AHUA Expert Exchange: Supporting Careers, Strengthening Institutions: A Framework for Understanding the Careers of University Professional Staff

Click here to register to this free online exchange meeting

This exchange meeting is suitable for primary and secondary member representatives (or designated alternates) from all of the AHUA regions and nations including associate members.

Michelle Gander, Associate Professor of Work and Careers at Edith Cowan University: Perth, Western Australia, has a wealth of experience in both Australian HE and the UK where she previously worked at the Open University. Michelle’s recently published research into professional services staff career profiles includes the segmentation of 4 types of HE professional services employees and their motivations and needs for professional development and career pathways. 

• Corporate Citizen: loyal contributors who prioritise job security and purposeful progression.
• Enterprising Agent: mobile strategists who take calculated risks for career advancement.
• Balanced Grower: professionals seeking to balance career growth with life commitments.
• Constrained Professional: capable staff whose careers are limited by structural or systemic barriers.

Using these 4 segments the report issues a call to action for university leaders, sector bodies and policy makers to prioritise professional staff careers as central to institutional sustainability and innovation.

This online exchange will give AHUA members a chance to hear more about Michelle's research findings and recommendations and explore with her how AHUA members might respond to these in the current UK HE context.

Click here to view the full report