Program

Grab a tea or coffee at our first break for the day and soak it all in! Visit our conference sponsor booths for freebies or stop by the 3-Minute Angels for a short neck and shoulder massage.

Empowering strategic change: Insights from leading and implementing sustainability strategy at the University

Presenters:

Katie Mee (A/Director, Sustainability, Corporate Finance, Property and Sustainability)

Rachel Miller (Biodiversity Officer - Sustainability, Campus Management)

Across the University, professional staff need to develop and implement strategy and create change. But this can have its challenges: How can we bring about sustained change over time? How can we generate buy-in and ownership among partners and stakeholders? How can teams maximise their effectiveness with limited resources?

In developing and implementing the University’s sustainability strategy & Sustainability Plan 2030, sustainability staff and key partners from across the University have developed effective new ways of working to engage, enrich, empower and partner with stakeholders. They are keen to share strategies, learnings and advice on bringing strategy to life, empowering others at the University to lead change and advance our broader strategic goals.

The session will include a brief introduction, setting the scene for strategy design and implementation at the University (5 mins), followed discussion and audience Q&A (20 mins). Panellists will provide insights based on their experiences of sustainability strategy development and implementation across the University:

-              Establishing the right foundations to translate strategy into action

-              Leveraging governance structures to drive strategic change

-              Building effective partnerships between professional and academic staff

-              Fostering creativity, innovation and ownership in strategy implementation

Download the session slides here.

Green Impact: Empowering Change to make a positive and sustainable impact at the University

Presenter:

Raveena Grace (Sustainability Engagement Officer, Campus Management)

In a time where increasing sustainable actions and changing behaviours is crucial to ensuring the long term health of our planet, empowering professional staff at the University of Melbourne to make a positive impact is essential. This session aims to inspire and equip staff with the necessary tools, resources, and confidence to learn more about sustainability and about how individuals and teams can drive more sustainability based initiatives within their departments and faculties.

The session will delve into what the Green Impact program is and how this is the University’s leading sustainability engagement program, the significance of empowering staff in achieving our sustainability goals and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. We will explore how providing staff with the knowledge and skills to understand and address sustainability challenges can amplify their contributions both to their own personal lives and the University. From energy conservation to waste reduction, from sustainable procurement to health and wellbeing, participants will gain practical insights and strategies for making a tangible sustainable impact and how they can get recognised for their efforts through an end-of-year awards ceremony.

Drawing on successful case studies and best-practices from past years programs, the session will showcase innovative approaches to empower staff in championing sustainability. We will also discuss how staff can get access to resources, training, and networking opportunities. Attendees will leave this session equipped with actionable strategies to empower their departments, ready to directly contribute to the University’s Sustainability Plan 2030. By leveraging the collective potential of staff, we can drive transformative change, accelerate progress towards sustainability goals, and create a greener future for our university and communities.

Join us in this session to explore how we can create a culture of sustainability, harness the power of collective action, and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.

Download the session slides here.

Professional growth and advancement at University Research Centres

Presenter: Charlotte Hurry (OPTIMA Business and Operations Manager)

Do you know what happens in university research centres and what roles are there for professional staff? What could you contribute and how can you progress your career working in a research centre? OPTIMA Business and Operations Manager, Charlotte Hurry talks about the types of research centres there are in the universities. She will discuss her own and others' career pathways into working in research centres.

This session aims to assist professional staff, and those leaving academia, to see how their skill set may match what is needed in these centres. It will expand your thinking about what professional staff opportunities there are in the university sector. It will also give you ideas about how you can upskill, rebrand and remove barriers. Charlotte has a unique perspective on how you can leverage your current skills and upskill to work in a diverse and interesting research centre.

Download the session slides here.

