Information Services

IS Values statement

Our values are principles which we strongly believe in, and which guide our thinking and actions. They are standards against which we judge ourselves.

Core values

delivering excellent services We take pride in providing a professional service which meets the needs of our users.
effective team working We contribute and collaborate effectively within and across our teams.
the individual We treat each other with respect and appreciate everyone's strengths and contribution.
effective communication We embrace effective and open communication as critical to achieving success.
continuous improvement We continuously develop and improve our services in line with our vision, mission and goals.

For each of the five values, there are a number of "example behaviours", which illustrate what it is like to live up to those values:

Delivering excellent services

We take pride in providing a professional service which meets the needs of our users.

When we do this well, ...

  • we agree our goals with our user community, and work professionally and efficiently to achieve them.
  • we provide services which enable all our users to achieve their own objectives with minimal barriers.
  • we take pride in the quality and resilience of our services.
  • our users trust our services.

Effective team working

We contribute and collaborate effectively within and across our teams.

When we do this well, ...

  • we have trust and confidence in our colleagues and in the team's ability to succeed.
  • we have positive relationships within and across our teams.
  • we celebrate team and IS success.
  • we include our customers and users in our team.
  • our diversity and inclusivity are a source of strength.

The individual

We treat each other with respect and appreciate everyone's strengths and contribution.

When we do this well, ...

  • we are courteous and respectful to others at all times.
  • we treat people fairly.
  • when we see something done well, we say well done!
  • we understand our own and our colleagues' roles.
  • we support each other in carrying out our roles.
  • we understand how our roles contribute to the objectives of our teams, IS and the University.

Effective communication

We embrace effective and open communication as critical to achieving success.

When we do this well, ...

  • we share information and knowledge with IS colleagues and users in an open, clear and timely manner.
  • we actively and empathically listen to IS colleagues and users, and seek to understand them.
  • we consciously and carefully choose our words to suit the intended audience.
  • we have an appropriate mix of face-to-face and other forms of communication.

Continuous improvement

IS Values word cloud
A 'word cloud' created from the most common words which IS staff used when asked to think about the values which IS holds.

We continuously develop and improve our services in line with our vision, mission and goals.

When we do this well, ...

  • we take a "can-do" attitude to change.
  • we are agile in adjusting and developing our services to meet our user community's changing needs.
  • we continually look for ways to improve the value for money of our services.
  • we show initiative and take the lead to help provide better services.
  • we openly share problems and use the lessons learned from them constructively.
  • we establish and respond to clear direction and explicit goals as we improve our services.