Be Connected
Discover a range of online events, resources and activities designed to keep you connected with the University community.
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has impacted all of our lives in unprecedented ways and temporarily changed the way we learn, work, live and connect with one another.
We want to do all we can as a University community to ensure our students and staff stay connected with each other, and remain healthy, active and in the moment. Our Be Connected programme is inspired by the 5 ways to wellbeing. Below you’ll find a range of online events being run and recommended by members of the Stirling family – from live workout and dance classes hosted by our Sports Centre staff, to mindfulness meditation sessions from Student Support Services and CV masterclasses from our Careers team. We'll update the calendar regularly with upcoming events, so keep checking back to see what's on.
We will also continue to promote an array of great online resources and guidance. Click on “more resources” below to find out more. Follow our hashtag #BeConnected on the University’s social media platforms to keep up to date about what we’re offering and promoting every week.
Support services
Student Support Services are still available to anyone who is experiencing concerns or stress at this time, and you can also find answers to any questions you might have about your studies and University services in our COVID-19 student FAQs. There are also dedicated staff FAQs and guidance from HR on wellbeing whilst working from home.
Select a day to see what's on:
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Event |
Date and Time |
Contact |
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Post Colonial Research Group: We will discuss Mati Diop's 2019 film Atlantique (Atlantics) (104 mins) The film is viewable on Netflix, and for rent via Amazon, but if you don't have access get in touch and we'll see if we can arrange an alternative. Along the Atlantic coast, a soon-to-be-inaugurated futuristic tower looms over a suburb of Dakar. Ada, 17, is in love with Souleiman, a young construction worker. But she has been promised to another man. One night, Souleiman and his co-workers leave the country by sea, in hope of a better future. Several days later, a fire ruins Ada’s wedding and a mysterious fever starts to spread. Little does Ada know that Souleiman has returned. Read the review in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/may/16/atlantique-review-cannes-mati-diop-senegal-mystery Trailers: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81082007 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv3BWPfBwYc Join on Teams: https://teams.microsoft.com/_#/pre-join-calling/19:meeting_ZjU3ZTgzYzQtNWNkNC00YWExLThiMTAtMTBkZGE2ZTkwOTcy@thread.v2 |
Wednesday 14 October 14:15 to 15:00 via MS Teams |
Gemma Robinson (Senior Lecturer – Faculty of Arts and Humanities) |
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Do Better: A Conversation with Wezi Mhura and Suzanne Williams about the Black Lives Matter Mural Trail Join a conversation with Wezi Mhura and Suzanne Williams about their work on the Scotland-wide Black Lives Matter Mural Trail. Since June 2020, 40 art installations have been commissioned across the country, from Shetland to the Borders, including, 'Do Better', a new outdoor sculpture by Suzanne Williams on the Stirling University campus. The ever-growing Mural Trail was devised by curator, Wezi Mhura. She says 'the artworks - colourful, challenging, moving, powerful and diverse - inspired by the themes of I Can't Breathe and Black Lives Matter, will be created by artists from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, all living in Scotland'. Wezi and Suzanne will introduce their work, and then we'll open out the conversation to all who are curious about art, action and representation during covid-times. Hosted by Damian Etone (Co-Director of Msc in Human Rights) and Gemma Robinson (Postcolonial Research Group) from the University of Stirling Organised jointly by the Art Collection, University of Stirling and Scene Stirling Hosted jointly with Scene Stirling https://scenestirling.com/ as part of their online lecture series. Note: Eventbrite site will be live on Scene Stirling by the end of this week / early next week and we will be able to advertise it widely. Suzanne Williams (artist for the Black Lives Matter Trail art installation on campus) and Wezi Mhura (curator of the Scottish wide art trail: https://www.wezi.uk/blm-mural-trail/) |
Thursday 15 October 18:30 to 20:00 |
Sarah Bromage (Deputy Curator) Gemma Robinson (Senior Lecturer – Faculty of Arts and Humanities) |
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A Reading Group that launches in October for staff and students. Campus in the Curriculum - Book Group in Teams Launching on the 19th October with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Americanah (2013), we welcome all students and staff to consider the experiences of being an international student in a Western university. To keep this space as open and inclusive as possible, this book group discussion will take place in a dedicated space in Microsoft Teams asynchronously. There will be a short podcast discussion and we will then invite you to share your thoughts, ideas and reflections. If you would like to join, please contact catriona.cunningham@stir.ac.uk before 15th October. Plans underway to set up a University Book Club as part of Libraries Week (5th to 10th October) – opportunity to link |
