This page contains:
- Room Booking Policy
- Alcohol Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Preventing Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
- Risk Assessment
Room Booking Policy
We consider room booking requests for events, meetings, networking, training/information sessions and supervisions. These should all be specific to the professional or career development of postdocs. We can also consider bookings for events related to strategic University initiatives.
To make a request you must either be a postdoc at the University of Cambridge (or Partner Institute or College), a University service/department, or a recognised external provider, and your booking must meet the above criteria. You must notify us in advance of your event of any external speakers, as the University has a duty to report annually to the Office for Students (OfS) on all events involving external speakers.
Our spaces cannot be used for private functions, parties, religious observance, political organising, or events with attendees under the age of 18. We do not permit the selling or resale of goods or services on our premises. We do not have a licence for public performances or screenings.
If your event will include the provision and/or consumption of alcohol, please consult our alcohol policy.
Please note that we cannot provide equipment for hybrid events.
Booking requests should be made at least two working days prior to the date of your event. Once your booking is accepted, we will confirm any access arrangements that need to be made. Postdoc Academy (PdA) staff are available Monday to Friday between 09:00 - 16:00. If your booking is for an evening or weekend event, access will be arranged for your event but please be aware no PdA staff will be available outside 09:00 - 16:00.
The Postdoc Academy reserves the right to move or cancel bookings if they are found not to be in line with our use of space policy and/or there are urgent operational reasons to do so. You should also adhere to the conditions set out in the University Guidance for booking meetings and events.
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.
For events where attendees are advised to bring their own food/drink, any alcohol brought on to our premises must be for self-consumption only.
You will be liable for any fines or costs incurred by the Postdoc Academy as a result of you breaching this policy, and your future use of the space will 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.
Postdoc Academy Code of Conduct
At the Postdoc Academy, we commit to maintaining an open, inclusive and safe environment where all attendees, event organisers and volunteers feel welcome and able to participate. All involved in Postdoc Academy activities and events (attendees, volunteers, staff members, organisers, etc.) are subject to the Code of Conduct.
To be involved in a Postdoc Academy event means:
- tolerating and listening to each other’s views
- using welcoming and inclusive language
- treating everyone with respect
- being considerate of everyone involved
- treating the event space with care understanding its value.
We will not accept:
- abusive, insulting or degrading, threatening, bullying, intimidatory, hateful or otherwise inappropriate behaviour (including speech, text and imagery)
- disrespect or purposeful damage of the event spaces and any surrounding areas
- harassment towards anyone
- discrimination of any kind i.e. offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance,
- body size, race, ethnicity, and religion
- display of any inappropriate content: sexual language or imagery, sustained disruption of events or speakers, unauthorised recording or photographing.
Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct could result in the immediate exclusion from any Postdoc Academy event or activity (in cases where the event space has been paid for, without a refund), including attendance to future events.
If you think the Code of Conduct is not being followed at an event, please get in touch with the Centres team at contact.pda@admin.cam.ac.uk. You can find the University’s Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech here.
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.