President's weekly update
9 November 2017
Following the recent Annual Performance Review (APR) of our Professional Support Services, we have now completed APRs of the Faculties of Humanities, Science and Engineering (FSE) and Biology, Medicine and Health (BMH), and the Library. These reviews are intended to discuss past performance over the last year (which will then contribute to the Annual Stocktake Report) and consider future plans, opportunities and concerns. For all reviews, the political environment and growing pressures on universities were raised.
In Humanities we focussed on M2020 staffing changes, the quality of student recruitment and satisfaction, research grant income and outputs, the future profile of the Faculty and staff workloads and morale. We noted that some respondents to the recent External Stakeholder Survey had commented that the profile of Humanities was not as high as for the other academic areas. Given the major achievements in Humanities we agreed that we need to better promote these externally.
In the FSE review, the ongoing discussions about the structure of the Faculty was an important topic. We also heard about recent successes in major grants and business engagement, and significant changes to teaching. We discussed the great opportunities that exist, for example through the Faculty’s core role in a number of our research beacons and enthusiasm to work with other Faculties, particularly on health, data/digital and environment. The Faculty recognised the need to maximise its ability to bring together collaborative, multi- and inter-disciplinary research teams and consortia.
The BMH review reflected on its first year of operation and some significant successes. We discussed a number of pressures over the last 12 months and the challenges of the M2020 staffing changes and their impact on staff morale. The BMH team raised the issue of balancing core goals, increasing income and controlling costs, a major review of teaching, improved distribution of workload, financial sustainability and the numerous opportunities around healthcare devolution.
The Library review was undertaken during the Planning and Resources Committee meeting and noted many successes in the Library but increased pressures on space and the quality of student spaces, particularly during revision periods. At the same meeting we had a report on Manchester University Press which is widening its publication base and establishing digital platforms.
I joined a panel discussion at a meeting at Manchester Airport linked to the launch of the Manchester China Forum report ‘The China Dividend - One Year In’ (to mark the first anniversary of the launch of direct flights from Manchester to Beijing). I spoke about the importance of our links to China in education and research. I noted the growing collaborations in social and cultural activities as well as business, science, engineering and health with many Chinese universities and the expanding business links that we have with Chinese companies.
I chaired the Board meeting of the Oxford Road Corridor. The main topics of discussion were the next plans for the Board, including better promotions of events and activities. We received a presentation on the Triangulum Project, which Manchester is leading on with the cities of Stavanger and Eindhoven and our University is heavily involved in. This is a five-year, €29 million, EU-funded project addressing energy, mobility and IT/data storage. For more details see:
At the Corridor meeting we received a book called ‘Stories of the Road’. This is a series of interviews with people working on Oxford Road, some at the University, which was produced by our Manchester Urban Institute. It is accessible online at:
I gave a welcome to about 40 new staff who have recently joined the University across all areas. I presented a brief overview of the University and its numerous activities, told them of the many parts that they should visit such as the Manchester Museum, the Whitworth, John Rylands Library, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre and the University history walks. They asked questions about our social responsibility and widening participation activities and the recent strike action.
Professor Ian Greer, Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, and I met Sir Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK (CRUK), which is a major supporter of our research on cancer. We discussed the relocation of our staff to Alderley Park after the fire at the Paterson Building and our plans for redeveloping the building.
I was interviewed by Research Fortnight about my career, the University and the importance of our relationship to the City, the Northern Powerhouse, the many changes in higher education and extensive press coverage (largely negative) about universities.
In the same week I was interviewed by the recruitment company, Saxton Bampfylde, about future leadership in higher education, how the demands and expectations of university leaders have changed and the increased regulation and accountability of universities.
An article has just appeared in the THE which I wrote with Professor Glyn Davies, the Vice-Chancellor of Melbourne University, following the conference on ‘universities and engagement’ that I helped to organise and spoke at in Melbourne in September. You can read this at:
Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor
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