Description
This session will draw on the experiences of the presenters, insights from an online network, and the findings of an exploratory project at the University of Bristol, to discuss what it means to take a research-informed approach to your work as a higher education professional. The session will begin with a short presentation, and then move into facilitated workshop.Research is widely recognised as a core element of academic work in higher education, but not as a core element of professional services. This is despite many professional services staff having research training, completing further study that reflects on their professional practice, and undertaking tasks that might qualify them as a ‘researcher’ in other sectors (e.g. running surveys, focus groups, evaluating initiatives, and analysing data).
Higher education is facing complex challenges, and we need to be making informed decisions about how our professional services can be delivered, how they are experienced by users, and how we ensure they are sustainable and fit for the future. This includes using our resources efficiently whilst at the same time embracing innovation, particularly through digital tools.
Research can help us make informed decisions; whether we are carrying out research ourselves, or using the outputs of other people’s research to apply to our own context – we are creating and using evidence to achieve results. Using a research-approach in our professional work can help bring credibility and integrity to decisions we make or advocate for. Sharing our findings with external audiences fosters collaboration and engagement in the wider context, and can help the sector build a better evidence base about ‘what works’ in higher education administration and management, to become more effective and resilient organisations with sustainable practices.
| Period | 3 Jun 2025 |
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| Held at | Association of Higher Education Professionals (AHEP), United Kingdom |
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