Oct
2013
ISSOTL Individual Paper Connectors and Boundary Spanners: Uncovering the Complex Roles of Educational Developers in Contemporary Higher Education Elizabeth Cleaver (University of Hull), Celia Popovic (York University Canada)
This was about an exploratory study undertaken 18 months ago. The presenters were concerned with who were connectors and, who spanned boundaries. The type of connection was important as well as the number and these spanned different worlds. In terms of boundary spanning they recognised that many people worked in silos and have a need for those who can work across conventions.
Boundary spanning and HE is more difficult in the public sector than the private and HE is complex. Watson talked about the paradox of Universities being more business-like and businesses being more university focused. There was also discussion of disciplinary communities often being stronger than institutional communities.
In this study there were 9 educational developers from a range of countries all English speaking, who were willing to take part and ethics approval was obtained.
The participants read two papers one a review of boundary spanners by Paul Williams and a brief summary by Gladwell of connectors. The participants commented on responses to the readings. The questions for the research were “Are education Developers boundary spanners or connectors?
The results of the study are:
- Yes
- There are early vs late career differences
- Some views around spanning boundaries within institution
- Views around spanning boundaries beyond the institution
There was a second question about “what skills / attributes were needed?
The findings were the following in order of numerical response:
- Cultural awareness
- Comfortable with diversity
- Interpretation ( sense making)
- Political awareness
- Relationship building (trust and support
- Network (within and beyond)
- Brokering
- Responsiveness
- Ability to see picture and goals
- Surrender (influence vs control) giving others credit
- Comfortable with change and ambiguity
Whilst these were provided in rank order the literature also supported these themes. This information could be used for those looking at a career.
The two presenters had final concerns about the ethical issues of interviewing colleagues.