IDEA Committee Update

Published in the RSAA Lunations
Vol1 Issue34 1–30 November 2022

For this month, the RSAA IDEA committee would like to bring your attention to three inspiring events.

Unconscious Bias training was held at Siding Spring Observatory on November 1, with 6 staff attending.

The in-person Mental Health First Aid session will be held at Mt Stromlo on Friday 4th of November from 10am to 2:30pm with a break for (catered) lunch. The IDEA committee would like to thank everyone who has signed up for Mental Health first aid training so far. This training will be very beneficial to our school, especially to those of you supervising students. This in-person training day is part of a course which also consists of an online module, which should be completed before attending the in-person training. The certificate of competition should be emailed to Bella Gerrard (isabella.gerrard@anu.edu.au).

In the course you will "Learn about the signs and symptoms of common and disabling mental health problems in adults, how to provide initial help, where and how to get professional help, what sort of help has been shown by research to be effective, and how to provide first aid in a crisis situation.” For more information you can visit https://mhfa.com.au/courses/public/types/standardedition4

Finally, the first Women* in Physics and Astro 2022 gala will be held on November 18 to celebrate all women in Physics and Astro. The event is aimed at all those who identify as women in the RSPhy and RSAA at the ANU, including academics, professional staff, PhD and Master's students. Interactive sessions with 3 speakers, a poster competition, a job fair and delicious food will make the event very special. An award of $200 will be offered to the best poster. Participants are also invited to submit a logo design for the Women* in Physics group.

Stefania Barsanti for the IDEA committee