• Carers in STEMM: Like Butter Spread Too Thin On Toast

Date and Time: 11:00 - 12:00, Thursday, 6 February 2025

Speaker: Laura Wolz, Presidential Fellow at Jodrell Bank Center for Astrophysics, The University of Manchester

Description: We are three scientists (Dr Laura Wolz, Dr Laura Pallett and Professor Laura Carter), all called Laura, who also happen to be mothers. Based at University College London, the University of Manchester, and the University of Leeds we run three independent research programmes as UKRI Future Leaders Fellows.
We have joined together as co-founders of ‘Carers in STEMM’ to champion equitable, accessible support for those navigating the balance between caregiving and careers. We define carers as parents but also all other types of caring. There is an urgent need to accelerate change to deliver initiatives that genuinely support carers, without adding to an already overworked community. We believe that opportunities for support need to be Flexible, Adaptable, Comprehensive and Transparent and discuss this in our Nature Careers Article 'Researcher parents are paying a high price for conference travel — here’s how to fix it'.
In this seminar we will discuss our recommendations from our article to better support academics balancing travel and caring responsibilities and share preliminary findings from our sector wide survey which has been carried out to capture the real-world experiences of UK academics who balance careers in STEMM with caregiving responsibilities. The data collected will serve as a catalyst for change, laying the groundwork for better, more inclusive support systems in academia.
More information can be found on our website: https://carersinstemm.co.uk/

• Supporting transgender individuals in Academia

Date and Time: 11:00 - 12:00, Thursday, 5 December 2024

Speaker: Tobias Russell, PhD student, Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, University of Manchester

Description: This discussion covers the challenges transgender individuals face in academia, particularly in physics, where gender imbalances and other systemic inequities still persist. This talk reflects on my experiences as a student and early-career researcher navigating social and medical transitioning in academia. Key topics include the intersection of LGBTQ+ issues with gender disparities, the importance of visibility and safety in STEM, and strategies for supporting transgender individuals. We will cover recommendations for fostering inclusivity, including respectful practices, allyship, and valuing advocacy in professional advancement. We aim to discuss advancing equity and inclusion in academic spaces.

• Discussing UoM podcast ‘Being a disabled PGR'

Date and Time: 11:00 - 12:00, Thursday, 7 November 2024

Host: Lily Magnus, PhD student, Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, University of Manchester

Description: In this discussion session we will listen to the UoM “Let’s talk Disability” podcast episode in parts and discuss along the way. The episode features a conversation between Professor Jackie Carter, Professor Colette Fagan (Vice-President for Research), and Laura Howard (PGR). In the episode they discuss the positive and challenging experiences Laura has faced as a disabled PGR at the University.

• Challenging barriers to science by promoting an empathetic and inclusive environment

Date and Time: 14:00 - 15:00, Wednesday, 2 October 2024

Speaker: Julia Riley, Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement

Description: My role at Jodrell Bank Centre for Engagement is Head of Education and Interpretation; I’ve been working here since 2009 and have been part of the transformational journey of this public part of the Jodrell Bank site, to open it up to more people and a wider group of people to engage, enjoy and hopefully to inspire! Accessibility and inclusion is central to our work at JBCE, encapsulated in this line within our mission: “Challenging barriers to science by promoting an empathetic and inclusive environment.”
JBCE is a place for learning but is also essentially a visitor attraction, and with that comes a host of opportunities for providing different ways of engaging with science not available through the traditional classroom. During the session I will share some experiences of projects and strands of work we have undertaken over the years as we continue to work towards our mission.

• End of year EquiTea discussion

Date and Time: 11:00-12:00, Thursday, 6th June

Host: Lily Magnus, PhD student, University of Manchester

Description: Throughout the year we have had to finish the EquiTea sessions before the discussions have come to a close – we have therefore dedicated the final EquiTea of the year to revisiting some of the topics and re-open discussions. The session is led by Lily who will give a recap of some of the talks (Emma Nichols; outreach at UoM, Tim O’Brien; Sonification, and Sheila Kanani; EDI at RAS) and will lead the open discussion – not necessarily limited to these three talks. All inputs are welcome.

• 10 years of EDI at the RAS

Date and Time: 11:00-12:00, Thursday, 2nd May

Speaker: Sheila Kanani MBE, Royal Astronomical Society

Description: In this discussion, EDI officer at the RAS Sheila Kanani, highlights some of the EDI work completed or ongoing since she started her role in 2014.

• Sounds from space?

