share and sustain queer pedagogies and perspectives. It encourages teaching and learning, pastoral, and other practices that are inclusive of trans and LGBTQUIA+ people, and improves understanding in the classroom and wider university settings.

Queering University

Menopause Staff Network

The Chairs of the Menopause Staff Network are Jane Dashwood and Emma Shield, you can contact them on and .

Get involved

We have launched a group on Teams so that staff can chat and ask questions as well as share information and support. To be added to the Teams Group please email the Network Chairs, Jane Dashwood and Emma Shield.
You can contact either Jane or Emma if you wish to chat in confidence.

Menopause Guidelines and Staff Passport

The Menopause guidelinesLink opens in a new window set out the University’s commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment for those employees experiencing menopausal and andropause symptoms.

The guidelines apply to all employees including staff who identify as non-binary, trans and intersex. The guidelines cover the definitions and symptoms of menopause and outlines how managers and colleagues can support employees during menopause, alongside guidance from Occupational HealthLink opens in a new window and Human Resources. There are signposts for employees to the available resources and other forms of support, both internally at the University and externally.

The Menopause passportLink opens in a new window is an optional support tool owned by you to help discussions with your line manager and to identify appropriate support.

Learn more

Learn more about the menopause by completing the Menopause at Work online training module.
Interview with Andy Johnson, Social Inclusion Manager, on participating with the Menopause conversation, on being an active ally.
Read personal stories of menopause from the Warwick community and watch videos showcasing lived experiences of the menopause.

Part-Time Staff Network Stand with Ukraine Staff Network

This staff network has been set up to:

Create a network of people across campus with a common goal.
Co-ordinate efforts to volunteer time, items and ideas.
Match needs with offers of support.
Tap into existing experience in the staff body of working with refugee charities and similar organisations.
Signpost to external resources and professional support.

This complements the university position as outlined in February 2022 which includes links to academic and scholarship support.

Get involved

If you are interested in the network, join the Stand with Ukraine Staff Network Teams group.

External useful links

Stand For Ukraine (detailed centralised list of ways to donate).
Ukrainian Institue London (up to date advice on how one can help).
Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB has a branch in Coventry, with a Community Centre and a Church).
Homes For Ukraine (coordinates matching refugees to a sponsor).
Employee Assistance Programme (confidential support service for all employees).

Support group for parents/carers of neurodivergent young people

Are you the parent or carer of a neurodivergent child or young adult? A number of us have recently started to catch up informally once a month to share our thoughts, feelings, and frustrations as well as offer each other moral support and practical tips and ideas.

Get involved

If you would like to join us, please email Brigitte Hatfield at to find out the next meeting date and so we can have an idea of anticipated numbers at each session. At the moment we are meeting in the Arts Centre café but we will review the location if numbers demand it.

Working Parents Staff Network

The Chairs of the Working Parents Staff Network are Vale Donzella, Magda Mos, and Jianhua Yang, you can contact them on , , and .

Get involved

Join the distribution list - this is a JiscMail list which allows members to email one another easily.
Join the Staff Parent Network group on Teams.

Milk Expression/ Breastfeeding Rooms

Warwick has a number of dedicated milk expressing/breastfeeding rooms to support staff who are breastfeeding. Find the location of milk expressing/breastfeeding rooms here.

Find rooms

Conference Support Awards

The Conference Support Award Scheme provides a contribution of up to £200 to cover extra care costs that an individual will incur in order to attend an essential conference/workshop/training event.

Conference support

Learn more

Read personal stories of working parents from the Warwick community.

Personal stories