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Strategic Planning and Change Unit

Change Network

What is the Change Network?  

The Change Team is based in the Strategic Planning and Change Unit in the Registrar's Division. Our core team is supported by the Change Network, made up of staff from various academic departments, colleges and professional services.

UEC established the Team to help improve the way we work, utilising the skills and creative energies of staff throughout the University. The approach we take is to help staff review their own processes by facilitating events and providing a structured review methodology.

How can I get involved?

Staff from across the University are invited to join the Change Network. There are two ways you can be involved.

Change Champion

Change Champions help to promote and support the Change Programme throughout the University. Everyone has different skills and experiences and can support the Team in different ways. Examples of this could include:

  • Updating your team or department about the work of the Change Team
  • Attending events to help promote the Network across the University
  • Encouraging colleagues to become involved in Change Projects
  • Implementing small scale tools and techniques in your area

Change Project Supporter

In addition to Champion activities, a Change Project Supporter takes on a more involved role, getting involved in the projects we undertake. This requires a greater time commitment than a champion. Activities include:

  • Assisting with the facilitation of events which could be anywhere between one and five days
  • Assistance with training events
  • Taking part in other change-related activities

Our current Change Project supporters are:
Emma Chapman - Executive Assistant, Estates and Buildings;
Ruth Craige - Admissions Officer (Statistics), Student Recruitment and Admissions Office;
Paula Dawson - Bursar, Van Mildert and St Aiden's Colleges;
Antony Dinning - Project Manager, Computing and Information Services;
Neville Hallam - Deputy Head, Student Immigration and Financial Support Office;
Chris Harrop - Policy and Projects Support Officer, Faculty of Social Sciences and Healh;
John Hirst - Senior Teaching Fellow in Management, School of Economics, Finance and Business;
Deborah Morgan - Executive Assistant to the Head of Department, Department of Geography;
Sophie Sowerby - Training Manager, Human Resources;
Lynsey Tibbett - Information Systems Manager, School of Economics, Finance and Business;
Clare Woodward - Director of Operations, Department of Physics;
Clare Zon - Faculty Administrator, Faculty of Arts and Humanities

Do I need to have experience?

You don't need any previous experience to join as a Change Champion but all Network members will need their line manager's agreement. We are looking for people with a willingness to promote the Network, both in their own department and across the University and who are supportive of the approach and methodologies we are using.

Project Supporters have a more involved role which may include involvement in scoping, workshop sessions (which could last between 1/2 day and 5 days) and post-workshop actions. Previous experience of facilitation or presenting would be beneficial but is not essential. If you are interested please get in touch for an informal discussion. There are many opportunities to get involved flexibly, ranging in time committment from a couple of hours to several days. 

What will I get out of it?

Membership of the Change Network provides an excellent opportunity to learn new skills and develop existing ones. It's also a chance to work alongside colleagues from across the University and to be part of an exciting new programme making positive changes to the way we work.  

We offer all members training in the methodologies used and Change Project Supporters will have the chance to put these into practice when facilitating workshops.

We also run a programme of events throughout the year which all Network members are invited to attend. Each session focuses on a different topic to do with Change and provides an opportunity to learn new tools and techniques and meet and share experiences with other colleagues in the Network. For a list of topics and dates please visit our Change Network Events page.

How do I join?

If you are interested in getting involvedplease send an email to the Change Programme Manager, Claire McDonald at claire.mcdonald2@durham.ac.uk. The Change Team will then contact you to discuss in more detail how you would like to be involved in the Network. If you'd like more information please call Claire on 0191 334 6147 for more information.