Date and Time: 11:00-12:00, Thursday, 4th April

Speaker: Prof. Tim O'Brien, University of Manchester

Abstract: We are used to presenting our data visually, but a graph is just a mechanism for getting data into our brains where we can think about what it means. Vision is only one sense and there’s no reason why we can’t exploit others. Touch in the form of tactile images is one approach, but sonification - the process of turning data into sound - is another. The sounds of pulsars is a classic example. Sonification can be useful for blind or partially sighted people, but also helps engage wider groups who may not be familiar with - or be actively turned off by - graphical approaches. In this talk, I will discuss (and demonstrate) a range of sonification projects which I’ve worked on over the years.

• Attendance is Not Enough

Date and Time: 11:00-12:00, Thursday, 7th March 2024

Speaker: Dr. Sophie Bartlett, Cardiff University School of Social Sciences and the IAU's Office of Astronomy for Education

Abstract: Promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) is crucial not only for cultivating a diverse STEM workforce with varied skills and expertise but also for empowering individuals to recognise their potential in STEM fields, free from biased messaging and experiences. Despite the increasing prevalence of EDI initiatives and widening participation efforts, the assessment of their impact often does not reflect implementation. Current evaluations often focus solely on demographic reach without delving into the actual experiences of individuals. Rather than limiting impact reports to numerical data and diversity metrics, it is important we move towards measures that effectively capture and demonstrate the depth of meaningful and inclusive experiences across diverse audiences. Adhering to the principle of "do no harm", this shift requires a nuanced understanding of the experiences diverse groups have during engagement, outreach, and educational initiatives. Mere attendance should not be assumed as indicative of a positive experience. This discussion emphasises the significance of promoting EDI in STEM engagement, defining "good EDI practice," providing evidence of EDI implementation, and proposing meaningful metrics for assessing impact. The focus is on moving beyond quantitative indicators to truly understand and enhance the quality of experiences within diverse communities engaged in STEM activities.

• Outreach and Widening Participation in the Faculty

Date and Time:11:00-12:00, Thursday, 7th December 2023

Speaker: Emma Nichols

Abstract: For the December EquiTea discussion, Emma Nichols had kindly agreed to speak to us about her work as the outreach manager for the Faculty of Science and Engineering. She will talk about some of the outreach and widening participation work that is done within Physics and beyond.

• Equity for Women in Science (Recorded Fred Jevons Lecture)

Date and Time: Thursday, 2nd November 2023

Host:Rebecca Bowler

Abstract:We will watch the recorded 2023 Fred Jevons lecture by Dr Cassidy Sugimoto (40 mins approx) followed by an informal discussion (20 mins approx). Video link

• ASTROMOVES

Date and Time:Thursday, 7th September 2023

Speaker:Jarita Holbrook

Abstract:A screening of “ASTROMOVES: The Emotional Cost of a Career in Astrophysics” (35 minutes and 31 seconds). There are four section of the film presenting discussion of the following emotional topics: 1. Precarity – how does it feel to have to move from postdoc to postdoc for up to 10 years before getting a permanent position? 2. Discrimination – how does it feel to be discriminated against and what to do when witnessing discrimination. 3. Emotions – what are the emotions that are experienced while chasing that elusive permanent position? 4. Impostor Syndrome & Belonging – Both male and female astrophysicists experience and discuss impostor syndrome. This ASTROMOVES film encompasses some of the more difficult aspects of navigating astrophysics careers.

• How to be an Active Bystander

Date and Time:Wednesday, 26th April 2023

Speaker:Faith Hawthorn

Abstract:This talk was originally given as part of the Warwick Astronomy + Astrophysics Equitea seminar series in March 2022. I'll be presenting content from Warwick's course on 'How to be an Active Bystander', which includes some of the theory behind what it means to be an 'active/passive bystander', reasons to intervene in a situation, the pyramid of violence and understanding its effects, and the stages of a successful intervention, with opportunities for audience interaction and discussion throughout. Please note that this presentation contains discussion of topics that may be distressing, including sexual and verbal harassment and violence.

• Supporting Less Advantaged Students to Access University with The Brilliant Club

Date and Time:Thursday, 2nd February 2023

Speaker:Kammy Bogue

Abstract:The Brilliant Club is an award-winning university access charity founded in 2011 to support students who are less advantaged to access the most competitive universities, and to succeed when they get there. They recruit, train and place PhD researchers in schools across the UK to deliver university-style learning, both on pre-written courses and indeed on their own research. In this talk, I'll be speaking about my own experience as a PhD Tutor for The Scholars Programme, one the of the initiatives run by The Brilliant Club, as well as the charity as a whole. I'll also discuss the impact of this work, as well as ways you can get involved yourself for those that are interested!

