Staff updates 1 June 2023

Dear colleagues,

I hope you have been enjoying the recent warm and sunny weather and that you were able to spend some quality time with your family and friends over this past long weekend.

Earlier today, Times Higher Education published its 2023 Impact Rankings which assess universities against their contribution towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I was delighted to see Strathclyde placed at joint 36th in the world out of 1,591 universities. This ranking is determined by the combined score of our three best-performing SDGs and the compulsory category, which for Strathclyde were:

  • SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals – 8th out of 1,625 institutions
  • SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions – 9th out of 910
  • SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production – 14th out of 674
  • SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – joint 31st out of 873

This ranking reflects the hard work and focus of our staff across the whole University in our teaching, research and operations to realise our Vision, as a leading international technological University that is socially progressive, of making a positive difference to the lives of our students, to society and to the world.

I would like to thank all of you for your efforts which have achieved this fantastic recognition for Strathclyde.

Yesterday, I was delighted to kick off the 2023 Graduation Season with the first graduation ceremony for our ‘Young Strathclyder’ programme.

This wonderful and hugely enjoyable event saw more than 300 hundred young people along with their families, friends, teachers and supporters, celebrate their participation in this important initiative, which is building the confidence, aspirations and opportunities offered to young people from across the city.

As the Young Strathclyder programme continues to grow and develop, I look forward to welcoming many more young learners through the doors of the Barony Hall for these ceremonies in the years to come; this is ’Useful Learning’ in action.

As part of the University’s commitment to ensuring every member of our community feels safe, supported and secure, we are relaunching our Dignity & Respect Adviser Network. This initiative forms part of Safe360, the University’s holistic safeguarding framework for the whole University community. 

The role of the Dignity & Respect Advisers will be critical in supporting Strathclyde community members in addressing matters of inappropriate behaviour such as bullying, harassment, victimisation, discrimination or workplace conflict.

Our fully trained volunteer Advisers will respond sensitively to disclosures and offer support to staff and students who may have experienced or been impacted by inappropriate behaviour, particularly those that are defined within our Dignity & Respect policy.

You can read more about our Dignity and Respect Advisers in next week’s edition of Inside Strathclyde.

Next week is Carers’ Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring and to help people who don't think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.

At Strathclyde, we will be running a series of events to support our colleagues who are registered as carers. These colleagues have received information on the various events and booking links directly.

The events are aimed at helping our carers to look after, and take time for, themselves and to access support and information that may be helpful in assisting them with this vital role. 

An online session on Tuesday 6 June will provide managers and colleagues of carers with more information on understanding the impact and experience of caring responsibilities and supporting and managing carers at work.

You can register as a carer by updating your personal details, via the HR tab, on Pegasus.

Finally, I would like to thank Professor Eleanor Shaw, Associate Principal, for her contribution to Strathclyde over 21 years following the announcement of her appointment as the new Head of the University of Glasgow’s Adam Smith Business School.

Eleanor is an accomplished academic whose leadership skills, drive and enthusiasm are exemplary and I wish her well in her new role.

Please enjoy the rest of the week and have a great weekend when it comes.

Best wishes,
Jim