Staff Development Forum Awards

Gold:

• Faculty – Dr Linda Brown from Anglia Ruskin University
• Professional Services – Melissa Browne from University of Kent

Silver:

• Faculty – Dr Lucy Atkinson from Arden University
• Professional Services – Hannah Marsh from University of the Arts London

Bronze:

• Professional Services – Dr Fiona McBride from University of Liverpool
• Professional Services – Juliet Flynn from Canterbury Christ Church University

Platinum:

• Faculty – Dr Danielle Bewsher from University of Central Lancashire
• Professional Services – Kim Rayment from Middlesex University

Congratulations to all the amazing nominees:

Thalia Anagnostopoulou – University College London

Kate Rowland – Manchester Metropolitan University

Laura Dorian – Durham University

Bernie Croft – Brunel University

Mandy Matthews – Bournemouth University

Cathy McDonnell – University of Sussex

Esmay Bear – University of the Arts London

Petra Dodd – Queen Mary University of London

Gold:

University of Liverpool – The Prosper PI Network

Dr Fiona McBride; Dr Stefania Silvestri; Kerry McElroy; Candice Booth; James Reynolds; James Howard. 

Context: Prosper is a career development model available to all postdocs throughout the UK. Currently funded by UKRI, the Prosper team are working to roll-out Prosper across the UK to unlock postdocs’ potential to thrive across multiple career pathways. In order to achieve this, Prosper’s work engages three key stakeholder groups – institutions, postdocs and managers of researchers. For this submission, we will focus specifically on how Prosper has engaged managers of researchers via its PI Network series.

“The project excels in its sustainable model of mutual reciprocation, where institutions can access free resources while contributing their expertise through hosted sessions. The initiative’s effectiveness is demonstrated through its practical approach to addressing PI needs, covering crucial topics like resilience, strategic leadership, and managing challenging scenarios. The programme shows particular strength in its scalability and open-access approach, making it especially valuable during resource constraints across the sector.”

“A very innovative project to support PIs, rolling it out across the sector and ensuring it remains free to use”

Silver:

University of Warwick – Operational Coaching Skills for Managers

Kevin Hamer and Anna Chapman

Context: The HR team at the University of Warwick has developed a robust people strategy which looks to support the institution in achieving its objectives and strategic intent. Within the multi-faceted strategy framework, there are several workstreams: Leadership and Management Development, Talent management, Objectives management, Culture, Values and Behaviours and Employer ethos which are supported and will be enabled through the development and implementation of a coaching culture at Warwick. It is one aspect of this, which is the focus of the submission. 

“Clearly impactful programme, that shows with financial resource and external expertise that a lot can be achieved”

“The coaching programme demonstrates exceptional achievement in developing operational coaching capabilities across management, with remarkable quantifiable outcomes from its 12-month pilot with 120 managers. What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is its comprehensive measurement of behavioural change.”

Bronze:

Leeds Beckett University – ‘Beyond the poster on a wall’: Connecting Colleagues to our University Values

Georgina Woods; Sarah Swales; Cate Querin; Sarah Davies; Libby Page; Hiva Nekokar , Catherine Wright; Dee Grismond; Jay Hawkridge, Frankie Lyons

Context: The LBU Values Project Team are delighted to share with the panel how LBU have connected our colleagues to our organisational values to enhance performance, development and engagement. This is a case study of the positive impact that happens when a workforce embraces an organisation’s values and come together for a common purpose.  

Leeds Beckett University (LBU) is a modern, professional university with ambition. Our vision is to be known for our commitment to student success, innovation and enterprise, global reach, and strong local impact.  Our current Strategy (2021-26) sets out our commitment to developing colleagues and creating effective, inclusive ways of working that support engagement and belonging.  

Our community is made up of people from a range of social and cultural backgrounds, brought together in a learning environment that celebrates both our heritage and exciting future.  It is key to our Strategy that all colleagues feel proud to work here, valued for their contribution, and would recommend LBU as a great place to work. We also know that when that is the case, we’re more likely to reach our institutional objectives. 

“This is an excellent example of how to get colleagues to ‘pull in the same direction’ using an organisational wide approach based around both systematic framework and careful planned action.”

“An outstanding collaborative project. The values project on its own is impactful and inclusive. The toolkit for managers, alongside the stories from colleagues, adds a really practical way of applying it and building confidence within teams.”

Zoe Connell – Canterbury Christ Church University – Sharing Good Practice Award

“A wonderful example of how to implement a new IT system by listening to the people who are going to be using it. Zoe clearly empathises with staff and colleagues and takes time to understand their needs and share her knowledge. Zoe strives to establish a more equitable and collaborative approach to managing performance, using an online process.”

Lisette Whittaker – University of Sussex – Collaboration Award

“This is an excellent example of empowering a team member to develop a service and resources to support what has been a hidden group of staff.  The emphasis on identifying good practice, sharing knowledge, establishing an inclusive and collaborative community is outstanding and demonstrates what going above and beyond can really achieve.”

Sarah Rhodes – Staffordshire University – Innovation Award

“This submission has demonstrated that by identifying the needs of new teaching and learning staff and understanding the challenges they face, as well as utilising creative skills to develop innovative practice, have resulted in improved retention and a supportive environment for new staff to learn and grow.”

