Comparing the UK and Swedish
operating environments
TMP Cohort 34
Who we are
Sandra Cairncross
Edinburgh Napier University
Vassilis Konstantinou
University of South Wales
Elizabeth Holey
Teeside University
Kondal Reddy Kandadi
University of Bolton
Robin Mason
University of Exeter
2
Tak såk mycket
3
What impressed us
•
•
•
•
•
Welcoming and generous
Commitment to excellence
Strong academic integrity and ethos
Openness and democratic environment
Government commitment to higher education
• Cinnamon buns
4
Overview
Features
Organisational
shape/culture
Leadership
5
Some notable features
SWEDEN
UK
State funded
Student funded (but Scotland…)
Research assessment coming?
Research assessment for 30 years
Close auditing of funding
Greater internal flexibility with
funding
Fixed student numbers
Growing numbers (England)
Fixed numbers in Scotland & Wales
Tenured and government-appointed VCs come and go, appointed by
VCs
University boards
Limited autonomy
Considerable autonomy
Well funded
Stretched and volatile funding
Specified roles
Contestable roles
IP belongs to the individual
IP belongs to institution
6
Implications for organisational
shape and culture
SWEDEN
UK
Integrity
Tensions
Respectful
Competitive
Stability
Innovative
“Restful”
“Restless”
Drivers v. distractions
Resource v. autonomy
7
Questions for our leadership
SWEDEN
UK
How do we set out our vision as leaders?
How do we maintain the right balance between democratic and executive
leadership styles?
As leaders, how do we manage external stakeholder expectations?
How do we create a culture to motivate people in our different national
environments?
How do we as leaders respond to internationalisation?
8
Archipelago Stories
Where is Sweden ?
First impressions of positioning:
Excellence; Critique; Insights
Archipelago Stories
Where is Sweden ?
First impressions of positioning:
Excellence; Critique; Insights
Warm genuine welcome: cinnamon buns,
hospitality, notable engagement of senior staff
Generously funded state-funded sector, but with
strings attached:
• state influence
• VCs appointed by ministry
• ownership of property by state
Strategic focus/vision not a priority, highlighting
• an apparent complacency
• a seeming lack of ambition
Archipelago Stories
Where is Sweden ?
Lack of commercial pressure, demonstrated in
• overseas fees first introduced in 2011
• “professor’s privilege”
First impressions of positioning:
• inconsistent organizational narratives
Warm genuine welcome: cinnamon buns, hospitality,
notable engagement of senior staff
Generously funded state-funded sector, but with
strings attached:
• state influence
• VCs appointed by ministry
• ownership of property by state
Strategic focus/vision not a priority, highlighting
• an apparent complacency
• a seeming lack of ambition
Archipelago Stories
Where is Sweden ?
Lack of commercial pressure, demonstrated in
• overseas fees first introduced in 2011
• “professor’s privilege”
First impressions of positioning:
• inconsistent organizational narratives
Warm genuine welcome: cinnamon buns,
notable engagement of senior staff
hospitality,
Generously funded state-funded sector, but
strings attached:
• state influence
• VCs appointed by ministry
• ownership of property by state
Strategic focus/vision not a priority,
highlighting
• an apparent complacency
• a seeming lack of ambition
Archipelago Stories
Where is Sweden ?
Lack of commercial pressure, demonstrated in
• overseas fees first introduced in 2011
First impressions of positioning:
• “professor’s privilege”
• inconsistent organizational narratives
with
Warm genuine welcome: cinnamon buns, hospitality,
notable engagement of senior staff
Generously funded state-funded sector, but
strings attached:
with
• state influence
• VCs appointed by ministry
• ownership of property by state
Strategic focus/vision not a priority,
highlighting
• an apparent complacency
• a seeming lack of ambition
Archipelago Stories
Where is Sweden ?
