Sceptics, utilitarians and missionaries: senior managers' perceptions of engagement in a research intensive Australian university

Sceptics, utilitarians and missionaries: senior managers' perceptions of engagement in a research intensive Australian university

Senior managers at Australian universities are increasingly being asked to plan and manage for engagement. However there
appears to be confusion as to what engagement entails, and how engagement relates to both everyday operational tasks and to the purpose of the university more broadly. This paper provides rich description of senior managers' perceptions of engagement at one research intensive Australian university. Currently, senior managers' perceptions of engagement vary significantly, to the point of opposing perspectives. The spectrum of values and
perceptions can be clustered around three personas: Sceptics, Utilitarians and Missionaries. Despite the differing perspectives and considerable confusion about engagement, there is broad support from all senior managers for the University to progress an institutional engagement agenda. Results presented in this paper highlight the misconceptions, opportunities and constraints confronting one university looking to adopt an engagement mission.

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