Dear colleagues,

The Warwick Network staff conference will take place on Thursday 12 December 2013 and will be an all-day event, open to all staff. The purpose of the day is to enable staff to take time away from their day job to focus on topics of University-wide and sector importance, engage with other colleagues and take advantage of development opportunities. All staff - academic and administrative are encouraged to attend.

This year, the theme for the Network Day will be ‘Warwick’s Place in the World’ and will focus on Warwick’s role and impact locally, regionally, nationally, internationally and in the HE sector. The day will be chaired by Torin Douglas, former BBC media correspondent. Nita Clarke, Director of the IPA, is also confirmed as plenary speaker. As usual, there will be a range of strategic sessions in the morning focusing on Warwick’s role globally, and a range of personal development sessions in the afternoon. There will also be a lunchtime marketplace with representation from a range of services and departments.

Given the background to the day and the support that has developed over its six year history, I would encourage you to think of creative solutions to enable as many members of your department to attend as possible, whilst making responsible operational decisions regarding a minimum staffing level. I recognise, of course, that key front-line services must be maintained.

Registration will open in November. Staff are encouraged to attend for the entire day but, in an effort to make attendance as accessible as possible, a small number of places will be held for staff who are only able to attend for half the day. Colleagues who are unable to attend will be able to take advantage of write-ups and footage of the sessions which will be posted on the Warwick Network website after the event.

Please share this advice with colleagues within your department in order to discuss operational obligations and their availability to participate in the day.

With thanks for your support,

Jo Horsburgh | Deputy Registrar