Lack of commercial pressure, demonstrated in
• overseas fees first introduced in 2011
First impressions of positioning:
• “professor’s privilege”
• inconsistent organizational narratives
Archipelago Stories
Excellence of positioning:
Academic freedom
Generous funding of basic research
Collegiality
Gender awareness
Collaboration: external and internal (less
conflict)
Staff loyalty, positivity and happiness: “wanting
to come to work”
Excellence of positioning:
High quality estate: “great places to work”
Academic freedom
Generous funding of basic research
Collegiality
Gender awareness
Collaboration: external and internal (less
conflict)
Staff loyalty, positivity and happiness: “wanting
to come to work”
Excellence of positioning:
High quality estate: “great places to work”
Academic freedom
Generous funding of basic research
Collegiality
Gender awareness
Collaboration: external and internal (less
conflict)
Staff loyalty, positivity and happiness: “wanting
to come to work”
Excellence of positioning:
High quality estate: “great places to work”
Academic freedom
Generous funding of basic research
Collegiality
Gender awareness
Collaboration: external and internal (less
conflict)
Staff loyalty, positivity and happiness: “wanting
to come to work”
Excellence of positioning:
High quality estate: “great places to work”
Academic freedom
Generous funding of basic research
Collegiality
Gender awareness
Collaboration: external and internal (less
conflict)
Staff loyalty, positivity and happiness: “wanting
to come to work”
Excellence of positioning:
High quality estate: “great places to work”
Academic freedom
Generous funding of basic research
Collegiality
Gender awareness
Collaboration: external and internal (less
conflict)
Staff loyalty, positivity and happiness:
“wanting to come to work”
Excellence of positioning:
High quality estate: “great places to work”
Academic freedom
Generous funding of basic research
Collegiality
Gender awareness
Collaboration: external and internal (less conflict)
Staff loyalty, positivity and happiness: “wanting to
come to work”
Excellence of positioning:
High quality estate: “great places to work”
Archipelago Stories
Critique (NB: offered from our frame of reference) of positioning:
Perceived lack of drivers for change
Impact on ambition / competition ?
Risk-taking in research and course design (pass or
fail, IELTs) ?
External referential feedback (NSS) ?
Visibility on international stage / scene ?
Participation in international student market ?
Commercial drive (recruitment, VFM, commerciality,
IP)
Protected HE environment ? Scenario planning ?
What if ….fees, etc…. ?
Critique (NB: offered from our frame of reference) of positioning:
Perceived lack of drivers for change
Impact on ambition / competition ?
Risk-taking in research and course design (pass or
fail, IELTs) ?
External referential feedback (NSS) ?
Visibility on international stage / scene ?
Participation in international student market ?
Commercial drive (recruitment, VFM, commerciality,
IP)
Protected HE environment ? Scenario planning ?
What if ….fees, etc…. ?
Critique (NB: offered from our frame of reference) of positioning:
Perceived lack of drivers for change
Impact on ambition / competition ?
Risk-taking in research and course design (pass
or fail, IELTs) ?
External referential feedback (NSS) ?
Visibility on international stage / scene ?
Participation in international student market ?
Commercial drive (recruitment, VFM, commerciality,
IP)
Protected HE environment ? Scenario planning ?
What if ….fees, etc…. ?
Critique (NB: offered from our frame of reference) of positioning:
Perceived lack of drivers for change
Impact on ambition / competition ?
Risk-taking in research and course design
fail, IELTs) ?
(pass or
External referential feedback (NSS) ?
Visibility on international stage / scene ?
Participation in international student market ?
Commercial drive (recruitment, VFM, commerciality,
IP)
Protected HE environment ? Scenario planning ?
What if ….fees, etc…. ?
Critique (NB: offered from our frame of reference) of positioning:
Perceived lack of drivers for change
Impact on ambition / competition ?
Risk-taking in research and course design
or fail, IELTs) ?
(pass
External referential feedback (NSS) ?
Visibility on international stage / scene ?
Participation in international student market ?
Commercial drive (recruitment, VFM, commerciality, IP)
Protected HE environment ? Scenario planning ?
What if ….fees, etc…. ?
Critique (NB: offered from our frame of reference) of positioning:
Perceived lack of drivers for change
Impact on ambition / competition ?
Risk-taking in research and course design
or fail, IELTs) ?
(pass
External referential feedback (NSS) ?
Visibility on international stage / scene ?
Participation in international student market ?
Commercial drive (recruitment, VFM,
commerciality, IP)
Protected HE environment ? Scenario planning ?
What if ….fees, etc…. ?
Critique (NB: offered from our frame of reference) of positioning:
Perceived lack of drivers for change
Impact on ambition / competition ?
Risk-taking in research and course design
(pass or fail, IELTs) ?
External referential feedback (NSS) ?
Visibility on international stage / scene ?
Participation in international student market ?
Commercial drive (recruitment, VFM, commerciality, IP)
Protected HE environment ?
Scenario planning ?
What if ….fees, etc…. ?
Critique (NB: offered from our frame of reference) of positioning:
Archipelago Stories
Insights (our offering to Swedish colleagues)
Swedish HE brand – sell it globally !
