2024
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session
Thursday | Nov. 21 at 4 p.m.
Join us for our Monthly Safe Space Drop-In! This month we will revisit our topic around mental health in the workplace. We are specifically going to explore staff burnout, the ways it shows up, and the different ways we positively address it. We will also make some space to process the difficulties and stresses of the election. Zoom link for September Safe Space.
DEIB Speaker Series | Your Brain and AI with Stella Collins
Thursday | Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. | Recording
“As AI reshapes our world, the excitement is undeniable. But when you’re an IT professional in academia alongside innovation comes personal challenges: pressure to keep up to date, fear of being replaced, ethical dilemmas, and resistance or unrealistic expectations from faculty and students. Through the lens of neuroscience, you’ll explore how your brain can navigate the stress and excitement of working with AI, ensuring you not only succeed but stay balanced and human in this fast-changing landscape.”
bIT Monthly Meditation | Nov. 20 at 12:15 p.m.
Our amazing colleague, Janhavi Deshpande will be offering a monthly guided meditation practice! Some of you may remember this practice pre-pandemic and we thought what a perfect time to bring this practice back to our community. Zoom link for meditation.
Open Office Hours with DEIB Lead, Britt McClintock
Tuesday | Nov. 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Come check in with me! We can talk about anything (a DEIB idea for programming, inequitable systems, favorite snacks). You can sign up for a time and I will send you the Zoom link, it’s that easy. Time slots are 15 mins. but if you want 30 mins., feel free to put your name twice. Looking forward to connecting!
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Last Wednesday of every other month at 11 a.m. | Next meeting is Oct. 30
NESSA which stands for "Non-Native English Speakers Support Association" is our identity-based staff support organization. In this group, we welcome multilingual speakers, native English speakers, and English language learners who are interested in supporting, mentoring, and learning from each other. Zoom link for NESSA
Our group wanted to share an amazing presentation and resource created by Padma Vemula, Tips for Enhancing Presentation Skills for Non-Native English Speakers
Open Office Hours with DEIB Lead, Britt McClintock
Wednesday, Oct. 9 | 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Come check in with me! We can talk about anything (a DEIB idea for programming, inequitable systems, favorite snacks). You can sign up for a time and I will send you the zoom link, it’s that easy. Time slots are 15 mins but if you are wanting 30 mins feel free to put your name twice. Looking forward to connecting!
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session
Tuesday, Oct. 15 | 11 a.m.
Join us for our Monthly Safe Space Drop-In! This month is our OPEN MIC session. We welcome the bIT community to join this space and bring any burning topics that are coming up at work. This will be facilitated by DEIB Lead, Britt McClintock. Zoom link for September Safe Space.
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, Aug. 28 | 11 a.m.
NESSA which stands for "Non-Native English Speakers Support Association" is our identity-based staff support organization. In this group, we welcome multilingual speakers, native English speakers, and English language learners who are interested in supporting, mentoring, and learning from each other. Zoom link for NESSA
Our group wanted to share an amazing presentation and resource created by Padma Vemula, Tips for Enhancing Presentation Skills for Non-Native English Speakers
DEIB @ 3 for Berkeley IT (Recorded)
Britt will be uploading some new DEIB @ 3 content on August 20!
Join Britt for a 30-minute crash course on a DEIBJA workplace topic. This month they will be talking about some of the reasons DEI doesn’t “stick”. They will be exploring questions/issues like DEI fatigue, why DEI programming struggles to be consistent and forever prioritized, and the long road we travel for real sustainable change.
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session
Thursday, Aug. 14 | 4 p.m.
Join us for our Monthly Safe Space Drop In! True to our promise we are going to hold space quarterly to talk about mental health in the workplace. We will take August to create a safe space for our community to open up about the importance of talking about mental health and how we can support and advocate for this topic to be prioritized at work. Zoom link for August Safe Space.
DEIB @ 3 for Berkeley IT (Recorded)
Tuesday, June 25 | 3 p.m.
Join Britt for a 30-minute crash course on a DEIBJA workplace topic. This month they will be talking about some of the reasons DEI doesn’t “stick”. They will be exploring questions/issues like DEI fatigue, why DEI programming struggles to be consistent and forever prioritized, and the long road we travel for real sustainable change. Zoom link for DEIB @ 3
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Tuesday, June 26 | 11 a.m.
NESSA which stands for "Non-Native English Speakers Support Association" is our identity-based staff support organization. In this group, we welcome multilingual speakers, native English speakers, and English language learners who are interested in supporting, mentoring, and learning from each other.
Our group wanted to share an amazing presentation and resource created by Padma Vemula, Tips for Enhancing Presentation Skills for Non-Native English Speakers
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session
Tuesday, June 11 | 11 a.m.
Join the Safe Space Sub-committee (a part of the Action Team). This month we are discussing the question, ‘What does accessibility mean to you and how do we discuss this in the workplace?’ Zoom link for Safe Space
Neurodiversity Support Association, (NDivSA)
Tuesday, June 11 | 4 p.m.
