University of Leeds

**About the University of Leeds** Established in 1904, the University of Leeds is one of the largest universities in the UK. We’re part of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities and are renowned globally for the quality of our research and teaching. ****Community, culture and impact**** **Community** We can only make a positive difference to the world if our university community is strong. Our students and staff need to work in partnership, and our research and education need to enrich and support each other. Our researchers play a leading role in innovation and discovery. Our research will inform the curriculum, and the needs of our students will help define the research we carry out. Our students will be taught the latest insights from cutting-edge research in their discipline areas and in multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary topics. We will encourage our students to co-create their education, participate in teamwork and understand the needs of the workplace. We will be a collaborative and supportive environment for the entire University community. We will reward teaching, teamwork, outreach, academic service and research equally. We want all staff to feel recognised and part of the community. Students should be equal partners if we want them to become the leaders of tomorrow. We also recognise that for our University to thrive, we need to reflect the communities we serve. We will provide students and staff from all walks of life with equal opportunities to excel. And our University community will play an important role in the West Yorkshire region, reflecting its diversity. Our alumni are a vital part of our community. More than ever, we will involve alumni in the life of the University, enhancing connections, sharing insights and working together to make a positive global impact. We will define our community in international terms. In our research and teaching, we will focus on global issues. We will strive to attract talented people from across the world by being an open and welcoming university. By bringing different cultures and perspectives into our University, we will strengthen our community and our research, education and societal impact. **Culture** We can only achieve our ambitions in research, education and societal impact if we foster a culture of collaboration rather than competition, both internally and externally. We need to focus not only on individual academic achievement, but also on teamwork. We will listen and be empathetic to make our community more successful and happy. We will treat each other with respect and value each member of our University community. We will lead the move away from competition between universities, building strong networks and partnerships with other academic institutions, including those in the Global South to tackle the global challenges. We will combine talent, local knowledge, research skills, and globally-relevant, high-quality research-based education. This requires leadership, vision, strategic focus and courage. We need to define values and goals based on ethical behaviour, engendering trust and compassion. If we focus on the needs of the world, the region and our own community, we will help find answers to many of the tough questions we face. This sense of purpose will enable us to thrive as individuals. We will embrace the values of equality, diversity and inclusion in our entire community, welcoming underrepresented groups, enhancing both their sense of belonging and their chances of succeeding. **Impact** We will focus our efforts on the research areas in which we can be a global leader. We will do this by: educating talent of all ages; using digital innovation to increase the global and local reach of our academic activities in a sustainable way; and working closely with the community through outreach and participation. We will combine our global outlook with a keen awareness of the importance of local, regional and national impact, in research, education, links with business and the civic community, and through continuous professional development. We will seek to balance our international ambition and climate change commitments, including through the use of digital technologies. We will be outward looking and focused on the needs of global and local populations to maximise our impact in all that we do.