• Inclusive Conferencing

Date and Time:Thursday, 1st December 2022

Speaker:Emily Henderson and James Burford

Abstract:This session is an interactive session on inclusive conferencing, which is aimed at researchers at any career stage who would like to think more about inclusivity in academia. Conferences are vital spaces to consider inclusivity due to the nature of conferences as career-building activities – and therefore the potential for conference inequalities to impact upon wider inequalities in the academic profession. The session covers the following topics: (i) Why inclusive conferencing? (ii) Being an inclusive conference organiser, (iii) Being an inclusive conference attendee, (iv) Further directions for thinking about inclusive conferencing. The aims of the session are to introduce session attendees to the different aspects of and rationale for inclusive conferencing, and to provide space for discussion about the challenges of and mechanisms for embedding inclusive conferencing in our everyday practices.

• Mary Somerville and the Mechanism of the Heavens

Date and Time:Thursday, 3rd November 2022

Speaker:Karen Masters

Abstract:Mary Somerville was a Scottish mathematical astronomer and science writer who was roughly contemporary with Jane Austen. At a time when even upper class women were often never formally schooled, and certainly not in mathematics or astronomy she first discovered algebra when reading a women's fashion magazine at a society tea party, and was allowed to embark on a study of geometry only to improve her painting. She went on to become one of the UK's most famous scientists (in fact the word was coined to describe her, since she clearly wasn't a "man of science"), and most famous published an English translation of LaPlace's "Mechanique Celeste” (the Mechanism of the Heavens”) which became the standard University textbook for Calculus, as well as writing a book on "The Connection of the Physical Sciences" which is credited for setting out the current array science topics we call physics. I was shocked to discover Mary Somerville only a few years ago, and had great fun learning more about her as I worked on a book Chapter about her life: “Mary Somerville and the Mechanisms of the Heavens”, which is part of “More Passion for Science: Journeys into the Unknown” published by the Ada Lovelace Day group in support of their work to raise the profile of women in STEM.

• Representation in Physics Higher Education

Date and Time:Thursday, 13th October 2022

Speaker:Stephen Wilkins

• It’s hip to be square: The highs and lows of being an autistic academic

Date and Time:Monday, 1st August 2022

Speaker:Katherine (Katie) Twomey

Abstract:Being autistic isn’t always easy, but neither is it always awful. There are relatively small changes that institutions can make to make the autistic life easier and allow us to live happily in the spaces we all share. In this talk I’ll give my own perspective on what it’s like to be a late-diagnosed autistic woman and some suggestions that I hope will give insight into the lives of autistic students and colleagues.

• The Tactile Universe: Accessible astrophysics public engagement with the vision impaired community.

Date and Time:Thursday, 5th May 2022

Speaker:Nicolas Bonne

Abstract:Astronomy is a topic that engages and inspires a wide range of audiences around the world, but blind and vision impaired people can often find it difficult to engage with the subject due to its very visual nature. The Tactile Universe is an award winning public engagement project founded in 2016 and based at the University of Portsmouth which is opening up current topics in astrophysics research to blind and vision impaired people through accessible resources. We will discuss the project’s main resource (3D printable tactile images of galaxies), what the project is doing to inspire young people with vision impairments to engage with topics in STEM, as well as outlining how the project has expanded across the UK and internationally through resource sharing and presenter training workshops. Lastly, we’ll share how involving the vision impaired community in the development and delivery of the Tactile Universe has shaped the project and its resources in unique ways, share the lessons the project team have learnt along the way and discuss the project's future and shifting our focus from galaxies to gravitational waves.

• Discussing the University's Athena Swan Silver award action plan

Date and Time:Thursday, 7th April 2022

Speaker:Amy Suddards

• The culture of astronomy collaboration as a catalyst for sustainable development

Date and Time:Thursday, 3rd March 2022

Speaker:Hannah Dalgleish

Abstract:Astronomy is a deeply cultural science; an evening spent under a dark, starry night sky can evoke feelings of awe, wonder, and of being a global citizen. On the other hand, the pursuit of astronomical knowledge depends on cross-border co-operation – observers need shared infrastructure and intelligence to study the Universe’s greatest mysteries. Not only does this advance science, but also brings significant societal and political benefits: through international collaboration, astronomy can bring governments and nations together to foster trust, peace and prosperity, and to help bridge the North-South divide. In turn, many astronomers themselves are rooted in a culture of openness, devoted to reaching and supporting marginalised communities and narrowing societal gaps. As a result, the efforts of astronomers lends itself to attaining the sustainable development goals.