Balancing the needs of managers and planners in a performance planning framework
When the University of Lincoln considered their current performance management processes through the eyes of their academic managers, it provided valuable insights. Liz Lacey explains how blending two different approaches helped to inform a review of the way performance planning is carried out by academic leads.
Leadership Foundation to fund projects that support workforce change
The Leadership Foundation is pleased to invite proposals from member institutions for funding for projects to support the Workforce change, processes and practices workstream of the second phase of the Diamond programme (Diamond 2.0) to improve efficiency and effectiveness in higher education.
Kim Frost: ‘I find human behaviour to be the most fascinating subject’
Attracting and keeping staff in one of the most expensive cities in the world is a challenge. Kim Frost, director of human resources at the University of London, and chair of Universities Human Resources, tells us about how working efficiently can help to meet this challenge.
RESULTS: territorial or communal – which tribe are you?
The Times Higher Education recently quoted a report by a Dutch University, which claimed that universities could reduce estate footprint by 25% if staff become less “territorial” and shared teaching and office space with colleagues in other departments.
It’s all about the people
With workforce issues among the key themes of the Diamond efficiency agenda, John Lakin looks at some of the challenges that keep vice-chancellors awake at night.
Introducing some calm into clearing
In one of the craziest weeks in the academic calendar, Rosie Niven talks to higher education professionals involved in the clearing process to discover efficient ways of coping with the increased pressure.
People, process and performance – a model for change in HE?
A project to bring the questions of people and performance together with lean methodologies has been developed by the Aber-Bangor Strategic Alliance with funding from the Innovation and Transformation Fund (ITF). The Alliance’s Chris Drew provides the first in a series of posts by the nine ITF-funded projects.
Academic Futures: a new career route for postgraduate students?
The University of Lincoln is developing a programme to tackle the lack of professional development schemes tailored to the needs of postgraduate students interested in an academic career. Rebecca Sanderson explains the project funded by the Innovation and Transformation Fund that explores how to provide postgraduate students with more effective career development opportunities.
Don’t wait for Godot, start fixing things now
Inspired by the absurdist Samuel Beckett play Waiting for Godot, the University of Sheffield's Rachel McAssey issues a call to arms in her blog; instead of waiting for big change to happen, get some problem solving skills and start making small improvements.
Sharing IT services and the law – Jisc Legal
Includes contractual implications, sharing personal data, ownership and Freedom of Information.
