School of Health & Wellbeing

"5 minutes with..." Jane Goodfellow (SHW Admin)

Tue, 12 Mar 2024 19:42:00 GMT

As retirement fast approaches, SHW Admin's Jane Goodfellow reflects on 28 years of working at UofG (General Practice and Primary Care for 21 years, then SHW Admin), the tasks and roles that are closest to her heart, and unwavering loyalty to a certain Aussie soap opera and to rescued farm animals...

LGBT+ History Month is celebrated in the UK in February.

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 09:08:05 GMT

LGBT+ History Month is celebrated in the UK in February. It was first celebrated in 2005. Each year, LGBT+ History Month has a different theme, with Schools OUT, the founders of LGBT+ History Month UK, providing free resources for education, business, services and organisations.

"5 minutes with..." Nic Dickson (General Practice and Primary Care)

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 11:24:00 GMT

GPPC research associate Nic Dickson describes using arts-based practice to capture and disseminate research findings, her appreciation of what colleagues from a range of job families bring to our culture and environment, "embracing the elements", and channelling learning from comedy heroes...

"What would happen if you DIDN'T click on that link...?" Emotional safety in challenging times

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 12:07:00 GMT

As many of us struggle to manage our feelings about both world events and personal adversity, Mental Health and Wellbeing's Suzy Syrett shares her strategies for minimising distress and avoiding being overwhelmed...

"Take home messages" from recent ECR Grant Writing Group meet-ups (Oct and Nov 2023)

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 12:58:00 BST

Continuing to feed back on the main learning points from recent meetings of this informative, supportive group aimed at early career researchers within SHW

HAWKEYE – What did you think?

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 18:52:00 GMT

Sharing the results of our recent survey of HAWKEYE readers, and feeding back on possible action points arising out of your responses and suggested improvements...

Finding ways to fail: my postgraduate taught journey

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 15:58:00 BST

Recent PGT graduate Craig Houston reflects on "surfing an ongoing wave of excitement and anxiety" as a student on the Global Mental Health programme, and the elements that helped him overcome self-doubt to enjoy and successfully complete his studies

Promoting a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable learning environment

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 08:46:00 BST

PGT student Er-Ane Ubebe reports back on an important initiative aimed at fostering a student experience that embeds different cultures and histories, and improving cultural sensitivity among both staff and students

Managing emotionally demanding research

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 16:24:00 BST

What is emotionally demanding research, and how can individuals, managers and supervisors navigate the challenges of this type of work? SHW's Julie Riddell explains...

"What wellbeing means to me" SHW colleagues reflect

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 16:37:00 BST

In October 2023, we asked our team what the word and concept of "wellbeing" means to them. Read on for uplifting and thought-provoking contributions from the people we work and study alongside...

Our 2023–2028 Athena Swan action plan

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 14:14:00 BST

Following the renewal of our Athena Swan (AS) Gold award earlier this year, a new action plan is now in place, aimed at making our culture and our environment as fair, comfortable and enabling as possible for staff and students alike, as AS champion Julie Langan Martin explains...

SHW gender pay gap 2023

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:14:00 BST

SHW Athena Swan champion Julie Langan Martin feeds back on the current gender pay gap in our school and how we plan to address the issues raised

Introducing Margaret Thomson, UofG Health and Wellbeing Advisor

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 19:57:00 BST

Guest contributor Margaret Thomson from the UofG People and Occupational Development Directorate introduces her important role supporting colleagues in making positive changes to their health and wellbeing

Career progression group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:30:00 BST

How does this Athena Swan working group help colleagues to make informed choices about their career path, and what are the priorities going forward?

ECR group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:45:00 BST

How has this important group addressed inequity in representation, progression, and success of early career researchers in the past 12 months, and what are the hopes and aims for the year to come?