Fostering career preparation through student employment and peer-led engagement

Presenters:

Stefania Garth (Coordinator, Students at Work, Student and Scholarly Services)

Tianna De Silva (Peer Programs Project Officer, Student and Scholarly Services)

Sophie Gardner (Students at Work Officer, Student and Scholarly Services)

Panel Members:

Thu Thao Nguyen (Student and Scholarly Services)

Michael Gurner (Coordinator, Global Learning Engagement, Student and Scholarly Services)

Michelle Kelso (Communications and Events Manager, School of Biomedical Sciences)

Mollie Crompto(Communications and Engagement Officer, Property Services)

Students@Work and the Student Peer Leader Network (SPLN) are two programs within Student Success that support the empowerment and enrichment of students through meaningful employment that equips them with success beyond their time at the University. S@W facilitates on campus employment for students, enabling them to develop employability skills whilst giving the University access to a bright workforce with invaluable knowledge and experience of the University. S@W offers student employment services via S@W Internship Program, as well as through on-campus casual recruitment. S@W has been flagged as a key program in the ASE Strategy under a renewed focus on experiential learning and career readiness. S@W has also been recognised in AAGE’s Top Intern Programs 2023. SPLN is a group of approximately 20 casual student-staff who deliver a range of services, programs and events to support the student community. The Peer Programs team oversees SPLN and offers extensive training in skills acquisition and capacity building to meaningfully engage with their peers and facilitate peer knowledge transfer.

The Peer Programs team will showcase examples of how, as thought partners and co-creators, we entrust peer leaders  with the responsibility for creating activities which enable student connection, transition and workplace readiness through collaboration with student groups and professional service teams across the University. Our proposed session will model the format of a panel discussion consisting of stakeholders of both programs. Questions will be posed to the panel tying into the themes of ‘Empower’ and ‘Enrich’, including questions around student motivation to seek work at the University, the benefit to teams in engaging student staff, how the programs cultivate leadership skills, as well as launch the pathway to future career success. The audience will be asked to contribute their own understandings and experiences of paid student involvement and the value creation of paid student-engagement.

Download the session slides here.

Energise, enrich, and empower through University communities

Presenters:

Gabriela Warner Behrens (Designer, Operational Performance Group)

Graeme Hairsine (Director of Information Governance)

Raveena Grace (Sustainability Engagement Officer, Campus Management)

Reshmee Gunesh (A/Director, Global Leaning, Employability and Participation)

Hosted by Sophie Grant (Employee Experience Specialist, Business Services)

Join our interactive panel discussion on how workplace communities connect us all through shared threads. Explore how inclusive, safe, and welcoming communities of practices and interests create space for growth and empowerment for everyone at the University. Be inspired by how each community shapes their members’ experience of working at the University, and how you can find your place in this tapestry of togetherness, joy, and continuous learning.

Download the session slides here.

The Melbourne Indigenous Professional Employment Program - Growth and Change

Presenters:

Julie Matricardi-Old (Manager, Melbourne Indigenous Professional Employment Program)

Lucy Powell (Program Coordinator, Melbourne Indigenous Professional Employment Program)

The University’s Melbourne Indigenous Professional Employment Program (MIPEP) is a well-established Indigenous entry-level traineeship program which has been offered since 2013. With trainees supported by many dedicated supervisors and mentors from different faculties, schools, and departments the program was first managed through Murrup Barak by the (then) Indigenous Employment Officer and is now under the direction of Margot Eden, Director of Indigenous Strategy. The program is managed by a dedicated Program Manager- Julie Matricardi-Old, and Program Coordinator- Lucy Powell. 'MIPEP' has produced some extraordinary talent and is set to grow; having undergone a strategic review addressing some historical and more contemporary barriers to participation and success, the new iteration of MIPEP will launch late 2023- early 2024 with some exciting new features and initiatives.

Download the session slides here.

Work-life balance: Developing your blueprint

Presenter: Jordan Bryan (Operations Coordinator, Culture and Communication)

Work life balance is often viewed as a seesaw where an equilibrium has to be reached and once it is, we just set and forget.  But life doesn’t occur in a vacuum.  Despite our best efforts, many things are out of our control.  Work life balance, therefore, is more like riding a bike where you must be constantly vigilant and recalibrating to stay upright and on course.

We are all different people who respond to different experiences in different ways at different times in our lives.  There is no one blueprint for work-life balance that works for everyone and one that worked for you previously may not work for you now. They key is to figure out how to craft your own blueprint for yourself at any time.

