At UTS, we’ve seen firsthand the advantages of mutually beneficial partnerships. From research collaborations to employment opportunities for graduates, and international collaborations, these partnerships help us create a better society. 

Each year, UTS conducts an evaluation of its partnerships to hear directly from UTS staff and external partners about how our relationships are tracking, what’s working well and what might need to be improved. This evaluation helps improve the capacity of partnership owners to build and demonstrate the health and effectiveness of their partnerships and to better realise their potential.

 

What does the evaluation involve?

The evaluation includes surveying both UTS staff and external partners from across all faculties and divisions. We use an instrument called the Partnership Evaluation Tool. The tool is used to understand the characteristics, performance and quality of a partnership.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete.

Once the evaluation is complete, you and your partner with receive a ‘Partnership Profile’ that details and compares your responses to the survey. You can use this information to better understand how your partnership is tracking, key strengths and possible areas for improvement. This analysis provides a useful resource for facilitating conversations and better relationships between partners. 

Note: you will only received a profile if: (1) both you and your partner complete the survey and (2) you and your partner consent to share your responses with each other.

 

Who can participate in the evaluation?

UTS staff: Any UTS staff member who works or has worked in partnership with a person or organisation external to UTS. 

UTS external partner: Any person or organisation who works or has worked in partnership with UTS. 

We’re interested in all types of partnerships – new and old, short and long, complex and simple.

For the purpose of the evaluation, a partnership is broadly defined as a 'formalised co-operation, grounded in legally binding arrangements or informal understandings, co-operative working relationships, and mutually adopted plans among a number of institutions' or between individuals (OECD, 1990).

 

How do I participate in the study?

We recruit for the evaluation via the Enterprise CRM. If you would like your partnership to be evaluated, you need to ensure your partnership is recorded in Salesforce.

You can email the Enterprise CRM team with any questions or requests for support: enterprise.crm@uts.edu.au

You will have received a personalised link to complete the survey via email.  

 

Do I have to participate in the study?

No, participation in the pilot is voluntary. If you choose not to participate there will be no consequences.

 

Are my responses anonymous?

Your individual responses will not be anonymous. This is because we need to map them against the responses provided by your partner. However:

  • Your responses will only be used for internal reporting.
  • Access to the data will be limited to key project staff, your partner and the Partnership Manager (where applicable).
  • If you do not want you partner to see your responses, you can indicate this in the survey and it will not be shared with them.
  • Responses will never be disclosed to any third parties.
  • Deidentified and aggregate data will be used for publishing and reporting purposes to demonstrate UTS’s impact and share learnings. You will not be identifiable in these publications.

 

How will the findings from the study be used?

The data collected will be used:

  • Develop a Partnership Profile that details and compares the responses you and your partner gave in the survey. This document will only be shared with you, your partner and the Partnership Manager (where applicable).
  • Report on UTS Partnerships at an institutional level. This data will be deidentified and aggregated. You will not be identifiable in this data.

 

Will my partner see my responses?

Your partner will only see your responses if you consent for this to happen.

In the survey, you will be asked to consent to have your responses shared with your partner. If you select ‘no’, your survey responses will not be shared with your partner and they will only be reported on at the aggregate level.

 

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information about the evaluation, please email: social.impact@uts.edu.au

Alternatively, you can also get in touch with your UTS internal contact or Partnership Manager.