{"id":829,"date":"2025-02-03T09:11:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-03T09:11:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/?p=829"},"modified":"2025-02-03T09:11:01","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T09:11:01","slug":"the-importance-of-being-part-of-the-newcastle-university-race-equality-network-nu-ren","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/2025\/02\/03\/the-importance-of-being-part-of-the-newcastle-university-race-equality-network-nu-ren\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of being part of the Newcastle University Race Equality Network (NU-REN)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Written by Andi Sull, NU-REN Co-Lead<\/em>\u00a0CPD<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being part of the Newcastle University Race Equality Network (NU-REN) has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Over my 11 years at the university and particularly during my three years on the NU-REN committee, I have seen first-hand how this network fosters belonging, provides support, and drives positive change for staff from minority ethnic backgrounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Space for Belonging<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One of the most impactful aspects of NU-REN is its ability to create a safe space where members can share experiences, find support, and feel seen. As one member shared, \u201cBeing part of NU-REN has been and continues to be incredibly rewarding \u2013 it is a safe space and has brought me new friendships, perspectives, and support. I\u2019ve grown my professional and personal network and being a member of the network has connected me to a community who share and understand so many of my lived experiences.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sense of belonging is invaluable in a large institution. Another member remarked, \u201cWorking in a large multifaceted organisation like ours, it can sometimes feel that one is invisible as a person with minoritised characteristics. However, my active engagement with NU-REN, meeting like-minded people with similar values and experiences, makes me feel seen. There is something so powerful about being part of this network. You feel a sense of belonging \u2013 and that is a bonus in the workplace!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Supportive Network<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My experience is that NU-REN offers more than just a space to connect; it\u2019s a platform for empowerment and growth. \u201cJoining the NU-REN network has been an empowering personal experience for me,\u201d noted one member. \u201cI cannot recommend it enough.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members have found both personal and professional value through the network. \u201cFor me, NU-REN has changed how I see networks. I have, as with other networks, gained professional insight, opportunities, connections, acquaintances, and friends. And I have also connected with colleagues in NU-REN on a completely different level. I have felt able to be my whole self for the first time in a work setting, and being part of the network has helped me to feel included and to be braver about representation,\u201d shared another member. <\/p>\n\n\n

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The Power of Community<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NU-REN\u2019s greatest strength lies in its community. \u201cBeing part of NU-REN has led to some firm friendships,\u201d said one member. Another added, \u201cIt is a wonderful experience to realise you are not the only one. Being in NU-REN means I can share experiences without having to say too much or explain in any detail. I can be my whole self, be understood, accepted, and supported. It is a powerful feeling to know there is space in the university where I belong.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NU-REN exemplifies the power of shared experiences and collective action. For me, this network has been more than a professional space; it has been a community where I can feel understood and empowered. By fostering belonging and supporting its members, NU-REN plays a vital role in creating a more inclusive and equitable university environment. Being part of the committee has also offered me an opportunity to use my strengths in a creative way and develop other skills to enhance my CV. If you\u2019re considering joining, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take that step. You can join the network here.<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Written by Andi Sull, NU-REN Co-Lead\u00a0CPD Being part of the Newcastle University Race Equality Network (NU-REN) has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Over my 11 years at the university and particularly during my three years on the NU-REN committee, I have seen first-hand how this network fosters belonging, provides support, and drives positive change for … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “The importance of being part of the Newcastle University Race Equality Network (NU-REN)”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4658,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-829","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4658"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=829"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":834,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/829\/revisions\/834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=829"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=829"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ncl.ac.uk\/nuren\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=829"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}