All staff are invited to join us for Develop@City on Thursday 7 September, our award-winning, annual staff development and community day – themed around supporting you to thrive for the new academic year ahead.
Open to all City, University of London staff and PhD students.
Register your interest for the sessions you would like to attend via the sign up button. Note: if you are having problems completing the registration link, please try clearing your browser cache, opening the form in an incognito window or a different browser.
Registration on the day will take place in the Pavilion, from 9.30am, where you will be given room details.
For any queries, please contact the Organisational Development team.
Bookable sessions and drop-ins
Coaching taster sessions
Try out a 30 minute one-to-one coaching session with one of our trained coaches from City's Internal Coaching Network. Bring along a challenge or opportunity that you’d like to discuss and see how coaching can support you in gaining clarity and moving towards your goals. Reserve your slot through the dedicated booking form.
15 Minute On-site Massage – Workplace Healthcare
Enjoy a mini seated chair or Indian head massage, with benefits including stress reduction, enhanced circulation, and increased physical flexibility. Please note: we cannot treat you if you are currently unwell, or if you are within the first trimester of pregnancy. Reserve your slot through the dedicated booking form.
Craft drop-in: Candle decorating with Tea and Crafting
Drop in to decorate and paint a dinner candle with your team, from 11am – 2pm.
Develop@City marketplace and lunch
In the Pavilion, meet teams from across City and external partners to explore ways you can personally and professionally develop for the year ahead. Including: The Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusion, Organisational Development, City Sport, Health & Safety, Apprenticeship Providers, City Short Courses, Staff Affinity Networks and many more!
A light lunch will be served from 12pm – 1.30pm.
Session programme
Register your interest for the sessions you would like to attend via the sign up button. All sessions will take place in-person, unless specified.
Tuesday 5 September
2pm – 2.50pm
(*Online session) Give your confidence a boost: Kate Atkin
Learn tips to help reframe your self-belief and researched strategies to build self-confidence. Explore what creates confidence, how it differs from arrogance, what beliefs and behaviours support and detract from our confidence and how to find that essential boost when you need it. For this session only, book via IT Service Now, under Develop@City.
Thursday 7 September
10am – 10.50am
*Fully booked* Move WELL: Greg Savides, Workplace Healthcare
Gain the knowledge and skills to improve your posture while hybrid working. Learn the importance of maintaining proper posture and be able to implement changes to reduce the risk of pain and discomfort associated with incorrect set up and alignment.
Managing your career: Scott Christie, Strengthscope
Using your unique strengths can help you to maximise your effectiveness when finding and changing job roles. This session will help you to understand how to use your strengths to stay motivated and put them to the service of your career.
Solution-focus at work: Steve Creffield
Everyone seems to agree that ‘what we focus on grows’, in our perception, awareness and our time and energy. But do you want to grow problems or solutions? If it’s the latter, then this workshop will show you how do do this in an immediate and practical way.
Supporting teams during change (for people managers): Nina Maan, Accelerator Solutions
Line managers play a critical role in ensuring staff are ready for change and can successfully implement it. This session will include practical, evidence-based steps to help you lead your team through change while managing your own wellbeing.
Using inclusive language: City's Joey Knock and Michelle-Louise Yembra, Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusion
Language and concepts around equity, diversity and inclusion are continuously changing. Explore the principles of inclusive language, learn current terms and practice using them, and how to sensitively correct people using inappropriate language.
*Fully booked* Watercolour worlds: Ruby Elliot (@Rubyetc)
Explore simple watercolour techniques, using paints or pencils, to create random colourful shapes. Once dry use a black pen and simple linework to turn the shape into an animal, plant or pattern for a mindful and relaxing creative activity.
*Fully booked* Gamelan taster: City's Andrew Channing, SCC
City is home to several ornate percussion orchestras from Bali and Java called gamelan. These gongs, drums and metallophones produce rich and mesmerising sounds. Learn how to play a piece of traditional Indonesian music in this fun and accessible session. No experience needed.
Extra Session at 2PM available – scroll down!
11am – 11.50am
An introduction to anti-racism: Presented by City’s Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusion.
Everyone has a role to play in promoting and embodying an anti-racist culture at City. This interactive session will explore what anti-racist means and provide you with practical ways to develop your anti-racist practice in City and beyond.
