University Listening Exercise - publication of report

A version of this message was sent to staff on 21 October 2025.

In July we launched an institutional Listening Exercise, to give staff a formal opportunity to reflect on their experiences of the financial crisis.

The exercise asked you, the members of the University community, to respond, make suggestions and outline your vision for a recovered University. Hundreds of you took part, either by filling in the form or joining in-person sessions. From this a report has been compiled which outlines clearly the shared ordeal and challenges that colleagues have experienced. 

It is clear there has been personal and professional trauma. This report reflects these personal experiences.

It reminds us all how difficult the last year has been, how passionately colleagues care about the University, and of everyone’s desire to find and implement solutions which will allow us to move forward as an organisation.

We recognise that the senior leadership of the University has let you down, and in so doing has lost your trust and damaged your confidence in our future as an institution.

As an Executive Group, we are committed to regaining that trust by addressing your concerns, recognising that we will only earn that trust day by day through our actions.

We intend to do this through addressing the key areas which have been identified, and in turn we hope this will start to rebuild your trust in us.

There are significant concerns to reflect on in the report, and we identified the following key areas:

• The actions responding to the Gillies Report, primarily in areas of financial reporting and governance, and ensuring progress on these are reported to the University community
• The importance of inclusive leadership, and ensuring we as an executive group, and the wider leadership team are open, responsive, empowered to act and accountable
• The regularity, consistency and transparency of communication from leadership
• Authentic and meaningful engagement with the University community

Listening Exercise working group

The Listening Exercise was commissioned by UEG and led by a separate working group.

The working group comprised:

• Professor Fordyce Davidson, Dean of Science and Engineering
• Dr Paul Bennett, Director of Strategic Planning
• Mhairi Taylor, Deputy Director (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion), People
• Dr Lisa Anderson, Head of Talent and Development, People
• Roddy Isles, Head of Corporate Communications
• Cassie Masterton, Senior Executive Support Officer

The report was presented to UEG in the format we now share with the University community.

Further questions on efficiencies, cost reductions and revenue generation

The Listening Exercise Report reflects on the first three substantive questions in the online survey and in-person sessions. Additionally, we asked for your ideas on organisational efficiencies, cost reductions and generating additional revenue.

We received hundreds of responses to these additional questions.

To assess and analyse this material appropriately, Professor Kim Dale, Vice-Principal Global Engagement and Future Students, and Kirsteen Campbell, Interim Chief Operating Officer, will co-chair a working group to give each suggestion due consideration. Colleagues from relevant Professional Services and Schools will be involved in this process.

Future activity

The Listening Exercise does not stop with the publication of this report. It will be an ongoing process, and we are committed to giving greater opportunities for staff to share your views and suggestions.

We will be actively working on providing these opportunities in the coming months.

In appreciation of the challenges identified in the report and to promote wellbeing, we have added an additional day of leave for 24 December, reflecting the suggestions shared in the responses. While this is only a small gesture of support, we hope it adds to your rest and recovery at the end of a difficult year.

Wellbeing support available for staff

Looking after your wellbeing is important, and support is always available when you need it.

The University offers a wide range of wellbeing resources. Staff can also access the TogetherAll app 24/7, providing courses, tools, and community support. Many self-directed resources are also available year-round.

For more information and to explore available resources, visit our Staff Wellbeing Portal, which covers all aspects of wellbeing - physical, mental, social, financial, spiritual and more.

Employee Assistance Programme

The University has introduced an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for additional support, including guidance and, where appropriate, in the moment counselling and legal advice. This is an independent, free and confidential service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to all University staff and their immediate families, and is provided by Health Assured Ltd.

You can call any time day or night for free on 0800 028 0199 or +44 161 836 9498 from outside the UK where a charge will apply. Alternatively, staff can also reach out to the EAP support team via email at [email protected].

You also have access to the Health Assured Wisdom Portal and Wisdom App which can be used to contact Health Assured as well as offering wellbeing advice.

To access the Portal or App please use our unique organisation code: MHA333971.

Further information about the Health Assured Service, Wisdom App and the Legal Advice is available on SharePoint.