Induction and training

Encouraging and enabling our colleagues at key career stages

Our School’s Strategic Plan for 2016-19 includes a commitment to “review and improve our induction processes and support for personal and career development, including through mentoring of early career staff by senior academics.” A revised induction process for new academic and research staff is being developed which will include enhanced pre-start information and a more structured ‘longitudinal’ approach to ensuring that staff are supported through their first months in the School. Each individual’s induction will be monitored by the School’s HR admin team, who will be able to signpost additional support, if required.

Informatics HR resources including induction

Annual Performance and Development Review

Our annual Performance and Development Review (PDR) was launched in 2011 to support of the University’s commitment to a positive performance culture which enables, encourages and recognises success. More information about the process may be found on our intranet and on the College of Science and Engineering website.

Training

The University offers a vast range of short training courses to help you develop in your career. Topics range from Designing and Delivering Lectures to Allocating, Monitoring and Supporting Work, Creating a Data Management Plan for your Grant Application, and everything in between. In addition the School has its own Staff Development budget and the Equality and Diversity Committee uses its budget to support training and networking.

To see what is available, log into MyEd and put your cursor over the Home button. Courses are listed under 'Event booking.'

Log into MyEd

In addition, the Institute for Academic Development provides University-level support for teaching, learning and researcher development. This remit includes a mixture of direct support for students and staff eg. workshops, online resources, networks and advice.

Teaching Matters run events, as well as offering a number of online resources for teaching staff.

The School has its own Staff Development budget and the Equality and Diversity Committee also uses its budget to support training and networking.

Mentoring

The University's Mentoring Connections programme provides all staff with time and space to meet with a mentor/mentee to talk through a variety of issues that affect them at various stages of their career and development, for example work life balance, career development, or promotion paths.

Leadership

A wide range of workshops is available from the University, which is aimed at developing specific skills in leading, managing and influencing people. Regular courses include Leadership styles, Developing your Staff, Giving Effective Feedback, Practical Project Management and Bite-sized Project Management. There is also a comprehensive four-day modular programme for senior staff currently in headship roles or who may be in such roles soon.

Programmes for women

The School supports women who wish to apply for Equate Scotland's Coaching for Success programme and Aurora Leadership programme for women in Higher Education.

Equate Scotland also offers free one-off 'career clinics', which any woman can attend (see link below).