Professional services in higher education

Advice on the many functions of a university that fall outside academia or teaching such as HR, finance, communications, department and laboratory management, libraries and student services. Find out how professional services teams in higher education can best ensure the smooth running of an institution, supporting teaching, research and student success – and work effectively with their academic colleagues.

By Eliza.Compton, 19 November, 2025

Why university leaders must listen differently in one-to-ones

Young female manager in a meeting
Talk less and listen more should be a mantra for leaders and managers. When they acknowledge diverse perspectives, avoid dominating discussions and reflect what they have heard, it sets the tone for more inclusive, respectful dialogue
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 23 October, 2025

Mapping employability skills across curricula

Young woman looking thoughtful
A mandatory university-wide initiative shows how mapping professional skills against all programmes can tailor students’ work readiness no matter their career path
Reading time
4minutes
By kiera.obrien, 21 October, 2025

From library-focused project to campus-wide collaboration

Librarians work together in a team
A heritage trail to mark an anniversary event began life in the library, but how to extend its reach to the rest of the university? Here’s what one library team learned when they collaborated across their institution
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton, 18 October, 2025

Compassion cuts through polarisation

Group meditation session
Compassion, not empathy, is the emotion that will cut through group polarisation and motivate constructive intergroup dialogue in higher education. Training in mindfulness-based compassion meditation can be scaled at a relatively low barrier to entry
Reading time
4minutes
Professional services in higher education