LGBTQ+ group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:45:00 BST

Group chairs Caroline Haig and Avril Johnstone look ahead to an important learning event aimed at empowering staff and students to be effective allies to LGBTQ+ colleagues

Maternity, paternity, parental and carer issues group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:30:00 BST

Jana Anderson and Elise Whitley, chairs of our mat and pat Athena Swan group, reflect on their group's recent achievements and priorities for the year ahead

Mentoring arrangements group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 13:05:00 BST

How can mentoring help individuals to develop and improve our overall workplace culture, and how does this working group support these important processes?

Postgraduate research and DClinPsy student working group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:30:00 BST

Group chairs Jessica Fish and Jelena Milicev invite PGR and DClinPsy students with an interest in all things equality, diversity and inclusion to join their working group!

Professional services staff group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:30:00 BST

Reflecting on achievements and priorities in the past 12 months for the group tasked with protecting the interests of professional services staff and addressing ongoing inequities

Staff consultation group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:30:00 BST

Reflections on initial findings from the 2023 staff consultation exercise – which this year focussed on wellbeing at work – from group chairs Jack Melson and Heather McClelland

Undergraduate and postgraduate taught student group

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 12:30:00 BST

Reporting back on a busy and productive year for this group, including important student-led work on diversity in the curriculum and another successful Athena Swan induction event for our student body

"Start early, start small, involve others" Take home messages from the SHW ECR grant writing group

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 12:58:00 BST

An overview of learning from the inaugural meeting of our newly-formed grant writing group for ECRs

"5 minutes with..." Ruby Cadman (SHW Admin)

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 00:00:00 BST

SHW Postgraduate Research Student Administrator Ruby tells us about moving to Scotland from the other side of the world, her appreciation of canine colleagues, and her writing aspirations...

Reflections on the Advance HE Aurora leadership training

Thu, 03 Aug 2023 10:23:00 BST

What are the benefits of this unique training opportunity for women who are new or aspiring leaders? Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment's Alieda McKinney and Nicola McMeekin reflect on their own recent experience...

"5 minutes with..." Stefanie Krauth (General Practice and Primary Care)

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 13:02:00 BST

SHW disability champion Stefanie Krauth shares the experience of applying creativity and neurodivergence to the research process, a multitude of interests and skills (ranging from competitive ballroom dancing to crochet) and navigating the "river of responsibilities" to achieve balance and wellbeing...

Making friends with Teams! Shiny new SHW training resource

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 17:46:00 BST

Former SHW colleague Claire Copping introduces a new resource aimed at helping us to make friends with MS Teams and use it to best effect as we go about our business...

"5 minutes with..." Heather McClelland (Mental Health and Wellbeing)

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 BST

Suicidal Behaviour Research Laboratory's Heather McClelland tells us about her work in the crucial area of suicide prevention, research aimed at understanding the role of loneliness in determining mental health outcomes, some proud moments from the past and aspirations for the future, and a useful strategy for managing nerves...

"A relationship that supports personal and professional development" Mentorship in SHW

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 13:49:00 BST

Ask for a mentor, become a mentor, or join our active and engaged SHW mentorship working group...

"5 minutes with..." Danny Bradford

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 BST

MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit PGR student Danny Bradford tells us about an unusual career path, his research into the health and development of young children in care, and running at dusk in the company of bats...

An ECR reflects! (Moya Clancy)

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 19:17:00 BST

For our June 2023 "ECR reflects" we chatted to Dr Moya Clancy. Moya has a background in clinical psychology, and has worked across multiple services including Early Intervention for Psychosis, the Irish Prison Service, Older Adult Service (HSE) and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (HSE). Moya has particular expertise in trauma and psychosis, and now works as a Trial Co-ordinatior for the AVATAR2 Trial and Principal Clinical Psychologist in the NHS with Prison Healthcare

Help with writing your grants!

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 19:17:00 BST

The SHW Athena Swan ECR Career Progression Sub-group has set up an ECR grant writing group, which will meet monthly, to assist ECRs who are thinking of writing their own grant

"5 minutes with..." Claire Copping (SHW Admin)

Mon, 01 May 2023 00:00:00 BST

As their time with us draws to a close, Athena Swan Coordinator Claire Copping reflects on their experience of a nine month secondment to SHW, navigating the wonders of ADHD, "hanging out with numbers", and where happiness and safety lie...

