Activity One by Harriet Rowley https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f How to work well together en-us 2021-11-16 15:02:31 UTC 2022-03-28 17:32:16 UTC hello@padlet.com Research activity is not understood and is not recognised within workload. It is not just about grant income it is about the different activities that co-constitute research. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910223556 2021-11-24 09:25:59 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910223556 It's hard to understand the workload. The bean counting (hours etc) takes up so much time. Research especially is handled so differently from teaching and often as a tack-on. So a clearer system to understand the work going into research as clearly as that going into teaching would be helpful. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910223717 2021-11-24 09:26:05 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910223717 I really like the 40/40/20 split recommended by the workload group. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910224167 2021-11-24 09:26:22 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910224167 Some discussion around systems that make things worse rather then helping (timetabling) https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910224878 2021-11-24 09:26:50 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910224878 The mysterious world of trac needs to be uncoupled from workload. Why can't people fill in their own trac record as I did in a previous university? https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910225019 2021-11-24 09:26:55 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910225019 More transparency around everything https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910225607 2021-11-24 09:27:17 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910225607 A book club called 'On the Same Page', books ,films, poetry etc on EDI (Guy has already started writing the PLAN!) https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910226658 2021-11-24 09:27:56 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910226658 Reducing the hours per unit of teaching (education) should be repealed. That happened right when we all ended up doing SO MANY extra hours to teach (online/blended/etc) https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910227368 2021-11-24 09:28:22 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910227368 Embed anti racist practice in teaching and research - decolonise our reading. Think of this as an intellectual project https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910227778 2021-11-24 09:28:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910227778 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910228321 Hold hands up when we make mistakes, and learn from them. Acknowledge unconscious bias]]> 2021-11-24 09:28:51 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910228321 Sustained external support for how we talk about racism in our own spaces is essential. From there we can start to build deeper practice across our work, but at the moment, this isn't something many feel comfortable with and there can be unsafe spaces for colleagues of colour. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910230690 2021-11-24 09:30:19 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910230690 Systems create workload around academic practice e.g. visiting scholar requests, the infrastructure to support basic research activity eg. PGR access to study, is quite complicated and we can spend days on this without doing any important read. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910232173 2021-11-24 09:31:15 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910232173 Mentoring for those on the research pathway is effective, but there is not a similar system for those of the pedagogic pathway. The allocation of time to both pathways appears to be disparate (allocated time to develop research, bids and so on, no obvious time to develop research informed teaching) reinforcing a perception that the research pathway has greater prominence. daniel_allen5 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910232198 2021-11-24 09:31:16 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910232198 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910233723 Capture some of the real stories from our staff and students to help us understand the problems they face and the issues they are dealing with all too often. ]]> 2021-11-24 09:32:16 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910233723 More conduits for voices to be heard - like this one which is excellent :) https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910234171 2021-11-24 09:32:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910234171 We need a proper system for covering teaching absences. It causes a lot of stress currently and relies purely on good will of colleauges https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910234718 2021-11-24 09:32:53 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910234718 reading and academic work - writing articles - when do we do these? In the ten minutes between meetings or at 4 on Fridays was when I was able to write. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910235548 2021-11-24 09:33:25 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910235548 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910235754 First of all - transparency: a Faculty template, with a detailed breakdown of activities to be included in individual workloads. I get a spreadsheet with a string of undeciferable numbers and no explanation. Timeliness: nothing that we do on annual basis is a surprise. Workloads should come out in July to facilitate planning for the next Academic Year. Empowerment: give colleagues agency to negotiate their workloads.]]> 2021-11-24 09:33:33 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910235754 Would be really beneficial if new members of staff could have an 2-3 day induction of key systems (library services, how to create a reference list for unit handbooks, moodle area etc) https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910236241 2021-11-24 09:33:52 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910236241 Can we move from function to meaning in meetings? https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910237162 2021-11-24 09:34:27 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910237162 Cross department teaching teams and opportunities for interdisciplinarity in the development of curriculum, indicative content, assessments and so on is not being fully enabled. daniel_allen5 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910237238 2021-11-24 09:34:30 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910237238 So many of our meetings are about function and reacting/triaging yet another new system (that often isn't working well) and our meetings are rarely about meaning. We must make space for meaningful meetings. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910238838 2021-11-24 09:35:22 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910238838 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910238890 Involve those affected in creating the solutions to the problems instead of trying to decide what needs to be done with no lived experience.]]> 2021-11-24 09:35:24 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910238890 The supportive/effective admin systems would add to feeling supported. rhatchard https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910240288 2021-11-24 09:36:16 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910240288 Peer support for staff wellbeing is not being fully utilised. daniel_allen5 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910241615 2021-11-24 09:37:04 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910241615 Training access https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910242935 The university has organised sessions for training in the different systems (Moodle, Padlet, Vevox...) but the information of days and times for these sessions are not always cascaded on time. Also trying to find the information via the intranet tends to be complicated. 