The Neurodiversity Support Association meetings are here! We will be meeting once a month to talk about neurodiversity in the workplace. We will share stories, articles, and resources, and maybe even have some guest speakers! Please fill out this Google Interest Form for NDivSA, this will ensure you are invited to our first meeting! You can also access the Zoom link for this meeting here (zoom link for NDivSA)
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, May 29 | 11 a.m.
If you would like to attend a NESSA (Non-Native English Speakers Support Association) meeting please reach out to me or Padma Vemula and we will happily add you to the invite list.
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session to Acknowledge, Process, Humanize, & Restore
Tuesday, May 14| 4 p.m.
Join the Safe Space Sub-committee (a part of the Action Team). This month we are discussing psychological safety. This is a term often thrown around with the true meaning being understood. Join us to discuss the importance and complexities of this term.
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, April 24 | 3 p.m.
If you would like to attend a NESSA (Non-Native English Speakers Support Association) meeting please reach out to me or Padma Vemula and we will happily add you to the invite list.
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session to Acknowledge, Process, Humanize, & Restore
Thursday, April 25 | 4 p.m.
Join the Safe Space Sub-committee (a part of the Action Team). This month we are discussing psychological safety. This is a term often thrown around with the true meaning being understood. Join us to discuss the importance and complexities of this term.
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, March 27 | 3 p.m.
If you would like to attend a NESSA (Non-Native English Speakers Support Association) meeting please reach out to me or Padma Vemula and we will happily add you to the invite list.
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session to Acknowledge, Process, Humanize, & Restore
Thursday, March 28 | 4 p.m.
Join the Safe Space Sub-committee (a part of the Action Team). This month we are discussing psychological safety. This is a term often thrown around with the true meaning being understood. Join us to discuss the importance and complexities of this term.
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, Feb. 28 | 3 p.m.
If you would like to attend a NESSA (Non-Native English Speakers Support Association) meeting please reach out to me or Padma Vemula and we will happily add you to the invite list.
bIT DEIB Speaker Series: "Psychology research proposes bias is input into machine learning and how this can apply to IT professionals"
Thursday, Feb. 22 | 3 p.m. | Watch Video
I'm so thrilled to announce our February DEIB speaker is Dr. Merrick Osborne. Dr. Osborne is the Inaugural Racial Equity Postdoctoral Scholar at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley. He studies how our positions in social hierarchies are influenced by how we address prejudice. Recently, he has begun to explore how these dynamics influence the ways we produce, and use technology. Merrick will discuss how psychology research proposes bias is input into machine learning and how this can apply to IT professionals.
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session to Acknowledge, Process, Humanize, & Restore
Thursday, Feb. 15 | 4 p.m.
Join the Safe Space Sub-committee (a part of the Action Team). This month we are discussing psychological safety. This is a term often thrown around with the true meaning being understood. Join us to discuss the importance and complexities of this term.
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 3 p.m.
If you would like to attend a NESSA (Non-Native English Speakers Support Association) meeting please reach out to me or Padma Vemula and we will happily add you to the invite list.
Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 11 a.m.
Join the Safe Space Sub-committee (a part of the Action Team). This month we are discussing psychological safety. This is a term often thrown around with the true meaning being understood. Join us to discuss the importance and complexities of this term.
- Open House 1: Jan. 10 | 4 p.m.
- Open House 1: Jan. 11 | 9 a.m.
- Open House 1: Jan. 17 | 11 a.m.
- Open House 4: Jan. 22 | 11:30 a.m.
2023
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, Dec. 13 | 3:00 p.m.
If you would like to attend a NESSA (Non-Native English Speakers Support Association) meeting please reach out to me or Padma Vemula and we will happily add you to the invite list.
Our first 30-minute drop-in session will start! These will continue on the third Tuesday of each month. This will be a quick crash course on topics relating to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, or justice in the workplace. (If you have a topic you'd like to see me cover, slack me, email me, or slide a note under my office door!)
Thursday, Nov. 9 | 3:00 p.m.
Join the Safe Space Sub-committee (a part of the Action Team) contact me for more information.
This month we are discussing the many changes to hit bIT in the past year and how it has impacted our community. From folx, leaving, retiring, or transferring we recognize change, although a constant, can be difficult.
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 3:00 p.m.
Please contact me or Padma Vemula (pvemula@berkeley.edu) if you would like to join our meeting.
Thursday, Sept. 28 | 3:00 pm | Watch Video
Neurodiversity is often misunderstood, poorly defined, or even ignored in the workplace. The umbrella term represents the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. This panel will share their personal experiences about navigating neurodiversity in the workplace. We will engage in an open discussion about the definition of neurodiversity, the benefits of neurodiversity in the workplace, and the accommodations employers can provide to neurodivergent employees. We welcome questions from the audience and look forward to our conversations. Moderator: Alyssa Kavner (she/they), Vice President of Clinical Training at Easter Seals Panel Members: Ellen McNicoll (she/her), Stephanie Sinn (she/her), Nicole Meyer (she/her).
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Wednesday, Sept. 27 | 3:00 p.m.
Please contact me or Padma Vemula (pvemula@berkeley.edu) if you would like to join our meeting.