Launching on 19 October |
Catriona Cunningham (Academic Development Partner) |
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Monday 26 October |
Sandra Engstrom (Lecturer – Faculty of Social Sciences) |
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A live showcase of how CORE celebrates diversity in teaching economics. CORE is an international and open-access syllabus that seeks to be diverse in every aspect possible. Paul has spent the last year transforming the introductory economics teaching at the UG level (and the economics modules across SMS at the TPG level) to move away from the traditional textbook approach. Instead, he has adopted the CORE project (www.core-econ.org) which is a new way of teaching the same discipline but using history, data, philosophy and politics, with a focus on global inequality. All the resources are open-access, and one of its main goals is to provide an international curriculum. There’s also an emphasis on diversity in terms of key research contributions, both in terms of gender and ethnicity (i.e. the key ideas of the subject are not communicated to students through the ideas of white men) Watch a video highlighting the impact of racial segregation and violence on the innovation of black inventors. |
Tuesday 27 October |
Paul Cowell (Lecturer, Stirling Management School) |
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A Symposium on Decolonising the Curriculum - sharing practice across Stirling (this ties in with a module on 'Teaching Inclusively' which has different strands/themes emerging) |
Tuesday 17 November 15:00 to 16:00 via Teams |
Catriona Cunningham (Academic Development Partner) |
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Class |
Description |
Time |
Joining link |
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Live Full Body Blast with Shannon
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Wake up and sweat with Full Body Blast. This class combines intense bouts of exercise with short recovery periods. Work your full body and torch maximum calories in a minimum amount of time! No equipment needed. | 7:15am - 7:45am | Join class on Zoom |
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Essay writing - Writing style, which is right for this task? |
It can sometimes hard to know what style of writing is expected at university. There are different styles, depending on the task we have been given. We will review different styles and talk about academic tone. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. | 10:00am - 11:00am | |
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It's good to talk |
Grab a cuppa and join one of our student counsellors for a friendly informal chat. Ask any questions you have about general wellbeing or simply come along to chat and connect. Feel welcome to drop into the session at any time and stay for as long or as little time as you'd like. | 10:00am - 11:00am | |
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Live DIY Strength with Fiona |
Improve your strength, co-ordination and balance at home by using body weight and/or weighted items - household objects, water bottles, dumbbells and kettlebells are all perfect. We'll help you adapt and adjust exercises to build your strength! | 12:15pm - 12:45pm | |
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Live Hatha Yoga with Eve |
This Hatha yoga class will be an excellent way to calm your body and mind through slow moving asanas. This class is perfect for any level of yogis from beginners to advanced. All you will need is a quiet peaceful place and a mat. Namaste, see you all on the mat. | 1:00pm - 1:45pm | |
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Global Café |
Friends International Stirling is supported by volunteers from local churhes. Global Cafe is a fun and relaxed way for International students to make new friends with local people and other stuents from around the world. Email Ivana for Zoom link. | 1:00pm - 2:00pm | |
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Live Cardio and Tone with Jenny |
Target your whole body with this toning and sculpting class that incorporates a mix of high and low impact moves. No equipment needed. | 5:15pm - 6:00pm |
Password: 561943 |
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Just Play Badminton |
Fancy a game of badminton with friends or with other students? Join us for a casual game of badminton in a friendly, inclusive environment. We’ll give you the opportunity to play various students across the session. Open to all students. | 5:30pm - 6:30pm |
Register via University of Stirling app |
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Live relaxation yoga with Eve |
This yoga class will be an excellent way to calm your body and mind through slow moving asanas. This class is perfect for any level of yogis from beginners to advanced. All you will need is a quiet peaceful place and a mat. Namaste, see you all on the mat. | 6:00pm - 6:45pm |