]]> 2021-11-24 09:37:56 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910242935 Systems are rarely working. But changing the systems all the times do not make things better but worst. esant2 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910244812 2021-11-24 09:39:13 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910244812 HE has a fairly flat management structure which supports academic freedom, but people can feel lonely and isolated - well-being is not recognised. Solutions could be e.g. team development of modules and programmes that connect with research but are genuinely developed in teams that converse regularly about content. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910247146 2021-11-24 09:40:48 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910247146 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910332267 https://mmuintranet.mmu.ac.uk/Interact/Pages/Content/Document.aspx?id=7411
Have a more diverse group of equality forum friends? ]]> 2021-11-24 10:34:54 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910332267 Hmmmmm https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910355521 SJTP has not revolutionised the way that we work. So far it feels like a step backwards. Change is necessary, of course, but honest conversations and listening to, and analysing what is not working have to happen. Give us back the programme teams with named contacts - it will save everyone so much frustration and unneccessary work.]]> 2021-11-24 10:49:56 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1910355521 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912571633 I think that the most important thing to highlight here is that the voices of colleagues appear to not have been heard or listened to. The numerous, confusing changes to Academic/Education services that result in nobody knowing anymore which of the new services does what and worse, who to contact for help - that's quite bad. So good listening and advocating for what colleagues say at a higher level is what is needed.]]> 2021-11-25 12:59:19 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912571633 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912578843 Open and courageous conversations are needed about teaching practices and inclusive behaviour. Respect for all forms of diversity, aknowledgement of our privileges should be a part of these conversations. Also, challenging microaggressions is needed. Perhaps a code of conduct and an appropriate EDI sensitivity training could help with that.]]> 2021-11-25 13:03:52 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912578843 Bring back programme teams. The new system is robotic and everything takes so much longer to achieve, for academics, (maybe it works better for admin staff?) leading to frustrations all round, amongst staff and students. We have an overwhelming number of systems to navigate and these were brought in before we had training packages on how to use them. cleah1_2 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912622177 2021-11-25 13:29:32 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912622177 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912665333 The 'numbers on a spreadsheet' approach ignores the calendar and timetabling implications. I'm trying to mark two assignments at once here, and have repeatedly been expected to teach two classes at the same time. Where's the 'joined up thinking'?]]> 2021-11-25 13:51:19 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912665333 I mean if the tasks on the workload were such that they were actually possible to complete in the hours allocated that would be a fabulous start. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912666833 2021-11-25 13:52:08 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912666833 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912670457 There seems to have been an increase in 'live' meetings that could have been an email, or a pre-recorded video. Meetings are for discussion, not information dumps.]]> 2021-11-25 13:54:00 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912670457 Manageable workloads. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912674399 2021-11-25 13:56:06 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912674399 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912675104 Line managers holding responsibility for a sensible number of staff so that they have time to be available for all.]]> 2021-11-25 13:56:30 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1912675104 workload jdlancaster https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1913869840 Attending meetings online is supportive for those members of staff with caring commitments or long commutes. Provision for some working from home supports the 'green' ethos of MMU and I get more work done from home.]]> 2021-11-26 07:28:42 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1913869840 Workload Equity hunderhill1 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914034485 1. Begin with a realistic conversation with staff about how long things take. Accept there will be variations but approach the conversation positively and in a spirit that staff are not inflating or making numbers up: if we say it takes X hours to do this thing, then it probably does...
