Leadership Development for Heads of Discipline*
Head of Discipline is a key position in any
College and the range of tasks can be
varied and challenging. In response to
feedback, we are developing a structured
training programme to provide better
support for those stepping into this role.
The programme aims to:
- Help Heads of Discipline understand the
context in which they are working: what
is expected of them and the implications
for them as leaders.
- Develop a community of practice: to
meet, exchange ideas and solve problems.
- Provide opportunities to share, make
sense of and reflect upon individual
challenges with a coach.
- And ultimately, bring greater consistency
to the way subject disciplines are led
across the University; our standards and
reputation rest on the success of this role.
The shape of training to come
We’ve looked at best practice in the
sector, talked with a group of Exeter
Heads of Discipline and listened to the
views of Pro-Vice-Chancellors. Our
development programme will have
three strands:
Induction
Leadership
1:1 and networking
This training is designed for anyone new
or relatively new to the role of Head of
Discipline. Starting with induction, the
training programme will be introduced in
phases between May 2016 and Easter 2017.
See overleaf for more details.
Launch event
20th MAY 3.15 – 4.45pm Reed Hall
Come along to our launch event to hear two senior
academics share their perspectives, and network
with fellow Heads of Discipline.
‘The role of our Heads of Discipline
in delivering our strategic ambitions’
A Deputy Vice-Chancellor describes the
implications of the strategic context
‘If I knew then what I know now...’
A former Head of Discipline shares her experience
and learning with the benefit of hindsight
TO BOOK YOUR PLACE PLEASE EMAIL:
peopledevelopment@exeter.ac.uk
Sponsored by Debra Myhill
Course Leader Angie Allcock, Head of People Development
*or Heads of Department (Business School)
Induction
From May 2016
Three two-hour lunchtime sessions delivered
by internal experts, will be repeated in the
autumn term.
Content exploring the implications of the
Head of Discipline role in relation to:
- managing people and performance
- understanding institutional governance
and planning
- understanding finance.
Leadership
1:1 and networking
From summer 2016
From autumn 2016
Four short modules will be delivered by
experienced leadership facilitators and are
designed to allow space to develop and
practice key skills and techniques in a
supportive, interactive workshop with peers.
By the end of the programme, participants will
have a greater awareness of their leadership
style and new techniques for: shaping the vision
and structure for their discipline; and managing
departments and performance effectively. We
are developing four short modules covering:
- l eading academic teams in the context of
HE and Exeter
- influencing skills, bringing others
with you -h
andling difficult conversations
- r esilience, wellbeing, managing time
and workloads.
Optional extras:
To complement the leadership workshops
there will be opportunities to share, make
sense of and reflect upon individual strengths
and challenges through:
- 1:1 sessions with an Executive Coach
- either a network of Heads of Discipline
or an ‘Action Learning’ set**
- access to a range of psychometrics/
diagnostics and self-assessment.
Booking and information
We will email you soon with dates and
booking details for the induction sessions.
Meanwhile, for further queries, please
contact a.allcock@exeter.ac.uk or
peopledevelopment@exeter.ac.uk
**Action learning is a process working on real challenges, using the
knowledge and skills of a small group of people combined with skilled
questioning, to produce fresh ideas and reinterpret familiar concepts.