Overview
The ABP Staff Shadowing Program stemmed from activities undertaken by the Faculty’s Diversity and Inclusion portfolio, drawing upon ABP and UoM staff survey data, ABP focus groups, and a review of four existing Shadowing and Mentor programs to inform its shaping. An emergent theme from the staff data was the strong appetite of ABP academic and professional staff for professional development activities that promote a greater understanding of faculty decision-making and, through doing so, gaining experience in the kinds of career pathways that may be available to them within the Faculty and across the broader University.
Academic and professional staff have different career tracks within the University, and the pilot program has been designed with the development needs of both cohorts in mind. Drawing on the experience of ABP's academic and professional leadership, participants in the pilot will be exposed to aspects of University operations they would otherwise not engage directly with. They will learn from leaders in action, be encouraged to think reflexively about their role within the Faculty, and discover new pathways to consider in relation to their career progression.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate as shadowers will be accepted from current ABP Academic staff Levels A and B and Professional staff Levels UoM 6 to 8 who hold a fixed-term or continuing appointment. Staff returning from career interruption are encouraged to apply.
Aims of the program pilot and anticipated outcomes
The program intends to provide a unique professional development opportunity to connect broadly and positively across ABP's academic and professional community. Attentive to diversity and inclusion principles, the program will actively encourage participants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and roles within ABP with the following intended outcomes in mind:
- Learn from the observation of leaders with proven know-how in action to become more confident and strategic and have a greater impact.
- Facilitate networking opportunities for participants within the Faculty, and increase collective staff engagement.
- Foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture through increased understanding of different roles with the Faculty and how these intersect with decision-making processes.
- Expose participants to activities, forums, and networks that will broaden their understanding of the different academic and professional leadership roles, and encourage them to think reflexively about their career planning.
- Increase staff engagement with faculty-focused professional development by promoting the shadowing program as one component of a broader suite of professional development opportunities.
- Retention of staff talent within ABP.
Pilot program structure and shadowing activities
The ABP Shadowing program is an opt-in, self-directed activity. It represents one program among a suite of professional development activities that ABP staff may engage in to build their workplace skills, understanding, and capacity. The program is not a requirement or expectation for academic promotion or professional staff recruitment into new roles, nor is it a career counselling service.
The pilot program will be available to 5 academic and 5 professional staff between July and November 2024. The relevant D&I working group will oversee the pilot.
Each successful applicant (shadower) will shadow up to two participating members of the Faculty's senior academic and professional leadership, accompanying them to a number of mutually agreed meetings or activities deemed appropriate and of professional development value within a specified time.
Example activities may include, but are not limited to Faculty Committees (Research, Engagement, Resources) and sub-committees; Inter-faculty meetings; Cross-university network meetings; Faculty Senior Manager meetings; planning and execution of events, seminars, and functions; Student Life and Academic Advising, Maker Spaces, Engagement, Research and Industry; Cross-institutional meetings; external stakeholder meetings.
Shadowers will be paired with both professional and academic staff leaders in areas related to their expressed interests. All parties will be briefed on determining what constitutes an appropriate shadowing activity, and on seeking permission for a shadower's attendance at specific meetings or activities. Adherence to strict confidentiality protocols will be a stated condition of participation in the program.
The Shadowing Program comprises four tailored activities:
PHASE 1 (briefing and introductory session): The program begins with a facilitated orientation session for participants and leaders to discuss expectations, seek clarification on aspects of the program, and establish networking relationships with other staff at ABP.
PHASE 2 (shadowing activities): Participants learn through observation by accompanying their assigned shadowees to mutually agreed activities. Participants will be encouraged to document aspects of their experience and develop questions to be raised later for discussion (e.g., meeting dynamics and decision-making processes).
PHASE 3 (mid-program informal check-in session): A mid-way informal check-in session will be scheduled, allowing participants to share experiences, clarify any questions that have arisen in the course of the program, and engage in further networking opportunities with other ABP staff.
PHASE 4 (final workshop/completion event): Participants will present their reflections on previous phases, build upon networking relationships with other ABP staff, and celebrate the program conclusion.
Program Eligibility
Expressions of Interest (EOI) to participate as shadowers will be accepted from current ABP Academic staff Levels A and B and Professional staff Levels UoM 6 to 8 who hold a fixed-term or continuing appointment. Staff returning from career interruption are encouraged to apply.