If you’re looking for a work life balance prescription, this is not the session for you.  During this session you will be supported to identify what you need to do to start moving towards living the kind of life that leaves you feeling fulfilled personally and professionally.  You will do the work necessary to articulate actionable steps to which you will be held accountable.

Everyday leadership: Coaching skills

Presenters/Facilitators

Disha Sabharwal (Manager, Strategic People Initiatives)

Panel members:

Adam Gilbert (Associate Director Digital Channel Operations, Advancement, Communications and Marketing)

Tania Winton (Portfolio Manager Research Domain, Business Services COOP)

Coaching is a great skill to have in any professional’s toolkit, particularly for leaders, and coaching skills can be learned and improved over time. Our session "Everyday leadership: Coaching skills" aims to showcase leaders at the University who have a coaching approach and have them share their experiences in building their coaching skills.

In this panel discussion session, participants will have the opportunity to hear how leaders have experienced coaching themselves and how they have built coaching skills into their interactions with their teams. We will finish the panel discussion by sharing a simple coaching tool with our audience.

Courageous and Respectful Conversations

Presenters:
Scarlet Barnett (Project Coordinator, Strategic People Initiatives)

Helena Kuo (Managing Director, Enmasse)

“Courageous and Respectful Conversations” is one of the topics being explored through the Respect Education Program. In our diverse University community, the ability to engage in courageous and respectful conversations is crucial for fostering understanding, empathy, and creating positive change. To further embed and sustain the initiative to eliminate sexual misconduct, the Respect Education team have developed a “Toolbox” resource to specifically designed to support staff in exploring and facilitating these important conversations within their teams. During this interactive session, participants will have the unique opportunity to experience the toolbox in action. They will engage in dynamic discussions, explore case studies, and participate in practical exercises that promote active listening, empathy, and open-mindedness.

Facilitated by experienced trainers, the workshop will create a safe and inclusive space for participants to share their perspectives, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another. The session aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge, skills, and inspiration to effectively implement the courageous and respectful conversations toolbox within their own teams. Participants will gain practical tips and strategies for creating an environment conducive to open dialogue, addressing sensitive topics, and managing potential conflicts constructively. The toolbox resource will be showcased and explained in detail, offering valuable insights into its structure, content, and customisable features. Join us in this transformative workshop to enhance your communication skills, build stronger relationships, and contribute to a more harmonious and respectful work environment. Together, let's empower change through the art of courageous and respectful conversations.

Download the session slides here.

Student Voice - Students at the heart of everything that we do

Presenters:
Joli Price (Project Manager, Office of the Provost)  

Sean Ta (Student Peer Facilitator, Melbourne Student Forum)

Anna Rasheed (Student Peer Facilitator, Melbourne Student Forum)

Advancing Melbourne 2030 sets out the University's aspiration to have 'students at the heart of everything we do'. There is growing evidence that working together in partnership with students increases the relevance, efficacy, quality and satisfaction of university programs for both students and staff. Student partnerships contribute to a relationship-rich institutional culture where connection and engagement are central to education and the student experience. During the presentation, you will have the opportunity to learn about a variety of different models of student voice for different purposes. You will hear from students and staff about some exciting examples of student voice work currently happening at the University, and you will have the opportunity to brainstorm how these types of approaches might apply to your own work.

Enriching Learning and Teaching through Cross-Functional Partnerships: INsights from FlexAP

Presenters:

Annabel Orchard (Senior Learning Designer, Learning Environments)

Catherine Manning (Manager, Teaching and Learning Support, Learning Environments)

The FlexAP team is celebrating five years of successful partnerships in learning and teaching innovation. In this session, we will explore how the Learning Environments teams and academic partners have collaborated in the Online, Blended, and Alternative Mode Delivery stream to co-design, develop, and implement excellence and innovation in subject design. We will share the strategies, processes, and collaborative environment that led to lasting change in technology-enhanced learning and teaching.

