Survey on onboarding practices in Carnegie research institutions

2021 ◽  
Vol 42 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 109-118
Author(s):  
Jenny Lynne Semenza ◽  
Tania Harden ◽  
Regina Koury
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Employees ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Survey Responses

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to describe survey findings on onboarding initiatives at the Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries. The findings would be helpful to libraries that are at the beginning of their own onboarding initiatives or that wish to compare ongoing efforts.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a survey of Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries using Qualtrics, an online survey software. Link to the survey with a short explanation was e-mailed to the 319 identified contacts and 111 responses were received at the end of the survey.FindingsSurvey responses revealed that the most prevalent types of onboarding initiatives are an orientation to campus policies and procedures and meeting with human resources. Half of the respondents introduce new employees to the social/cultural norms of the library informally, with responsibility for onboarding falling on the supervisor. Surprisingly, diversity and inclusion have not been identified as formal components of the onboarding by those who engage in it.Originality/valueSpecific research into the onboarding initiatives of Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries does not exist.

A survey of diversity and inclusiveness initiatives at Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions libraries

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Regina Koury ◽  
Jenny Lynne Semenza ◽  
Sandra Shropshire
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Doctoral Research ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Short Explanation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe survey findings on diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries. The findings would be helpful to libraries that are at the beginning of their own diversity and inclusion initiatives or that wish to compare ongoing efforts. Design/methodology/approach The authors conducted a survey of Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries using Qualtrics, an online survey software. Link to the survey with a short explanation was e-mailed to the 324 identified contacts and 151 responses were received at the end of the survey. Findings Survey responses revealed that the most prevalent types of diversity and inclusion initiatives fall into one of three categories. These are the creation/enhancement of library collections, recruitment and collaboration with other campus units. Not surprisingly, lack of money and other resources are identified as challenges faced by those who engage in these initiatives. Originality/value No other research currently exists for those interested in assessing diversity and inclusion initiatives at the Carnegie Doctoral Research Institutions of Higher Education libraries.

Communicating science in higher education and research institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-205
Author(s):  
Thorsten Schwetje ◽  
Christiane Hauser ◽  
Stefan Böschen ◽  
Annette Leßmöllmann
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Organizational Context ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
Internal Stakeholders ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Executive Boards ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe paper reports on a research project exploring the change in the organizational context of communicators and communication units in higher education and research institutions (HERIs), the importance of informal processes within their daily work and the great diversity of expectations communicators have to tackle.Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature review, a mixed-methods study combining expert interviews with 54 German HERI heads of communication units, an online-survey and a document analysis of organizational characteristics was conducted. Findings were validated in four focus groups.FindingsThe study illuminates the impact of organizational and operational structures of HERIs on communicators and their boundary spanning activities. Due to varying expectations of stakeholders, communicators constantly have to switch roles. Members of HERIs' executive boards affect status and working conditions for communicators in the organization.Research limitations/implicationsInterviews with other HERI actors, especially members of the executive board, are proposed to get more thorough insights into the organizational context of HERIs and the mutual expectations of different internal stakeholders.Practical implicationsInsights from the project may help HERI actors to reflect their organizational context and to identify potentially contentious structures or processes.Originality/valueCommunicating science sometimes clashes with complex organizational and operational structures. Despite the “organizational turn” in HERI research, there is a lack of data on the relation between communicators, their communication units and the larger organizational context. The exploratory study addresses this gap.

Moving beyond the rhetoric on faculty diversity in higher education: an interview with diversity expert Dr Bailey Jackson

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica C. Gavino
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Organizational Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Faculty Diversity ◽  
Full Inclusion ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Diversity In Higher Education ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe aim of this article is to provide Dr Bailey Jackson's perspective on institutional and systemic barriers to full inclusion of diverse faculty in higher education through the lens of the multicultural organizational development (MCOD) model. Dr Jackson is renowned for his work on social justice, diversity and multiculturalism.Design/methodology/approachThis is a personal interview with Dr Bailey Jackson. This interview provides insight on institutional level change efforts through the MCOD framework, a perspective on why institutions get stuck on the way to becoming a healthy multicultural institutions, and the effect on moving the needle on faculty diversity in institutions of higher education.FindingsThe institutional obstacles and barriers tend to be centered around misalignment with mission, vision and core values, how those are formulated to include diversity and inclusion. Faculty diversity is only one component in dealing with the health of any organization or the academy as a whole. If institutions focus on diversity faculty in an unhealthy system, they will encounter limitations on how much the institution will develop on the MCOD continuum. The health of the overall system is going to affect the approach to faculty diversity.Practical implicationsDr Jackson provides insight on his work with the MCOD framework and specifically the overall health of the institution as critical to faculty diversity initiatives. Questions to help institutions begin to assess themselves and identify changes required to move toward Multicultural within the context of faculty diversity are provided.Originality/valueThrough a series of questions, insight from Dr Jackson on why institutions get stuck in moving the needle on faculty diversity through the lens of the MCOD framework is gained.

