Starting Social Groups to Combat Isolation
A post from Heather McLean (Equity Committee) and Kristin Rodier (Constituency Rep)
Hello!
At AUFA, we have heard from members that they want more opportunities to bridge the gap of social isolation working remotely. As we all know, working online can be isolating, and lonely. News reports that inflation is causing isolation to rise in some populations are circulating, as well as research confirming what many of us feel (or, rather don’t feel) communicating primarily through screens.
In response to member concerns, we are interested in creating more gathering space/spaces for socializing, solidarity, and care. We’ve heard from members they are struggling with a sense of detachment. We are interested in finding ways to humanize our work lives and build connections with each other as we face what seem like growing workloads and new predicaments.
For about a year now, we’ve hosted a monthly meet-up group for casual chats and support for newer faculty. We reached out to AUFA after we were hired in 2021 to see if something like this existed, but it didn’t. So, we asked AUFA for a list of faculty who were hired around the same time as us, and reached out across the university to meet others who were onboarding at the same time. We talked about getting to know AU systems, pandemic parenting, online teaching, our pets, our gardens, frozen drink recipes — so many topics! And we learned a lot from each other about practical work related topics and built a friendly sense of community. A few times, we invited people from different areas of the university (course production, student services, media relations, etc.) This group has not added any new members in some time, and many of us have found that year 2 and 3 of the job is much much busier. So, the group is waning a bit. But this model really helped us through a difficult period—and here we are working together!
We are asking AUFA members for suggestions for platforms for online engagement where we can be ourselves and build solidarities. This is important for our wellbeing and for preparation and solidarity ahead of another round of bargaining to begin next year. Any thoughts?
Some of our ideas:
Monthly Cafés and/or beer hang outs. Would you like to host (virtually) or organize a meet up where you live? Would you want them on a theme? Suggestions for physical meet ups?
Walks or outdoor meet ups with or without dogs.
More professional meetups online where we learn about each others jobs, professional development, retirement, co-working groups for writing, research, tenure and promotion, or other topics you are seeking feedback on.
Online engagement that is fun—games, trivia—you tell us!
Discussions on mental health, work from home life, sharing ideas about ways to humanize life online with each other, students and our communities.
What would you like to see? Be creative!
What would you like to volunteer for/participate in? AUFA appreciates you!
Heather and Kristin