Join us for our virtual HR in HE Community conference, looking at Universities in a Changing World: HR’s response to the COVID-19 crisis.
How will the current crisis affect the future world of work and HR in higher education?
COVID-19 has disrupted life globally, and the higher education sector is no exception. HR professionals continue to play a significant role in supporting university leaders, staff, and students to navigate the challenges caused by COVID and future ways of working and learning.
This event aims to maximise learning from good practice in HR in higher education institutions from around the world.
Over the course of two days, delegates will gain valuable insights into how other HR professionals are responding to COVID-19 at their institutions. From mental health to remote working - expert speakers will explore a range of timely topics pertinent to HR in higher education in this current climate.
Sessions will explore the following sub-themes:
- HR professionals as higher education strategists
- Shifting priorities in HR
- Mental health and well-being
- Diversity, inclusion and belonging
- HR in a digital age
Organised in partnership with Amity University, this is an excellent opportunity to virtually connect with colleagues across the Commonwealth and ask our speakers questions during the live Q&A at the end of each session.
Continue the conversation on social media using #HRinHE2020
How to register
Registration has now closed.
If you have any questions about the conference, please contact HRinHE2020@acu.ac.uk
The event is free of charge for ACU members and GBP 75 for non-members. Please check that your university is an ACU member before registering.
Sessions will be available to watch on-demand for anyone who registers.
The conference will be hosted over Zoom and participants will be able to join with a laptop, computer or mobile device.
Contact us
If you have a query about this event, please email HRinHE2020@acu.ac.uk
Programme
Day 1: Wednesday 23 September
8:00-8:45 London, UK BST 9:00-9:45 Johannesburg, South Africa 3:00-3.45 Toronto, Canada 12:30-13:15 Mumbai, India 17:00-17:45 Sydney, Australia |
Welcome and opening This welcome and opening session will introduce the conference’s main theme and five sub-themes. Chair: Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General, ACU Speakers:
|
10:00-11:15 London, UK BST 11:00-12:15 Johannesburg, South Africa 5:00-6.15 Toronto, Canada 14:30-15:45 Mumbai, India 19:00-20:15 Sydney, Australia |
Leading in the time of COVID-19 This panel discussion will explore:
Chair: Alison Johns, Chief Executive, Advance HE, UK Speakers:
|
14:00-15:30 London, UK BST 15:00-16:30 Johannesburg, South Africa 9:00-10.30 Toronto, Canada 18:30-20:00 Mumbai, India 23:00-00:30 Sydney, Australia |
Mental health and well-being in the time of COVID-19 and beyond The current crisis places a significant strain on the mental health and well-being of staff and students. Join this session to hear about the ways HR has been supporting staff and students during COVID-19, including lockdown and university closures – from adapting to a new way of working, dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty from fear of losing their jobs, managing the stress associated with working from home, and maintaining a healthy work and home life balance, while looking after their own mental health. This session will also look at how HR plans to support staff and university leaders as they re-adjust to the new normal as universities re-open. Chair: Tarrance Ryder-Downes, Director of HR, ACU Speakers:
|
Day 2: Thursday 24 September
10:00-11:25 London, UK BST 11:00-12:25 Johannesburg, South Africa 5:00-6.25 Toronto, Canada 14:30-15:55 Mumbai, India 19:00-20:25 Sydney, Australia
|
Diversity, inclusion and belonging: are we at a tipping point? In the wake of the murder of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter protests around the world, and the existing inequalities exposed by the COVID-19 crisis, this panel discussion will explore issues of diversity, inclusion and belonging and how the higher education sector internationally can seize this moment to tackle inequality. The panellists will share good practice and strategies for promoting diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging among staff and students. Chair: Professor Shaun Ewen, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) University of Melbourne, Australia; Visiting Professor of Indigenous Health & Leadership, King’s College London, UK Speakers:
|
14:00-15:25 London, UK BST 15:00-16:25 Johannesburg, South Africa 9:00-10.25 Toronto, Canada 18:30-19:55 Mumbai, India 23:00-00:25 Sydney, Australia |
Transforming technology, transforming people: the future of HR in the digital age This panel discussion will explore how HR in universities have been using digital technologies to solve the challenges arising from the pandemic and remote working, including how they have been using technology to communicate and carry out HR functions. The session will also discuss the new technology that has emerged and the future technologies we envisage beyond the crisis, and the opportunities and challenges that this creates for HR in universities. This is the closing session of the conference and will end with closing remarks and a summary of key learnings from the two days. Chair: Willorna Brock, Senior HR Business Partner, ACU Speakers:
Conference closing comments: Professor Dr Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, India Thank you from the ACU: Kirsty Cockburn, Director of External Engagement, ACU |