OD&PL development roundup – June 2024
Welcome to our June 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
University Mentoring Scheme: 132 new partnerships
We are delighted to announce the matching of 132 new mentoring partnerships through our University Mentoring Scheme. Open for applications year-round, the scheme matches new partnerships twice annually, in May and November. Currently, our mentoring scheme has 560 active participants and colleagues can apply to become a mentor and/or mentee.
Mentoring partnerships offer mutual benefits, allowing colleagues to share knowledge and skills, and support each other in achieving their individual objectives. During the application process, colleagues can specify their goals for the mentoring experience, which our OD&PL team uses to create tailored partnerships. We also provide comprehensive guidance and training to ensure participants gain the most from their mentoring journey.
TechExchange (19 June) and Technician Open House (10-21 June)
Ever wondered what our technicians get up to? Technician Open House Tours are now available to book! Tours include laboratories, workshops and studio spaces across campus, such as Metrology, Earth and Environment, LIGHT building and Pond Dipping! Plus, TechExchange Showcase is back in Parkinson Court for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we meet and celebrate technicians across the University who play a key role in teaching and research. Find out more on the Technician Network intranet pages.
Sign up for the next University Welcome Event for New Staff
The next welcome events for new staff takes place on 3 July (10-11.30am). Find out more about Leeds, meet new colleagues and explore the range of benefits, support and advice available.
Enhancing Student Belonging at the University of Leeds with PebblePad
Read a newly published PebblePad case study to discover how the University of Leeds has used PebblePad to elevate pre-arrival engagement and students’ sense of belonging and readiness for academic life at Leeds. The case study, published in the PebblePad Perspective newsletter, explores how we developed a customisable and interactive tool to foster a sense of belonging prior to students’ arrival.
Enhance Your Digital Capabilities with Bespoke Events
We are pleased to offer bespoke demonstrations of the Jisc Discovery Tool, designed to help colleagues enhance their digital capabilities. These tailored sessions are available for teams and departments. To arrange a session for your group, please contact us at peopledev@leeds.ac.uk. The Jisc Discovery Tool assists you in assessing and improving your digital skills, providing personalized resource recommendations based on your responses. Additionally, we are hosting an introduction event for the Jisc Discovery Tool on 18 June for those seeking further support.
Beginner's guide to LinkedIn Learning
Sign up for the next Beginner's Guide to LinkedIn Learning event on 4 July 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 virtual 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 June.
Grades 2-5
Monthly grade 2-5 drop-in session at the Wellbeing Hub
Our next monthly drop-in session at the Wellbeing Hub (formerly the LOGIK Centre) takes place on 25 June and will give you a chance to explore learning and development opportunities for colleagues working in roles graded two to five. Colleagues can drop in to these monthly sessions anytime between 10am and 12noon on the fourth Tuesday of the month, unless this falls on a University closed day.
- Digital capabilities: At the June drop-in event there will be a focus on digital development with an opportunity to explore and use the Jisc Discovery Tool with colleagues from OD&PL on hand to guide and support you through the process. The tool helps you understand your digital capabilities and how you can enhance them.
- Additional event on 4 June 3-7pm: This month there will also be an additional session on 4 June from 3pm-7pm for colleagues who work during the evening/night. The session will take place in the main entrance lounge of the Edward Boyle Library.
Grades 2–5 career development programmes
New dates are now available to book for our grade 2-5 career development programmes:
- First Steps – The First Steps session on 9 July or 6 August, helps you look at where you are in your career, reflect on your achievements, identify future goals and start career planning.
- Careers Information, Advice and Guidance programme – There are two cohorts available for this programme, starting on 17 July or 13 August. The programme looks at creating effective CVs, skills profiles, job applications and interview skills.
Dr Eileen Barrett short story competition
Last month, the University launched the Dr EileenBarrett short story competition. Open to colleagues in Grade 2-4 roles, entries are invited for stories up to 500 words long, with the chance of winning £50! The deadline to submit your entry is 10 June.
Leadership and management
Aurora leadership development programme for women
Recordings from our recent line Manager and applicant briefing events for the Aurora programme will soon be available to watch on our Aurora webpage. The events gave colleagues an opportunity to find out more about the programme ahead of applications opening on 17 June. Aurora is a leadership development programme for women (including non-binary and transgender colleagues) in grade 6-8 roles, designed and facilitated by Advance HE.
Connected Leadership
Information sessions – Join us for an information session about the Connected Leadership Programme. It supports established leaders to develop a connected, collaborative, and values-led approach, aiming to enhance self-awareness, strategic thinking, and the skills to lead and inspire teams effectively and drive positive change. The online sessions cover who the Connected Leadership Programme is for, its purpose, and how to apply. New dates for 2024/25 will be available soon.