This session is being organised by City’s Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusion. City successfully received a Race Equality Charter Bronze Award in October 2022.
Healthy eating: Know the balance: City's Dr Swrajit Sarkar, SHPS
Is brown bread better than white? Is tinned salmon better than fresh? Explore the truth about the various types of carbs, proteins and fats that we regularly consume and learn some facts to help make the right choices for you.
*Fully booked* ExCel tips and tricks: City's Mark Brace, Planning and Performance Manager
Try out a range of different Excel tricks and techniques, and an opportunity to ask questions about any tricky Excel problems you might have. Practice VLOOKUP, FILTERS and TABLES as well as some other functions.
Extra Session at 1PM available – scroll down!
Creativity is contagious – creative writing as a playful practice for all: City's Dr Poonam Mader, SPGA
Creativity is contagious and essential to fostering collective wellbeing in our workspaces. Explore the power of words in a fun and engaging way for all. Expect some music, maybe a few golden eggs, and all kinds of fun writing prompts to help unleash your creativity.
The power of language: Steve Creffield
This workshop is for anyone who would like to become more aware of the power of words and how certain words can help you avoid unnecessary conflict, build collaboration, and create an openness to ideas/suggestions and proposals.
Influence without authority: Nina Maan, Accelerator Solutions
This session equips participants with the knowledge needed to build credibility and effectively influence stakeholders, even if they lack formal authority. You will gather understanding of the attitudes and behaviours of powerful influencers which can be turned into practical tools you can use to gain genuine buy-in.
Introduction to project management: City's Tom Kelly, Project Manager
This session is for those that are new to project management or those that want a refresher. Learn what is and isn't a project, City templates you can use, key tips and key skills, and where to go for support.
11am – 12pm
*Fully booked* Walking tour – Highlights of Clerkenwell: Jiff Bayliss
Clerkenwell is one of the earliest of the City of London suburbs. By 1800, the area between the City and the reservoir was teaming with small businesses and the homes of their owners and workers. The legacy can be seen today and this tour will show you evidence of this religious, industrial and social past.
12pm – 12.30pm
Breathe reset: Victoria Schermuly, Workplace Healthcare
In this 30 minute session, explore how utilising your breath and simple movements can enhance a state of coherence and rebuild the nervous system. During the session you will pick up some tools to help you de-stress and aid you in recharging your batteries.
12pm – 12.50pm
Nutrition and your immune system: Alison Clark, Workplace Healthcare
Uncover the links between stress, gut health, sleep, and immunity, unraveling the science behind it all. You'll gain valuable insights into boosting your immunity based on the latest scientific findings, empowering yourself to lead a healthier and more vibrant life.
Creative cards: Ruby Elliot (@Rubyetc)
Have fun with a selection of drawing prompts that are quick, easy and get your brain moving in a different way. The outcomes can be relaxing, silly or serious. A great activity for those who are less confident with drawing as well as those who are.
1pm – 1.30pm
*New* First Aid Session: City's Robin Kerrigan, Health & Safety Advisor
Learn life-saving skills that could make a critical difference in emergency situations. This thirty-minute session is tailored to equip participants with the essential techniques and strategies required to effectively respond to cardiac emergencies.
1pm – 1.50pm
ExCel tips and tricks: City's Mark Brace, Planning and Performance ManagerTry out a range of different Excel tricks and techniques, and an opportunity to ask questions about any tricky Excel problems you might have. Practice VLOOKUP, FILTERS and TABLES as well as some other functions.
Managing time and pressure: Steve Creffield
This workshop for anyone who is feeling pulled in multiple directions, overwhelmed with the amount that they need to get done, or for those who just want to be just a little more resilient in their every day.
Innovation and creativity at work: Nina Maan, Accelerator Solutions
Learn a range of simple creative thinking techniques that you can use to generate ideas and solve problems at work. You’ll be introduced to some tools you can use to generate ideas or solutions for improving areas of your own work.
*Fully booked* Playing at work? Seriously? An introduction to Lego Serious Play: City's Professor Susannah Quinsee, Vice-President (Digital and Student Experience)
Yes! And it is amazingly effectively and productive. This session will give you an overview of the Lego Serious Play methodology for strategy building, team working and many other applications. You might even get to play with some Lego. But only seriously, of course.
