"The IWMW event provides an opportunity for those involved in the provision of institutional Web services to hear about institutional case studies, national initiatives and emerging technologies and to actively participate in a number of parallel sessions."

IWMW 2013 is the seventeenth workshop.

Workshop Session A10: Connections, Connecting, Connected

Title:

A10: Connections, Connecting, Connected

Session Tag:

#A10

Time:

Wednesday 26^th June 2013 from 16:00-17:30

Facilitator:

Lynn Boyle, University of Dundee

Abstract:

Within institutions and beyond there is an emphasis on connectivity and connecting with people to ensure we are globally aware of trends, current research and innovations in technology. Dobbins (2009) said that Learning Lunches can often provide new and existing members of University staff with an opportunity to meet new colleagues and forge new friendships. Dobbins case study of a series of Learning Lunches which had been successful at the University of Birmingham in 2007 led to innovation as a key to a successful teaching or research career and that innovation is best described when it is as a conversation where people can exchange feelings and descriptions to suit the listener or audience which cannot always be conveyed in print. This inspired me to create a staff club called the 'Friday Fry Up Club' at the University of Dundee, as clubs or meetings go, good intentions can quickly become lost in an endless list of e mail or calendar invites. To prevent this, the club began and still exists with a personal invitation through myself and also now through other personal connections of those who attend. The importance of the club is that membership is not limited to the academic staff within the institution but includes academics from different disciplines, technicians, librarians, support staff and even occasionally senior management. This evolving innovation has led to further thinking about linking those who are connected to Higher Education in the broadest terms. Who are you, what do you do and how do we link, collaborate support and each other rather than been seen in silos of professions? It is often a personal interest or a face to face meeting which prompts and sustains connections and it is important to develop new ways of making friendships and collaborations which last beyond the necessity of the current project or crisis.