Faculty + Staff Engagement and Why it Matters
At the University of Alberta, faculty and staff engagement isn't just a metric or a score on a survey. It is the living expression of wîcihîtowin - the traditional Cree teaching that animated our Forward Together: The University of Alberta People Strategy 2024-2034, reminding us that we are an interconnected collective who flourish through mutual understanding, empathy, and support. At the University of Alberta, we aim to model this spirit by nurturing one another in our individuality while united in our shared responsibilities and aspirations.
Engagement measures the energy, enthusiasm, and deep commitment we bring to our daily work, our students, our colleagues, and our campuses. It is the shared spark that transforms our daily roles into meaningful contributions toward our institutional mission: to be changemakers, community builders, and world shapers who uplift the whole person.
2026 Faculty and Staff Engagement Survey: Your Voice. Our Future.
Help shape the environment where we teach, research, support and thrive together. Shortened, smarter and designed around your feedback.
Learn more about the Survey »
Look for a unique survey link in your inbox on October 5!
On this page:
Your Engagement is Vital
Our university is, at its heart, a people organization. The ambitious impacts we pursue in education, research, and community connection through Shape are only possible when we cultivate an environment where our people feel valued, safe, and supported to do their best work.
When we actively invest in our collective engagement, we live the university’s Values and advance the goals they support:
- We Pursue Bold Knowledge (Quaecumque vera): Engaged teams lean into curiosity, living our commitment to the truth by asking the courageous questions that drive research and learning with purpose.
- We Grow Access, Community + Belonging: Grounded in caring, respect, and shared responsibility, we create an inclusive environment that welcomes diverse perspectives, supports transformative collaborations, and ensures everyone feels seen and supported.
- We Braid Culture, Safety, and Care: By aligning our operational practices with the Indigenous Strategic Plan and psychological safety standards, we address systemic barriers that limit full Indigenous participation in the offerings of the university.
- We Secure a Sustainable Future: We create an environment where everyone feels physically, psychologically and culturally safe by advancing a Culture of Care. By committing to safety, we act as responsible custodians of our talent and preserve the long-term legacy of the U of A.
Engagement Survey Tools
Translating survey data to create accountability and action.
- Faculty and Staff Engagement Survey: Our comprehensive engagement tool. This portal provides units with pre-mapped stages within the survey, and structured, step-by-step toolkits to translate campus-wide survey insights into localized action plans. Look for a unique survey link in your inbox on October 5!
Resources + Leader Toolkits
Supporting leaders, faculty and staff with practical resources.
- Management Resource Library: The Management Resource Library is the U of A’s one-stop shop for resources on managing people. Created in consultation with human resources experts and supervisors from across the university, the library connects you with the tools and templates you need to fulfill your supervisory responsibilities.
- Learning + Development Website: This website provides faculty and staff with award-winning education programs, workshops and on-demand learning that support the development of the knowledge, skills, behaviours and mindset that increases personal effectiveness, accountability and growth.
- Everyday Recognition: Recognition is the acknowledgment of an individual’s or team’s behaviour, effort, and accomplishments that align with our goals and values. Faculty and staff are encouraged to use this resource for ideas to make everyday recognition a regular part of their work, helping them to acknowledge contributions and celebrate successes in meaningful ways.
- Leader's Toolkit: Coming soon!
Events + Spotlights
Transforming milestones into community connections grounded in caring and respect.
- We Are Green + Gold Website: Check out additional activities and events that promote engagement and connection across campus.
- Celebrating Our People: Recognition in the Workplace: Explore resources and information to recognize colleagues, celebrate contributions and learn about recognition opportunities at the University of Alberta.