Create meaning and fulfillment in your job: City's Emily Deane and Conny Eder, Organisational Development Advisors
An introduction to 'job crafting', which involves taking proactive steps to 'redesign' what you do at work and increase the likelihood of feeling more satisified. (Please note that we won't cover 'job design' which involves requesting formal changes in responsbilities required of a job post).
2pm – 2.50pm
Sleep masterclass: Alison Clark
Whether you're personally affected by sleep problems, have a snoring partner, or are simply curious to learn more about better sleep habits, this workshop will address common sleep issues, such as waking early, insomnia, and feeling unrefreshed, along with the harmful effects of weekend sleep catch-ups on our routine.
Supporting the LGBTQIA+ inclusive workplace: Jim Glennon and Beverly Smith, Pride UK Equality Standard
The lives of LGBTQIA+ people have been greatly improved but many LGBTQIA+ people still face discrimination in the workplace. Explore the recent history and changing landscape of LGBTQIA+ equality in the UK, best practice for supporting LGBTQ+ people at work, as well as practical tips for calling out discrimination.
Financial wellbeing: Monica Kaur, Money and Pension Advice Service
An introduction to the Money and Pension Advice Service and the Money Helper website, and discover free government-backed tools and resources on offer - and how to use these tools and resources to better support you with your money and pensions.
Story at work: Steve Creffield
A good story has certain elements and when you bring those elements to life at work, things begin to make more sense, have a stronger connection, come to life and can fully engage others. Explore what makes a great narrative, how to craft one and how you might share/use it.
Managing a hybrid team (for people managers): Nina Maan, Accelerator Solutions
Explore some of the most common hybrid team relationship challenges and how to overcome them. You’ll be introduced to some practical tools to help build and maintain relationships, maintain motivation, and get the best of your team.
Gamelan taster: City's Andrew Channing, SCC
City is home to several ornate percussion orchestras from Bali and Java called gamelan. These gongs, drums and metallophones produce rich and mesmerising sounds. Learn how to play a piece of traditional Indonesian music in this fun and accessible session. No experience needed.
2pm – 3pm
*Fully booked* Walking tour – Highlights of Clerkenwell: Jiff Bayliss
Clerkenwell is one of the earliest of the City of London suburbs. By 1800 the area between the City and the reservoir was teaming with small businesses and the homes of their owners and workers. The legacy can be seen today and the tour will show you evidence of this religious, industrial and social past.
3pm – 3.30pm
*New* Emergency Evacuation Chair Session: City's Douglas Moore, Fire & Safety Advisor
Evacuation chairs provide an efficient, safe and comfortable means of evacuating an individual that is mobility-impaired in the event of an emergency. This short session will introduce you to the types of evacuation chairs, who would need one, when they would need one, and how they work.
3pm – 3.50pm
*New* How to improve your decisions using evidence-based management: Dr Craig Tindall
What is evidence-based management? Learn how it can help in your day-day work for a variety of different roles at City and practical tips on how to get started.
Harnessing the power of storytelling at work: Nina Maan
Telling a compelling story takes the listener on a journey, emotionally investing them in your vision, and engaging people regardless of culture or background. This session boosts the awareness and potential of individuals to consciously use storytelling as an effective means to communicate, so they inspire commitment and action.
*Fullybooked* Introduction to Continuous Improvement: City's Jordan Nickel and Yusuf Ahmad, Project and Business Analysts
Learn what Continuous Improvement (CI) is, its underpinning principles and City's approach to CI projects, as well as some of the key tools and techniques used across the project cycle - for example, how to remove waste from your processes and identifying what adds most value.
*Fully booked* AI as a creative assistant: Collaborating with Generative Fill: City's Simon Abbott, SST
Create a series of hand-made artworks using the collage, drawing and print materials provided, and then work together (with Photoshop’s 'Generative Fill' feature) to expand, enhance and alter digital versions of your creations.
Campus tour: City's Organisational Development team
An opportunity to meet colleagues and get acquainted with City’s facilities, staff benefits, campus layout and favourite coffee spots! A one-hour interactive tour that will also explore the hidden history of City’s buildings that contribute to its unique story.
From 4pm
Develop@City reception
Get together with colleagues to celebrate the close of another successful Develop@City (!), with food and drinks.
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