13 December 2024 
Emma Walton-Pond, Communications Officer
Being a UHR Trailblazer has been an amazing journey, opening the door to an incredible opportunity: attending the CUPA-HR annual conference in the US. As someone passionate about fostering positive organisational culture through enhancing employee engagement in higher education (HE), I was eager to see how HR professionals on the other side of the Atlantic tackle similar challenges.
This was my first time attending a conference of this scale at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in Florida, and it didn’t disappoint. From the warm welcome with a Disney touch, to the thought-provoking sessions, the energy was infectious. It was a chance to not only share what’s working in the UK but also soak up fresh ideas to bring back home.
The conference kicked off with Jennifer Moss's engaging keynote, where she spoke about "surge capacity mode," – the tendency we all have to push through challenges without taking a moment to breathe. This really hit home. How often do we, as HR professionals stop to recharge?
Her insights on FOBO (Fear of Becoming Obsolete), a very real concern in our fast-changing workplaces, and “positive gossip,” - the practice of sharing good things about colleagues to boost morale, offered a refreshing perspective on workplace culture, setting a positive tone for the rest of the event.
An interesting session was "Empowering HR with AI Strategies for Higher Education" which opened my eyes to how AI can be used to classify jobs, identify essential skills, and support talent development. It was fascinating to see how AI is enhancing skills alignment in institutions.
The Disney Institute's session on engagement and culture, also left a lasting impression, highlighting the importance of purpose and leadership in driving engagement. The idea of "creating happiness" and that "everyone is a leader" at Disney was inspiring, underscoring the significance of creating a culture that supports everyone at every level.
A highlight for me was co-presenting with Margaret Ayers, Chief People Officer at Canterbury Christ Church University and UHR Chair-Elect, whose leadership and expertise were truly inspiring. Together, we explored how UK universities are addressing career development for professional services staff, with a focus on recruitment and retention challenges. It was an exciting opportunity to share real-life examples, such as Canterbury’s apprenticeship programme, and UHR’s Trailblazer programme, whilst also learning about US practices.
These UK-specific insights sparked lively conversations with attendees, many of whom were keen to learn from our approach. The audience’s enthusiasm and active participation made the session truly memorable, especially during the Trailblazer activities.
Heather McGowan's session was one of the most impactful moments of the conference for me. While her insights into the future of work were fascinating, it was her emphasis on the human connection that really resonated. In a world of rapid change and increasing automation, Heather stressed the critical importance of building meaningful relationships and fostering trust in the workplace.
She highlighted the need for institutions to create environments where people feel valued and connected, which is particularly relevant as we navigate challenges like burnout and funding concerns in HE. Heather’s session reminded me that while we focus on systems and processes, the real power lies in cultivating empathy and understanding within our teams. At the heart of HR - whether in the UK or US - is the need to prioritise people.
It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels they belong, are heard, and can thrive. For me, this was a call to action to put the human element at the centre of our work, especially as we address career development and staff retention in higher education.
One of the biggest surprises for me was the role of unions in the US. Like many, I had assumed unions were less active across the pond, but I quickly learned that’s not the case. Some institutions are juggling up to 20 collective agreements, which is a huge task!
Before attending, it had been highlighted to me that there are different views on diversity in Florida. Therefore, I couldn’t help but notice the lack of diversity in the keynote speakers. It made me wonder; are EDI discussions so embedded in the US that they don’t feel the need to highlight them? Or is this linked to political factors, like the Governor of Florida’s ban on the use of funding for EDI initiatives? Either way, it’s something worth reflecting on.
That said, there are plenty of shared challenges too. Recruitment, retention, hybrid working and career development are hot topics on both sides of the Atlantic.
This conference was a real growth moment for me. Presenting to an international audience pushed me out of my comfort zone, but it also built my confidence. The feedback we received was incredibly encouraging, and I learned so much from Margaret’s approach.
It was also a great reminder of the value of storytelling. Sharing real-life examples, like my Trailblazer activities helped connect the audience to the topic in a meaningful way. This experience has deepened my understanding of HR practices and reaffirmed that the human element must always be at the heart of our work, whether we’re in the UK, the US, or anywhere else.