Amy Smith – The University of Manchester – Inclusivity Award

“Amy’s work to develop equity for disabled postgraduate researchers is a great example of developing an inclusive service for an often overlooked PGR cohort. Taking time to listen to staff and researchers, to understand their needs, and to promote a culture of sharing practice were key strengths for this award nomination.”

Tracy Ellis – The University of Liverpool – Leadership Award

“Tracy is making a significant contribution, not only at The University of Liverpool but in a wider forum. Tracy is at the heart of creating an active and meaningful staff development network for the North-West.  She facilitates meetings where all voices are heard, carefully encouraging different voices around the room and broader inclusion at meetings and interest groups. Her peers recognise Tracy’s dedication to supporting others and encouraging greater engagement from all.”

Gold:
University of Leeds – Digital Literacy – Learning to log on

Harriet Boatwright, John Dodds and Dawn Abel

Context: A digital literacy initiative created by three individuals from different services and directorates with one clear goal; to ensure that every member of our staff community had access to a university email address to ensure they received university updates, could check their online pay slips, access free Wi-Fi on campus via eduroam, have access to information on staff benefits, well-being resources and online learning resources.

Silver:
The University of Sheffield – Sheffield Leader: Management Fundamentals – An aspiring and early management development programme

Naomi McNulty, Emma Jepson, Beth Rodgers, Emma Murdoch, Chloe Davey, Ian Cadwallader and Kennis Cho

Context: A self-nominated, 10-module development programme, which takes place over 6 months. Two intakes of the programme are delivered each year, with 100 participants enrolled on each intake, split up into 4 cohorts. The programme includes a mix of in person and virtual modules, delivered over full or half days, and is supported by a community of practice and additional resources. The key aim for the programme is to enable individuals to develop the foundational knowledge, practical skills and behaviours to perform and succeed in their current or future leadership role. 

Bronze:
University of Birmingham – Managing People Toolkit

Vincent Cornelius, Kate Crane, Paul Compton, Jo Higton, Vincent O’Grady, Laura Harding, James Cull, Stuart Harvey & team, Kerry Spooner & team, Philippa Hawkins & team, Monique Myers & team, Rebecca Lewis and Hilary Brown

Context: An online hub for all people who manage the work of others at the University in any context. It lays out the standards expected when managing people and provides learning materials in support. Built in collaboration with staff across the institution, the content relates to the University of Birmingham Strategic Framework 2030

Shortlisted for this award were:

Danny Benton, University of Huddersfield for the nomination ‘Developing our entire people manager population’

Judges comments: Impressive long-term commitment to creating a learning culture, role-modelled by the Vice Chancellor. Focusing on work-based and strategic learning clearly had a positive impact, demonstrated by the return on investment. A really impactful programme that improves the quality and standard of leadership and management in the Institution. A deliberate intention towards recognition that leadership and management is a profession alongside others, feels future forward. The programme offers a blended learning approach that is engaging to the learners and has had demonstrable impact on the application of learning.

Zoe Irvine and Kass Hawkley, University of Portsmouth for the nomination ‘iLead: Inclusive Leadership Exploration and Discovery at UoP’

Judges comments: This programme shows that a focused intention for development can enable positive engagement. The mix of learning approaches based on clear programme principles and the inclusive thread have come together well. This initiative which has been well thought out supports a clear drive to establish values-based leadership at all levels of the university.

Kelly Vere, University of Nottingham for the nomination ‘The Herschel programme for Women in technical leadership’

Judges comments: An outstanding example of working in partnership across universities to meet a defined and important development need. The delegates’ stories were fantastic and highlighted a positive personal impact. An impactful programme with a clear target audience of learners to try and fill a skills gap and improve the number of women leaders in technical leadership roles.

Shortlisted for this award were:

Kathryn Miller, University of Bristol for the nomination ‘Elevate’. 

Judges comments: It’s great to see universities working collaboratively to bring together a programme that supports their collective agendas. It is also good to see that this type of collaborative project can lead to further collaborations due to the new relationships being formed. It is also great to see that this is not seen as a one of programme but there are plans to support the participants via other interventions and undertake longer term assessment of outcomes.

Satu Kapiainen, University of Edinburgh for the nomination ‘Digital Skills Festival’Judges comments: This type of initiative appeals to all and brings together expertise from all across the organisation. Some of the titles of the sessions are really appealing and it is obvious that the event organisers were keen to promote inclusivity. It is an example of what can be achieved if there is sufficient motivation for everyone to contribute. What makes it more appealing as an organisational intervention that is relevant to so many is that it has been achieved with no budget!

Shortlisted for this award were:

Matt Davis & Alexandra Owen, University of Liverpool for the nomination ‘Developing Practice Podcast’

Judges comments: Innovative, collaborative, inspirational. It has international reach, contributing to the reputation and prestige of the institution. Good collaboration between OD and academic development colleagues connecting academic and PS staff; a great example of the knowledge sharing between teams.  Particularly like the anytime aspect of the podcast for those that were unable to attend scheduled sessions and the empowering nature of enabling others to lead.

Christian McGrath & Helen Connor, University of Huddersfield for the nomination ‘Jazz Up Your Day (JUYD)’

Judges comments: The topics covered were highly relevant and transferable. These are certainly themes many are struggling with. Good sharing of experience and tips as well as inclusion of interactive elements demonstrating good use of technology. Enjoyed the intentional focus on a more lighthearted and creative approach and the focus on humour and joy in its creation.