How your survey feedback shapes action

The University is launching the 2025 Staff Experience Survey, which gives you another chance to have your voice heard. Every year, we analyse our survey results to assess the department's strengths and challenges. We use the survey to guide our equality, diversity and inclusion strategy and to inform our approach to career development, wellbeing, and culture for the next year.

In the 2021 Staff Experience Survey, NDS ranked highest in the Division in questions relating to wellbeing and workload. In 2023, we ranked in the top 5 departments in the Division across almost all survey themes.

in 2024, You said

• 66% of staff felt they had the opportunity to develop and grow here
• 52% of staff felt confident that they could progress their careers in this department
• "Organise networking events"
• "A leadership course would be very valuable"
• "I would like to feel more part of the department"
• "More social activities"

• In October 2024, the department piloted a bespoke line manager training programme, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. We're now working to roll this training out on a wider scale.
• The department is currently working on a project to tackle occupational segregation, providing further development for affected staff and creating clearer career pathways.
• The department has hosted various race, neurodivergence and disability fora.
• The department now runs regular grant panels, where researchers can receive feedback on applications in progress before submitting them (contact the research team for more information).
• NDS has trialled offering internal secondments on specific projects to allow staff an opportunity to develop their skills further, with a view to making this a regular opportunity.
• The events committee has received additional funding to host more social events through the year. The next NDS social event is the quiz on 30 April (register here).
• We launched the ASCEND Network with a panel event and networking lunch in February 2025 to foster further collaborations for researchers.

Improvements over the years

Since 2021, we have seen:

• a 12 percentage point increase in the proportion of staff who feel they are actively encourage to take up development opportunities
• a 13 percentage point increase in the proportion of professional and support staff who take time to reflect on, and plan for, their career
• a 28 percentage point increase in the proportion of women in academic and research roles who feel comfortable discussing their training needs with their line manager
• a 48 percentage point increase in women in academic and research roles who have been mentored by someone other than their line manager
• a 37 percentage point increase in awareness of the NDS Training Fund