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Updated research FAQs: wellbeing and research IT

26 Mar 2020

Frequently asked questions will be updated regularly

This advice is correct at the time of publication of this news article.

If you have health concerns then you should refer to the NHS website as recommended by Public Health England, however to make other queries regarding the current situation you can email coronavirus-info@manchester.ac.uk.

We will be updating the staff frequently asked questions on a regular basis.

The latest question is:

How can I look after my wellbeing whilst working from home?

We recognise that during this uncertain time remote working is not easy. Here are some excellent ideas about how to manage this and stay well.

If you can, set up a dedicated workspace in your house, it will help to differentiate between 'research' and 'off' time and create a boundary between relaxed, social space and workspace. There is some useful guidance about working from home and from NHS England about how to sit at your desk correctly - try adapting this to your at-home setup.

Maintain a routine, this will look different depending on your circumstances but can include things like getting up and ready as you usually would, taking a morning and afternoon walk instead of your commute, and taking regular breaks away from your workspace.

If you have caring responsibilities, speak to your line manager about how to manage your research work around these. It is likely that this will be a changing situation and will require ongoing discussion.

  • If you have caring responsibilities, speak to your line manager about how to manage your research work around these. It is likely that this will be a changing situation and will require ongoing discussion.
  • Try and define the hours you will be working and resist the temptation to check-in outside of these hours.
  • Even if you are isolating with symptoms, light exercise is recommended, try these at home and at your desk.
  • Make use of the many online resources including podcasts and apps on mindfulness and wellbeing.

Can I login to the CSF / iCSF / HTCondor from off campus?

Yes. We recommend that you access these platforms using the GlobalProtect VPN software as you are likely using this to access other University systems while off-campus. Alternatively, you can login via the Research IT Linux Virtual Desktop. Please visit Research IT working from home for detailed instructions.

Can I access my files held on Research Data Storage (Isilon) from off campus?

Yes, you can access your storage when the GlobalProtect VPN software is running on your off-campus desktop or laptop, or via the Research IT RDS-SSH gateway. 

There are two types of storage areas: 

  • On your desktop or laptop which will require you to map your storage as you would any drive (eg R:/drive). For each method of access, please follow the step-by-step instructions  on the Research IT working from home page; and
  • On a central platform such as CSF, iCSE or HTCondor submitter, which are accessed as described in the previous answer.

More information