November: Take 5

Welcome to our new monthly digest of news, events and general interesting titbits from around the University of Nottingham and within the alumni community.

This month we're celebrating a UK first Athena Swan Gold Award and looking back at a successful year of sporting activity at the university.

Here in the alumni office we've been hosting our first NUBS 25th anniversary events in India and Hong Kong and we've also welcomed many of you back to campus talk to students at our volunteering activities.

There's also a recap of Giving Day - find out how your support is going to make a real difference to our causes.

1. Sporting success in 2022-23

The 2022-23 sporting season wrapped up an incredible 12 months to remember for the university's sporting cohort.

Not only that but the University of Nottingham completed the double – being named Sports University of the Year by two influential national university league tables.

Read the department's new 2022-23 Annual Review which showcases the incredible achievements of our students, staff and all those who work alongside us to support the unviersity's award-winning offer.

2. Nottingham is first to achieve prestigious Athena Swan Gold Award

The University of Nottingham has become the first university in the country to be awarded the coveted Athena Swan Gold Award for its commitment to advance gender equality across higher education and research.

Individual departments have previously successfully gained Gold level awards, but this is the first time that an institutional Gold Award has been made in the 18 years since the Athena Swan Charter was launched to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, maths and medicine (STEMM), in higher education and research.

The University of Nottingham was one of the first institutions to join the Charter and was awarded an Athena Swan Institutional Bronze Award in 2006, and later went on to achieve an Institutional Silver Award in 2012, and the Institutional Renewal in 2017/2018.

I am incredibly proud that the university has achieved an institutional Gold Award. Doing so requires an organisation to demonstrate progress with regard to gender equality over a sustained period and evidence of influence and the support of others through beacon activities. This has taken a huge effort from many people, often women, at the university over the past 18 years and this award is a sector and public acknowledgement of the impact of their work.
Katherine Linehan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and People, and Professor of Anatomical Education

3. 'tis the season...to volunteer

November is one of the busiest times of year for our volunteering team - and those of you who share your time and expertise with our students.

No less than 115 volunteers have been involved across the month, taking part in everything from our 'Lunch with a leaders' events, to the new intake of Black Industry Connections and Empowerment (BICEP) mentors and even 'Moot court' judges, where students participate in mock trials to hone their skills.

Hundreds of students attended our activities during November, benefitting from the knowledge of our alumni who support us and provide their knowledge and experience. Thank you to you all!

Inspired? Register your interest in volunteering with us.

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4. Our first NUBS 'Second Quarter Century' events

As you may have already read, this academic year marks 25 years of Nottingham University Business School (NUBS) and we're kicking off a year of events this month.

We held the first of our 'Second Quarter Century' events, which bring together leading minds in the business school and alumni community to chew the fat over the next 25 years of business.

In November we touched down in New Delhi, Mumbai and Hong Kong. We're in Shanghai in December and then in 2024 we'll be heading to Lagos, Kuala Lumpur, New York, London and right here in Nottingham!

5. Giving Day - a big THANK YOU!

November 1-2 saw our second Nottingham Ambition Giving Day take place, where we encourage the whole university community to come together to help raise money for four fantastic causes.

This year, we've so far raised over £67,000 thanks to 437 donors - the money will go towards the university's medical research, scholarships for disadvantaged students, mental health support at the SU and our Cascade fund.

If you haven't yet donated there's still time!

Share your news

Life news? Career news? Built a Lego-sized version of the Trent Building? We'd love to know! Email us with your updates and we might share them with the community.