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Class |
Description |
Time |
Joining link |
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Critical reading |
This workshop helps you develop your current reading skills to get what you need from your texts, and offers practical advice to help you become a more active reader. | 11:00am - 12:00pm | Sign up |
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Virtual coffee morning |
Postdoctoral Researchers, Research Fellows and Research Assistants are invited to join Professor Rachel Norman and colleagues from the Institute for Advanced Studies for a virtual coffee morning. These informal monthly coffee drop-ins will run on the last Tuesday of the month throughout semester 1 and are a dedicated space for our research community, especially postdocs, research assistants and research fellows, to connect, discuss challenges and network. Whether you wish to discuss how Covid-19 may have affected you or ask a specific question, we are keen to know how we can support you and your career development during these challenging times. |
11:00am - 12:00pm | Join MS Teams group chat |
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Live Full Body Blast with Shannon |
Wake up and sweat with Full Body Blast. This class combines intense bouts of exercise with short recovery periods. Work your full body and torch maximum calories in a minimum amount of time! No equipment needed. | 12:15pm - 12:45pm | Join class on Zoom |
|
Live Pilates with Tamara |
A total body conditioning class that strengthens the core, improves posture and balance, and enhanced flexibility and agility through a series of challenging and low impact mat-based exercises. | 1:00pm - 1:45pm | Join class on Zoom |
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Patches4Peace |
Join our Chaplain Janet for sewing and craft. Bring your own project, or Janet can provide materials as required. Meet up with like-minded crafters to chat and sew, knit or colour. | 3:00pm - 4:00pm | |
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Live Legs, Bums & Tums with Caitlin |
Legs Bums and Tums – target those lower body problem areas with a body toning and sculpting class that incorporates a mix of high and low impact moves. No equipment needed. | 5:30pm - 6:15pm | |
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Live Vinyasa Yoga with Jenny |
In this class you will find flowing sequences to warm and tone the body, with the importance of breathing from one posture to the next. This class is suitable for those who want a more challenging practice. No equipment needed. | 5:45pm - 6:30pm |
Password: 064384 |
|
Just Play Badminton |
Fancy a game of badminton with friends or with other students? Join us for a casual game of badminton in a friendly, inclusive environment. We’ll give you the opportunity to play various students across the session. Open to all students. | 7:00pm - 8:00pm |
Register via University of Stirling Sport app |
|
Class |
Description |
Time |
Joining link |
|
Live Workout of the Day with Shannon |
Wake up and sweat with ‘Workout of the Day’. The mid-week class will include bodyweight exercises that are high intensity. We’ll keep you motivated with a new challenge each week, inspired by Crossfit-style workouts. No equipment needed. |
7:15am - 7:45am | Join class on Zoom |
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Referencing and avoiding plagiarism |
This workshop will consider why referencing is so important in your academic work. We will also discuss the issues around plagiarism and how to avoid it. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. This is a must for all new students. |
12:00pm - 1:00pm | Sign up |
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Live Yoga Flow with Tamara |
Moving with the breath, keeping slow and steady, work your way through this yoga flow. No equipment needed. |
12:15pm - 1:00pm | Join class on Zoom |
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The Gardening Club |
Join us for our drop in gardening club, no experience needed just lots of enthusiasm as we focus on renovating one of our Pathfoot Courtyards. |
12:30pm - 1:30pm | |
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Conversation Club with Friends International |
A great chance to practice your english and meet new friends |
1:00pm - 2:00pm | Sign up via email |
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The Union Big Dig |
Come and try your hand at gardening, its not just about digging and weeding, its about getting outside, doing your bit for the planet and making friends. |
1:00pm - 2:00pm | Email to sign up |
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Just Play Softball |
Join us for our first game of the season on Airthley pitches - all welcome! |
2:30pm - 3:30pm | Register via University of Stirling Sport app |
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The Biq Quiz - All Things Scotland |
Want to test your knowledge on all things Scotland? Join Dimitrios from our International Society for an interactive quiz all about bonnie Scotland. From fun facts to Scottish Slang,...its gonnae be a braw time! |
4:00pm - 4:40pm | Students' Union Facebook |
|
Just Play Badminton |
