Responsible university: In search of HR and leadership solutions

Abstract

We define a responsible university here as an institution that carries out quality research and teaching that responds to the needs of society and aims at solving certain global problems of humankind, while venerating the fundamental freedom of science. Especially researchers are crucial for accomplishment of these goals. By describing development projects at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), we focus on how a university can foster strategic aims towards solving global problems, while becoming more responsible in the process by the means of HR measures. The chapter describes HR ideas found in the course of the iterative and interactive development of leadership and recruitment processes. We present a model that sheds light on key issues in leadership and recruitment in the aim of becoming a responsible university. The model also draws together the outcomes of the development projects described. The model was discussed with, and was approved by, the academic leaders at the UEF.