Nine emerging student needs

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hines ◽  
Alexandra Whittington
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Student Life ◽  
Student Needs ◽  
Content Type ◽  
World Cafe ◽  
The Future ◽  
The University ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose A research project exploring emerging student needs explored six aspects of student life: living, learning, working, playing, connecting and participating. Design/methodology/approach A modified version of the University of Houston’s “Framework Foresight” method was used to explore the future of six aspects of future student life. The resulting scenarios were analyzed for their implications, including the use of the World Café technique, and ultimately led to the identification of nine emerging student needs. Findings Nine specific emerging needs of future students could be used strategically by institutions of higher education to guide and inform planning and to generate innovative ideas for university offerings. Specific examples of offerings that would meet the projected future needs are recommended. Research limitations/implications In terms of research limitations, the paper is focused on the needs of students and does not purport to be an exhaustive analysis of all of the issues influencing higher education. It views the future of higher education through the lens of students and their emerging needs. Practical implications The paper is intended for educators, researchers and administrators to provide insight on how the needs of students, their key customers, are evolving. Originality/value This piece explores student life in its totality as way to more accurately identify student needs in the future.

scholarly journals Examining the Relationship between Motivations and Resilience in Different International Student Groups Attending US Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 306-319
Author(s):  
Heba Mostafa ◽  
Yongsun Lim
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
International Students ◽  
International Student ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Intrinsic And Extrinsic Motivations

Advancing diversity and inclusion in the U.S. higher education requires a solid understanding of the dynamics of students’ mobility. This study investigated the intrinsic and extrinsic motivations that lead different international student groups to study in American universities, in connection with their resilience in overcoming the inevitable higher education challenges. An online survey was completed by 164 international students at three research universities. Pearson correlation coefficient analyses and independent t tests were conducted to examine the relationships among three variables—intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and resilience—along with the differences among groups. Results show a medium-sized positive significant relationship between international students’ intrinsic motivations and resilience, and significant differences among groups of students in relation to intrinsic and extrinsic motivations.

Transcollegial leadership: a new paradigm for leadership

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-70
Author(s):  
David J. Burns ◽  
Debra Mooney
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Dynamic Environment ◽  
Colleges And Universities ◽  
Alternative Form ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Leadership In Higher Education ◽  
Education Today ◽  
Individual Self

Purpose The increasing complexity of higher education has led to the need for a different type of leader that transcends traditional boundaries and individual self-interest. The purpose of this paper is to propose an alternative form of leadership consistent with the unique challenges faced by institutions of higher education today. Design/methodology/approach First, existing research on leadership is explored. Particular attention is placed on identifying the applicability of the primary leadership approaches to the unique organizational environment typically found in institutions of higher education. Transcollegial leadership is then developed as an alternative form of leadership better suited to colleges and universities in today’s dynamic environment. Findings After examining the inadequacies of existing forms of leadership in higher education, transcollegial leadership is introduced as the process involved in leaders systematically, but informally, relating to persons and groups of equivalent authority in different areas of an institution of higher education for its betterment and the advancement of its mission, not for person gain. Practical implications It appears that transcollegial leadership may be specifically suited for institutions of higher education given their unique organizational structure. Transcollegial leadership permits colleges and universities to better utilize the skills and expertise of their members. The skills and expertise of transcollegial leaders not only benefit their home organizational units, but can benefit the entire organization. Originality/value The paper examines a different approach to leadership to aid colleges and universities in facing the challenges of a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive environment.

The relationship between higher education students' perceived employability, academic engagement and stress among students in China

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 744-762
Author(s):  
Yin Ma ◽  
Dawn Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Academic Engagement ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Chinese Higher Education ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Employability ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeWith a focus on Chinese higher education students, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between students' perceived employability and their levels of academic engagement and stress.Design/methodology/approachThe study engaged 1,155 students from three universities in China. Students responded to an online survey, reporting their confidence in relation to their perceived employability, academic engagement and stress in life. The authors employed structural equation modelling to explore students' confidence in each employability attribute and to assess perceived employability relation to academic engagement and perceived stress.FindingsThe results suggest that self-perceptions of employability are positively associated with students' academic engagement and negatively associated with perceived stress. Perceived employability mediated the majority paths.Originality/valueThis is one of the few studies to examine perceived employability in line with academic engagement or stress and the first study to do so in China.