Management Essentials
Explore the following Management Essentials sessions we have taking place in June and July:
- 12 June – Introduction to Recruitment
- 12 June – Introduction to Management
- 13 June – An introduction to having difficult conversations
- 13 June – SRDS Reviewer Training
- 18 June – Health and Wellbeing
- 19 June – Supporting Excellence
- 26 June – Managing Stress and Mental Health
- 4 July – SRDS Reviewer Training
Researcher development and research culture
BOOST Career Development for Researchers
BOOST is our programme of events supporting career development for researchers. It covers a broad range of topics to equip yourself with the skills and confidence needed to manage your career. Here are some of the upcoming events you can sign up for:
- 5 June (2.30-3.30pm) and 17 July (11am-12noon) – Narrative CV/R4RI drop-ins
- 5 June (10am-1pm) – Career Planning and Making Good Decisions
- 20 June (10am-1pm) – Planning your First Fellowship
- 26 June (10am-12noon) – Career Conversations (for postdocs)
- 9 July (2-4pm) – Career Conversations (for Research Leaders)
- 18 July (1-3.30pm) – Career Clarification: Who you are Matters
The BOOST programme runs from September to July each year, with a break in August. The 2024/25 calendar of events will be shared during the summer.
Research Culture Cafés - 11 June & 14 August
- 11 June (10-11am) – Themes: Research Integrity/Responsible Research, Reward and Recognition
- 14 August (11am-12pm) – Open theme
Research Culture for Early Career Researchers
26 June, 10am – 12noon (On campus)
Attend a new OD&PL pilot workshop looking at research culture for early career researchers. You’ll learn about the impact of research culture, the positive influence you can have and the wider implications of workplace culture on your career. The session will also give you an opportunity to meet with your peers and to share ideas about research culture.
Research Culture Uncovered Podcast: Launching Season 8 and Celebrating 7,000 Downloads
Check out the latest series of our Research Culture Uncovered podcast. In May 2024, the podcast entered its eighth season, and we’re thrilled to celebrate reaching over 7,000 downloads. This season, we continue to explore our ideas, approaches, and learning as we contribute to creating a thriving research culture at the University. Stay updated and join the conversation by following our podcast's LinkedIn page.
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Workshop
Join our new workshop on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) for PGRs and ECRs from across disciplinary areas. There are two parts to this workshop: 26th June (face-to-face) and 11th July (optional online). Learn to align research with societal values, engage diverse stakeholders, fulfil funding body requirements and integrate RRI into your projects for ethical and sustainable outcomes.
Virtual Academic Writing Retreat
Do you need to dedicate time to a piece of academic writing? We are running another of our popular Virtual Writing Retreats for staff and postgraduate researchers between 26-28 June. Anyone who wishes to spend focused time on a specific piece of academic writing is welcome to apply for the retreats. You might be working on a book chapter, a journal article, a funding proposal or a fellowship application. This could be at any stage of development. The retreat will take place online, over 3 days, on the 26–28 June 2024. The deadline to apply is 5pm on 17 June – you'll be advised of the outcome of your application by close of business on Thursday 20 June.
Student education development
Professor Anne Tallontire awarded Principal Fellowship (PFHEA)
Professor Anne Tallontire has become the ninth colleague currently at the University of Leeds to be recognised as a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) for her leadership in student education across the institution. Principal Fellowship is awarded by Advance HE to colleagues whose practice involves a sustained record of effectiveness in strategic leadership and extensive impact on high-quality learning.
Read more about Anne achieving PFHEA
If you're considering applying for Principal Fellowship, visit our PFHEA webpage to find out more about the support we can offer for your application.
Leading in Student Education Workshops
There's still time to sign up for the final Leading in Student Education workshops for this academic year. The course is aimed at staff who hold a leadership role within student education and is built around three themes.
- 3 June (1-3pm) Influencing others and building consensus
- 12 June (1-3pm) Creating presence and authenticity in your leadership
Dates for the next academic year will be released over the summer.
Teaching and Scholarship Culture Cafés
Sign up for the upcoming Teaching and Scholarship Culture Cafés on 11 June and 17 July. This new series of online sessions are hosted by OD&PL and are part of ongoing work to promote a fully supportive institutional culture that rewards and recognises good practice in education. Contribute to a discussion and share your ideas about a positive teaching and scholarship culture at the next online event.
Professional Recognition in Student Education (PRiSE)
Through the PRiSE scheme, colleagues can get professional recognition for their contributions to student education. You can apply for Associate Fellowship, Fellowship or Senior Fellowship. Attend a PRiSE introduction session to find out more, there are sessions available on 12 June and 4 July.
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