The60+ projects in this stream encompass a range of initiatives, including blended delivery implementations, subjects delivered in multiple modes including semester-long and intensives, and large-scale redesigns to enrich the quality and flexibility of our educational offerings for our students.

Our presentation will focus on the co-design process that we have developed to foster creativity and innovation in technology-enhanced learning and teaching. We will show how the Learning Environments team has integrated project management methodologies and learning design approaches to enable our project partnerships to achieve project goals, and to create a robust and sustainable process for educational innovation.

We will share insights into the complex cross-functional teamwork required for educational innovation, illustrate the project life-cycle and discuss the ways in which we have supported academic teams in working within unfamiliar project modes to ensure success. We will also hear from academic partners who share their experience of working with us on their subjects.

Through these collaborative partnerships and a robust and sustainable co-design process, we will share how this project has enriched the learning experience for our students, built capabilities in academic partners and professional teams, and transformed our definitions of best practice in technology-enhanced learning and teaching.

Download the session slides here.

From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Elevating FFAM's Curriculum Development Process through Service Improvement

Presenters:

Sally Cattell (Service Improvement lead, Operations Performance group)

Adam Downs (Student and Academic Programs Manager, Academic Support Office, Faculty of Arts and Music)

Discover how the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music redesigned their curriculum development process through collaborative service improvement between multiple teams. Join us as we unveil the secrets behind their success, sharing valuable insights and practical tools to rethink complex cross-functional work processes. Learn how workshops, interviews, and validation sessions among other activities are used to uncover hidden opportunities and transform operational processes for continuous improvement.

Download the session slides here.

Reflecting to enable improvement: how to get the most out of retrospectives

Presenters:

Lauren Prince (Marketing Manager, Alumni and Donors, Communications and Marketing)

Elena Ksefteris (Content Marketing Manager, Research and Advancement, Communications and Marketing)

A retrospective session supports continuous growth and is a chance for any team to reflect on their ongoing work or a specific project. Although its theory comes from Agile Methodology it’s a practice adopted by many and varied teams in tech and corporate sectors.

It’s a time to identify opportunities for improvement and celebrate wins and progress. Running or even being part of a retrospective can be daunting at first. We will show you how to create a safe space for all involved, set up boundaries and take you through each step of running a retrospective session that will help the group work better together and identify opportunities for improvement.

The session will cover: Overview of retrospectives and their purpose; Setting the scene and boundaries; Running the retrospective; Next steps and outcomes; Face-to-face and virtual retrospective options.

Whether you’re running an event, part of a small or large admin project, a campaign, or almost any other endeavour, you will benefit from running a retrospective session with your team. Let’s get ready to RETRO!

Download the session slides here.

You Can't Ask  That experience

Cookie decoration competition

Indulge your creativity and your sweet tooth at our thrilling cookie decorating competition! Transform plain cookies into edible masterpieces and vie for the top prize. This session promises old-fashioned fun, with a sprinkle of competition and guaranteed delicious results.

Stop 1: Innovation on the Frontline

Presenters:

Marsha Navolnyeva (Service Coordinator, Stop 1 Contact Centre)

Sophia Raenscroft (Operations Lead, Student Services)

Stop 1 is the one-stop destination for student services at the University of Melbourne, assisting students with a range of enquiries across multiple channels. Over the last 12 months the Stop 1 teams have gone through a major transformation of services in order to adapt to new enquiry demands and student behaviour.

Through this session we will take staff through a journey of Stop 1 as it emerges into a post-COVID landscape. In particular, we will focus on how key student facing teams adapted their service delivery in direct response to student feedback and changes in priorities. This will be demonstrated through various reporting methods used to discover how students wish to interact with student services.

The session will explore a number of different case studies and examples from both the In Person Support and Contact Centre teams within Stop 1. Firstly, we will look at the ways that the Contact Centre redesigned the focus of their services to align with their core values. The result of which contributed to drastic reduction in call wait times and increase in student satisfaction. Secondly, we will look at the way that the In Person Support team adapted their booked appointment model to respond to student behaviour and increase the overall number of students that the team was able to assist. Lastly, we will put a spotlight on an innovate new pilot team has been introduced to respond to resourcing gaps in Stop 1 and allow the team to engage in a more proactive and pre-emptive approach to trending enquiries.

