Approaches
- We will continually invest in our people to ensure they feel valued, supported and able to flourish with us.
- Our core behaviours and organisational culture will reflect our pride in Bader College and our respect for others.
- We will establish a culture that enables individual and collective creativity and innovation.
Case Study: Workload Planning for Equity, Transparency and Wellbeing
Empowering People
Prior to 2023, academic workload was allocated on an annual basis, but not always with associated calculations, leading to uneven distribution of workload and unclear reporting lines.
Recognising that wellbeing and workload are inextricably linked, to achieve an equitable distribution of responsibilities, the Academic Department reporting lines were restructured into a more collaborative, team-based model, and a new draft workload model was introduced. The proposed model set out key principles and classified academic responsibilities into four workload areas. As the model was derived from more conventional university contexts, the draft was tested by a Working Group, comprised of faculty members. This group was tasked with reviewing, stress-testing and developing a context-appropriate version for Bader College.
The group met with faculty colleagues to gain a better understanding of existing workloads and to collect data for mathematical modelling.
Recommendations were put forward to amend the model to enable a more accurate way of calculating course-related duties, and the balancing of operational realities with the delivery of academic excellence.
The group will oversee the implementation of the model, continuing to engage with all colleagues to ensure representation of different experiences and regularly liaising with the Director of Academic Affairs. Following an initial pilot year, the group will make a new set of recommendations to the Senior Management Team.
Empowering People
Our ambition is to foster an environment where the contribution of all colleagues is recognised and respected. We actively encourage creativity and enterprise and continue to build on our reputation for attracting, rewarding and retaining colleagues who share our collective ambitions and demonstrate the expertise, experience and behaviours to deliver them.
Exceptional Education
Through our exceptional and unique education programmes our students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes to equip them to investigate and solve some of the world’s most complex problems. By personalising learning, which combines academic theory, practical experience, and personal development, students are able to accelerate their learning in an inclusive and supportive environment that fosters interdisciplinary collaboration with their professors and peers from across the globe. We collaborate with partners to take our students’ learning beyond the traditional classroom environment.
Enhancing our Estate
As custodians of our historic Estate, we continue to develop it in a sustainable manner, safeguarding it for future generations. In delivering our strategic ambitions, we have a positive impact within the local community and more widely. We play an important international role in nature restoration and biodiversity, whilst working to become nationally recognised for the sustainability of historic buildings.
Financial Sustainability
The careful stewardship of resources by Bader College ensures that we remain financially and environmentally sustainable. By enhancing our commercial activity and working together collaboratively, we ensure a sustainable financial model that underpins all our educational, estate and community activities.
Connecting in the Community
We play an important role in our local, national and global community by using our resources, expertise and connections to enrich the prospects of our students, our partners and those around us.