The theme for the Staff Development Conference 2010 – Critical times, creative responses – reflects the pressures placed on the higher education sector by the economic downturn, policy changes, society’s demands and national and global competition. UK higher education is no stranger to change; it has survived and indeed thrived through many periods of turmoil. Its longevity and reinvigoration suggest we are ‘doing something right’ in delivering the core business of learning, research and contribution to business, community and society. However, today’s critical times are already with us and we can anticipate that we shall be operating in an increasingly challenging, competitive and complex world for many years to come.
Such times demand critical and creative responses from staff and organisational developers, who are called on to lead people strategy, support and facilitate reorganisation, deliver personal and professional development and significant cultural change.
The Staff Development Conference 2010 aims to bring together staff and organisational development professionals from across higher education institutions (HEIs) to:
With both formal and informal space available, there will be plenty of opportunities for delegates to engage in a wide range of activities. Plenary sessions will be set out cabaret style to encourage interaction between delegates; formal and informal networking sessions and contributions from regional groups will feature and the programme will also include some innovative, multimedia approaches to development.