Dialogue looks back at the first ever Making a Difference staff event, which took place on 15 September, and asks what the next steps will be following this unique conference.
The aim of the Making a Difference at Durham event was always to open up conversations and a space for idea sharing for staff from all areas of the University.
The event resulted from last year’s Staff Survey, from which three key themes also emerged and became the focus for the day’s central sessions: Creating a Caring Culture, Being Fair & Equitable, and Leading by Example & Building Trust.
Colleagues at the early bird meet and greet event
The day included an Early Bird meet and greet, a welcome from the Vice-Chancellor, three Learning Conversations with panels of UEC members on the themes mentioned above, various Information Sessions on everything from physical wellbeing to academic development, and an exhibition showcasing the benefits and opportunities available to all staff.
Some of the feedback received following the event suggests that it surpassed expectations, providing a fresh and innovative opportunity for colleagues to make links and explore opportunities, as well as for frank conversations between staff from across the organisation.
An academic colleague from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Health commented:
It was a very different event from almost any that I can recall since coming to Durham.
"Primarily, I want to acknowledge the brave steps taken. I very much valued the empathy shown, the acknowledgement of problems, the recognition and explanation of actions and decisions taken, and the commitments given to take further steps.
"My sense was that underlying many comments from staff was a real desire for the University to move forward. I feel that events and forums like the Making a Difference event are important for the open discussions that are required, and I hope that subsequent actions that may be taken can show how such discussions can lead to valuable and valued progress."
Colleagues networking at our first Make a Difference staff event
The day itself is just one part of an ongoing process, as Senior Organisation Development Manager and event organisation lead Deborah Beel explained:
There is certainly an appetite to continue the open, authentic conversations we saw at Making a Difference.
“We’ve been busy pulling together feedback and action points from the day and will be ensuring that we inform colleagues about what happens next.”
The Vice-Chancellor opened and closed the event, as well as visiting the exhibition and meeting with colleagues. Professor O’Brien subsequently commented: “The event was an important moment for our university community. There was a series of frank and meaningful conversations between colleagues from all areas of the University.
We are listening, and we will be taking action points forward from the day.
Although a full staff survey is not an annual event, there will be pulse surveys early in 2023, informed by the original findings plus insights gained at Making a Difference. Look out for those and further opportunities to get involved over the coming months.
If you weren’t able to attend, or you’re interested in finding out more about what happened throughout the Making a Difference event, you can find recordings and summaries as well as feedback and photos on the SharePoint site
Colleagues at the early bird meet and greet event