Hear Our Voices Programme
Initially set up in 2016 as the Talkback Tuesdays Programme, the Hear Our Voices Programme is a series of facilitated focus groups that provide a forum for all employees (academic and professional services/support) and students to discuss a range of career and cultural challenges in a permissive, non-threatening environment
The Hear Our Voices Programme consists of a balanced series of female-only, male-only and mixed-gender focus groups, giving all staff and students the opportunity to express their opinions and discuss ways in which we can build fully inclusive practices and environments, and achieve our EDI ambition to build an inclusive university. To hear (and listen to) what colleagues believe will make a difference, is the first step to making change.
Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Staff & Students at the University of Lincoln
Staff only (26 April 2023; 2 May 2023) and students only (25 April 2023; 2 May 2023)
Listening to the voices of transgender and non-binary staff and students across the University to understand the challenges and barriers they face. The findings will inform the development of the University's Trans Policy and help shape the support provided to increase their wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Supporting staff and students through menopause at the University of Lincoln
Open to staff and students (28 March 2023; 3 May 2023; 10 May 2023)
Half of the population will experience the menopause at some point in their life, and the impact varies for every person affected. These focus groups will hear the voices of those at any stage of the menopause with the aim of understanding the challenges at work through the lived experience of participants. We will use the findings to shape the University’s Menopause Policy and provide support to improve staff and students wellbeing.
The balancing act of working and caring in Higher Education
Open to staff and students (date tbc)
Exploring the challenges that face carers and parents across the University and barriers they face to work-life balance, and understanding what support is needed to ensure staff are not disadvantaged by their roles as carers. The findings will help shape the University’s Carers Policy and provide support to improve staff and students wellbeing.
The inclusive student pipeline: transitioning from statutory education through FE to HE
Students from under-represented groups (13 December 2022)
Listening to the voices of underrepresented student groups (Black, Asian and ethnic minorities, disability, care leavers, armed forces families, Gypsy roma traveller, and low socio-economic background) to understand how schools can support students transitioning from statutory education through FE to HE (a LiNCHigher externally funded project).
Career support and progression
Professional services and support staff only (21 May 2019)
Exploring the career development and progression opportunities for professional services and support staff across the University.
Male academics only (22 May 2018)
Exploring men’s experiences of promotion within the University — understanding barriers relating to, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity and workload allocation.
Career impact of parental leave
All staff (6 Feb 2018)
Exploring the impact of taking parental leave, particularly the impact on career aspirations at the University of Lincoln.
Female academics only (12 Dec 2017)
Exploring women’s experiences of promotion within the University — understanding barriers relating to, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity and workload allocation.
Decisions around paternity and shared parental leave
Male staff only (17 Feb 2017)
Exploring the factors that influence decisions around taking shared parental leave
All staff (1 Dec 2016)
Exploring staff experiences of promotion within the University — understanding barriers relating to, but not limited to, gender, race, ethnicity and workload allocation.
Impacts of maternity leave on career aspirations
Female staff only (27 Oct 2016)
Exploring the experiences of staff who have returned from maternity leave within the last five years, and the impact it has had on research commitments and career aspirations.
All of our focus group sessions have been granted ethical approval by the University.
Contact us if you would like further information, or have a suggestion for a focus group topic of conversation.
