The People Strategy Committee is a Committee of Council dedicated to the University’s most important asset — the staff who deliver our research, teaching and professional services.

Chaired by Council member Lynette Eastman, its membership includes the Vice-Chancellor, Council members, external representatives and senior representatives from our academic and professional services colleagues.

Meeting quarterly, the Committee reviews strategy, advises on approaches and drives delivery on initiatives to improve conditions, ways of working and methods of engagement.

At its meeting in June, the Committee focused on the following key areas:

Total reward

The Committee received a presentation and update on the development of a ‘total reward’ strategy – a series of linked benefits to reward, support and progress staff within the institution. The strategy has already seen the introduction of the Leadership and Management Academy (LMA) and careers hub, and projects are underway to develop a wellbeing strategy, the PDPR review and the development of the recognition platform. Future elements include progressing the Vice-Chancellor’s ‘covenant’ between staff and the University, and the development of a role catalogue.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Director of Human Resources updated the Committee on progress towards EDI equality targets. The People and Culture team is facilitating an away day with members of the Faculty and Department EDI Groups to help these groups develop plans which support achievement of the targets. The Committee was also given an overview of the forthcoming diversity in recruitment campaign.

Sexual misconduct

The Director of Human Resources updated the Committee that new research would be commissioned to identify the nature and prevalence or otherwise of sexual misconduct at the University. Initially, a series of focus groups with staff and students would then be followed by a prevalence survey. The results and recommendations would then likely be taken forward by the new PVC for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion to inform best practice in eg support, prevention and reporting.

The Committee will meet again in September 2018.