Tuesday, Sept. 26 | 4:00 p.m.
This session will focus on the current events that have been impacting our communities recently.
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session to Acknowledge, Process, Humanize, & Restore
Monday, Aug. 31 | 4:00 p.m.
We are more than just "our work" here at bIT. When there is tragedy in our communities we are deeply impacted. When others suffer, the collective human body is set back from our progress forward. We need to normalize making space for our staff to be human.
Join us for our monthly drop-in session to discuss or just listen about matters that are impacting our world.
Each drop-in session will have a specific topic and be loosely planned for the purpose of;
-
Allowing you to know if a topic will be too provoking or anxiety inducing for you to discuss in a group
-
To keep drop-in sessions somewhat structured since we only have 45 minutes
-
To help keep it a psychologically safe space
This session will focus on Zoom and hybrid work culture.
(*This is not a therapy session. This is a space where we can engage in discussion and acknowledge some of the difficulties happening in our society.)
Non-Native English Speakers Support Association, (NESSA)
Tuesday, Aug. 15 | 2:00 p.m.
This was the first meeting but it's not too late to join. If you are interested, reach out to Britt McClintock or Padma Vemula and we would be thrilled to add you to the next invite!
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session to Acknowledge, Process, Humanize, & Restore
Monday, July, 24 | 3 - 4:00 p.m.
We are more than just "our work" here at bIT. When there is tragedy in our communities we are deeply impacted. When others suffer, the collective human body is set back from our progress forward. We need to normalize making space for our staff to be human.
Join us for our monthly drop-in session to discuss or just listen about matters that are impacting our world.
Each drop-in session will have a specific topic and be loosely planned for the purpose of;
-
Allowing you to know if a topic will be too provoking or anxiety inducing for you to discuss in a group
-
To keep drop-in sessions somewhat structured since we only have 45 minutes
-
To help keep it a psychologically safe space
This session will focus on the most recent Supreme Court decision around Affirmative Action.
(*This is not a therapy session. This is a space where we can engage in discussion and acknowledge some of the difficulties happening in our society.)
Thursday, June, 15 | 3:00 p.m. | Website: hey-wes.com | Instagram: @hey_wes_ | Watch Video
Safe Space: A Monthly Drop-in Session to Acknowledge, Process, Humanize, & Restore
Thursday, May, 25 | 4 - 5:00 p.m.
We are more than just "our work" here at bIT. When there is tragedy in our communities we are deeply impacted. When others suffer, the collective human body is set back from our progress forward. We need to normalize making space for our staff to be human.
Join us for our monthly drop-in session to discuss or just listen about matters that are impacting our world.
Each drop-in session will have a specific topic and be loosely planned for the purpose of;
-
Allowing you to know if a topic will be too provoking or anxiety inducing for you to discuss in a group
-
To keep drop-in sessions somewhat structured since we only have 45 minutes
-
To help keep it a psychologically safe space
The May 25 session will be around the topic of the recent mass shootings.
(*This is not a therapy session. This is a space where we can engage in discussion and acknowledge some of the difficulties happening in our society.)
The Non-Native Speakers Paradox: Speak English, Can with Padma Vemula
Tuesday, May, 2 | 3:30 p.m. | watch the video
In this conversation, Padma Vemula shares her lived experiences and thoughts on creating an inclusive workplace for Non-Native English speakers as they often face linguistic and cultural barriers that can hinder their ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with colleagues. By promoting inclusivity and diversity, as a higher education institution we can not only enhance the overall work environment but can also leverage the unique perspectives and talents of all employees.
Berkeley IT Women’s Panel
March 16, 2023 |1-2 p.m. | watch the video
Join us for this panel discussion where we will highlight, appreciate, and hear about the experiences of women from our IT community. Panelists include Colette Jackson, Adrianne Mann, and Jenn Stringer, moderated by Jeané Blunt.
Insights to Belonging: A Conversation with Pilar McQuirter
Feb. 28, 2023 | 3 - 4:30 p.m. | watch Pilar McQuirter's talk
Cultural Strategy Director, Pilar McQuirter (she/her), shared her observations planning creative experiences for world-renowned brands and marketing agencies. She unpacked the challenges of creating successful work in these environments and how belonging can be the key to creating great work together. In the end, we learned from her approach for connecting with diverse audiences so that we can unlock more connection and belonging in your world.
Culture & Technology Related to Afrofuturism with Nyame Brown.
Feb. 21, 2023 |12:05 - 12:55 p.m. | watch Nyame Brown's talk
Brown, a local to the Bay Area is an Afrofuturist installation artist working in the media of painting, drawing, cut paper, blackboards, augmented reality, gaming, and fashion. His work addresses the Black imagination as a space for new ways to perceive the Diaspora as trans-Atlantic, psychic, and imagined—not just through unity and similarity, but by looking at the dynamics of difference.
From a Hispanic Serving Institution to a Latinx- thriving University: What are the Implications for IT?
Dec. 7, 2022 |10 - 11:30 a.m. | view/print poster | watch Dr. Figueroa's talk