OD&PL development roundup – August 2024
Welcome to our August 2024 roundup
Explore a roundup of upcoming development opportunities and the latest news from across Organisational Development & Professional Learning (OD&PL). You can also view our full calendar of events and programmes on the Staff Intranet, with new opportunities added regularly, so remember to check back often for the latest updates.
All staff
Mentor Development Session: Disability, Neurodiversity and the Mentoring Journey
The next mentor lunch and learn session takes place online on Thursday 5 September from 12noon-1pm. This session will focus on disability, neurodiversity, and the mentoring journey. Mentors Alice Lyford and Heledd Jarosz-Griffiths will share their personal insights on supporting mentees with a disability or neurodiversity. The session will include an introduction to the Social Model of Disability, reflections from the speakers on their lived experiences, and a time for discussion and Q&A.
University Welcome Event for New Staff
The next welcome event for new staff takes place on 15 August from 10-11.30am. Find out more about Leeds, meet new colleagues and explore the range of benefits, support and advice available.
Beginner's guide to LinkedIn Learning
Sign up for the next Beginner's Guide to LinkedIn Learning event on 26 September from 10-11am to explore how it can support your learning and development. Our LinkedIn Learning expert will share top tips for how to use the many features available within LinkedIn Learning for maximum personal and professional impact.
Rock your LinkedIn profile events
Hosted by our partners LinkedIn, this series of events can help you make the most of your LinkedIn profile. Join this session to learn what it takes to build a great profile that speaks directly to your ideal audience and get your questions answered by a LinkedIn expert. There are several events taking place during August.
Grades 2-5
Grades 2-5 development drop-in sessions
Due to the August bank holiday, the monthly drop-in session at the Wellbeing Hub will next take place on 24 September. These drop-in events offer an opportunity to explore learning and development opportunities for colleagues working in roles graded two to five. You are welcome to drop by anytime between 10am and 12noon on the fourth Tuesday of each month, except when this falls on a University closed day.
Navigator development programme for men
The next Navigator development programme for men in grade 2-5 roles will run from November 2024 to February 2025. Applications are open until Friday 30 August. The Navigator programme was developed in response to the success of the Springboard development programme. It supports participants in developing the skills and action plans needed to achieve their goals, while also helping manage stress, change, and work-life balance. An information session will be held in September for applicants to explore the programme in more detail and ensure it meets their expectations before fully committing.
Springboard development programme for women
Apply to join the next Springboard development programme, running from September to December 2024. Designed specifically for the personal and professional development of women in grade 2-5 roles, this OD&PL programme covers topics including improving self-confidence, enhancing proactive approaches, effective communication and assertiveness.
Leadership and management
Management Essentials
Dates for our Management Essentials sessions in 2024/25 are now available to book. This series covers a variety of topics crucial for new and existing managers to equip them with the essential tools and knowledge for effective team management and understanding of their responsibilities.
- Introduction to Management
- Sustainability: The Role of the Manager
- Health and Safety: The Role of the Manager
- SRDS Reviewer Training
- Introduction to Recruitment
- Health and Wellbeing
- Supporting Excellence
- Using psychological perspectives to manage professional relationships
- An introduction to having difficult conversations
Dates are be listed on the events section of our OD&PL intranet site and on our Management Essentials webpages.
Leadership development programmes in 2024/25
Explore and book your place on our range of leadership development programmes, designed to support leaders at various stages of their journey, from aspiring and new leaders to those more established in their roles.
- Connected Leadership – Sign up for the 2024/25 Connected Leadership Programme, crafted for established leaders to develop essential leadership skills. This programme offers six modules covering topics such as leading change, translating and developing strategy and leading and developing teams. You can find out more about the programme by attending an upcoming information session.
- Establishing Your Leadership – The Establishing your Leadership programme is for leaders transitioning into new roles. Running five times in 2024/25, it features modules focused on developing your leadership, building team effectiveness, leading across the University, and navigating uncertainty.
- Discovering Your Leadership – Discovering your Leadership is aimed at aspiring and new leaders. This programme will run over four communities in 2024/25. It includes five sessions on key topics like conflict management, collaboration, communication and transformational change. Participants will receive a certificate of achievement and a 12-month membership to the Chartered Management Institute upon completion.
Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
Apply for the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, starting in February. This programme enhances the leadership skills of managers, focusing on the theory and practice of management as well as essential business concepts. It also prepares you to advance to more senior roles, with course fees paid by the University. Spaces for staff are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. It is recommended to apply as soon as possible by 11 September.
Facilitation Skills for Leaders and Managers
As a manager or leader, you'll often need facilitation skills in various settings, such as team meetings, project discussions, or during change initiatives. These skills are crucial for creating a safe environment, fostering collaboration, and ensuring effective communication and decision-making within teams. This Facilitation Skills for Leaders and Managers workshop focuses on practical facilitation techniques, covering the facilitator's role, methods, good practice, and overcoming challenges.
Researcher development and research culture
Research Culture Uncovered Podcast shortlisted for Vitae ICE Award
Colleagues from the University have been shortlisted for the prestigious Vitae Impact, Culture, and Engagement (ICE) Awards. The team behind the Research Culture Uncovered Podcast has been shortlisted in the ‘Research Culture Impact Through Researcher Development Award’ category. This nomination celebrates the podcast’s impactful and innovative work within the researcher development community, emphasising the importance of enhancing research culture. Since its launch in 2022, the team from OD&PL and the Library Research Service Team have released over 80 episodes, attracting more than 5,000 listeners from 81 countries.
Research Culture Café - 14 August
Join us for the next Research Culture Café on 14 August from 11am-12noon. This event is part of ongoing work to create and promote a positive and inclusive research culture. These events offer insightful discussions on various aspects of research culture, providing a platform for us to share experiences, discuss challenges and propose ideas.
Policy Engagement Kickstart Programme
Book your place on the online autumn Policy Engagement Kickstart programme before midnight on 4 October. The programme starts on 22 October and is aimed at researchers and research support staff, providing the knowledge and skills to engage with policymakers. You can also register for the winter Policy Engagement Kickstart programme before midnight on 17 January 2025. This programme will run on campus from February 2025.
Student education development
University of Leeds Teaching Awards 2024
The winners of the 2024 University of Leeds Teaching Awards were announced last month, recognising the outstanding work and innovation of colleagues in delivering high-quality teaching and learning at Leeds. Now in their fourth year, the awards continue to grow, with nominations almost doubling from 2023. Applications were received from across the University, showcasing a wide range of impressive contributions. The panel were incredibly impressed by the level of applications and the impact demonstrated by colleagues. This high standard is reflected in the national recognition many of our winners have gone on to achieve for their teaching.
Professional Recognition in Student Education (PRiSE)
The PRiSE scheme supports colleagues to achieve professional recognition for their contributions to student education. You can apply for Associate Fellowship, Fellowship or Senior Fellowship. OD&PL offer a full range of support sessions and resources, include an introduction session, support sessions and mentoring.
Foundations in Teaching course
Register for the online, self-paced Foundations in Teaching (FiT) course from OD&PL, providing information and advice to those new to teaching or new to teaching at Leeds. The course is available to staff, postgraduate students and researchers. The course is self-paced and is delivered online, with no time-limit to complete it. The core of the course is estimated to take 3 hours, with an additional 2-4 hours of optional activities and the chance to explore related links. Following FiT, participants will be further supported by being invited to sign up to optional focussed synchronous sessions to support teaching development in specific areas.
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