Establishing the Network
Overview
Newcastle University. 250,000 people. One Community. Infinite possibilities.
This aspirational vision, displayed across the University campus, provides a powerful strategic context for two recent events. They brought together the four key strands of the Newcastle University community:
- students
- current staff
- graduate alumni (especially those who live in the North East)
- retired staff
At the heart of these events was a vision to realise the concept of One Community. It captured and mobilised the rich diversity of skills, experience, perspectives, contacts, enthusiasm and intellectual capital which our wider community represents.
In our first workshop, involving representatives from all four strands, we explored ‘the landscape of possibilities’. The substantial opportunities that could emerge from a grassroots approach to working more closely together. The second workshop considered how such integration might be achieved.
"Where community is strong, it becomes part of the everyday fabric, rather than being aspirational or experienced as something unusual. Realisation of this ‘One Community’ approach within our wider University would generate vast possibilities. It would also help re-establish experiences long lost or diminished by the huge expansion of universities over many decades. While initiated by Newcastle University Retired Staff Association (NURSA), these workshops represent an exciting push forwards rather than a nostalgic look backwards. Hopefully, they will provide a spur towards the wider reconsideration of what it means for us all to be part of our ‘One Community’."
Emeritus Professor, Jim Edwardson
We propose a one community network
We propose a ‘One Community Network’ (OCN) that brings together those from all four groups who share this vision. A more intergenerational and ‘inter-strand’ approach than exists currently. That has the potential to bring many benefits to those involved, to the University and to the wider community of which we are part. These include:
- A stronger sense of community within the University, and among those who value their association with it. There would be a powerful force helping to address challenges such as loneliness, inclusion and social discrimination.
- Grassroots communities develop novel ways of interacting and communicating, similar to the short cuts (‘desire paths’) or ‘social trails’ not always envisioned in topdown planning. The OCN could help break down barriers, increase choice, and create new possibilities for working across disciplines and generations both within and beyond the University.
- The University’s teaching, research and engagement priorities reflect global human, social and environmental challenges. The OCN concept aligns well with the University’s vision and values. A stronger grassroots community would encourage greater personal interaction, participation and creative solutions at individual and small group level. This would add to the overall contribution made by individuals and groups to the ‘bigger strategic picture’.
- With the possible exception of collegiate universities, the massive growth in size and organisation of universities has challenged the sense and experience of community as it formerly existed. We are not aware of any other UK university which has developed such an approach to its own community. There is enthusiasm and support for this vision and a considerable amount could be achieved with little additional resource. Newcastle could lead in this field and the OCN initiative and its outcomes provide a model worthy of study and replication elsewhere.
The workshops have generated many initial ideas for collaborative activity
The Network could provide a diverse consultative resource for the University:
- as a forum or sounding board for ideas, projects, new developments and strategies
- a panel for ‘sense-checking’ improvements and initiatives
- a source of specific expertise
- a wealth of experience which might reduce the re-invention of wheels
- as ‘institutional memory’ and a critical user / non-user voice
The Network could provide an informal support resource for students, alumni and current staff at key points of transition. For example:
- retired staff could, through the Network, provide support, hospitality, ‘life experience’ and a listening ear to new students
- also to new or current members of staff, signposting them to professional support as appropriate
- alumni could benefit from this support as well as being mobilised to provide enrichment of the student experience and to offer support, wisdom and experience, with all parties benefiting from the exchange
Support for students could be enhanced by providing greater awareness of wider University life and opportunities available. This could be further enriched by promoting connections and networks relevant to the learning journey and future aspirations, as well as wider ‘life experience’. Support and advice could be provided for students on a range of issues. This includes: advice on work or study or helping students to grow an idea into a research topic or business development.
Early career alumni could benefit from access to the experience, expertise and contacts of mid-career alumni, current staff and retired staff.
A joint calendar of events and activities open to all strands would provide new opportunities for students. They would be involved in activities outside their School or discipline, and would facilitate engagement with others to share views and perspectives beyond the subject area. This could include:
- ‘open to all’ events, bringing together speakers and participants across all strands of the community
- with talks on key topics and shared agendas, as well as joint sporting events, societies and other activities
Consultation with community members would help to ensure the relevance and desirability of events targeted at particular groups.
The Network could be a platform for:
- sharing experience, expertise, life-skills and contacts
- for finding people who can solve problems through a directory of expertise to aid signposting to the right contacts / resources
A huge pool of expertise, much of it non-academic, brings valuable experience from outside the University. There is a wealth of knowledge about professional post-University life.
Engagement of alumni could be enhanced by a focus on contribution in the form of expertise, experience, intellectual capital and participation. This could also be through financial contributions. Involvement would be encouraged by motivation, connection and shared interests.