Flexibility and autonomy in relation to:
• state funding of T+R
• diversification of income sources (including
international possibilities)
• greater liberation in income use, etc.
Commercial incentives:
• IP sharing between academics and institutions
Merger to create a top 10 world-leading multidisciplinary institution…
Insights (our offering to Swedish colleagues)
Swedish HE brand – sell it globally !
Flexibility and autonomy in relation to:
• state funding of T+R
• diversification of income sources (including
international possibilities)
• greater liberation in income use, etc.
Commercial incentives:
• IP sharing between academics and institutions
Merger to create a top 10 world-leading multidisciplinary institution…
Insights (our offering to Swedish colleagues)
Swedish HE brand – sell it globally !
Flexibility and autonomy in relation to:
• state funding of T+R
• diversification of income sources (including
international possibilities)
• greater liberation in income use, etc.
Commercial incentives:
• IP sharing between academics and
institutions
Merger to create a top 10 world-leading multidisciplinary institution…
Insights (our offering to Swedish colleagues)
Swedish HE brand – sell it globally !
Flexibility and autonomy in relation to:
• state funding of T+R
• diversification of income sources (including
international possibilities)
• greater liberation in income use, etc.
Commercial incentives:
• IP sharing between academics and institutions
Merger to create a top 10 world-leading multidisciplinary institution…
Insights (our offering to Swedish colleagues)
Archipelago Stories
Insights (our reflections for ourselves)
Back to basics; pursuit of excellence; clarify
our HE system values; work life / work load
balance
Building trust; greater inclusiveness; less
hierarchical leadership; more collegiality
Knowing what one is good at, and pursuing that…
Strengthen UK HEI plc internationally by
systematic collaboration
Challenge the power of media controlled league
tables in respect of recruitment + collaboration +
international partners
Entrepreneurial / training opportunities for
students; alumni engagement and advancement
Insights (our reflections for ourselves - to take away)
Back to basics; pursuit of excellence; clarify our
HE system values; work life / work load balance
Building trust; greater inclusiveness; less
hierarchical leadership; more collegiality
Knowing what one is good at, and pursuing
that…
Strengthen UK HEI plc internationally by
systematic collaboration
Challenge the power of media controlled league
tables in respect of recruitment + collaboration +
international partners
Entrepreneurial / training opportunities for
students; alumni engagement and advancement
Insights (our reflections for ourselves - to take away)
Back to basics; pursuit of excellence; clarify our
HE system values; work life / work load balance
Building trust; greater inclusiveness; less
hierarchical leadership; more collegiality
Knowing what one is good at, and pursuing
that…
Strengthen UK HEI plc internationally by
systematic collaboration
Challenge the power of media controlled league
tables in respect of recruitment + collaboration +
international partners
Entrepreneurial / training opportunities for
students; alumni engagement and advancement
Insights (our reflections for ourselves - to take away)
Back to basics; pursuit of excellence; clarify our
HE system values; work life / work load balance
Building trust; greater inclusiveness; less
hierarchical leadership; more collegiality
Knowing what one is good at, and pursuing
that…
Strengthen UK HEI plc internationally by
systematic collaboration
Challenge the power of media controlled league
tables in respect of recruitment + collaboration +
international partners
Entrepreneurial / training opportunities for
students; alumni engagement and advancement
Insights (our reflections for ourselves - to take away)
Back to basics; pursuit of excellence; clarify our
HE system values; work life / work load balance
Building trust; greater inclusiveness; less
hierarchical leadership; more collegiality
Knowing what one is good at, and pursuing
that…
Strengthen UK HEI plc internationally by
systematic collaboration
Challenge the power of media controlled
league tables in respect of recruitment +
collaboration + international partners
Entrepreneurial / training opportunities for
students; alumni engagement and advancement
Insights (our reflections for ourselves - to take away)
Back to basics; pursuit of excellence; clarify our
HE system values; work life / work load balance
Building trust; greater inclusiveness; less
hierarchical leadership; more collegiality
Knowing what one is good at, and pursuing that…
Strengthen UK HEI plc internationally by
systematic collaboration
Challenge the power of media controlled league
tables in respect of recruitment + collaboration +
international partners
Entrepreneurial / training opportunities for
students; alumni engagement;
Advancement….
Insights (our reflections for ourselves - to take away)
Tack
Go raibh maith agat
Tapadh leibh
Thank you