Strategy and Policy Networks

Structure, Role and Remit of SPNs (members only)
NWUA operates a Strategy and Policy Networks (SPN) for each of the following areas of interest:
Each member institution has nominated one or more senior colleagues for each area of interest..

The key role of SPN members will be to:

  • Provide a contact point for NWUA communications on matters within their remit; disseminating across their institution or co-ordinating their institution's response as appropriate.
  • Provide the key point of contact for consultation with member institutions on NWUA developments and initiatives within their remit; this will inform proposals developed for Management Board approval.
  • Attend and, where appropriate, co-ordinate wider institutional attendance at NWUA meetings convened to enable a collective dialogue on emerging strategic issues within their remit.
  • Participate in NWUA Task & Finish Groups formed in response to emerging strategic issues and opportunities.

Membership

The role of the SPNs is to focus on regional and national policy developments within specific areas of interest. Member institutions have nominated a representative from their senior management team, with responsibility for the corresponding strategy and policy agenda, to sit on the SPN Groups.

Operating Arrangements


NWUA strategy and policy issues are dealt with through three key operating arrangements:
  • Electronic Communications – the majority of strategy and policy business within the SPNs is undertaken electronically; in particular communicating and disseminating information and intelligence, and undertaking initial institutional consultation on NWUA developments and initiatives prior to seeking Management Board approval.
  • Topic Seminars – are convened in response to emerging strategic issues and will primarily provide a conduit for facilitating a collective HE dialogue with colleagues from key regional and national bodies. All members of the SPNs within the area/s of interest will be invited to attend; with the option to extend the invitation to additional institutional colleagues as appropriate. In the event that these meetings identify potential opportunities for collective action, subject to the approval of the Management Board, a Task & Finish Group (see below) may be established to develop a collective response for Management Board approval.
  • Task & Finish Groups – have formed in response to emerging strategy and policy issues and opportunities which require collective HE consideration and response; these may be established on the instruction of the Management Board or, with Management Board approval, in response to issues emerging from Topic Seminars (see above).
Task + Finish Groups will take two forms:
  • Single Thematic Issue – where an issue clearly fits within a single strategy and policy area, and membership of the Task & Finish Group has been established from the SPN membership. All SPN members have the opportunity to nominate themselves or a colleague for membership of Task & Finish Groups within their remit.
  • Cross-thematic Issue – where an issue spans more than one strategy and policy area the Management Board will be invited to nominate institutional colleagues for membership of the Task & Finish Group; Management Board members may wish to utilise the SPNs when making nominations.

NWUA will organise a programme of between eight and twelve policy orientated meetings on matters of significant institutional geographic or strategic interest where it is judged that a collective dialogue will add value to institutional interests or when it is judged that it would be beneficial to seek national speakers of particular aspects of policy or when this is requested by a national body

  • The invitees to such meetings will either be members of the relevant SPN(s) or representatives of the NWUA Management Board as appropriate.
  • It is anticipated that between eight and twelve meetings will be held during the year
  • NWUA Policy Leads are appointed by the NWUA Management Board, in relation to Research, Learning and Teaching, Skills, Widening Participation, Enterprise, Health and Social Care, Culture and Media, Sport. The main function of Policy Leads would be to advise the NWUA Executive Director in relation to the topics for the policy meetings and general matters in relation to their remit.

NWUA Policy Leads are as follows;

  • Research – Professor Trevor McMillan, Lancaster University
  • Enterprise – Keith Barnes, University of Salford
  • Learning & Teaching – Professor Diana Burton, Liverpool John Moores University
  • Skills – Professor Rod Dubrow-Marshall, University of Central Lancashire
  • Widening Participation – Professor Liz Beaty, University of Cumbria
  • Culture & Media – Peter Fell, University of Manchester
  • Sport – Alison Odell, University of Manchester
  • Health & Social Care – Seth Crofts, Edge Hill University