Retaining public trust in universities in a post truth world

HUMANE Annual Conference
Hosted by Malmö University
June 15-16, 2018

We live in a world where public trust in all of our great civic institutions is being eroded by those who proselytise 'alternative facts' and 'fake news'. These challenges to institutional legitimacy are particularly poignant for universities as they stand for, among many things, truth, evidence-based argument and a commitment to intellectual enquiry.

In the face of this negative rhetoric, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge recently said "…we need to make a better case for our role as institutions that contribute to the public good. If society does not believe that we have its interests at heart, we need to do a better job at engaging with it and communicating the impact of our work."

The practical and managerial implications of this are extensive and most universities are struggling to deal effectively with these developments.

We're bringing together an impressive group of speakers for our conference, who'll guide us in getting to grips with these issues. The programme is designed around parallel sessions and case studies of institutional experiences to facilitate greater participation in discussion, with keynote speakers providing inspiration in plenary sessions.

It promises to be a lively and engaging annual conference, and a convivial social programme in the middle of a Scandinavian summer hosted by our friends at Malmö University.

Register now to secure you place.

HUMANE - EFMD Summer School
2018 edition

Looking to develop the higher education leadership and management skills amongst your senior staff?

Following on from the highly successful 2017 edition, HUMANE and EFMD are launching the second edition of their Summer School “Transforming Higher Education Professional Services". Once again it will be hosted at iconic Freie University Berlin on September 9 - 14, 2018.

For more detailed information, visit our Summer School website and download the programme brochure.

The Summer School is run as an intensive residential programme for middle and senior managers directly involved in – or aspiring to be part of - a significant transformation programme.

The curriculum is designed as a dynamic, hands-on learning experience for leaders, with practical case-based teamwork enabling you to gain a thorough understanding of the different models and approaches which are critical to the decision-making and execution processes when leading and managing transformation programmes. And you'll be learning and working in a vibrant, multi-national team of university professionals from across Europe, as well as from countries further afield.

Don't miss this exciting opportunity to learn from leading experts and practitioners, and to enhance your professional networks! Now open for online applications.

Now open for online applications.

Please fill in the online application form, where applicants will be asked to submit:

• A one-page statement describing the applicants interest and qualifications
• A one- (or maximum two-) page curriculum vitae
• A letter of support from the head of administration or the equivalent senior managers.

Apply here for the HUMANE-EFMD Summer School – Deadline: 15 May 2018

For further information contact the Schools Coordinator Cécilia Heidelberger, or visit the HUMANE website.

HUMANE 2018 Study Visits
Utrecht University, April 22-25

Sustainability, social responsibility and university leadership: strategic responses to sustainability challenges

The historic Paris Climate Change Agreement provided a much needed impetus for universities to demonstrate more visibly, the unique role that they can play in effecting lasting change in relation to climate change by virtue of their role as knowledge-intensive organisations.

More than this, however, it put the spotlight on institutional leaders to lead by example; to demonstrate that universities had much more to do in the way they managed themselves in terms of their contribution to greenhouse gas emissions targets.

It reminded us that sustainability management in universities has to go through a fundamental change in mindset, transitioning from being a worthy project involving a few changemakers, to a central feature of the institution’s ethos, character and strategy.

Our study visit focuses on Utrecht University, an institution which has committed itself to making this journey. It is designed as an intensive, interactive programme over two and a half days, with participants arriving on the Sunday evening for an informal get-to-know-each-other dinner.

The programme culminates in the study visit team providing feedback on what they have learned to the Utrecht home team. It promises to be a lively, engaging and enlightening programme.

Register early to secure your place as this will be a popular programme with a limit of circa 20 participants.

There is a discount for teams of participants from the same institution.

Visit our website for information on the full 2018 programme of events.