International Staff Network
International Staff Network
The ISN seeks to strengthen representation, support, and recognition of
international staff and doctoral researchers (DRs) across Loughborough University.
It seeks to do this by offering a collective platform to identify priorities for international members, influence policy and practice, and drive positive institutional change.
We foster a fair and supportive environment that ensures equity of opportunity and freedom to international staff and doctoral researchers, as well as the larger Loughborough University community. All job families, including academic and support professional services staff, and grades are welcome.
The Network holds an Annual General Meeting and organises events throughout the year that respond to current issues affecting international staff, such as changes to immigration policies, as well as social events designed to encourage meaningful connections between staff and doctoral researchers across different Schools and Professional Services. These activities help to strengthen our sense of community across LU. The ISN principles are also promoted at Loughborough University London by our ambassador.
The International Staff Network aims
- To be the voice of international staff at Loughborough University.
- To work with Loughborough University to provide support for international staff members and their families in understanding changes to immigration policies.
- To foster connections between staff and doctoral researchers across different Schools and Professional Services strengthening our sense of community.
- To liaise with other organisations and staff networks that share the network's objectives.
- To provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive forum where international staff and DRs can share experiences, exchange advice, and discuss matters relevant to their personal and professional lives, including offering support to new colleagues joining.
If you have any questions, would like to join our network, or are interested in attending a meeting or event, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We look forward to welcoming new members to our events and meetings!
Events
International Staff Network Gathering
12:30pm - Thursday 26th November
Join us for our upcoming International Staff Network Gathering on the 26th November at 12.30, featuring an exciting 'global' food competition! We invite you to bring along a dish or a treat that is typical of your home country or culture for everyone to sample. To keep the experience safe and enjoyable for all, please remember to write down your dish's ingredients on a piece of paper so everyone can review them before tasting. After sampling all the different flavours, we will make our final selection and hand out some small awards to the winners. We can't wait to see you there and share this experience together - we are waiting for you!
When we have confirmation of the room, you will receive a Microsoft forms with further details and location. For now, please save the date. Coffee and tea will be provided!
The International Staff Network Cultural Celebration - 4 June 2026
The International Staff Network Cultural Celebration took place on 4 June, bringing together 17 colleagues from around the world for a fun and relaxed afternoon of celebration.
The event began with a short talk by ISN Committee Member Huaiyu Yang. Huaiyu guided the audience through the joys and challenges of living abroad, highlighting some of the unique aspects of life in different countries, from Sweden to the UK.
This was followed by lunch, where members of the network enjoyed the opportunity to socialise and learn more about one another.
The celebration continued with an open Show & Tell activity, during which members of the network shared an object, memory, or cultural artefact of particular significance to them. Colleagues from 10 different countries enthusiastically shared stories from their childhoods, as well as aspects of their cultures, cuisines, traditions, and much more. The pictures below offer a glimpse into our event.
Together, we explored the yellow and red patrol cap of the Surf Life Saving movement in Australia and learned about university traditions at Otago in New Zealand. Moving westward, we listened to Indian music and sampled the distinctive flavour of paprikakrém, the Hungarian paprika paste, before hearing about a violin factory in Germany. Handmade family treasures from Italy were showcased alongside long-standing traditions from the southernmost regions of Brazil. Memories of loved ones living far from the UK were shared, as were stories of national icons from decades past, bringing smiles and words of appreciation from the audience.
We would like to thank everyone who took part in the event - those who shared a little of their history with us, as well as those who came to listen and celebrate. Every member is an important part of our network, and everyone is welcome. We look forward to continuing to grow our community, so please stay tuned for our next event and come along.
Committee members
Roberta Bernabei - Co-Chair
As an international member of staff, I am proud to bring my personal character and cultural identity to the diverse and vibrant community at LU. I believe in the civic responsibility to foster and value a plurivocal environment, that can serve as an example at both micro and macro levels of society.
Sabrina Furtado
I am Brazilian and currently a lecturer at LU. Throughout my career, I have worked with colleagues across different countries, cultures, and contexts. I believe that being part of a network that shares similar experiences helps foster a stronger community, one in which individuals feel supported, included, and valued.
Rohana Ramalingam
I am a research associate at LU who recently moved to the UK in November. I am from India, but have grown up across five countries in Asia, North America, and Africa. I am committed to improving the sense of community amongst international members at LU.
Tia Xiao
I am a Doctoral Researcher at LU and currently serve as a Doctoral Leader within the International Staff Network. Originally from China, I have had the opportunity to live and study in several countries, e.g., Italy, Spain, Australia, and the UK. These experiences have shaped my international perspectives and strengthened transferable skills to communicate, build rapport, and develop meaningful connections with people from different countries or diverse backgrounds.
Huaiyu Yang
I am a Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University, with academic and research experience spanning England and Scotland in the UK, as well as Sweden, Ireland, and China. I would also like to get to know colleagues and better and to contribute to wider international engagement at Loughborough.