ÎÞÂ붯»­

A diverse mix of speakers, presenters and activities has brought together Harper Adams staff and students together for the University’s third annual community week.

Throughout the week, the Weston and Food Academy lecture theatres hosted keynote talks from figures from food, business, and the veterinary and natural worlds.

Opening proceedings was leadership consultant, systemic coach, author and international speaker Becky Hall, whose Monday keynote talk focused on The Art of Enough.

She talked through how we can each reclaim the idea of ‘enough’, use it for a springboard for success – and move from striving to thriving.

She was followed in the afternoon by food writer, adviser and speaker Mallika Basu, whose keynote discussed Food as a Force for Good.

In her talk, Mallika explored the ways in which food draws from, and brings together, communities - and the importance of collaboration, diversity and stories in building a better future.

In a moving session on Tuesday morning, the founder of UNILAD and LADBible, inspired staff and students with his talk, Rethinking Business - How to hack your differences to become your strength.

In it, he explored how his ADHD diagnosis – and the ways in which he has worked with his neurodiversity – have shaped his entrepreneurship, his work – and his attitude to life.

On Wednesday, Ben Simpson-Vernon – who has built a major social media following through his posts about his work as a practicing small animal vet – examined content creation as a professional in his keynote talk – Social Media – A Game for Fools?

Following his talk, Ben also spend time with students from across the University’s veterinary profession degree routes talking to them about their studies and thoughts to capture future content for his accounts.

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

And finally, in a session organised by students from the ÎÞÂ붯»­ Ecological Society on Thursday, entomologist, academic and wildlife television presenter Dr George McGavin gave a whistlestop tour through what he described as the ‘second dream job’ he’s held in his keynote talk - It’s a Wild Life: Tales from Television.

The keynote talks were accompanied by an array of workshops, sessions, and hands-on activities.

Drawing from both undergraduate and postgraduate students and staff from across the University’s academic, professional services and technical communities, as well as with outside speakers - including Farmer’s Weekly - these sessions covered everything from building a LinkedIn brand to ice-cream making, and from inclusivity in farming to fundamental laboratory skills.

Presenters shared practical tips on understanding neurodiversity and neurodivergence in academic settings and the workplace, introduced participants to graphic design and content creation, and on managing university life without burnout.

Meanwhile practical sessions included rally-inspired car maintenance advice, tree identification of British species on a guided walk around the Harper Adams estate, and a chance to provide enrichment for the residents of the University’s Companion Animal House.

The week also saw the second annual Future Farm conference, which gave staff and students from across the University the chance to see and hear more about the wealth of work and research being carried out on the University’s farm.

Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning, Teaching and Digital) Professor Lydia Arnold, one of the team who brought the week together, said: “ÎÞÂ붯»­ Week has been a moment in time where staff and students came together to learn, share and engage.

“Staff and students were able to engage with might be outside of their usual everyday work or study to gain new insights which will feed into their future thinking. As well as the formal programme, the conversations had in each room were important as people met and connected to people that they may not meet on an everyday basis.

“The quality of every session was exceptional. I am grateful to everyone who attended and everyone who contributed to making the week a success.”

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram