Following its endorsement by the Academic Leadership Team, the University is delighted to announce the launch of Maia: a staff network for all women working at Loughborough.
Co-chaired by Adèle Mackinlay (Director of HR and Organisational Development) and Sara Lombardo (Professor of Mathematics, School of Science), Maia is the only staff network that unites female staff across academic Schools and Professional Services.
The network’s name takes inspiration from the middle name of Claudia Sydney Maia Parsons, who was a Loughborough alumna and the first woman to circumnavigate the globe in a car. She was a definite trailblazer whose achievements capture the drive and ambition of the network.
During these uncertain times, it is essential that we stay connected and provide opportunities for colleagues to discuss experiences, particularly as they relate to the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the professional and personal lives of the University’s female staff members.
For this reason, Maia will be hosting an exciting online programme of events between May and September 2020. The programme will be kickstarted with three virtual coffee morning and afternoon tea sessions:
- Wednesday 13 May, 10am-11am
- Friday 15 May, 3pm-4pm
- Thursday 21 May, 10am-11am
These informal sessions will enable colleagues to meet with existing colleagues and friends, connect with new people, and discuss the ways in which Maia can proactively support and advocate for its members during these challenging times.
To sign up to our virtual coffee morning or afternoon tea sessions, please register here. The sessions are open to all self-identifying women who are University staff members or doctoral researchers.
If for any reason you cannot attend these sessions but would like to join Maia’s mailing list to keep up to date with upcoming events and initiatives, please complete the form linked above.
More information about Maia – including its mission, values and committee members – is available to view on the Staff Support Groups webpage.
More information on the network’s website and a formal launch event will follow in due course. If you have any questions, please contact Jenna Townend (Operations and Development Lead) by emailing J.Townend2@lboro.ac.uk.