Fancy a game of badminton with friends or with other students? Join us for a casual game of badminton in a friendly, inclusive environment. We’ll give you the opportunity to play various students across the session. Open to all students. |
5:30pm - 6:30pm | Register via University of Stirling Sport app |
| Class | Description | Time | Joining link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Just Play Badminton |
Fancy a game of badminton with friends or with other students? Join us for a casual game of badminton in a friendly, inclusive environment. We’ll give you the opportunity to play various students across the session. Open to all students. |
11:00am - 12:00pm |
Register via University of Stirling Sport app |
|
Presentations and Seminar Practice |
A relaxed and informal session designed to improve oral skills as well as increase confidence to be able to speak in front of other students in academic situations. Each session will focus on a different presentation or seminar skill. |
12:00pm - 1:00pm |
Sign up |
|
Live LBT with Caitlin |
Legs Bums and Tums – target those lower body problem areas with a body toning and sculpting class that incorporates a mix of high and low impact moves. No equipment needed. |
1:00pm - 1:30pm |
Join class on Zoom |
|
Editing and proof reading workshop |
Join this workshop to learn how editing and proof reading can boost your grades. |
1:00pm - 2:00pm |
Sign up |
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Let's Do Lunch - join our Chaplain Janet for a catch up in the Virtual Chaplaincy |
Interesting conversations and a great way to meet new friends. |
1:00pm - 2:00pm |
Join MS Teams group chat |
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Live Mini Functional Circuits with Fiona |
Tackle those tough daily activities with ease by taking part in a fun and exciting mix of both cardiovascular and resistance challenges. You will need enough space to move freely while performing a variety of functional exercises. No equipment needed. |
5:15pm - 5:50pm |
Join class on Zoom |
|
Just Play Badminton |
Fancy a game of badminton with friends or with other students? Join us for a casual game of badminton in a friendly, inclusive environment. We’ll give you the opportunity to play various students across the session. Open to all students. |
7:00pm - 8:00pm |
Register via University of Stirling Sport app |
| Class | Description | Time | Joining link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Live Full Body Blast with Alex |
Full Body Blast combines intense bouts of exercise with short recovery periods. Work your full body and torch maximum calories in a minimum amount of time! No equipment needed. | 12:15pm - 12:45pm | Join class on Zoom |
|
Live Vinyasa Yoga with Jenny |
In this class you will find flowing sequences to warm and tone the body, with the importance of breathing from one posture to the next. This class is suitable for those who want a more challenging practice. No equipment needed. |
1:00pm - 1:45pm | Join class on Zoom |
|
Come along to chat all things Netflix! |
Got any film/TV recommendations? Looking for inspriation for something new to watch? |
2:00pm - 3:00pm | Join MS Teams group chat |
|
#StirDiary Student Project |
Join the #StirDiary project and document your semester in these unprecented times. We've got a diary for everyone who would like to participate - just email archives@stir.ac.uk to request yours! We'll also be updating our website throughout semster to explore the amazing collections of diaries we keep in the University Archives and we'll have weekly sessions where you can come and talk to us about how your diary - or your semester! - is going. |
3:00pm - 4:00pm | Join MS Teams group chat |
|
Live DIY Strength with Fiona |
Improve your strength, co-ordination and balance at home by using body weight and/or weighted items you have available in your home - household objects, water bottles, dumbbells and kettlebells are all perfect. We'll help you adapt and adjust exercises to build your strength! | 5:30pm - 6:15pm | Join class on Zoom |
|
Meditative Moments |
Explore texts from the Baha’i Writings and those of other Faith traditions on topics such as Patience, Strength, Unity, the Heart , Positive Change. | 7:30pm |
Password: 060332 |
| Class | Description | Time | Joining link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Live Halloween Special Zumba with Andrea |
Don your best Halloween fancy dress and join the Party! Zumba is a great way to condition your body to some funky music and moves from around the world. Ensure you have enough room to shake and shimmy in your home! |
10:30am - 11:30am | Join class on Zoom |
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Host - cinema screening |
What would All Hallows'Eve be without a terrifying horror film to scare your socks off? Tonight Macrobert is screening Host - it's the first true lockdown horror film and has 100% on Rotten Tomatoes |
8:15pm | Visit Macrobert website |
| Class | Description | Time | Joining link |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Live Yoga Flow with Tamara |
Moving with the breath, keeping slow and steady, work your way through this yoga flow. No equipment needed. |
9:30am - 10:15am | Join class on Zoom |