Latest news
2010
CIOD members awarded prize for best paper
A paper by John Joyce and Trevor Hassall published in volume 7 of the International Journal of Management Education has been awarded the prize for the best paper in the volume. John and Trevor, who specialise in accountancy, wrote the paper with a colleague from Loughborough University.
The paper explores the issues involved in maintaining operational alignment between curriculum aims, teaching and the assessment of student learning. It concluded that educators need to think carefully about assessment design, and that attempts to improve reliability, save time or save cost during the marking process will compromise the curriculum outcomes.
As such, the article will help ensure that courses are delivered to curriculum aims, such as courses meeting the needs of business and improving graduate employability.
The prize is the result of an open voting and scoring system with an electoral college of prestigious editorial advisors.
Trevor added, 'We are delighted to receive this recognition especially from a journal so relevant to our research work. To have the quality of our work recognised by such a group of prestigious judges is especially rewarding.'
Learning works wonders - increasing social inclusion through targeted training and development
Dr Tony Bennett, a member of our team specialising in the social dynamics of business success, recently evaluated a programme for Manchester College and Manchester City Council.
Learning Works Wonders (LWW) is a pilot programme helping long-term unemployed people to get back into work in the care sector. After going through a unique recruitment process and a four week workshop, candidates were offered a six-month paid placement within the council's Adult Social Care department.
The report was commissioned in order to evaluate the project in terms of its success in offering an alternative route into employment for the long-term unemployed. It also assessed its potential as a template for further similar projects with other employers in the region.
The report concluded that the project was a success. There was clear evidence that the experience had a positive effect on the confidence and wellbeing of the participants, and increased their ability to work in this sector. Significantly, 50 per cent of the participants subsequently secured permanent, full-time employment with the council caring for vulnerable people.
Crucially, the project evaluation proved that LWW offered a recruitment and training strategy that delivered work ready employees with a particular empathy and commitment to working in the care sector.
'The report is very positive across a number of areas and will make a very helpful contribution to the efforts of the college and the council in bringing local people into local jobs'
Project manager, Manchester College
For more information, please contact Tony via his staff profile page.
Staff news in brief
CIOD member appointed as an ambassador for Social Entrepreneurship in Higher Education
UnLtd is the UK's largest supporter of social entrepreneurship, funded through a £100m endowment gifted by the government.
Dr Rory Ridley-Duff has recently been appointed by UnLtd as one of 10 ambassadors to promote social enterprise within HEFCE universities, and assist in the promotion of its social entrepreneurship awards.
For more information, contact Rory via his staff profile page.
Recent publications
CIOD member's book published
Michael Hunt has published an edited book entitled 'Freedom of Information: Local Government and Accountability' in conjunction with Professor Richard Chapman of the University of Durham
The book considers best practice regarding the operation of the Freedom of Information Act, and examines how it has enabled the public to contribute to local decision making and debate local issues. This timely work addresses the challenges of democracy and efficiency facing local services, and considers how the accountability of local authorities can best be ensured.
CIOD member publishes in Local Government Studies
Professor Jim Chandler's article A Rationale for Local Government has been published in volume 36 of Local Government Studies.
The article develops an ethical justification for local government based on classical liberal theory. It analyses the implications for the structure and functions of a system of local governance within a liberal democracy.
The article argues that local government should determine and implement those policies that do not infringe the interests of those outside its area, and represent its views to other agencies where its policies affect others.
CIOD member presents paper
Professor Jim Chandler presented his paper, 'Joined-Up Government... But why through Governance and not Local Government,' at the 60th annual conference of the Political Studies Association of the UK (PSA).
A copy can be found on the PSA website.
Recent events
Coaching and mentoring team key at EMCC conference
Professor Bob Garvey opened the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) Conference on Wednesday 5 May with a talk entitled 'Coaching and mentoring, an eclectic mix or common ground?'
Day two was opened by Professor David Megginson in a panel debate on 'What does performance coaching mean in the post-recession economy?'
The EMCC is the largest professional body in Europe that represents both mentoring and coaching.
Forthcoming events
CIOD member to speak about performance targets and delivering efficiency savings
Max Moullin will be giving a speech on lean systems, performance and targets in Wales on 24 June, alongside John Palmer, director of public service improvement for the Welsh Assembly Government. His speech Performance and targets: A necessary evil? can be heard in Leeds on 15 July.
Both talks will cover the very topical issues of performance targets and delivering efficiency savings through better quality services. Max will also be running a workshop on the public sector scorecard on 30 June in Manchester for public and third sector managers.
CIOD member chairing the Investment Management Association's (IMA) 4th conference on analysing conflict transformation
Professor Jim Bryant will be chairing the IMA's fourth conference on analysing conflict transformation, which will be held at St Anne's College, Oxford from 28-30 June 2010.
The conference brings together researchers and practitioners across a range of disciplines to share theoretical and practical developments in these disparate fields and to build multidisciplinary links between conflict researchers.
Sheffield Hallam University is not responsible for the content of external websites
