The Sessions
SING ACAPPELLA - A FUN AND INCLUSIVE WORKSHOP
Bruce Knight
What were the objectives of your session?
To give the participants the rare opportunity to let their hair down, have a jolly good sing, and discover the joys of acappella harmony singing.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes – both groups seemed delighted with what was achieved and left on a real high.
MEDIATION AT WARWICK
Bob Thomson (2pm)
What were the objectives of your session?
The session explained how the process works and the principles underpinning it. It also considered when mediation is appropriate and the skills needed to mediate effectively.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes.
Sharon Neal (11am)
What were the objectives of your session?
- To define the scope and application of the University’s internal mediation service
- To demonstrate how the process operates
- To encourage understanding of the role of mediation
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes.
THE WARWICK PUBLICATIONS SERVICE & WRAP
Yvonne Budden
What were the objectives of your session?
Session objectives were to provide an introduction the Warwick Publications service and the Warwick Research Archive Portal (WRAP); their structure, functions and the link between them. To provide a background on the reasons for the service and the benefits to the Institution. To give attendees a hands-on demonstration of the service and to discuss ways to further promote the materials held in the service.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
The session achieved the objectives with all the attendees, and generated a number of good discussions around the service and the practicalities. There was also a good period of time available for the attendees to have a go at using the system in a range of ways which will be very useful for them in the future.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
There were a number of ideas generated, particularly during the discussion on promoting the service both externally and to members of research staff here at Warwick. Some of the ideas are ‘quick wins’ that we hope to be able to put into effect soon some others will be used to enhance existing longer term projects we have planned.
PROCESS THINKING:WHY YOU SHOULD
Leighton Joskey
What were the objectives of your session?
To engage and inspire participants about process thinking, give them context to relate process thinking to their jobs, and introduce them to related resources available to them in the University.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes, participants were involved and active, contributing to all areas of the session. Together we rapidly improved a ball throwing process by orders of magnitude, saved Christmas (solving Santa’s process problems with the Elfs’ present wrapping), and shared examples of process issues in our work environments.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
Positive comments and questions during and after the session helped reinforce our belief that there are many opportunities out there for the University to benefit from process thinking. We are looking forward to helping some of our participants with that very soon.
OUR UK STAKEHOLDERS: WHO ARE THEY AND WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH THEM?
Trevor Seeley
What were the objectives of your session?
To give attendees an overview of the University’s external UK stakeholders, why they are important to us, and what departments are doing to engage with them.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
I believe so – the audience ranged from people who were relatively new to stakeholder relations, to some who were actively involved in stakeholder engagement. There was good interaction from the attendees, and the ensuing discussion suggested that many in the audience understood the concepts.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
One attendee indicated that they would like the Communications Office to help them with a stakeholder audit.
WIDENING PARTICIPATION AND OUTREACH AT WARWICK
Andrew Higgins and Kim Eccleston
EFFECTIVE TEAMS: A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS
Kevin Hamer
What were the objectives of your session?
To enable participants to be able to describe: the differences between groups and teams, the characteristics of really effective teams and to reflect on their own team’s current position. To examine the roles played within teams, to look at how teams grow and develop and to identify where people can access further support around team development.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes, I believe so.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
There is potential work for the Learning Development Centre dependant on contact.
BUSINESS CONTINUITY MANAGEMENT: WHY? AND WHERE DO WE BEGIN?
Joy Findlay
What were the objectives of your session?
To introduce participants to the concepts of business continuity management and its importance and benefits for universities and to present the University’s approach to business continuity and how this fits with other planning processes. Via a short exercise, to enable participants to reflect on activities within their department and to be able to identify potential business continuity issues. To signpost advice, guidance and resources for departments in the development of their business continuity plans.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
The session reinforced the need to formally support colleagues in the development of their departmental BC plans. We are now considering running WoW sessions based on this.
COPING WITH CHANGE
Sharon Neal
What were the objectives of your session?
To understand the emotional impact of change, to recognise your own response and typical behavioural responses to change, and to identify strategies to help yourself and others deal with the emotional impact of change.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes.
RESEARCH MATCH: CONNECTING RESEARCHER WITH RESEARCHER
Fiona Colligan and Jen Delasalle
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!
Graham Crump and Keith Tayler
What were the objectives of your session?
To show the styles of food available on campus for all customers, highlighting the skills and diversity of catering. Educating attendees on some simple skills that they could carry out at home.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
All objectives were achieved and the response from attendees was encouraging.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
We had a number of enquiries on cookery courses generally and also about food awareness and safety for students who cook for themselves.
EVERY STUDENT AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
James Kennedy
What were the objectives of your session?
To explore what is meant by ‘every student an international student’ with colleagues from across the University.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes, though there was a disappointing turn-out, with only just over half of those who registered coming for each session.
STRESS MANAGEMENT TASTER
Trudie Donnelly
What were the objectives of your session?
• To understand what stress is and how the body responds
• To recognise some of the signs and symptoms
• To learn about and practice some simple coping strategies
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes I believe so.
Ideas Generated and Future Work
Some personal coping strategies were shared amongst the group.
CARBON = CASH: BURN LESS OF BOTH
Joel Cardinal and Sam Boulby
What were the objectives of your session?
To contribute to creating the background noise about carbon by running interactive sessions where attendees gain knowledge of the Carbon Challenge Group activities and other carbon/energy saving (cash) initiatives around the campus, to be able to take ideas home for their own benefit and bring more initiatives to the University and Carbon Challenge Group knowledge that will be further shared.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes, the sessions have achieved their objectives. A number of questions have been raised and several productive contacts have been established for further discussions.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
More collaboration with students and academics. Energy and carbon walk around in departments.
STAFF FUNDING THROUGH THE ERASMUS PROGRAMME
Amanda Ashby
What were the objectives of your session?
To provide information and promotion for the Erasmus Programme, with priority given to the 3 areas of Staff Mobility.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
I believe so. Erasmus Staff Mobility is an ideal opportunity for staff at all levels and in all departments to undertake a funded visit to a European partner institution or another European organisation, active in their field for personal development. The event ensured that we have been able to use all of the 22 grants provided by the British Council.
WARWICK'S DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ken Punter
What were the objectives of your session?
To impart knowledge about the university’s digital communications strategy and activities (including: website, Knowledge Centre, video and audio production, mobile app development and social media). To instigate a discussion and to answer questions pertinent to issues affecting colleagues across the organisation relating to digital and online communications.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
Yes, the presentations were well received with lively discussions, questions and observations made. All the questions and issues were captured.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
The main themes captured will feed into the on-going digital and online strategy development, including an upcoming workshop with senior academics and administrators.
REFRESHING IGGY'S FOUNDATIONS
Kevin Johnson and Dave Wood
What were the objectives of your session?
To develop greater awareness and understanding of IGGY; its progress during the first year of development into an online model; and generate new content and marketing ideas.
Were these objectives successfully achieved through the session?
The session benefitted from strong engagement from those present, with both goodwill and strong ideas in evidence.
Outcome, ideas and future plans generated by the session
A number of the ideas – as pitched in the Dragon’s Den part of the session – are now being actively considered by the newly appointed IGGY Director, Janey Walker.