Course selection
Working with Change at St Andrews
Audience: Academic staff, Professional staff, Research staff, Research supervisors
Date: Monday 5 October 2026
Times: 09.30 to 12.30
Key details: Developing agency, influence and confidence during times of change
Course information
This session supports staff, project leads and specialist roles to navigate and influence change at the University of St Andrews. It provides space to make sense of current change, understand personal and professional responses, and identify practical ways to exercise agency, influence and choice while working in a complex and evolving environment.
Learning Objectives
- Develop an understanding of where change comes from and why it often brings uncertainty or discomfort
- Reflect on personal responses to change and identify constructive ways to engage with it
- Use practical frameworks to clarify where action, influence or acceptance is most helpful
- Strengthen the ability to influence change and deal with the effects of change through effective conversations and developing relationships
- Identify small, meaningful actions that increase confidence, resilience and professional agency
Benefits of the Course
- Greater confidence and reduced overwhelm when navigating change
- Improved clarity on where participants can make a difference
- Stronger skills in raising issues, ideas and concerns constructively
- Better working relationships during periods of uncertainty
- Practical tools that can be used immediately to address changes.
Methodology
The session is participative, reflective and practical. It includes facilitated discussion grounded in participants’ lived experience of change, individual and group reflection exercises, simple practical tools to support agency and influence, structured conversations to practice raising issues and exploring options, and action-focused reflection to support application beyond the session.
Tutors
John Drysdale
Venue
Walter Bower House Conference Room 9