Introduction
Further details to working in the Department can be found in the Safe Working Protocol https://www.cst.cam.ac.uk/local/wgb/covid-19-safe-working
This page includes information for undergraduate students, postgraduate students and staff.
Remote working
We recommend all students and research staff configure and setup VPN access to the University. Postgraduate students and research staff should also setup VPN and SSH access to department computer systems.
The University has drawn up a Coronavirus Homeworking Protocol. This provides practical advice on home working arrangements.
Online Collaboration
Microsoft Teams is one of the University suggested tool for online collaboration.
Information on the tool can be found here. Microsoft Teams enables chats and video/audio calls with groups within the University. Contacts can be added under the “Calls” menu. The “Chat” menu allows a new chat to be created and then adding contacts. Once the contacts are added, a group chat can be created and named, via the down arrow at the right hand side of the contacts. This, in effect, creates a new caht room. Chats also offers the option of holding video/audio call.
The University also has a GSuite subscription: information here. Gsuite allows you to use your University CRSID to log into Google and then use Hangouts as a video/audio conferencing tool in a similar fashion.
Access to the department
Information on entering and working in the William Gates building can be found at https://www.cst.cam.ac.uk/local/wgb/covid-19-safe-working
Health concerns and reporting
The main University web page on the coronavirus contains information on health, remote working, travel, family and visas. Some useful additional information can be found under the university statements section.
Wellbeing
If you need any special equipment to enable you to work from home, please make a request to the Departmental Secretary. These requests will be considered on a case by case basis.
We recommend that you stay connected with your friends and colleagues in the department during the shutdown as far as you can. Any suggestions for making people feel part of the department are very welcome.
If you have any personal concerns in light of covid-19, or are concerned about a colleague, then please use one of the following resources:
Resources
QWELL - A new online counselling and wellbeing platform by MIND which Cambridge University staff and students are eligible to join: https://www.cpslmind.org.uk/qwell/.
Qwell provides confidential, chat-based counselling from qualified and BACP registered counsellors, free of charge, between 12 noon and 10pm on weekdays, and between 6pm and 10pm on weekends.
University Webpages
- Guidance on mental wellbeing
- Guidance on managing your team remotely
- Guidance on working remotely
- General University pages on coronavirus
- General HR pages on coronavirus
STUDENTS ONLY: University Counselling Service - if you are experiencing emotional or psychological problems, please contact the University Counselling Service. Pastoral care is also available from your College.
If you are suffering severe distress please contact Caroline Stewart (departmental-secretary@cst.cam.ac.uk) for an informal chat and help finding further support. If you are worried about severe distress in another student or staff member, please contact Caroline who can arrange confidential support for the affected person via their College Tutor, line manager or other support network as appropriate.
Disability Resource Centre - The DRC has updated its remote teaching and learning webpages and these now contain advice for disabled students and staff on remote teaching and learning with a focus on accessibility: https://www.disability.admin.cam.ac.uk/remote-teaching-and-learning-resources-overview
Funding and grants
EPSRC web page on the impact of COVID-19 on UKRI-supported research: https://www.ukri.org/news/coronavirus-impact-on-ukri-supported-research/
Travel
Guidance regarding travel and travel insurance can be found at https://www.cst.cam.ac.uk/local/travel/insurance
Frequently asked questions