An ECR reflects! (Claire Hastie)

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 19:17:00 BST

In our fourth interview we chat to Dr Claire Hastie, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology and lead of the SHW Athena Swan early career researcher teaching working group, shares her ECR experiences and learning...

New ECR grant writing group

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 19:17:00 BST

The ECR Athena Swan Career Progression Subgroup shares the details of an initiative currently in development

An ECR reflects! (Kirsty Dunn)

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 19:17:00 BST

In our third interview we chat to Dr Kirsty Dunn, Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, about her experience of being an ECR in SHW

"5 minutes with..." Gary Kainth (Mental Health and Wellbeing)

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 00:00:00 BST

Mental Health and Wellbeing's Gary Kainth describes making the transition from social work practice to a research role aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable young people, being a jazz musician in his spare time, and the importance of "uncertainty" in research and in life...

SHW staff culture survey results

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 08:53:00 GMT

SHW Athena Swan champion Breda Cullen reflects on the results of the most recent survey of SHW staff, in which we were invited to rate and comment on the environment and culture in which we work

Disability bitesize: disability and gender

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 17:58:00 GMT

Both Neurodiversity Celebration Week and International Women's Day fell in March. Here, SHW Disability Champion Stefanie Krauth reflects on the intersection between gender and disability, a complex but important area for SHW colleagues to consider...

An ECR reflects! (Michael Fleming)

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 19:17:00 GMT

The SHW Athena SWAN early career researcher group continues its showcasing of interviews with some of the ECR community in SHW, which this month features Public Health's Michael Fleming

Disability bitesize: on ableism in research

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 17:58:00 GMT

Continuing our recently-established "disability bitesize" feature, SHW Disability Champion Stefanie Krauth urges us to consider carefully the language and terminology we use within the context of health-related research, to avoid ableism and reinforcing negative perceptions of disability

"5 minutes with..." Ainsley Ferin Meldrum and Georgia McDowall (Clarice Pears reception)

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT

This month, we spend "5 minutes with" two key colleagues, Ainsley and Georgia, who look after the main reception area of the Clarice Pears building and have been a calming, supportive presence during the practical and emotional upheaval of our move to new accommodation and new ways of working...!

A reminder of our SHW values

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 15:29:00 GMT

The SHW community includes people from a range of social, cultural and demographic backgrounds. We are committed to making our school a welcoming and inclusive place where all staff and students can thrive and be themselves, and where diversity is celebrated

"Let’s learn from our past and keep standing in solidarity" Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month 2023

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:36:00 GMT

First celebrated in February 2005, LGBT+ History Month is an important event in the UK's diversity calendar and this year the organisers are inviting us to celebrate LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film

"5 minutes with..." Caroline Haig (Robertson Centre for Biostatistics)

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Biostatistician Caroline reflects on a job she loves, being neurodivergent in the workplace, and her increasing fluency in British Sign Language...

An ECR reflects! (Paul McCrorie)

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 19:17:00 GMT

Over the next few months, the SHW Athena SWAN early career researcher group will be showcasing interviews with some of the wonderful ECR community in SHW, starting with co-chair of the group, Paul McCrorie...

"It’s in the delays that the lasting connections, difference and impact happens" Completing a PhD in the face of adversity

Thu, 16 Feb 2023 09:21:00 GMT

SHW affiliate staff member and recent PGR graduate Anna Black reflects on a complex, sometimes arduous 10-year journey to complete her studies

Disability bitesize: "You're stating a need, not asking for a favour!"

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:27:00 GMT

In our first "disability bitesize" feature, recently-appointed SHW Disability Champion Stefanie Krauth discusses the ways in which, if we are disabled or neurodivergent, we can advocate for ourselves effectively, and help colleagues to understand our issues and needs

"5 minutes with..." Miriam Yentumi (Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment)

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT

Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment admin assistant Miriam reflects on a busy, varied role, being a digitabulist(!), and horses and happiness...