This session will show how creativity and a willingness to embrace change allowed these teams to trial new approaches, whilst also highlighting the challenges and benefits of working in this type of environment.

Download the session slides here.

The "Do's" and "Don'ts" of Partnership Management: Navigating and leveraging the University Machine

Presenters:

Prudence Brew (Engagement and partnerships Manager, Engineering and IT)

Sarah Kenny (Partnership Manager, Engineering and IT)

Olivia Dennis  (Partnerships Coordinator, Faculty of Engineering and IT)

Our partnerships motivate and challenge us. They direct our research toward urgent problems, they enrich our students’ learning experience, they help translate our innovations to commercial outcomes and our ideas to broader societal benefit. As a university, we are well positioned to convene partners and strengthen the relationship between our students and their future industry. Although highly rewarding, implementing and sustaining multifaceted, strategic partnerships can be challenging in a complex university landscape.

At this session the Engagement and Partnerships team from the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology will showcase their learnings from onboarding to executing the delivery of the University of Melbourne’s strategic partnerships with Telstra and Airwallex. These partnerships are uniquely formed to enhance student pathways into the technology sector and enhance the diversity of the STEM workforce. They challenge us to implement new ways of working and position us to consider how we partner with industry to progress our shared ambitions to put students at the heart of our collaborations. Through the Telstra and Airwallex case studies our presenters will share their learnings regarding the “do's” and “don’ts” of partnership management. This will include tips for building your internal network for success, assessing partnership growth opportunities and leveraging the diverse activities and expertise from within the University for mutual benefit.

Download the session slides here.

Disability 101

Presenter:

David Cameron Staples  (Senior Engineer, UNIX Systems)

"Disability" seems like such a simple idea, but it's really not. An overview of what "disability" means, the different ways people can be disabled, the different ways this affects their lives, the different ways they deal with it, and how everyone else can help.

Download the session slides here.

The Big Picture of Empowering Disability at Work

Presenter:

Andrew Dunstan  (Program Manager, Research and Enterprise)

56% of Australians with disability have a tertiary qualification and the vast majority of us are just as capable as any other worker. Sometimes, we just need to do things a little differently.  Due to social barriers like stereotyping, discrimination and lack of cultural awareness, Australians with disability face double the unemployment and underemployment rates of the general population. There is a huge missed opportunity to play a bigger role in our vibrant society and University community.  Disability inclusion is a complex and multifaceted topic. This session will present the big picture of disability in Australia and uncover new perspectives of what people with disability can achieve in the workplace. Cultural insights will be accompanied by tips for practical action we can all take to make the University a more inclusive and empowering workplace.

Download the session slides here.

Parrots and Pedagogues: Understanding AI

Presenter:

Dr Shaanan Cohney (Lecturer in Cyber Security, Computing and Information Systems)

The session will discuss the technology that powers generative AI. Dr Cohney will provide a peek under-the-hood, explaining key intuitions and ideas behind ChatGPT and its analogues. He will then turn to exploring the limitations and the potential of the technology to alter the way we work in an institute of higher education.

Download the session slides here.

Energise yourself: Stretching and well-being with MU Sport

Get up and moving with one of our conference sponsors, Melbourne University Sport.

Creative Wellbeing

Presenter: Magdalena Joanna Sliwinska (Tutor, Melbourne School of Design)

The workshop session will encourage the creative freedom to try out different forms of expressions and various forms of multimodality as we attune to a specific moment in time. There will be opportunities for listening and being heard, as well as personal retrospection and reflection. We will slow down, focus our attention and be present to what emerges. Opportunities to create, be creative, and inspire creativity as a form of therapeutic arts practice will be the main theme of the session.

Download the session slides here.

After a day filled with engaging sessions, inspiring talks, and thought-provoking discussions, it's time to kick back, relax, and celebrate at our post-conference party. Join us for a well-deserved evening of fun and laughter, as we transform the energy from the conference into lasting professional connections.