Events and News
International Women's Day 2025 - March 2025
We will be organining events to acknowledge International Women's Day 2025
More information to follow.
Women and Girls in Science - February 2025
We will be organining events in recognition of Women and Girls in Science.
More information to follow.
Lunar New Year Event - 28th January 2025
We will be organising a Lunar New Year celebration at the CRUK Scotland Institute. We are excited to plan a celebration that promotes cultural diversity and inclusion of our Chinese staff and students.
This event is provisionally lanned for Tuesday, 28th January, between 4-6.30 pm, and will include a presentation about Lunar New Year, followed by a Q&A session.
We will also feature Chinese crafts such as origami and Chinese calligraphy, alongside light refreshments (non-alcoholic drinks), and food.
Diwali - 30th October 2024
Diwali Event Recap and Sincere Thanks to Our Volunteers
Thank you to everyone who brought such wonderful energy, creativity, and enthusiasm to our Diwali event last night at the CRUK_SI. It was an evening to remember, filled with laughter, cultural sharing, and a real sense of community.
We couldn’t have done it without our incredible volunteers! Special thanks to Saadia and her husband Shoukat, for managing the delicious biryani logistics, to Jayanthi (Jay) for arranging great discounts on the samosas and pakoras, and to Jay and Nimrit for making the delicious desserts that were the perfect sweet touch.
A special shoutout as well to everyone who wore beautiful traditional outfits, adding even more colour and vibrancy to the night. Your attire was a lovely display of culture and pride, and it truly helped set the festive atmosphere.
A highlight of the night was the Diwali presentation by Sharon and Jiva, which invited lively discussions about the different ways Diwali is celebrated across different parts of India and worldwide. Many attendees shared their own insights, creating an interactive and meaningful experience.
The music from Kunal’s playlist kept everyone mingling and in high spirits, while creative activities like Jiva, Archana, Saadia, and Nadia’s beautiful mehendi designs. The rangoli mandala colouring, and diya painting brought an extra splash of colour and joy.
Our thanks also go to Feroj, who designed the beautiful poster about Diwali, and to Asma and who selflessly jumped in to help the other volunteers mentioned above to serve dinner in a timely manner. A big thank you to everyone who contributed to Pancreatic Cancer UK and the Edible Garden project—your generosity makes such a difference.
In places like our two research institutes, where many of us are far from home, these events mean so much. Diwali gave us all a chance to share a bit of our cultures, learn from one another, and celebrate our unity.
We’d love to know what you thought of the event and to hear any ideas for other cultural or awareness events you’d like to see next year. Please share your feedback and suggestions through our feedback form. https://forms.office.com/e/CUrs5cv3un
Thank you again for making this Diwali celebration so special. Here’s to many more shared celebrations.
World Mental Health Day - 10th October 2024
In recognition of World Mental Health Day, 10th October 2024, today we encourage our colleagues to take time for a tea & talk #WorldMentalHealthDay2024
Bridging Minds – Neurodiversity at Work - Friday 13th September 2024
On Friday 13th September, the VOICE committee were pleased to host "Bridging Minds – Neurodiversity at Work," a thought-provoking event dedicated to raising awareness about neurodiversity. The afternoon featured a keynote address from Aimee Fletcher, an openly autistic researcher from the University of Glasgow. Aimee, who is completing her PhD on enhancing museum accessibility for neurodivergent adults, shared her personal journey and insights on creating inclusive workplaces through adaptable communication and practices.
Following Aimee’s inspiring talk, she joined a dynamic panel discussion exploring important topics such as intersectionality, gender, and the significance of getting a diagnosis. The panel members included Seb Greenhough from Cancer Research Horizons, Chris Halsey, (SCS), Karin Oien (SCS) and Chris Davis, a post-doc from the Centre for Virus Research. Their contributions provided valuable perspectives on fostering neurodiversity in the workplace.
VOICE Library - September 2024
This initiative is proving to be very popular! Come and enjoy our VOICE Library on Level 4 Cafe in the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre. We have some fantastic books to share. Feel free to dontate if you wish and please remember to return books for others to borrow.
Edible Garden – 8th July 2024
CRUK-Scotland Institute and School of Cancer Sciences Edible Garden
Our volunteers have been hard at work growing some lovely vegetables this summer! Thank you to everyone who has helped and contributed so far. The rain has done wonders for the turnips and courgettes.
The garden can be found at the South-West corner of the CRUK-SI building, and we’re hoping to raise funds soon to get more planters and seating.
If you have ideas and would like to get involved, please email Nikki and Karen: n.paul@crukscotlandinstitute.ac.uk; k.thomas@crukscotlandinstiute.ac.uk
Pride Picnic – 28th June 2024
Our Garscube Campus Pride Picnic took place on Friday, 28th June. It was a lot of fun, very well attended and raised funds for The Terence Higgins Trust.
Ramadan Awareness - 18th March 2024
Ramadan Awareness Event Brings Colleagues Together in Celebration of Inclusivity and Community
The Ramadan awareness event held on Monday 18th March, illuminated the CRUK_Scotand Institute (SI) lecture theatre and canteen, bringing together colleagues from SCS and CRUK-SI to celebrate cultural richness and community spirit. This collaborative effort between the two organisations aimed to deepen understanding and appreciation of Ramadan while fostering inclusivity, supported by the VOICE committee and CRUK_SI.
The evening began with a warm Arabic greeting, "salam alaikum," from Asma Ahmed, meaning peace be with you, setting the tone for an engaging series of discussions. A Mentimeter quiz encouraged participants to anonymously share their knowledge and questions about Ramadan, creating an open atmosphere from the outset.
Sarwah Al-Khalidi then explored the essence of Ramadan, addressing fundamental questions about its significance, principles, and cultural practices. Attendees gained insight into the daily rhythms observed by Muslims worldwide, from the pre-dawn meal of suhoor to the evening prayers marking the end of the fast.
Following Asma and Sarwah's enlightening talks, a diverse panel comprising of Sara Al Foad, Imran Ahmad, Sarwah, and Muhammad (VOICE intern, University of Glasgow undergraduate), engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas. The panel provided nuanced perspectives on various topics, ranging from supporting Muslim colleagues in the workplace to exploring the diverse Ramadan traditions worldwide. Questions covered practical considerations such as moon sighting and fasting during pregnancy, as well as broader issues like the commercialisation of Ramadan.
As the event reached its pinnacle, all attendees gathered to join their Muslim colleagues and friends in breaking their fast with dates and water, symbolising the communal spirit of Ramadan. The call to prayer echoed through the hall as both Muslim men and women assembled for collective prayer facing Mecca. The Iftar feast that followed, featuring delectable dishes like biryani and savoury pakoras, showcased the culinary richness of Ramadan traditions.
Throughout the evening, the air was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the shared joy of cultural exchange. From homemade desserts lovingly prepared by Saadia, Asma, Mahnoor, and Farah, to the lively interactions among colleagues, the event encapsulated the essence of inclusivity and community.
In summary, the Ramadan awareness event served not only as a platform for learning and dialogue but also as a celebration of diversity and togetherness. It exemplified the power of coming together, transcending differences, and embracing the richness of each other's traditions. As we reflect on this memorable gathering, let us carry forward the spirit of unity and understanding that Ramadan so beautifully embodies.
International Women’s Day 2024 (IWD) – 4th March 2024
Prayer Room – November 2023
Our prayer room is located in the Wolfson Wohl Cancer Research Centre, Level 1.