Suddenly NTU appears to provide a highly supportive context in which to research ‘Practice and Community.’ Among the 5 strategic themes the institution has developed as its ‘vision’ are:
a) ‘valuing ideas’ – concerned with promoting research and innovative pedagogy.
b) ‘enriching society’ – concerned with civic impact (which is interpreted rather narrowly as “fostering key civic and employer stakeholder partnerships”, under the guidance of Garry Smith, assisted by Peter Westland).
c) ‘empowering people’ – a merely inward-focussed objective, said to be concerned with valuing staff ideas (though unclearly reflected within the architecture section, where colleagues complain about the inhuman ‘smart working’ regime imposed on them and lack of involvement in the choice of a new Head with clear vision and managerial courage).
NTU is keen to maintain a high profile in respect of employee volunteering, working with Business in the Community (BITC, calling itself “the Prince’s responsible business network”) in the hope of winning Responsible Business Awards.