Honorary Fellows Profiles

John Doidge

1. The most satisfying staff development initiative you have been involved in:
Steering a University through its first Institutional  Quality Assessment.

2.The most challenging staff development situation  you have been involved in:
I led a team which went to the Western Highlands of Ethiopia to develop and deliver a leadership development programme for staff at the new University of Gondar.

3.Your top two tips for success in working in staff development in HE:
Always be  fully aware of national developments and their likely implications  and effect.
Remember you are a key part  of the business  and need to look for entrepreneurial opportunities to help fund your work, just as others do.

4. If you were not working in staff development in HE what would you be doing?
Either working in politics, conservation or landscape  gardening .

5. What is your idea of total relaxation?
A game of golf, a day in my garden, or a coastal walk in good weather!

Matt Levi

1.The most satisfying staff development initiative you have been involved in:
Getting HEaTED going because Technical Specialists are fantastic and underrated professionals and people. The equal opportunities agenda motivated me there and I only ever had one angry conversation!

2.The most challenging staff development situation you’ve been involved in:
Someone reading the Sun in the front row in one of my early parks days Health and Safety talks!

3. Your top two tips for success in working in staff development in HE:
Get people together and talking!
Always treat yourself exactly the same as all other learners and believe in learning.

4. If you weren’t working in staff development in HE what would you be doing?
Living in the South of France listening to Pink Floyd and the Beatles or if I had to work it would be creating fabulous gardens for people and growing my favourite organic vegetables, hops and vines.

5. What is your idea of total relaxation?
Aside from sleep and nice dreams it would be eating beautiful food with a beautiful person! (Anyone remember Suzanne by Leonard Cohen?)

Sally Wilson

1. The most satisfying staff development initiative you have been involved in:
Of several examples – developing collaborative working with academics and senior managers to effect change

2.  The most challenging staff development situation you’ve been involved in:
Supporting restructures and developing behavioural frameworks with focus groups

3.  Your top two tips for success in working in staff development in HE:
Develop effective internal & external networks
Accurately read ‘political’ runes and take positive action

4.   If you weren’t working in staff development in HE what would you be doing?
Organisation psychology (if I had my time over again) or having my own consultancy & professional development service

5.  What is your idea of total relaxation?
Salsa & Ceroc dancing