Policies
The Postdoc Academy is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all users of our spaces. All users must follow the University's Code of Behaviour and Dignity at Work Policy.
This page contains:
Room Booking Policy
- The bookable spaces in the three Postdoc Centres are provided for the purpose of supporting the professional and career development of postdocs (defined as: staff employed primarily for the purpose of carrying out research).
- Activities taking place in our spaces will typically be organised by or for postdocs of the collegiate University and the Partner Institutes.
- We may, at our discretion, consider accepting bookings for other purposes related to strategic University initiatives (subject to room availability).
- We do not accept bookings for activities which could reasonably be expected to disrupt other users. This is of particular importance at our Postdoc Centre at Eddington, which is in a residential area.
- Our spaces are not a child-safe environment: we cannot permit any use of the space which involves persons under the age of 18.
- You must notify us in advance if your booking will involve any external speakers. The University has a duty to report annually to the Office for Students (OfS) on all events involving external speakers.
- We do not permit the sale or resale of goods or services on our premises.
- We do not have a licence for public performances or screenings.
- We do not hold an alcohol licence. If your event will include the provision and/or consumption of alcohol, please consult our alcohol policy.
- For operational reasons, booking requests must be made no less than ten working days before the date of your event. We aim to respond to all booking requests within three working days.
- Once your booking is accepted, we will confirm any building access arrangements, such as activation of a University card. Postdoc Academy staff are generally available to assist with access Mondays to Fridays between 09:00-16:00. If your booking is for an activity taking place outside of these times, you will be expected to manage access to your event without support.
Postdoc Centre Alcohol Policy
The sale or resale of alcohol is not permitted on our premises.
If you wish to offer alcohol to attendees as part of your event, you will need to apply for a Temporary Events Notice and provide proof of a successful application before the booking can be confirmed. The named applicant must be present for the duration of the event. Responsible drinking should be encouraged and monitored, and a non-alcoholic alternative should be provided.
Where attendees are requested by the event host to provide their own food or drink, alcohol brought on to our premises must be for self-consumption only.
You will be liable for any fines or costs incurred as a result of your event breaching this alcohol policy, and your future use of Postdoc Academy spaces may be restricted.
Please also refer to the University's guidance, which sets clear expectations of behaviour at work events where alcohol may be served, such as hospitality events and conferences.
Preventing Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
The University is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, welcoming, inclusive and diverse community that nurtures a culture in which we treat one another with courtesy and consideration. Any form of harassment or sexual misconduct is unacceptable and contrary to the values and ideals of our shared community.
You can view the University's statement and resources around breaking the silence here.