From the Coal Face: Launching Cynnau | Ignite

Maleeha Rizwan, Ignite’s Organisational and Staff Development Officer, blogs about what she’s  learned from launching our new research culture leadership programme.

It’s quite an eye-opener when seven months of working on something suddenly becomes a reality. Then it feels like you’re in the Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves 1994 film, Speed!  To give more context, in September 2024, our dedicated team launched Cynnau | Ignite, Cardiff’s Wellcome-funded leadership development programme focused on empowering people to contribute to a positive research culture. This blog presents my personal reflections on developing and delivering the first module on the topic of Values-Driven Research Culture with our academic cohorts.

A bit about the module itself, Values-Driven Research Culture is intended to be part-induction to the programme and part-stimulation experience. The module welcomes participants with expectations and introduces the Ignite philosophy. We explain the programme’s focus on zoning into our locus of control or, more conversationally, “what can I/we do about it?”  We cover the leadership aspect, which is based on positive psychology and the theory of self-leadership, focusing on strengths as traits. The module also assesses how we live our values and considers what a future research culture could look like through  a (very fun) participatory thinking experience.

Launching a new programme is always nerve-racking, and it was ten-fold for me, as someone with prior industry experience in a different part of the world and standing in front of a group of academics, while not exactly identifying as one. However, the nerves  helped me to observe more actively and the insights from the amazing individuals who are part of this experience have been a great gift that keeps unwrapping.

Here are some  of my reflections on delivering the first workshops:

• One of the most validating moments at every launch day came when the “I’m not an academic” inner dialogue with myself quieted down because of the openness and appreciation from those participating in the experience. That itself is a win!
• Our ‘Igniters’ have shown us they need the time and space to talk and reflect about their values, experiences and just themselves in general. We were able to receive so much insight from individuals sharing their initial thoughts and how those develop when they talk to the person next to them.
• Expanding on the point above, it was and still is such a treat to see participants interacting with each other and building relationships from the get-go. Whether that be similarities between what they work on or being able to connect further for their projects. There is an immense richness of diversity from the people and their experiences.
• There was a sense of genuineness in the room where participants would talk about their personal values and their alignment to the values they bring to their research roles. There was a healthy discussion about the validity of having an ‘authentic self’ you can bring to work, which is something I have sometimes ‘struggled’ with. It’s always great to feel you are not alone.
• One of my favourite moments was when a participant highlighted their biggest value they bring to work as ‘joy.’ This has been something that has stuck positively across the group and made me reflect on how I find joy in my own creative work, which is quite a humanistic approach to have.
• On the point where we talk about leadership, it was interesting to see how many participants still view ‘leadership’ as leading people and work. It did take a bit of convincing to get participants to re-look at the concept of self-leadership, but it ended up being reflective, even if uncomfortable for many, when they could actively put their strengths as traits on a map.
• There is great strength in having the intention to make change in times of uncertainty and in a programme that focuses on culture change, the intent to do so is like a conveyor belt which can carry ambitions forward into actuality.

I could write more about my reflections; however, something that will stay true, regardless of my years of experience, is that although standing in front of a room full of people will always be frightening, it is those same participants who ease my nerves through their engagement on the day.

Ignite is such a beneficial experience from the design and delivery perspective because I am trusted to shape learner experiences, while constantly developing myself as a learning and development professional in Higher Education. Onwards and upwards!

Get in touch: Ignite@cardiff.ac.uk