Inspiration and ideas for different forms of professional development

Content on this page:

• Taught courses
• Self-study courses
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Networks
• Conferences
• Job shadowing
• Staff mobility through Erasmus+
• Mentoring
• Job rotation
• Commissioned education
• Open lectures and seminars

There are many ways in which you can continue to develop your professional skills. Alongside the professional development courses listed in Kompetensportalen, there are a range of other forms of learning. 

You can discuss what form of professional development is right for you with your line manager at your appraisal.

More information about staff appraisals

Taught courses

A common form of professional development at Lund University is taught courses. These usually include classroom sessions with a trainer, but they can also be taught entirely online.

Our courses vary in length. Some are only a couple of hours, whereas others can be taught over a longer period with multiple sessions and components. When online components are combined with classroom sessions, this is known as blended learning. 

Self-study courses

Self-study courses can comprise everything from independent reading to more advanced online activities. The idea is that participants can access the material independently at a time that suits them.

Seminars

Seminars are organised on a daily basis across the University. Departments often hold open seminars with their researchers, but there are also central administration seminars and vice-chancellor’s seminars.

The aim of the seminar as a format is for participants to actively participate in discussion of a topic. A seminar often requires preparatory work by participants (such as reading a text) in order to facilitate discussion.

Workshops

The aim of a workshop is to bring together participants with special expertise to discuss and solve problems or to learn something new together.

Workshops often lead to concrete results: a solution to a problem or new knowledge as a result of practical training during the session. A workshop requires active participation by those attending.

Networks

By interacting with other people working in similar roles, you can gain new ideas and share solutions to challenges in your work. Learning from others and contributing to their learning offers new insights and is an effective way to takes advantage of skills within the organisation.

There are also established networks for many professional groups that meet regularly across department or faculty boundaries.

Lund University is also a member of a number of national and international networks, which for example offer opportunities for university staff to go on a week-long exchange.

Conferences

Many higher education institutions and other organisations arrange conferences that are open to both researchers/lecturers and administrative and technical staff. A range of conferences are held at the faculties at Lund University and at central level.

Job shadowing

Shadowing a colleague can be a good learning experience and can offer new insights into a typical working day for another person in a similar (or completely different) job.

Job shadowing is similar to a study visit and can last for one day or longer. It is a good idea for two people to shadow each other, as in this way both benefit.

Staff mobility through Erasmus+

All employees have the opportunity to travel to one of Lund University’s many partner universities in Europe with funding from the EU programme Erasmus+, to gain international experience, international qualifications and to develop or deepen existing contacts.

Teaching staff can obtain funding for teaching, lectures, seminars, supervision and examination at a partner university in Europe.

All employees can obtain funding for job shadowing, for example participation in ongoing work at a partner university, company or organisation. You can also get grants for study visits, participation in courses, seminars or workshops with a clear connection to your work.

Read more about Erasmus mobility and shadowing

Mentoring

Being a mentor is an important part of leadership, and it is often extremely rewarding for both the mentor and pupil. Reflecting on situations in your life with an outsider can help you to see alternative courses of action.

Job rotation

Job rotation involves two people swapping duties with each other for a few months – either in different areas of responsibility or different workplaces.

This is a good way to share knowledge and experience, while gaining greater understanding of someone else’s job. It can contribute to the development of both the organisation and the individual.

Commissioned education

Commissioned education often takes the form of a tailor-made course provided by the University or another organisation, and in certain cases the courses lead to university credits.

More information about commissioned education at the University

Open lectures and seminars

Employees at Lund University have continual access to interesting open lectures and seminars. Keep your eye out for information in newsletters and on the university website. Additionally, invitations are often sent out by email.