"Much has been achieved but there's always more to do" 10 years of Athena Swan in Health and Wellbeing

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

SHW director Prof Jill Pell looks back on a decade of commitment to reducing inequalities and ahead to the ongoing work of maintaining and building on positive change

Multisource feedback: piloting of "360-degree" reviews for SHW staff

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

Reporting back on the piloting of a multisource feedback tool aimed at promoting a positive workplace culture for all

SHW welcomes new disability champion

Tue, 18 Oct 2022 16:54:00 BST

Find out more about SHW's new disability champion, Stefanie Krauth, and her interests and aspirations as they take up this important role

SHW gender pay gap 2022

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

SHW Athena Swan champion Breda Cullen feeds back on the current gender pay gap in our school and how we plan to address the issues raised

"It is courageous work, and I am proud to play a part in it" Introducing Lydia Bach

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:28:00 BST

Guest contributor Lydia Bach tells us about her role as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer in the College of Science and Engineering, and looks ahead with to a severe mental illness awareness-raising event that she is jointly planning with SHW colleagues

Career progression group

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

Arlene McGarty and Susan Browne explain their group's approach to helping colleagues make informed decisions about their futures, including dispelling myths about UofG promotion processes

ECR group

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 17:45:00 BST

Colin Shore of the SHW Athena Swan ECR group explains the current structure of the group, and the four subgroups recently established to help ensure that the issues of greatest relevance to early career researchers are addressed and group goals are met

LGBTQ+ group

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 17:45:00 BST

What is an LGBTQ+ ally and what is a safe ally? Caroline Haig, co-chair of the LGBTQ+ group explains.

Maternity, paternity, parental and carer issues group

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

Group chairs Jana Anderson and Elise Whitley update us on recent activity and new initiatives which they hope will be beneficial for colleagues with parental or caring responsibilities

Mentoring arrangements group

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 16:50:00 BST

Rona Strawbridge and Linsey Ip tell us about their group's plans to mark National Mentors Days by running a drop-in peer support event for colleagues who volunteer their time to mentor others

SHW Athena Swan postgraduate research and DClinPsy student working group

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

A fresh intake of members has brought new and important perspective to the work of this group in the past 12 months, as chair Hamish McLeod explains

Professional services staff group

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

Career development has been a major focus of this group's activity in the past year, including building a case study webpage aimed at highlighting progression and development options for professional services colleagues. Group chairs Iain Taylor and Claire Brunton tell us more...

Staff consultation group

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

Jack Melson, chair of the SHW Athena Swan staff consultation group, reports back on the findings of the latest consultation exercise in which colleagues were asked to reflect on how they've experienced and view Athena Swan activities

SHW Athena Swan undergraduate and postgraduate taught student issues

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 12:30:00 BST

Eleanor Grieve and Jim Lewsey report back on a recent Athena Swan induction session for SHW students and look ahead to their group's plans to work on "decolonising the curriculum" in SHW

WOWS (wellbeing of older workers and students) group

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 17:45:00 BST

The newly-named WOWS (wellbeing of older workers AND students) group chairs, Nicola McMeekin and Elaine Hindle, reflect on a quiet but productive year, and future plans to help colleagues aged 50+ negotiate challenges and move forward, in whichever ways work best for them

"5 minutes with..." Kirstin Mitchell (MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit)

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 BST

Professor of Social Science and Public Health and Engagement Representative on our Athena Swan self assessment team, Kirstin Mitchell, tells us about the relational health topics on which her research focusses, feeling at home in SHW, and dancing more and working less...

"5 minutes with..." Sharon Greenwood (Public Health)

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 BST

Lecturer in Public Health and programme lead for the on-campus Master of Public Health, Sharon Greenwood, tells us about a role that brings with it a mixed bag of emotions, introduces a furry family member, and emphasises the importance of "communities of resistance" in sustaining us through life's challenges...