USW conference hosts critical culture conversations

5 July, 2024

Two people are stood up and smiling at the camera. Sal Naseem, Inclusive culture expert, is with Hannah Coombs, USW’s Associate Dean of Partnerships and Development.

On 20 June, University of South Wales (USW) held its inaugural Culture in Public Service conference at ICC Wales, Newport.

Attended by over 100 people from across public service, the conference explored the links between culture and innovative practice, how public services can improve organisational culture and policy reform.

Keynote addresses were given by Judith Paget CBE, Director General of Health and Social Services and Chief Executive of NHS Wales, Maggie Blyth, Deputy Chief Constable/Deputy Chief Executive at the College of Policing, and Sal Naseem, Inclusive culture expert and former Regional Director for London at the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Before breaking out into workshops, there was a presentation from Claire Parmenter, Professional Practice Director for USW’s Hydra Research and Innovation Centre, and Professor Jonathan Crego MBE, Director and Founder of the Hydra Foundation. They introduced the conference to the USW and Hydra Foundation partnership.

Sal Naseem said: “Thank you so much to USW and to all the other wonderful people I met at the conference.

“There were so many rich and varied conversations, with everyone centred on the question ‘how can we improve culture in our public services?’

“It was such a privilege to take part in such an important event and discussion.”

Claire Parmenter, said: “USW and the Hydra Research and Innovation Centre are committed to improve organisations and lives for the better starting with the launch of our ‘conduct and culture exercise’ for Policing taking place on 11 July. We are already beginning work to extend this to Fire and Rescue Services and other public sector organisations.

“The conference has been a great opportunity to highlight the work of the research centre and to continue our work with some partners and start new projects with others.”

Hannah Coombs, Associate Dean for Partnerships and Business Development, said: “I was delighted to see the level of engagement that we received throughout the day from colleagues across the sector.

“It was clear that this is an area of genuine priority for our public service agencies and the willingness to learn from each other and consider the role they each play in improving organisational culture, through sharing best practice and engaging in appropriate research, was evident.

“Thank you to everyone that attended for approaching the event with such positivity and making it a day of rich discussion and healthy, respectful debate.”

Hydra Research Centre - University of South Wales

The exterior of the Ty Crawshay building at Treforest Campus in Pontypridd