I have been delighted to have the opportunity to meet so many staff in my first six Let’s Talk sessions in Dubai, Edinburgh and Malaysia.

These discussions provide an informal listening opportunity for me to hear about what colleagues like about working at Heriot-Watt and suggestions for what we could improve.

So, what have we been talking about? Well, the discussions have been wide ranging and included staff from all types of areas – professional services, postdoctoral staff and academic staff at all levels. I thought I would share some of the generic topics raised, while respecting the privacy of those involved. While not exhaustive, it is an extensive list with each topic being important for me to hear your views about.

Here it is:

  • induction and arrival support for international postdoctoral research assistants
  • senior staff appointment processes
  • enhanced staff performance and wellbeing support
  • pastoral support and operations in students hall of residence
  • workload and flexible work practises
  • impact of cost savings on staff work
  • IT communications between campuses for staff, lecture and student project work
  • academic autonomy and respect between in campuses
  • scheduling of examinations and international holidays and festivals
  • importance of face to face meetings across the group and between campus staff
  • international remuneration and secondment payment levels
  • involvement of staff in changes processes
  • marking and feedback practises
  • coherence of webpages
  • university environmental impact and policy
  • greater involvement of staff in creative dialogue and new ideas and opportunities in recruitment
  • capability and use of data analytics in targeting recruitment and more strategic recruitment measures
  • university policy on requiring senior appointments to be routinely seconded around campuses.

Overwhelmingly the people I spoke to have expressed pleasure in working at the University, citing friendliness, comradery and a desire to be involved more often. This is helpful as we all develop richer ways to engage colleagues in future.

I have been careful to listen to these suggestions and I do thank staff for their thoughtful comments. It helps me understand what’s important to you and I have been able to follow up on background areas pertaining to some of the issues raised. While this forum is in anyway intended to bypass the formal and normal processes of management, there are two specific actions from the dialogues so far:

1. Let’s see..:

In providing some insight into how Let’s Talk has been going, others in the senior team have suggested we should provide more opportunities for staff to get insight into emerging initiatives and places. Colleagues at Let’s Talk were very interested to see different places in the University. In Edinburgh, I am pleased to respond to this by announcing some opportunities to “Let’s See”, starting with the new GRID facility. Look out for more detailed information and sign up for a tour in March. There will be opportunities for “Let’s See” at other campuses I am sure.

2. Environmental Impact of the University:

There was a strong interest to start a wider discussion of how we might develop our aspiration to impact society more widely, particularly around the environment. As a first step, I have asked this to be the first topic in a future staff discussion forum.

I look forward to expanding these ongoing dialogues with more Let’s Talk sessions. Dates for the sessions are being arranged in all of our five campuses over the next few months.

Invitations will be issued locally with more details of how to sign up. Look forward to seeing you there.

Professor Richard A. Williams
Principal and Vice-Chancellor