Competition among the world's research-focussed universities is fierce. PA Consulting outlines their work with the University of Cambridge to improve its support structures for further success
Competition among the world’s research-focussed universities – for funding, prestige and top international researchers – has never been more fierce. Despite its history and hard-earned global reputation for excellence, the University of Cambridge recognised a need to improve its support structures for Principal Investigators (PIs). To this end, it created a new team comprising up to 20 additional staff to help PIs identify and target funding opportunities. However, given the perceived impact on existing team members and no clear pathway for managing change, we were called in to help get the project back on track.
Key successes:
- - allayed staff concerns about job security
- - established a clear roadmap for change, with universal buy-in
- - set up a Change Network with volunteer Change Champions
Clarity and Engagement
Despite its history and global reputation for excellence, the University of Cambridge recognised a need to improve its support structures for Principal Investigators (PIs). It created up to 20 new positions to help PIs identify and target funding opportunities.
Although the new appointments had already been announced, it had not been effectively communicated how the change would affect the incumbent team. Over the course of eight weeks, our diverse team of experts embedded itself in the heart of the Research Operations Office (ROO), improving staff engagement and setting out a clear path to positive outcomes.
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