2. When a new system is brought in, ensure the workload reflects the change. 
3. Replace rhetoric with action: if the University wants world-leading research, explain to staff why research hours have been cut and how the expectations for what people will produce has also been cut. ]]> 2021-11-26 09:28:01 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914034485 Meetings are to MEET and discuss not just give information that could be sent in an email or via a short video hunderhill1 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914035520 2021-11-26 09:28:46 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914035520 Intranet hunderhill1 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914036870 The intranet search function is terrible. Finding documents, pages etc takes forever and usually relies on asking someone directly. ]]> 2021-11-26 09:29:44 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914036870 Why so many systems? hunderhill1 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914040389 If we were to write down all the different systems many of us use in a day, the list would reveal a mishmash of clunky Office products bashing against bought in software, none of which are compatible. Inputting data into a spreadsheet to then copy to Moodle or viceversa, sending emails about application requirements but then uploading responses to PowerBi. The duplication of admin at the moment is beyond belief. ]]> 2021-11-26 09:32:16 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914040389 Cross-school challenge and collaboration hunderhill1 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914051400 1. We have to be having open conversations that allow us to challenge systemic issues (e.g. see the very, very important comment below about the make=up of the equality fora...)
2. The division between CYES and STEPD in Education is unhelpful, both for enabling staff to grow and develop, but it prevents collaboration that could produce really meaningful action that feeds into research and teaching. We're wasting so much experience, expertise and amazing thinking. It's not about having a big away day every year or two, it's about cross-school teaching and working groups (but not hand-picking the people to be in those groups - open it up to everyone)]]> 2021-11-26 09:39:50 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914051400 Allow us to talk about how we can best use our experience and expertise. How can we give our students and the university the best value from us? hunderhill1 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914052843 2021-11-26 09:41:00 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914052843 Could management... hunderhill1 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914053666 Be proactive rather than reactive? ]]> 2021-11-26 09:41:40 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914053666 Admin support to academic colleagues https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914076155 I am an admin member of staff and I feel frustrated for academic colleagues who are forced to do so much admin because we don't have enough admin staff. Anyone can do Admin, not everyone can teach and produce academic content. We need to ringfence our academic colleagues for academic work only. I feel we are missing a trick here big style. ]]> 2021-11-26 09:58:06 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1914076155 I don't really understand the 'hidden' hours- I'm told that there are 4 hours per visit but only 2 hours appear on my workload. gjohnson186 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1917722368 2021-11-29 12:15:09 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1917722368 I would like more contact with my line manager. She has so much to do I don't like to bother her. gjohnson186 https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1917725001 2021-11-29 12:16:49 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1917725001 I disagree with the point made above that 'anyone can do admin'. I think effective admin staff are like gold. Unfortunately staff seem to constantly shuffled with admin teams regularly changed (usually reduced) and responsibilities moved about. This makes it frustrating and dispiriting when it takes so long to find out who to go to or how to get a simple task completed. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1923330901 2021-12-01 17:13:19 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1923330901 I want a person I can talk to, not an assist portal where the form doesn't always let me state clearly what my problem is. I want to build relationships with colleagues in admin, I don't want to email a faceless inbox. https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1923743554 2021-12-01 20:28:41 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1923743554 Everyone should have three meetings about their workload; what the guidance is/what they hope to do, what it includes when it comes out and a review in sept. every manager should be fully involved in its production so they understand and can support their staff. The overall results could be summarised in a spreadsheet to all staff e.g. teaching, research, support, management hours. jacquimellor https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1926903592 2021-12-03 08:21:48 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1926903592 Present the guidance of the workload to all staff in a faculty presentation; how it will work, the guidance, the timelines before the process starts. Manage expectations jacquimellor https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1926904731 2021-12-03 08:22:37 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1926904731 Area with list of systems, what they are for, how they are accessed, how to get accessed and training materials all in one place. in order of how a member of academic staff might need them e.g. Moodle, student lists, attendance, assessments, outcomes. jacquimellor https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1926907766 2021-12-03 08:24:53 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1926907766 More consistent line management; ensure managers don't have too many people to manage; sufficient managers jacquimellor https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1926909306 2021-12-03 08:26:02 UTC https://padlet.com/hekrowley/tunv5u2whjsh180f/wish/1926909306