We approached the strategy development process in two stages. The first stage consisted of a consultation process aimed at opening up the questions, exposing the complexity of the environment and the opportunities and challenges before us. We hoped to elicit a wide range of views and opinions and to explore all the significant issues.
The Vice-Chancellor launched the Commission in late January 2008 at an event attended by over 200 people. A month later the Commission published a Consultation Paper and issued an open call for submissions. Over 900 copies of the Consultation Paper were downloaded from the web site and 450 printed copies were distributed.
During March and April we sought ideas and input from the University community and from external stakeholders. We hosted two open consultation forums. Four Information Futures Forums featured international and national expert speakers and attracted hundreds of attendees both in person and online.
The Commission’s web site and weblog have attracted almost 7000 visits and 14,000 pageviews. Students and staff offered comments on the blog and sent emails via the web site. An online survey asked individuals to describe their information seeking and management strategies and their view of an ideal future state. The survey attracted more than 130 responses, mainly from academic staff and graduate students.
We consulted widely with individuals and discipline-related groups. Deans and senior faculty staff were interviewed and presentations were delivered at meetings of 15 faculty and University committees. Discussions were held with representatives of several external organisations and special-interest groups, including the Council of Australian University Librarians and the Council of Australian Directors of IT.
In late April six exploratory workshops involved more than 30 volunteer students and staff.
We received 72 written submissions from faculties, groups, individuals and external organisations, including a submission from University College London’s Director of Library Services, who was a recent visitor. Written submissions are published on the Information Futures web site.
The internal Expert Panel met weekly throughout this process, providing invaluable guidance, encouragement and critical feedback. We also benefited from regular contributions by Richard Katz, Vice-President of EDUCAUSE and an External Reviewer for the Commission, and early feedback from Dame Lynne Brindley, CEO of the British Library.
In total, more than 300 people participated in the initial consultation phase.
This report heralds the second stage of the Commission’s work, in which we synthesise what we have learned and offer an initial draft of an Information Future Strategy. This report and the draft strategy will be released for comment by the University community following the May meeting of Academic Board. In May and June 2008 we will hold focus groups and other meetings to review and test the draft strategy. Input from this review process will be used to further refine the strategy.
The improved strategy will be presented to the Commission’s Steering Committee, Academic Board and University Council for final review. An implementation plan will be submitted to the Planning and Budget Committee’s mid-year conference.