I had the pleasure this week of speaking to Professor Garry Pender about our Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission and how important it is for our University – our income, funding and our international reputation. At the last All Staff Executive Briefing, Garry spoke about some key facts and figures relating to our research and highlighted a few areas in which we have gained a significant, world-leading position. In putting together our REF submission, we see most of our University-wide portfolio of research all in one place, the volume of work undertaken, the economic and environmental impacts, and the policy changes we have influenced. It is, in short, a documentation of how our research is changing the world. I know many of you will be very familiar with the REF submission and have likely been living and breathing it for some time now, and you’ll be pleased to hear we have ‘pressed the button’! And for others not as directly involved, my conversation with Garry explains what has been involved, as well as the highlight we are both particularly proud of. There were many, many people involved in putting this submission together, across both academic and professional services teams, and I wish to thank everyone involved. It is a significant – and vitally important – part of the University. In future times we shall be sharing the ‘Impact Case Studies’ that were highlighted in the submission. The formal outcome will not be known until next year.
Across our campuses, we are reaching the anniversary of our first COVID lockdown. I don’t think any of us would have considered that a year on, we would be in such similar circumstances. But with encouraging news about case numbers and vaccines, it is perhaps timely that we are about to celebrate International Happiness Day. To recognise this, we are running a Global Happiness Forum on 20 March, digitally of course, where we will have the opportunity to come together to discuss the importance of mental health and wellbeing and building positive emotions.
The importance of talking to each other has never been more acutely felt than during the pandemic, not only in our personal lives but in our professional lives. I’m hosting another series of Let’s Talk sessions across all campuses, offering colleagues an opportunity to join together for an open discussion in a small group (12 max). These are being held on 7 April in Dubai; 8 April in Malaysia and 9 April in Scotland – all the details are on the staff portal. If you would like to take part in one of these sessions, you can register by emailing principalsoffice@hw.ac.uk by 31 March with your name, role and school/service. I very much look forward to speaking with you.
These Let’s Talk sessions are just one way we can keep an open dialogue. By now you should all have received an email inviting you to take part in the Annual Staff Survey. As I have mentioned previously, this is an important channel for all colleagues to be able to express their views and opinions on the various aspects of how we work, and I encourage everyone to take part. Thank you to everyone who has already taken the time to complete the survey – we have already seen an encouraging number of responses, over 600 in fact, so early in the process. The survey will remain open until Thursday 1 April so plenty of time still to share your thoughts. Our University is our people, and it is for all of us to shape.
Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor