Responding to your voice: Sustaining and enhancing peer connections at the University of New England

The University of New England participated in the Voice Staff Satisfaction survey for the second time in June 2010. The survey, which was first conducted at UNE in 2007, was developed and delivered by Voice Project Pty Ltd of Macquarie University. This staff satisfaction survey allows benchmarking against 28 Australian universities by comparing anonymous data from staff participants about the organisations' direction, leadership and work environment. At UNE the results of the '2010 Voice Staff Satisfaction Survey' were similar to those of 2007 and indicated that while staff were satisfied with a number of management practices, there was clearly a level of frustration and a possible disconnect between the activities and processes of the 10 Schools located within the two Faculties and the Central Service Directorates of the University. Based on these results, the Vice-Chancellor explored ideas for improving connections and communication between various sections within UNE, and identified this as a priority area for action in 2011. A small project team consisting of academic and general staff from across both faculties of the university led a participatory action research project to identify the key issues that caused staff frustration and sought to find solutions for sustaining and enhancing peer connections across the University. This paper will report on the development, delivery and outcomes of this project and the lessons learned.