The professional development needs for the use of educational technology

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam-Cheong Li ◽  
Billy Tak-Ming Wong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Professional Development ◽  
Educational Technology ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Professional Development Needs ◽  
Hong Kong Higher Education

Purpose This study aimed to identify the professional development needs of academics in Hong Kong higher education for the use of educational technology. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted in 2017, which involved 374 academics from Hong Kong higher education institutions. The survey covered their perception and use of educational technology for professional activities and their relevant professional development needs. Findings The results showed an overall positive perception by the academics of the usefulness of online learning with the aid of technology, which was regarded as an effective complement to face-to-face learning. However, their use of educational technology focused only on general online applications, such as document and video-sharing tools, and e-learning platforms. Among various professional development needs, those related to the use of specific educational software with sharing of practical examples were considered to be most highly desired by the academics. In addition, the academics working in lecturer positions tended to use more online applications and had a higher need for professional development, than those with more teaching experience. Originality/value The findings contribute to identifying the current status of the use of educational technology and the professional development needs among academics in Hong Kong, as well as the differences between academics in different job positions and with different amounts of teaching experience. The results help in designing suitable professional development activities which address the specific needs of academics.

Low factual understanding and high anxiety about climate warming impedes university students to become sustainability stewards

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 1157-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Pfautsch ◽  
Tonia Gray
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
University Students ◽  
Climate Warming ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Personal Information ◽  
Factual Knowledge ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Student Community ◽  
Sustainability Literacy ◽  
Warming World

Purpose This study, from Western Sydney University, aims to assess the disposition of students towards climate warming (CW) – a key component of sustainability. CW is a global reality. Any human born after February 1985 has never lived in a world that was not constantly warming, yet little is known about how higher education students perceive their future in a warming world. Design/methodology/approach An online survey, split into three parts, was used to deliver benchmark data on (I) personal information, (II) factual knowledge and (III) sentiments related to CW. Findings Gender and age of students significantly influenced their perception of CW. While self-rated understanding of CW was generally high, factual knowledge about CW was low. Few students recognized that CW was already under way, and that it was mainly caused by human activity. The most prominent emotions were fear, sadness and anger, foretelling widespread disempowerment and fear for the future. Research limitations/implications The study was based on a single dataset and survey response was relatively low. However, respondents mirrored the composition of the student community very well. Originality/value This is the first study revealing large psychological distance to the effects of CW in university students from Australia. Combined with the impression of despondence, the present study suggests that higher education in Australia, and possibly elsewhere, is not providing the prerequisite tools tomorrow’s leaders require for meeting societal, environmental and economic challenges caused by CW. Practical ways to erase these blind spots in sustainability literacy are provided, drawing upon established and novel concepts in higher education.

scholarly journals Investigación y federalismo: la reforma de la ley fundamental de Bonn de 2014, ¿qué cambia?

2016 ◽  
pp. 305
Author(s):  
María Jesús García Morales
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Federal Republic ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Education ◽  
Federal Republic Of Germany ◽  
Research Institutions ◽  
Enseñanza Superior ◽  
Basic Law ◽  
Open Debate ◽  
Sobre Todo

Con efectos desde el 1 de enero de 2015, la última reforma de la Ley Fundamental de Bonn ha dado una nueva redacción al párrafo 1 del artículo 91b LFB donde se regulan las relaciones entre la Federación y los Länder en materia de fomento de la investigación científica. El nuevo precepto ha pretendido resolver las graves consecuencias que había generado la redacción que le dio al mismo la gran reforma federal de 2006. Con ello, la reforma de 2014 constituye la respuesta al debate abierto en la última década en Alemania sobre la necesidad de suprimir una regulación que impedía a la Federación participar financieramente junto a los Länder en instituciones de investigación de los centros de enseñanza superior y, en particular, de las Universidades. En este artículo, se analiza el alcance de esta nueva regulación que ha abierto notables expectativas sobre todo respecto a la mejora de la financiación de dichos centros, pero también interrogantes que deberán concretarse en la práctica.Effective as of January 1 2015, the latest reform of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany has redrafted Paragraph 1 of Article 91b of the Basic Law, which regulates the relationships between the Federation and the Länder regarding the promotion of scientific research. The new provision has sought to resolve the serious consequences created by the wording given to same by the great federal reform of 2006. The 2014 reform thus constitutes the response to the open debate in the last decade in Germany on the need to remove a regulation which prevented the Federation from participating financially alongside the Länder in research institutions of higher education establishments and of the Universities in particular. This Article analyses the scope of this new regulation, which has raised significant expectations for improved funding for these establishments, but also questions that will need to be specified in practice.

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